History of Garth Brooks in Timeline
Troyal Garth Brooks is a highly successful American country singer and songwriter known for blending pop and rock elements into country music. This fusion contributed significantly to his widespread popularity in the United States, leading to numerous chart-topping singles and albums, multi-platinum certifications, and record-breaking concert attendance. He also achieved crossover success in the mainstream pop music scene.
1929: Birth of Colleen McElroy Carroll
In 1929, Colleen McElroy Carroll, Garth Brooks' mother, was born. She was a country singer who recorded on Capitol Records.
1931: Birth of Troyal Raymond Brooks Jr.
In 1931, Troyal Raymond Brooks Jr., Garth Brooks' father, was born, who later worked as a draftsman for an oil company.
February 7, 1962: Birth of Garth Brooks
On February 7, 1962, Troyal Garth Brooks was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Troyal Raymond Brooks Jr. and Colleen McElroy Carroll, setting the stage for his future career.
1981: Decision to Play Country Music
In 1981, after hearing George Strait's "Unwound", Garth Brooks decided he was more interested in playing country music, marking a pivotal moment in his career path.
1984: Graduation from Oklahoma State University
In 1984, Garth Brooks graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in advertising.
1985: Start of Professional Music Career
In 1985, Garth Brooks began his professional music career, singing and playing guitar in Oklahoma clubs and bars.
1985: First Demo Produced
In 1985, entertainment attorney Rod Phelps offered to produce Garth Brooks' first demo after hearing him perform, providing initial support for his career.
May 24, 1986: Marriage to Sandy Mahl
On May 24, 1986, Garth Brooks married songwriter Sandy Mahl.
1987: Move to Nashville
In 1987, Garth Brooks and his wife Sandy Mahl moved to Nashville, marking a significant step in pursuing his music career.
1989: Release of First Album and Concert Tour
In 1989, Garth Brooks released his eponymous first album and embarked on his first major concert tour as the opening act for Kenny Rogers.
1989: First Album Release
In 1989, Garth Brooks released his first album. Since then, he has released 27 records, including 17 studio albums, which would earn him numerous awards and recognition.
1990: Release of 'No Fences'
In 1990, Garth Brooks released his second album, "No Fences", which would become his highest-selling album with 17 million domestic shipments.
1990: Induction into the Grand Ole Opry
In late 1990, Garth Brooks was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, marking a significant achievement in his country music career.
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
On August 25, 1992, Garth Brooks released his first Christmas album, Beyond the Season, which included classic and original tunes.
1992: First Retirement Consideration
In 1992, Garth Brooks first spoke of retiring from performing, indicating a growing frustration with conflicts between his career and family life. This was an early consideration in a series of reflections on work/life balance throughout his career.
1992: Birth of Daughter Taylor Mayne Pearl
In 1992, Garth Brooks' daughter Taylor Mayne Pearl was born.
1992: Co-Writing "We Shall Be Free"
In 1992, inspired by the Los Angeles riots, Garth Brooks co-wrote "We Shall Be Free" to express his desire for tolerance.
July 1993: "That Summer" Reaches No. 1
In July 1993, "That Summer", the final single released from The Chase album, reached No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart, becoming the most successful single from the album.
1993: Dispute over Used CD Sales
In 1993, Garth Brooks persuaded Capitol Records to not ship his album, In Pieces, to stores selling used CDs, leading to antitrust lawsuits.
1993: GLAAD Media Award
In 1993, Garth Brooks won a GLAAD Media Award for the song "We Shall Be Free".
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, performing "Hard Luck Woman".
1994: Birth of Daughter August Anna
In 1994, Garth Brooks' daughter August Anna was born.
November 1995: Release of Fresh Horses
In November 1995, Garth Brooks released Fresh Horses, his first album of new material in two years, which quickly sold over three million copies.
1995: Second Retirement Consideration
In 1995, Garth Brooks again talked about retiring from touring, which highlighted his continuing struggle to balance career demands with his personal life.
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 previous negative media treatment, showing his resilience and popularity.
1996: Birth of Daughter Allie Colleen Brooks
In 1996, Garth Brooks' daughter Allie Colleen Brooks was born.
August 1997: Central Park Concert
In August 1997, Garth Brooks' Central Park concert took place, drawing 980,000 fans and becoming the largest concert in park history.
1998: Touch 'em All Foundation Launch and Baseball Career Start
In 1998, Garth Brooks launched his Touch 'em All Foundation with Major League Baseball and also signed with the San Diego Padres for spring training.
1998: Release of Double Live
In 1998, Garth Brooks released his first live album, Double Live, which became the best-selling live album of all time.
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: Ricky Van Shelton's Walmart Deal
In 1998, Ricky Van Shelton issued his album 'Making Plans' through Walmart, marking him and Garth Brooks as one of the first musicians to sign an exclusive music distribution deal with a single retailer.
March 1999: Separation from Sandy Mahl
In March 1999, Garth Brooks and Sandy Mahl separated.
October 1999: Release of Chris Gaines Album
In October 1999, Garth Brooks released the soundtrack Garth Brooks in...the Life of Chris Gaines, taking on the persona of a fictitious rock musician, which received much public criticism.
November 23, 1999: Release of "Garth Brooks & the Magic of Christmas"
On November 23, 1999, Garth Brooks released his second holiday album, Garth Brooks & the Magic of Christmas. The album achieved significant success, peaking at No. 7 on Billboard's Top 200 and No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart, marking his 10th number-one album.
1999: Death of Colleen McElroy Carroll
In 1999, Colleen McElroy Carroll, Garth Brooks' mother, passed away.
1999: Retirement Mention on Crook & Chase
In 1999, Garth Brooks appeared on The Nashville Network's Crook & Chase program, mentioning retirement again, but in a more serious tone, foreshadowing his official announcement the following year.
1999: Teammates for Kids Foundation
In 1999, Garth Brooks began the Teammates for Kids Foundation, which provides financial aid to charities for children.
1999: Second Baseball Spring Training
In 1999, Garth Brooks participated in spring training with the San Diego Padres for a second year, but his performance did not earn him a regular season roster spot.
1999: Interview on Same-Sex Relationships
In a 1999 interview with George, Garth Brooks spoke about love and acceptance of same-sex relationships.
October 9, 2000: Announcement of Divorce Plans
On October 9, 2000, Garth Brooks and Sandy Mahl announced their plans to divorce.
October 26, 2000: Garth Brooks Announces Retirement
On October 26, 2000, Garth Brooks officially announced his retirement from recording and performing. Later that evening, Capitol Records celebrated Brooks' achievement of selling 100 million albums in the US, at Nashville's Gaylord Entertainment Center.
November 6, 2000: Filing for Divorce
On November 6, 2000, Garth Brooks and Sandy Mahl filed for divorce.
2000: Equality Rocks Benefit Concert Appearance
In 2000, Garth Brooks appeared at the Equality Rocks benefit concert for gay rights and sang a duet with George Michael.
February 2001: Gaines Project Put on Hiatus
In February 2001, due to less-than-expected sales of the album (more than two million), the Gaines project was put on an indefinite hiatus, and Gaines quickly faded into obscurity.
November 13, 2001: Release of "Scarecrow"
On November 13, 2001, Garth Brooks' final album before his initial retirement, Scarecrow, was released. Although it did not achieve the sales levels of his peak years, it still performed well, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts.
December 17, 2001: Finalization of Divorce
On December 17, 2001, the divorce between Garth Brooks and Sandy Mahl became final.
2001: Retirement from Recording and Performing
In 2001, Garth Brooks retired from recording and performing due to conflicts between his career and family life. During this period, he continued to sell millions of albums through an exclusive deal with Walmart.
2004: Return to Baseball with the Kansas City Royals
In 2004, Garth Brooks returned to baseball and played with the Kansas City Royals, getting his first and only hit during his final spring training game.
November 2005: Release of "The Limited Series" Compilation
In November 2005, Garth Brooks and Walmart released an updated "The Limited Series" compilation, a box set featuring reissues of Brooks' albums and previously unreleased recordings. It sold over 500,000 copies on its release date.
December 10, 2005: Marriage to Trisha Yearwood
On December 10, 2005, Garth Brooks remarried, marrying country singer and cookbook author Trisha Yearwood.
December 2005: Sales Milestone for "The Limited Series"
By the first week of December 2005, "The Limited Series" box set had sold over 1 million physical copies, demonstrating its commercial success.
2005: Establishment of Pearl Records
In 2005, Garth Brooks ended his association with Capitol Records and established his own record label, Pearl Records.
2005: Return to Live Performances and Walmart Deal
In 2005, Garth Brooks expressed interest in returning to live performances while also signing a deal with Walmart for exclusive rights to his catalog after splitting with Capitol Records.
2005: Partial Comeback
In 2005, Garth Brooks started a partial comeback, giving select performances and releasing two compilation albums, marking his return to the music scene after a period of retirement.
2005: Benefit Concerts and "Good Ride Cowboy" Release
In early 2005, Garth Brooks briefly came out of retirement to perform in various benefit concerts. He also released a new single, "Good Ride Cowboy", via Walmart as a tribute to Chris LeDoux.
2006: Re-release of "The Lost Sessions" and Grammy Nomination
In early 2006, Walmart reissued "The Lost Sessions" as a single CD with additional songs, including a duet with Trisha Yearwood, "Love Will Always Win", which reached the top 25 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The couple received a Grammy nomination for "Best Country Collaboration With Vocals".
August 18, 2007: Announcement of "The Ultimate Hits" Box Set
On August 18, 2007, Garth Brooks announced plans for a new box set titled "The Ultimate Hits", featuring classic songs, new tracks, and music videos.
August 27, 2007: Release of "More Than a Memory"
On August 27, 2007, Garth Brooks released "More Than a Memory", the first single from "The Ultimate Hits". The single debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, becoming the highest-debuting single in the chart's history.
November 5, 2007: 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 after audited sales of 123 million were announced.
November 2007: Garth Brooks: Live in Kansas City Concerts
In November 2007, Garth Brooks performed nine sold-out concerts in Kansas City at the Sprint Center. Due to high demand, the performance expanded from one show to nine, selling approximately 140,000 tickets in under two hours. The final concert was simulcast to more than 300 movie theaters across the U.S.
2007: California Wildfires
In 2007, California wildfires occured leading to Garth Brooks performing benefit concerts in 2008.
January 2008: Garth Brooks: Live in LA Fundraiser Concerts
In January 2008, Garth Brooks performed five sold-out shows at the Staples Center in Los Angeles to raise funds for the victims of the 2007 wildfires in Southern California. The first concert, "Garth Brooks: Live in LA", was taped and broadcast on CBS, with all donations going to the fire victims.
2008: Garth Brooks: Live in LA Benefit Concerts
In January 2008, Garth Brooks performed five sold-out concerts over a two-day period at the Staples Center in Los Angeles to raise money for Fire Intervention Relief Effort, serving those impacted by the 2007 California wildfires.
January 2009: Performance at Obama Inaugural Celebration
In January 2009, Garth Brooks made a public appearance since his retirement by performing at the We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial concert in Washington, D.C.. He performed "We Shall Be Free" along with covers of "American Pie" and "Shout".
October 15, 2009: Start of "Garth at Wynn" Residency
On October 15, 2009, Garth Brooks suspended his retirement to begin "Garth at Wynn", a periodic weekend concert residency at Encore Las Vegas. The schedule allowed Brooks to balance family life and performing.
December 2009: Garth at Wynn Residency Begins
In December 2009, Garth Brooks began "Garth at Wynn", a periodic weekend concert residency at Las Vegas's Encore Theatre.
May 2010: Nashville Flood
In May 2010, the Nashville flood occurred which led to Garth Brooks performing benefit concerts in December 2010.
December 2010: Nashville Flood Benefit Concerts
In December 2010, Garth Brooks played nine shows in Nashville to benefit victims from the May 2010 Nashville flood, raising $5 million.
December 2010: Elvis Surpasses Brooks in Sales Again
In December 2010, several more of Elvis Presley's albums received certifications from the RIAA, and Elvis again surpassed Brooks as best selling solo artist.
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.
2010: Induction into Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame
In 2010, Garth Brooks was inducted into the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame.
2010: Death of Troyal Raymond Brooks Jr.
In 2010, Troyal Raymond Brooks Jr., Garth Brooks' father, passed away.
May 6, 2011: Completion of MBA from Oklahoma State University
On May 6, 2011, Garth Brooks completed his MBA from Oklahoma State University and participated in the commencement ceremony.
October 21, 2012: Induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame
On October 21, 2012, Garth Brooks was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy in country music.
2012: 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.
2012: Induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame
In 2012, Garth Brooks was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
2012: Renaming of Jack's Tracks 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.
July 2013: Becoming a Grandfather
In July 2013, Garth Brooks became a grandfather when his daughter August had a daughter named Karalynn.
December 2013: Announcement of World Tour
In December 2013, during an appearance on Good Morning America to promote the album Blame It All on My Roots: Five Decades of Influences, Garth Brooks announced plans for a world tour beginning in 2014.
2013: Death of Half-Sister Betsy Smittle
In 2013, Garth Brooks' half-sister, Betsy Smittle, who was a musician and part of his band, passed away.
January 2014: End of Garth at Wynn Residency
In January 2014, Garth Brooks' periodic weekend concert residency at Las Vegas's Encore Theatre, titled "Garth at Wynn", concluded.
February 2014: Announcement of Croke Park Concerts
In February 2014, Garth Brooks announced two concerts at Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland, to be held on July 25 and 26, 2014. Additional shows were added due to high demand, but licensing conflicts led to the cancellation of two concerts. Brooks then cancelled all the concerts.
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.
July 10, 2014: Press Conference: Sony Music Nashville Signing and Tour Announcement
On July 10, 2014, Garth Brooks held a press conference announcing his signing with Sony Music Nashville and confirming plans for a new album, world tour, digital music release, and addressing the Ireland concert controversy.
September 3, 2014: Release of "People Loving People"
On September 3, 2014, Garth Brooks released his comeback single, "People Loving People", to promote his world tour and new album. The song debuted on the Country Airplay chart at No. 19, tying for the third-highest debut of his career.
September 4, 2014: Digital Release of Studio Output
On September 4, 2014, Garth Brooks released his entire studio output digitally for the first time through his own online music store, GhostTunes.
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.
October 2014: Elvis and Garth Brooks Sales Figures
As of October 2014, the RIAA listed Elvis Presley's total sales at 134.5 million and Garth Brooks' at 134 million.
2014: Planned New Music Release
In 2005, Brooks expressed his interest in returning to live performances; however, he remained adamant to the premise of not releasing new music until 2014.
2014: Release of Studio Album
In 2014, Garth Brooks released a studio album via Pearl Records and RCA Records Nashville.
2014: Arkansas Traveler Certificate
In 2014, Garth Brooks was awarded the Arkansas Traveler certificate.
September 2015: Announcement of "No Fences" Reissue
In September 2015, Garth Brooks announced he would reissue his album "No Fences" to commemorate its 25-year anniversary. The release was delayed due to royalty disputes.
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.
June 13, 2016: Death of Mike Chapman
On June 13, 2016, Mike Chapman, the bass guitarist for Garth Brooks' studio band known as the "G-Men," passed away.
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.
October 13, 2016: Release of "Baby, Let's Lay Down and Dance"
On October 13, 2016, Garth Brooks released "Baby, Let's Lay Down and Dance", the first single from his upcoming album.
November 11, 2016: Release of "Gunslinger" and "Christmas Together"
On November 11, 2016, Garth Brooks released his album, "Gunslinger" and released a duet holiday album with wife Trisha Yearwood, titled "Christmas Together".
2016: Induction into Musicians Hall of Fame
In 2016, Garth Brooks and his studio musicians, The G-Men, were inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.
2016: Release of Studio Album
In 2016, Garth Brooks released a studio album via Pearl Records and RCA Records Nashville.
2016: "Friends in Low Places" Featured on Compilation Album
In 2016, the new version of "Friends in Low Places", originally planned for the "No Fences" reissue, was later featured on his compilation album, The Ultimate Collection.
March 3, 2017: Closure of GhostTunes
On March 3, 2017, Garth Brooks' online music store, GhostTunes, closed. Brooks' digital catalog moved to Amazon Music, which maintained exclusive rights over it.
March 2017: Closure of GhostTunes
In March 2017, GhostTunes officially closed, merging with Amazon Music.
2017: Culmination of Comeback World Tour
In 2017, Garth Brooks' comeback world tour, which began in September 2014 with wife Trisha Yearwood, culminated.
June 19, 2018: Release of "All Day Long"
On June 19, 2018, Garth Brooks released a new single, "All Day Long", and a B-side "The Road I'm On" both from his upcoming album.
August 2018: Announcement of "Triple Live" Album
In August 2018, Garth Brooks announced a new live album, "Triple Live", to be released in partnership with Ticketmaster.
August 2018: Announcement of Stadium Tour
In August 2018, Garth Brooks announced his Stadium Tour, visiting thirty North American stadiums, and performed the first concert at the University of Notre Dame's football stadium.
June 2019: Release of "Dive Bar" and Dive Bar Tour
In June 2019, Garth Brooks released "Dive Bar", a duet with Blake Shelton, and embarked on the Dive Bar Tour to promote the single, visiting seven dive bars throughout the United States.
2019: Stadium Tour Begins
In 2019, Garth Brooks began his Stadium Tour, continuing his return to large-scale performances.
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: Alleged Rape Incident
In 2019, Garth Brooks was accused of rape during a trip to film a Grammy tribute.
2019: Upcoming Album Release
In August 2018, Brooks released the second single, "Stronger Than Me", from his upcoming 2019 album release following a performance dedicated to his wife Trisha Yearwood at the CMA Awards.
June 27, 2020: Concert Broadcast at Drive-In Theaters
On June 27, 2020, Garth Brooks performed a concert broadcast at 300 drive-in theaters throughout North America during the COVID-19 pandemic.
November 20, 2020: Release of "Fun"
On November 20, 2020, Garth Brooks released his most recent album, Fun.
2020: Recipient of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize
In 2020, Garth Brooks became the youngest recipient of the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, marking a significant honor in his career.
2020: Library of Congress Gershwin Prize and Billboard Icon Award
In 2020, Garth Brooks was awarded the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song and received the Billboard Icon Award.
2020: Release Year for "Fun" Album
In August 2018, Garth Brooks released a new single, "All Day Long", the first off his 2020 album, Fun.
January 20, 2021: Performance at Biden Inauguration
On January 20, 2021, Garth Brooks performed "Amazing Grace" at the inauguration of Joe Biden, stating it was an opportunity "to serve" and a "statement of unity."
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).
August 14, 2021: Largest Ticketed Concert
On August 14, 2021, Garth Brooks performed his largest-ever ticketed concert at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, selling 90,000 tickets.
2021: Kennedy Center Honors Recipient
In 2021, Garth Brooks was named a recipient for the 43rd Annual Kennedy Center Honors.
April 30, 2022: Performance at Tiger Stadium
On April 30, 2022, Garth Brooks performed at Tiger Stadium on the campus of Louisiana State University. His performance of "Callin' Baton Rouge" caused the crowd's excitement to register on the university's seismograph, causing a small earthquake.
November 14, 2022: Announcement of Garth Brooks/Plus ONE Residency
On November 14, 2022, Garth Brooks announced his second concert residency, Garth Brooks/Plus ONE, at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
November 2023: Release of "Time Traveler"
In November 2023, Garth Brooks released his most recent album, Time Traveler.
November 24, 2023: Amazon Music Live Concert Special
On November 24, 2023, Garth Brooks headlined an Amazon Music Live concert special, Garth Brooks: Dive Bar Concert. The concert took place at Brooks' Nashville bar Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk.
October 2024: Sexual Harassment and Rape Lawsuit
In October 2024, Garth Brooks was sued by his former hairstylist and makeup artist who claimed she was sexually harassed by him on several occasions. She also claimed that Brooks raped her during a trip the two took to film a Grammy tribute in 2019. Brooks denied the allegations and filed a countersuit.
2024: Garth Brooks/Plus ONE Residency Continues
In 2024, Garth Brooks' Las Vegas concert residency, Garth Brooks/Plus ONE, continued.
January 9, 2025: Performance at Jimmy Carter's State Funeral
On January 9, 2025, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood performed the John Lennon song "Imagine" at the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
