I had the opportunity to go to Nashville last summer for the announcement that Garth was coming out of retirement to release his CD "The Ultimate Hits".  He told us at the event that he would be releasing the CD, doing some press, doing the concerts that he did and then he would "disappear" into retirement again around February of this year.  Clearly, this has not happened.  Since then, he's been everywhere!  (I'm not complaining here, I think it's great!)  We saw him on the ACM's, he presented an award at the Country Music Hall of Fame, he presented Carrie Underwood with her membership to the Grand Ole Opry and who knows where we'll see him next.  He may not be releasing new music or touring (yet), but he is clearly regaining his public persona.  I would wager that Garth is back.  He loves his fans and he loves country music and I have a feeling instead of disappearing, he is emerging back into the industry.   - Mary J