Everyday Music

CLAREMORE, Okla. — Garth Brooks appeared before a friendly crowd Tuesday—the jurors who will hear his claim that an Oklahoma hospital refused to name a building for his late mother after he gave it $500,000.

Nearly everyone in the jury pool raised their hands when Brooks’ lawyer asked whether they had heard of the country music star. Eight of the 18 selected for possible duty acknowledged they were fans, and several said they had attended one or more of his concerts.

Brooks claims he made the donation to Integris Canadian Valley Regional Hospital in Yukon because he believed at least some part of the facility would be named after his mother. He

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“The Lord of the Rings” director Sir Peter Jackson has left a New Zealand hospital after surgery for a perforated ulcer.

Publicist Melissa Booth says Jackson was discharged from Wellington Hospital on Thursday and would continue his recuperation at home. He had surgery after being admitted Jan. 26 with acute stomach pain.

Booth said a delay on filming of the two-part film “The Hobbit” is expected to be minimal. Jackson is set to start filming the prequel to his “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy next month.

She said Jackson thanked hospital staff and fans who had wished him a speedy recovery.