(US99) -- Garth Brooks -- the man, the myth, the legend -- turned a mediocre Monday night into an unforgettable evening.
A man we're used to seeing pack sold-out stadiums took the stage at a more intimate venue.
Joe's on Weed Street welcomed 500 of Garth's biggest and luckiest fans -- there was no option to purchase tickets for this event, everyone in there had to win them through radio stations like US*99!
For the past week, the only talk of the town was who was going to the show and what an experience it would be.
The energy inside of Joe's was electric with eager fans and a production set-up prepared to live-stream the performance nationally on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
The twenty-three-time Academy of Country Music Award winner eventually walked on stage to roars and cheers so loud, they echoed throughout the city.
Brooks has a soft-spot for Chicago, and when he mentioned that this show was a return to "home sweet home," he meant it.
In 2014, Brooks famously kicked off his 'Garth Brooks Tour' at the Allstate Arena with an impressive 11 consecutive sell outs.
But this, this wasn't Allstate Arena, though at times, as the adoration of fans mingled with Brook's stage presence, it felt like it.
His first of seven shows, the Dive Bar Tour relied heavily on fan interactions and crowd influence, which is what made it not only the hottest ticket in Chicago but also a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Brooks fans.
"There is no setlist tonight," he told the crowd as he took song recommendations.
Amongst the classics "Friends in Low Places," "Thunder Rolls" and "Two Pina Coladas," were some requests that definitely surprised Brooks and his band -- the same band he's had since the early 90s.
Dubbed the "Country Enterainer of the Year," Brooks fulfilled every request such as "The Red Strokes" dating back to 1994.
"I'll play you just a little bit. And forgive me, it's gonna suck," Brooks hilariously and bluntly told the fan.
But while the classics made the cut, Brooks also delivered his newest single "Dive Bar," a duet with Blake Shelton, and the inspiration for these smaller-scale shows.
While being in such close proximity was a dream come true for Brooks fans, the added bonus was that the song was aired late Monday night on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
It wasn't a quiet night by any means as Brooks fed off the ecstatic energy of the crowd telling them that while most artists dream of selling out stadiums, he always preferred to play the honky tonky spots.
Brooks is clearly a man who never forgot where he came from.
And when all was said and done, Brooks' fans left in awe of his talent, kindness and stage presence, while Brooks, well, he more than lived up to that Entertainer of the Year title.
SETLIST
Two of a Kind, Workin' on a Full House
Dive Bar
Friends in Low Places
The Red Strokes
That Summer
All-American Kid
Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)
Two Pina Coladas
The Dance
Callin' Baton Rouge
Beaches of Cheyenne
Mama Tried (Merle Haggard cover), The Race is On (George Jones cover), Amarillo by Morning (George Strait cover), Uncle Pen (Bill Monroe and the Bluegress Boys), I Told You So (Randy Travis ), So Don't Close Your Eyes (Keith Whitley)
Fishin' in the Dark (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band cover)
Rodeo
Ain't Going Down ('Till the Sun Comes Up)
The Thunder Rolls
Shameless
Standing Outside the Fire
The River [ENCORE]