The 'Thunder Rolls' Into Wal-Mart With Garth Brooks Multi-Year Venture

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) announced an exclusive multi-year agreement with singer/songwriter Garth Brooks that will include all Wal-Mart stores, SAM'S CLUB locations and online.

Brooks, who introduced country music to new audiences and achieved multi-platinum status in doing so, retired from public performing in 2001 and remains retired. Garth Brooks is the all- time biggest-selling solo artist and has taken 25 singles to the number one position on the country charts.

"We understand the Wal-Mart customer and know that bringing them Garth Brooks exclusives in the upcoming years is something that'll excite them as much as it excites us," said David Porter, Wal-Mart vice president and divisional merchandise manager. "We've all missed him -- his natural humor and his ability to touch each of our lives through his music and lyrics that seem to reach into our very souls."

Details of the exclusive multi-year relationship are not being released at this time.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and SAM'S CLUB locations in the United States. Internationally, the company operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Korea and the United Kingdom.

The company's securities are listed on the New York and Pacific stock exchanges under the symbol WMT.

Source: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
BENTONVILLE, Ark., Aug. 19, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/