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On September 11, 2026—the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001—Garth Brooks performed at Chicago’s Allstate Arena. During the concert, he paused the celebration to acknowledge the significance of the day and shared something Deb hadn’t remembered: Garth was in New York City on September 11, 2001.

In this episode, Deb talks about Garth’s memories of that day, including seeing tanks on the streets of New York and turning on the radio only to hear his own song, “We Shall Be Free.” Garth explained that from that moment forward, the song meant something different to him.

Deb explores how that can happen for us as fans, too. The recording doesn’t change—but sometimes our experiences completely change what we hear in a song.

She also looks at three songs Garth performed during the Chicago concert and the message they take on when considered together:

🎵 “We Shall Be Free” — HOPE
A vision of the kind of world we still hope to create.

“All American Kid” — SERVICE
A reminder of the individuals who choose to serve and sacrifice for others.

🌹 “The Change” — ACTION
A challenge to keep doing the good we can, even when one person’s effort seems too small to make a difference.

Hope. Service. Action.

Three Garth songs. Three powerful ideas. And 25 years later, a meaningful way to remember September 11 through the music that has accompanied so many moments in our lives.

Join Deb for this special Garthology remembrance as we reflect on the music, the memories, and the way familiar songs can suddenly mean something entirely new.

❤️ Love will always win.

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