‘THE GARTH GUY’ DEAN SIMMONS ON STAGE AT THE COACH HOUSE

BY COLLIN BREAUX, SAN CLEMENTE TIMES

ostalgia will surely be in the air on March 4, when Garth Brooks tribute artist Dean Simmons performs the country singer’s tunes at The Coach House.

Simmons, who is based in Las Vegas, has never played at the San Juan Capistrano venue before and so is looking forward to his debut there.

The tribute singer makes a living imitating Brooks and goes by “The Garth Guy.” He secured The Coach House gig through his agent and has played other shows before in Southern California, a place he enjoys visiting for the weather and friendly residents.

“We’re really happy to be invited there,” Simmons said of the upcoming San Juan concert.

Not only does Simmons play all of Brooks’ biggest hits, he goes as far as looking and moving like the 1990s musical sensation. He aims to not only have similar clothes but also the same type of equipment—including using the same guitar and wireless headset microphone that Brooks did.

“I love to portray the ’90s version, with the bright clothes and all,” Simmons said.

“I try to present it as a fan of his and what he’s done for country music,” Simmons said.

As Simmons tells it, his unique vocation is one he found by happenstance. Simmons didn’t aim to imitate anybody.

Instead, he just grew up in a family of country singers. Simmons, too, took up the family pastime and—of course—sang what was on the radio at the time.

People told him he sounded like Brooks.

Then, in 1994, he ended up starting off as The Garth Guy when a concert organizer was looking for a Brooks tribute act.

“I fell backwards into it,” he said.

He’s now been The Garth Guy for almost 30 years.

Taking on the persona of Brooks has enabled Simmons to come out of his performance shell, since he was previously more of a self-described shy entertainer.

Performing Brooks songs in full regalia has enabled Simmons to travel the world and support his family through music, which he called a rare blessing. He regularly plays casinos or corporate events in Las Vegas.

Simmons also noted he’s been able to work with great entertainers.

“I play guitar, because I enjoy it,” he said.

When asked what the appeal of Brooks is, Simmons said Brooks was the benchmark for country music in the 1990s—which, before then, was considered more a genre for older