Garth Brooks has been on the return over the past few weeks, releasing his new album and airing his final Las Vegas show live as a Thanksgiving TV special over the holidays, prompting some to suggest that the country superstar may be heading out on the road too. Having been coy for so long on whether such a prospect might be true, on Monday, 9 December, Brooks confirmed what many had been hoping for.

Garth Brooks
Garth Brooks is finally heading on the road

During his appearance on ABC's Good Morning America at the start of the week, Brooks finally made it clear that he intends to bring his new music to the people, on what will be his first proper tour since his 'retirement' in 2000. Brooks initially went on GMA to promote his new album, Blame It All on My Roots: Five Decades of Influences - a compilation of covers, greatest hits and DVD footage of his Vegas residency - when the talk inevitably turned to touring. Having inched towards coming out of retirement with his impending release, he told anchor Robin Robert that he will at last step out of retirement fully.

“You know what, since it’s you and since we’ve had a history forever, let’s announce it. We’re going on a world tour in 2014,” Brooks told Roberts in his GMA interview. “I can’t believe I just did that but you are a doll.”

The decision to come out of retirement wasn't made overnight though, with Brooks going on to state that the touring is only going ahead because his wife, Trisha Yearwood, and three daughters had give him the thumbs up. Brooks continued, “It sure feels good to get to throw your hat back in the ring. All my babies are fine with it. Ms. Yearwood is fine with it. So now I get to do what I love to do, which is play music. I get to be with the person I want to be with, which is Ms. Yearwood.”

Watch the video for Brooks' 'Where Your Road Leads'

Blame It All on My Roots: Five Decades of Influences, the six disc collection from Brooks, is out in stores now, having shot straight to the top of the country charts upon its release. Sold exclusively through Walmart and Sam's Club, the release contains four albums worth of new recordings, all of which are covers by Brooks of his favourite songs. The compilation also included two DVD featuring performances from his three year residency in Las Vegas and a reissue of his Ultimate Hits.

Further news on his impending tour, including dates and when tickets are due to go on sale, are due to be announced on his website in the coming weeks.

Garth Brooks AoD
Hopefully, Brooks will be coming to a town near you