GARTH BROOKS: REALLY CHRIS GAINES IN PAST LIFE?

GARTH BROOKS: REALLY CHRIS GAINES IN PAST LIFE?

TAUNTON, England (Wireless Flash) -- The Chris Gaines character Garth Brooks created last year may actually be one of his past lives. At least that's the claim of a reincarnation researcher in Taunton, England. Jenny Smedley claims she owns a portrait of a 17th century Irish poet named Ryan Fitzgerald that looks amazingly like Gaines -- right down to the wild black hair and tight trousers. The 49-year-old has even met with Garth to discuss his past life and although he didn't admit to being Fitzgerald, he promised to research her findings. Smedley hasn't heard from the country giant yet but her reincarnation research may have touched a nerve. She claims Garth's brother, Kelly, phoned her and requested that she not release the Fitzgerald portrait to the media.