Garth Brooks wants his hospital donation back

This just in from the out-of-left-field news desk. Garth Brooks is suing an Oklahoma hospital for his $500,000 donation because they have not named a building after his late mother, reports the AP. Brooks claims he made the donation to Integris Canadian Valley Regional Hospital in Yukon, Okla., Brooks' hometown, because he believed at least some part of the facility would be named after his mother Colleen Brooks, who passed away from cancer in 1999.

The hospital maintains the gift was not based on any such condition. Hospital spokesman Hardy Watkins says, "Unfortunately, talks broke down or did not continue or Mr. Brooks was not satisfied with the options we were offering, and that's when he decided to sue."

The lawsuit claims that hospital officials showed mock-ups of buildings bearing Brooks' mother's name and told him his money was earmarked for that type of project. Watkins says that hospital officials had discussions with Brooks about naming options, which ranged from $250,000 to $15 million. He also says the donation from Brooks remains in unspent in a hospital account.

So we guess Brooks is just suing to perhaps light a fire under them to get moving? It makes it sound as though they are very open to naming something after Colleen Brooks, but just haven't yet? Hmm.

Opening statements from the two sides begin Wednesday (Jan. 18). One thing is for sure - Brooks has been largely off the music radar for awhile. Perhaps suing a hospital to get your donation back is not the best way to burst back into the headlines.