The follow up to Garth Brooks’ 2014 Man Against Machine has been delayed a couple of times already and Brooks stated in January that he was preparing “The Letter” to explain the album’s delay. It seems that day is today (March 10th) as Brooks has written an open letter to his fans regarding the release of new music.

“In the fifteen months we have been touring, we have been fortunate to have seen a lot of faces and heard a lot of voices. When it comes to the new music, the one thing I keep hearing over and over is, ‘Where is the Garth stuff?’ I made the statement that when we came back on the road and into the studio, I was not confident in my own writing…it is a muscle and if you don’t use it, you just can’t turn it back on again…it takes time…but I DID hear you,” Brooks writes on Facebook.

“And because of that, teamed with the touring schedule, I am asking a huge favor from you, I am postponing the release of the new studio record…I ask for your patience as I explore the writing again. I have been at it for over four months now, enjoying the challenge and enjoying the studio more because of it. This new album will be the most Garth thing I have ever done… whether that is a good thing or a bad thing, you will decide.”

Brooks is embracing social media, specifically Facebook, and has introduced Facebook Live into his touring schedule. Now, he is looking to take fans behind the scenes of the album-making process with the technology.

“I know this may sound crazy, but I would like to invite you in on the process…see how we make records and see what goes on behind the scenes of the making of a record, from the production of the music, the manufacturing of the package, to the release of the record which should be sometime this summer☺. I believe the G-team and Facebook have found a way to make this happen using Facebook LIVE like you have never seen it, to pull back the curtain on this process in a very cool and personal way,” he continues. “I really hope you are going to like this journey with me. Who knows? 2016 could be the best year, yet?? When it is over, I sincerely pray I look on the year and can say, ‘Miss Yearwood and the girls are healthy.’ For as you know, your family’s health is truly all that matters.”

As always, we will have more details as they are announced. Read the full letter below.

https://www.facebook.com/GarthBrooks/posts/1011179995628100