Berks County Singer-Songwriter Pat Garrett Dies at 84, Leaving Behind an Amphitheater, Sheepskin Shop and Decades of Country Connections
BERKS COUNTY, PA — Pat Garrett, the Berks County singer, songwriter and business owner who became a familiar name in local music and tourism, died Tuesday at 84, according to his family. Over the years, Garrett turned a country-music persona into a broader community presence through live shows, retail businesses and a venue that drew some of the biggest names in the genre.
He was best known as the frontman of the Pat Garrett Band, but his reach extended far beyond the stage. From an amphitheater in Upper Tulpehocken Township to a sheepskin shop off Route 183, Garrett built a pair of landmarks that became part of the area’s identity.
How the amphitheater became a Berks County landmark
Garrett built the amphitheater that bears his name in 1994 in Upper Tulpehocken Township, and it quickly became a stop for major country acts. Among the performers who played there were Johnny Cash, George Jones, Billy Ray Cyrus, Charlie Daniels and Willie Nelson.
Garrett stopped booking acts at the venue in 2005 so he could focus on other ventures, but the amphitheater later returned. It reopened in 2015, allowing the site to keep serving as a live-music destination for fans who associated it with Garrett’s long run in local entertainment.
Taylor Swift's early karaoke nights added to Garrett's legend
One of the most memorable stories tied to the amphitheater involves Taylor Swift, who grew up in Berks County. Before becoming a global star, she competed in karaoke contests there when she was 11 years old, long before her own career took off.
Garrett also said he once offered music-business advice to Swift’s father. He remembered telling him that Nashville was where stars were made, and that the family should move there if they wanted to push her career forward. Garrett later recalled that they returned to his sheepskin shop a few months afterward and said they were heading to Nashville.
From radio owner to songwriter of political novelty tunes
Garrett’s business interests went beyond concerts. He bought a classic rock station serving central Pennsylvania in 2012 and later sold it to Educational Media Foundation in 2017, adding another layer to his role in the region’s media landscape.
He also became known for songs that leaned into current events and political personalities. In 2008, he wrote “Moose Shootin’ Mama” as a tribute to Sarah Palin. Two years later, at the request of the Berks County Patriots, he recorded “The Tea Party Song.” During the 2016 presidential race, he released “I’m Voting for Donald for President,” along with other tongue-in-cheek tracks he called “countryversial.”
Sickafus Sheepskins turned a family property into a second stage
Garrett’s sheepskin business became another signature part of his public image. Sickafus Sheepskins, located off Route 183 in Upper Tulpehocken Township, grew into a shop filled with coats and leather goods, with inventory packed into what friend Rob Hunt described as “every nook and cranny.”
The property itself had family roots. Hunt said it once belonged to his parents as a gas station before it became the shop Garrett ran for years. Garrett also said some of his coats appeared on the television drama “Yellowstone,” and he noted that country stars including Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Charlie Daniels and George Jones also wore his work.
Friends remember a man who mixed music, business and generosity
People who knew Garrett said his public image only hinted at how many stories followed him. Hunt described him as outgoing and generous, someone who loved meeting people and would “do anything for anybody.” He said Garrett would be deeply missed by many in the community.
Another local memory involved Berks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach, who recalled Garrett stopping a show about 30 years ago, dropping to one knee and proposing to Suzy Dalton. That kind of unpredictable showmanship helped make Garrett a figure people remembered long after the music stopped.
The Bridge Inn, Dolly Parton and the projects Garrett leaves behind
Garrett also helped bring The Bridge Inn on Route 73 in Oley Township into the family in 2013 after a dinner there led to discussions about buying the restaurant. He and his band performed there many times, making the property another extension of his music life.
More recently, Garrett spoke with 69 News after Dolly Parton died, looking back on a time he watched her record in Nashville. He remembered seeing her on a back porch as he left, waving with what he described as a warm smile. Hunt said Garrett’s family plans to keep events going at the amphitheater and continue running the sheepskin shop.
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