SHORT TAKES : Ruse Spins Brooks’ Single Early

Capitol Records has been forced to release “Friends in Low Places,” the first single from country singer Garth Brooks’ upcoming album “No Fences,” weeks earlier than planned after a bootleg copy of the single was leaked last week to a radio station.

An Oklahoma radio station got nowhere with Brooks’ management when it tried to get an early release of the single, so they called Garth’s mother, Colleen Brooks, saying they had permission to get the single.

Mrs. Brooks, believing their story, unknowingly gave them a copy. The song apparently caused consumer demand and Capitol Records spokesman Bill Catino says the label has been forced to ship the single almost three weeks earlier than planned.