SHORT TAKES : Nightclub Fight Stirred Romance

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Rising country music star Garth Brooks says he met his wife, Sandy, when he broke up a fight she was involved in at a nightclub in Stillwater, Okla.

Brooks, a finalist for five Country Music Assn. awards this year, said in an interview that he was a bouncer at the nightspot in 1983 when he was summoned to halt a dispute in the women’s restroom.

“These two gals had her cornered,” Brooks recalled. “She took a swing at this one ol’ gal and missed her. But her fist went through the pressed-wood stall, and she couldn’t get it back out.

“She was just madder than a hornet.”

Brooks removed her fist and threw her out of the club. But he later began telephoning her, and they were married in 1986.

Brooks’ hit records include “If Tomorrow Never Comes” and “The Dance.” He is a finalist for the CMA’s male vocalist of the year, single of the year, song of the year, Horizon Award and video of the year.