Career Timeline of Garth Brooks: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Garth Brooks, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Troyal Garth Brooks is a highly successful American country singer and songwriter known for blending pop and rock elements into country music. This fusion has propelled him to widespread popularity, achieving significant success on country music charts, earning multi-platinum certifications, and setting records for live performances. Brooks has also achieved crossover success in the mainstream pop music scene, expanding his audience and influence.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1971: Jack Clement founded Jack's Tracks Recording Studio

In 1971, Jack Clement founded Jack's Tracks, a recording studio that Garth Brooks would later purchase.

1975: Allen Reynolds Purchased Jack's Tracks Recording Studio

In 1975, Allen Reynolds purchased Jack's Tracks Recording Studio from Jack Clement, which Garth Brooks would later purchase.

1981: Decision to Play Country Music

In 1981, after hearing "Unwound" by George Strait, Garth Brooks decided that he was more interested in playing country music.

Loading Video...

1985: Professional Music Career Begins

In 1985, Garth Brooks began his professional music career, singing and playing guitar in Oklahoma clubs and bars.

1985: Phelps offered to produce Brooks' first demo

In 1985, entertainment attorney Rod Phelps offered to produce Garth Brooks' first demo, encouraging him to pursue a recording contract in Nashville.

1987: Move to Nashville

In 1987, Garth Brooks and his wife Sandy Mahl moved to Nashville, where he began making contacts in the music industry.

1989: Release of First Album and Concert Tour

In 1989, Garth Brooks' first eponymous album was released and became a chart success. Also in 1989, he embarked on his first major concert tour, opening for Kenny Rogers.

1989: Garth Brooks releases albums

Since 1989, Garth Brooks released 27 records in all, which include 17 studio albums, two live albums, three compilation albums, three Christmas albums, and four box sets, along with 77 singles.

1990: Release of 'No Fences' Album

In 1990, Garth Brooks released his second album, No Fences, which spent 23 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.

1990: Induction into Grand Ole Opry

In late 1990, Garth Brooks was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.

September 1991: Release of Ropin' the Wind

In September 1991, Garth Brooks released his third album, Ropin' the Wind, which entered the Billboard 200 at No. 1.

August 25, 1992: Release of 'Beyond the Season' Christmas Album

On August 25, 1992, Garth Brooks released his first Christmas album, Beyond the Season, which included both classic Christmas songs and an original tune.

1992: Co-Wrote "We Shall Be Free"

In 1992, after spending time in Los Angeles during the riots, Garth Brooks co-wrote the gospel-country-rock song "We Shall Be Free" to express his desire for tolerance.

Loading Video...

July 1993: "That Summer" Reached No. 1

In July 1993, "That Summer" became the most successful single from the album The Chase, reaching No. 1.

1993: First World Tour

In 1993, Garth Brooks' first world tour began, including sold-out venues in the UK. He also started the London radio station, Country 1035.

1994: Appearance on KISS Tribute Album

In 1994, Garth Brooks paid homage to KISS by appearing on the tribute compilation, Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved, performing "Hard Luck Woman" live on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Loading Video...

November 1995: Release of 'Fresh Horses' Album

In November 1995, Garth Brooks released Fresh Horses, his first album of new material in two years, which sold over three million copies within six months.

1995: Ty England Goes Solo

In 1995, Ty England, Garth Brooks' former roommate and guitarist in his road band, went solo.

1996: Return to the UK for Performances

In 1996, despite negative press treatment, Garth Brooks returned to the UK for more performances as part of his World Tour.

August 1997: Central Park Concert

In August 1997, Garth Brooks' Central Park concert went on as planned, receiving 980,000 fans in attendance and becoming the largest concert in park history.

1998: Release of 'The Limited Series' Box Set

In 1998, Garth Brooks also released the first installment of The Limited Series, a six-disc box set containing reissues of his first six studio albums, each with a bonus track.

1998: Launch of Touch 'em All Foundation and Baseball Spring Training

In 1998, Garth Brooks launched his Touch 'em All Foundation with Major League Baseball and signed with the San Diego Padres for spring training.

1998: Release of 'Double Live' Album

In 1998, Garth Brooks released his first live album, Double Live, which went on to become the best-selling live album of all time and is the seventh-most shipped album in United States music history.

1999: Establishment of Teammates for Kids Foundation

In 1999, Garth Brooks began the Teammates for Kids Foundation, which provides financial aid to charities for children.

1999: Spring training with the San Diego Padres

In 1999, Garth Brooks continued his baseball endeavor with the San Diego Padres for spring training.

2000: Equality Rocks Benefit Concert Appearance

In 2000, Garth Brooks appeared at the Equality Rocks benefit concert for gay rights, singing a duet with openly gay singer George Michael.

2001: Brooks Retired from Recording and Performing

In 2001, troubled by conflicts between career and family, Garth Brooks retired from recording and performing.

2004: Return to Baseball with the Kansas City Royals

In 2004, Garth Brooks returned to baseball, signing with the Kansas City Royals for spring training where he got his first and only hit off Mike Myers.

2005: Establishment of Pearl Records

In 2005, Garth Brooks ended his association with Capitol Records and established his own record label, Pearl Records.

2005: Brooks Started a Partial Comeback

In 2005, Garth Brooks started a partial comeback, giving select performances and releasing two compilation albums.

November 5, 2007: Named Best Selling Solo Artist in US History

On November 5, 2007, Garth Brooks was named the best selling solo artist in US history, surpassing Elvis Presley.

2008: Benefit Concerts for Fire Intervention Relief Effort

In January 2008, Garth Brooks performed five sold-out concerts over two days at the Staples Center in Los Angeles to raise money for the Fire Intervention Relief Effort, serving those impacted by the 2007 California wildfires. Tickets were $40 each.

December 2009: Garth at Wynn Concert Residency Began

In December 2009, Garth Brooks began Garth at Wynn, a periodic weekend concert residency at Las Vegas's Encore Theatre.

December 2010: Benefit Concerts for Nashville Flood Victims

In December 2010, Garth Brooks played nine shows in less than a week in Nashville at Bridgestone Arena to benefit victims from the May 2010 Nashville flood, selling over 140,000 tickets and raising $5 million.

December 2010: Presley Surpasses Brooks Again in Album Sales

In December 2010, several more of Elvis Presley's albums received certifications from the RIAA, resulting in Elvis again surpassing Garth Brooks in album sales.

2010: Purchase of Jack's Tracks Recording Studio

In 2010, Garth Brooks purchased Jack's Tracks, a recording studio founded by Jack Clement in 1971 and sold to Allen Reynolds in 1975, where most of Brooks' albums were recorded.

May 6, 2011: Completed MBA from Oklahoma State University

On May 6, 2011, Garth Brooks completed his MBA from Oklahoma State University and participated in the commencement ceremony.

2012: Brooks Passes the Beatles as Top-Selling Act

In 2012, Garth Brooks officially passed the Beatles as the top-selling act of the past 20 years, moving 68.5 million units worldwide, almost 5 million more than the Beatles.

2012: Renaming of Recording Studio to Allentown Studios

In 2012, in honor of his 50th birthday, Garth Brooks renamed Jack's Tracks studio to Allentown Studios.

July 6, 2013: Benefit Concert for Oklahoma Tornado Victims

On July 6, 2013, Garth Brooks joined Toby Keith for a benefit concert for victims of the 2013 Oklahoma tornadoes, featuring artists Mel Tillis, John Anderson, Willie Nelson, Trisha Yearwood, Sammy Hagar, Kellie Coffey, Ronnie Dunn, Carrie Underwood and Krystal Keith.

January 2014: End of Garth at Wynn Residency

In January 2014, Garth Brooks' periodic weekend concert residency at Las Vegas's Encore Theatre, called Garth at Wynn, ended.

May 2014: Best-Selling Album Artist in the U.S.

In May 2014, Garth Brooks' total album sales reached 69,544,000 copies, making him the best-selling album artist in the U.S., ahead of the Beatles, Metallica, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion.

July 2014: Signing with Sony Music Nashville

In July 2014, following the conclusion of his residency, Garth Brooks announced his signing with Sony Music Nashville.

September 2014: Comeback World Tour Began

In September 2014, Garth Brooks began his comeback world tour with his wife and musician Trisha Yearwood.

September 2014: Establishment of GhostTunes

In September 2014, Garth Brooks established GhostTunes, an online music store featuring his own digital music and songs from other artists, allowing for autonomous pricing and distribution format.

October 2014: RIAA Lists Presley and Brooks Album Sales

As of October 2014, the RIAA lists Elvis Presley's total sales at 134.5 million and Garth Brooks' at 134 million albums.

2015: Benefit Concert in Barretos, Brazil

In 2015, during a break from his world tour, Garth Brooks performed a sold-out concert in Barretos, Brazil to benefit the Hospital de Câncer de Barretos.

September 2016: Seven Career Diamond Award Albums

In September 2016, Garth Brooks became the first and only artist in music history to achieve seven career Diamond Award albums, according to the RIAA, surpassing the previous record tied with The Beatles.

March 2017: Closure of GhostTunes and Merger with Amazon Music

In March 2017, GhostTunes officially closed, merging with Amazon Music.

2017: Culmination of Comeback World Tour

In 2017, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood culminated their comeback world tour.

2019: Filming Grammy Tribute

In 2019 Garth Brooks took a trip with his former hairstylist and make up artist to film a Grammy tribute.

2019: Return to Spring Training with Pittsburgh Pirates

In 2019, Garth Brooks made a return to spring training, joining the Pittsburgh Pirates to promote his charity.

2019: Stadium Tour Began

In 2019, Garth Brooks' Stadium Tour began.

June 16, 2021: Pollstar Award for Country Touring Artist of the Decade

On June 16, 2021, Garth Brooks won the Pollstar award as the "country touring artist of the decade" (2010s).

April 30, 2022: Performance in Tiger Stadium caused seismograph registration

On April 30, 2022, Garth Brooks performed in Tiger Stadium at Louisiana State University. During his performance of "Callin' Baton Rouge," the crowd's excitement registered on the university's seismograph, mirroring a previous incident with LSU quarterback Tommy Hodson, an earthquake caused by excited fans.

Loading Video...