Brooks tickets move lickety-split

Just can’t get enough of Garth Brooks? Then you better circle Jan. 26 on your calendar and contact your favorite ticket agent: Brooks will play three shows that Saturday at Staples Center (1, 5 and 9 p.m.), which will follow two shows on Jan. 25 (6 and 10 p.m.). All five concerts sold out in less than an hour this past weekend.

The whirlwind L.A. visit will raise money for Southern California 2008 Fire Relief Campaign, a campaign of the McCormick Tribune Foundation. (The Times is one of the corporate sponsors for the concerts.)

“It’s a beautiful thing when everyone pulls together,” Brooks said in a press release Monday. “California just raised a ton of money for their own. I’m so proud to be part of this.”

The 45-year-old country star has passed Elvis Presley as the bestselling solo artist in U.S. history, according to the album-shipment totals compiled by the Recording Industry Assn. of America. Brooks announced his retirement in 2000, but he has been ramping up his performances and public appearances in recent months.

-- Geoff Boucher