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 renowned for blending pop and rock influences into country music. This fusion propelled him to widespread popularity in the United States, dominating country music charts with hit singles and albums. He's also celebrated for multi-platinum record sales and record-breaking live performances, effectively crossing over into mainstream pop culture.

Sections (4)

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

1981: Decision to Play Country Music

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

Loading Video...

1985: Start of Professional Music Career

In 1985, Garth Brooks began his professional music career, singing and playing guitar in Oklahoma clubs and bars, including Wild Willie's Saloon in Stillwater.

1985: First Demo and Encouragement from Rod Phelps

In 1985, entertainment attorney Rod Phelps offered to produce Garth Brooks' first demo and encouraged 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 Garth Brooks' First Album

In 1989, Garth Brooks' eponymous first album was released, becoming a chart success and peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.

1989: Release of First Album and Career Beginnings

Since 1989, Garth Brooks has released 27 records, including studio albums, live albums, compilation albums, Christmas albums, and box sets, along with 77 singles, marking the beginning of his highly successful music career.

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 the 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, a first for a country artist.

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 classic Christmas songs and an original tune.

1992: Co-writing of 'We Shall Be Free'

In 1992, after spending time in Los Angeles during the riots, Garth Brooks co-wrote 'We Shall Be Free', a gospel-country-rock hybrid single expressing his desire for tolerance.

Loading Video...

July 1993: 'That Summer' Reaches No. 1

In July 1993, 'That Summer' became the most successful single from The Chase album, reaching No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

Loading Video...

1993: GLAAD Media Award for 'We Shall Be Free'

In 1993, Garth Brooks won a GLAAD Media Award for his song "We Shall Be Free."

Loading Video...

1993: First World Tour Begins

In 1993, Garth Brooks' first world tour began, including sold-out venues in the UK, a feat never accomplished by an American country music artist.

1994: Collaboration with KISS on Tribute Album

In 1994, Garth Brooks paid homage to KISS by appearing on the tribute compilation, Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved, and 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 of its release.

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, Garth Brooks returned to the UK for more performances, despite negative treatment from the British media in the past.

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, despite a dispute within Capitol Records delaying the release of Sevens.

1998: Launch of Touch 'em All Foundation and Baseball Career Start

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 The Limited Series

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

1998: Release of Double Live Album

In 1998, Garth Brooks' first live album, Double Live, was released, recorded at various shows over the course of his second world tour.

1999: Founding 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 New York Mets

In 1999, Garth Brooks signed with the New York Mets for spring training, after his first spring training in 1998 with the San Diego Padres.

1999: Comments on Love and Sexual Orientation

In a 1999 interview with George, Garth Brooks spoke about love and sexual orientation, stating that one should follow their heart and trust that God will explain why people fall in love with people of the same sex.

2000: Appearance at Equality Rocks Benefit Concert

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

2001: Retirement from Recording and Performing

In 2001, Garth Brooks retired from recording and performing due to conflicts between his career and family life.

2004: Return to Baseball with the Kansas City Royals

In 2004, Garth Brooks returned to baseball with the Kansas City Royals. During his final spring training game, he achieved 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 called Pearl Records.

2005: Partial Comeback

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

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 Presley after audited sales of 123 million were announced.

2007: California Wildfires

In 2007, Garth Brooks held concerts to raise money for Fire Intervention Relief Effort, serving those impacted by the California wildfires.

2008: Garth Brooks: Live in LA Benefit Concerts

In January 2008, Garth Brooks performed five sold-out concerts at the Staples Center in Los Angeles to raise money for Fire Intervention Relief Effort, supporting those affected by the 2007 California wildfires. The first concert was broadcasted live as a telethon.

December 2009: Start of Garth at Wynn Residency

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

December 2010: Benefit Concerts for Nashville Flood Victims

In December 2010, Garth Brooks played nine shows in Nashville to benefit the victims of the May 2010 Nashville flood, raising $5 million.

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: Completion of MBA and Commencement Ceremony

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

2012: Brooks Passed The Beatles as Top-Selling Act of the Past 20 Years

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.

July 6, 2013: Benefit Concert for Oklahoma Tornado Victims

On July 6, 2013, Garth Brooks and Toby Keith held a benefit concert for victims of the 2013 Oklahoma tornadoes, featuring several other artists.

January 2014: End of Garth at Wynn Residency

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

May 2014: Brooks Reached Total Album Sales of 69,544,000 Copies

In May 2014, Garth Brooks' total album sales reached 69,544,000 copies, which made him the best-selling album artist in the U.S.

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 Begins

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

September 2014: Establishment of GhostTunes

In September 2014, Garth Brooks established GhostTunes, an online music store featuring his own digital music, as well as over ten million songs from other artists.

2014: Release of Studio Albums Via Pearl Records

In 2014, Garth Brooks released his studio album via Pearl Records, as well as RCA Records Nashville.

2015: Benefit Concert in Barretos, Brazil

In 2015, 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.

2016: Release of Studio Albums Via Pearl Records

In 2016, Garth Brooks released his studio album via Pearl Records, as well as RCA Records Nashville.

March 2017: Closure of GhostTunes and Merger with Amazon Music

In March 2017, GhostTunes officially closed and merged with Amazon Music.

2017: Culmination of Comeback World Tour

In 2017, Garth Brooks' comeback world tour, which began in 2014 with his wife Trisha Yearwood, culminated.

2019: Start of the Stadium Tour

In 2019, Garth Brooks began his Stadium Tour.

2019: Return to Spring Training with Pittsburgh Pirates

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

June 16, 2021: Pollstar Award as 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 Seismic Activity

On April 30, 2022, Garth Brooks performed in Tiger Stadium at Louisiana State University. His performance of "Callin' Baton Rouge" caused enough excitement to register on the university's seismograph, similar to an earthquake.

Loading Video...

November 14, 2022: Announcement of Second Concert Residency

On November 14, 2022, Garth Brooks announced his second concert residency, titled Garth Brooks/Plus ONE, at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

November 2023: Release of 'Time Traveler' Album

In November 2023, Garth Brooks released his most recent album, 'Time Traveler'.

November 24, 2023: Headlining Amazon Music Live Concert

On November 24, 2023, Garth Brooks headlined an Amazon Music Live concert special, named Garth Brooks: Dive Bar Concert. The concert was held at Brooks' Nashville bar, Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk.