Garth Brooks heading to Fresno in a big way

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Heavy demand for Garth Brooks tickets prompted the country music icon to quickly add not one, not two - but three additional shows in Fresno.

Fans worried about not landing a ticket suddenly had several options to pick from.

Demand for tickets nearly overloaded the system when they went on sale Friday morning. Brooks was set to perform Saturday, September 24 at the Save Mart Center but it was clear one show wouldn't be enough.

"We actually knew before it the first one even went on sale," Steve Tadlock, the venue's general manager, said. "Again, a lot of statistical analysis. Within that half hour before 10 o'clock we already knew there was sufficient demand out there."

The Save Mart Center blocked out more dates just in case music history repeated itself because, 19 Years ago, Brooks played five shows at Selland Arena.

"I was there. I watched it," fan Pam White said. "I heard him say he would back."

Fans like White were thrilled to have four shows to choose from.

"I was trying for the Saturday 7:00 p.m. show and then I kept getting updates on my phone for ABC saying, 'Oh, they added another show, they added another show,' so, finally, I just had to choose one that was available."

Many fans learned they couldn't pick up tickets at the Save Mart Center box office and had buy them on the phone or online.

Gabriela Solis stopped by for her mom.

"I was like, who is Garth Brooks? I'm sorry," she said. "She goes, 'You'll know who is he. You've heard his songs. I know you'll know who he is.'"

More shows, more people to eat, drink and hang out at Campus Pointe across the way.

Collect Coffee Bar owners say traffic from the Save Mart Center and Fresno State was a big reason why they picked this location.

"We just opened on Monday so we haven't got that effect yet," owner Jamal Anabtawi said. "With Garth Brooks coming, we're going to see how that works out."

"Maybe he'll stop by and have some coffee?" an Action News reporter asked Anabtawi.

"Absolutely, before and after," he replied.

The only other artist who needed to add a second show at the Save Mart Center was Madonna back in 2006.

"It's really a tribute to the market responding to a legendary artist," Tadlock said.

Shows are Friday, September 23rd at 7:00 p.m., Saturday September 24th at 7:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m, and Sunday, September 25th at 7:30 p.m.. Brooks will be joined by opening artist Trisha Yearwood.

Tickets go in sale on Friday, August 5th at ticketmastercom or by phone at 1-866-448-7849 or 1-800-745-3000.

The Save Mart Center said tickets will not be available through the box office or Ticketmaster location on August 5th -- they will only be available on the website or by calling the phone numbers.