Garth Brooks is a highly successful American country singer and songwriter known for his unique blend of country, pop, and rock music. His popularity is particularly strong in the United States, where he has achieved remarkable success on country music charts, earned numerous multi-platinum certifications, and delivered record-breaking live performances. Brooks's crossover appeal has also allowed him to make a significant impact on the mainstream pop music scene.
Garth Brooks' mother, Colleen McElroy Carroll, was born in 1929.
Garth Brooks' father, Troyal Raymond Brooks Jr., was born in 1931.
On February 7, 1962, Troyal Garth Brooks was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was the youngest child of Troyal Raymond Brooks Jr., a draftsman, and Colleen McElroy Carroll, a former country singer.
In 1981, after hearing George Strait's debut single "Unwound," Garth Brooks decided to focus on playing country music.
Garth Brooks graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1984 with a degree in advertising.
Garth Brooks began his professional music career in 1985, performing in Oklahoma clubs and bars, including Wild Willie's Saloon in Stillwater.
In 1985, Garth Brooks met entertainment attorney Rod Phelps, who offered to produce Brooks' first demo, leading to Brooks' pursuit of a recording contract in Nashville.
Garth Brooks married songwriter Sandy Mahl on May 24, 1986.
Garth Brooks and his wife Sandy Mahl moved to Nashville in 1987, where Brooks began networking within the music industry.
In 1989, Garth Brooks released his eponymous debut album, marking the start of his professional music career. The album reached No. 2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and featured hit singles like "Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)" and "If Tomorrow Never Comes".
In 1989, Garth Brooks released his debut album, which became a chart success. He also embarked on his first major concert tour as the opening act for Kenny Rogers.
Garth Brooks released his second album, "No Fences," in 1990. The album became a massive success, spending 23 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and becoming his highest-selling album.
In late 1990, Garth Brooks was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, a significant honor in country music.
In September 1991, Garth Brooks released his third album, "Ropin' the Wind." It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, a first for a country artist, and became his second-best-selling album.
On August 25, 1992, Garth Brooks released his first Christmas album, 'Beyond the Season.' The album, featuring a mix of holiday classics like "White Christmas" and "Silent Night" alongside his original song "The Old Man's Back in Town," became an instant success.
Garth Brooks' daughter, Taylor Mayne Pearl, was born in 1992.
In 1992, at the height of his career, Brooks hinted at the possibility of retiring, expressing a desire to prioritize family over the demands of his music career. These early retirement thoughts foreshadowed his eventual decision to step back from the spotlight.
In 1992, deeply affected by the Los Angeles riots, Garth Brooks co-wrote the powerful gospel-country-rock anthem "We Shall Be Free." This song, expressing his yearning for tolerance and unity, became the lead single from his album 'The Chase.'
In July 1993, Garth Brooks achieved the most successful single from his album 'The Chase' with the song "That Summer," which reached the No. 1 spot on the charts.
Garth Brooks embarked on his first world tour in 1993, captivating audiences far beyond American borders. His tour made a historic stop in the United Kingdom, where he achieved the unprecedented feat of selling out iconic venues like Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre and London's Wembley Arena – a first for any American country music artist!
In 1993, Garth Brooks, a staunch advocate for artist royalties, took a bold stance against music stores selling used CDs. His criticism stemmed from the belief that such practices resulted in reduced royalty payments for artists.
In 1993, Garth Brooks won a GLAAD Media Award for his song "We Shall Be Free." The song, which includes the line "When we're free to love anyone we choose," has been interpreted as advocating for same-sex relationships and LGBTQ+ rights.
August Anna, Garth Brooks' daughter, was born in 1994.
In 1994, Garth Brooks surprised fans by paying homage to one of his musical influences, the iconic rock band KISS. He participated in the tribute album 'Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved,' which featured popular artists from diverse genres putting their unique spin on KISS classics.
In November 1995, Garth Brooks released 'Fresh Horses,' his first album of new material in two years. The album was met with initial enthusiasm, selling over three million copies within its first six months.
In 1995, Garth Brooks once again brought up the topic of retirement. This recurring theme suggested that the pull of family life and the desire for a more balanced existence were never far from his thoughts.
Ty England, Garth Brooks' former roommate and guitarist in his road band, embarked on a solo music career in 1995.
Allie Colleen Brooks, Garth Brooks' daughter, was born in 1996.
In 1996, undeterred by previous negativity from certain corners of the British media, Garth Brooks returned to the UK for more electrifying performances. This decision contrasted with the stance of fellow country star Alan Jackson, who had chosen not to revisit the UK after facing similar negative press experiences.
In August 1997, Garth Brooks held a concert in New York City's Central Park, drawing a record breaking 980,000 fans. This event went on to become the largest concert in the park's history.
Garth Brooks' first live album, 'Double Live', was released in 1998. This album, a compilation of recordings from various shows during his second world tour, featured new material, including "Tearin' It Up (and Burnin' It Down)" and "Wild as the Wind," a duet with Trisha Yearwood. 'Double Live' soared to No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts.
In 1998, Garth Brooks launched his Touch 'em All Foundation with Major League Baseball. This year also marked the beginning of his short career in baseball when he signed with the San Diego Padres for spring training.
In 1998, Garth Brooks treated fans to a musical retrospective with the release of 'The Limited Series,' a six-disc box set. This collection featured reissues of his first six studio albums, each enhanced with a bonus track not included in the original releases.
In March 1999, Garth Brooks and Sandy Mahl separated.
In October 1999, Garth Brooks, always one to push boundaries, took on the persona of "Chris Gaines," a fictional rock and roll musician. This alter ego was created for an upcoming film project titled 'The Lamb.'
On November 23, 1999, Garth Brooks released his second holiday album, 'Garth Brooks & the Magic of Christmas.' The album was a resounding success, peaking at No. 7 on Billboard's Top 200 chart and securing the No. 1 spot on the Top Country Albums chart.
Garth Brooks' mother, Colleen McElroy Carroll, passed away in 1999.
In 1999, during an appearance on The Nashville Network's 'Crook & Chase' program, Garth Brooks once again touched upon the subject of retirement. This time, however, his tone carried a noticeable seriousness, hinting that his departure from the music scene might be drawing closer.
In 1999, Garth Brooks began the Teammates for Kids Foundation, an organization that provides financial aid to charities for children.
In 1999, Brooks continued his foray into baseball with a spring training stint with the New York Mets.
In 1999, Garth Brooks gave an interview with George, in which he shared his perspective on love and relationships. He emphasized the importance of following one's heart in matters of love, stating, "But if you're in love, you've got to follow your heart and trust that God will explain to us why we sometimes fall in love with people of the same sex."
On October 9, 2000, Garth Brooks and Sandy Mahl announced their plans to divorce.
On October 26, 2000, Garth Brooks made the momentous announcement of his retirement from recording and performing. Later that same evening, Capitol Records celebrated Brooks' remarkable achievement of selling a staggering 100 million albums in the United States with a ceremony at Nashville's Gaylord Entertainment Center.
Garth Brooks and Sandy Mahl filed for divorce on November 6, 2000.
Garth Brooks participated in the Equality Rocks benefit concert in 2000, a musical event advocating for gay rights. Notably, he performed a duet with openly gay singer George Michael, using his platform to support LGBTQ+ equality.
By February 2001, it became evident that the Chris Gaines project had not resonated with the public as hoped. The album sales, though exceeding two million, fell short of expectations. This led to the project being put on indefinite hiatus, and the character of Chris Gaines slowly faded from the public eye.
On November 13, 2001, Garth Brooks released 'Scarecrow,' his final album before stepping away from the music spotlight. Though not reaching the record-breaking sales figures of his earlier albums, 'Scarecrow' still achieved significant success.
Garth Brooks' divorce from Sandy Mahl was finalized on December 17, 2001.
In 2001, Garth Brooks announced his retirement from recording and performing, prioritizing his family life over his demanding career.
In 2004, Garth Brooks returned to baseball with the Kansas City Royals for spring training. It was during his final spring training game with the Royals that he got his first and only hit, coming off Mike Myers.
Garth Brooks and Walmart released "The Limited Series" compilation in November 2005, featuring reissues and unreleased recordings.
On December 10, 2005, Garth Brooks married country singer and cookbook author Trisha Yearwood.
By December 2005, "The Limited Series" had achieved remarkable sales, surpassing one million physical copies sold within weeks of its release.
In 2005, Garth Brooks ended his association with Capitol Records and established his own record label, Pearl Records.
Taking a break from retirement in 2005, Garth Brooks participated in benefit concerts and released "Good Ride Cowboy," a tribute single honoring the late Chris LeDoux.
In 2005, Garth Brooks expressed interest in returning to live performances after a hiatus. He signed a groundbreaking exclusive distribution deal with Walmart for his entire music catalog, marking a significant shift in the music industry.
Garth Brooks made a partial comeback to music in 2005, performing select shows and releasing two compilation albums.
Walmart re-released "The Lost Sessions" as a single CD in 2006, featuring new tracks, including a duet with Trisha Yearwood that earned them a Grammy nomination.
Garth Brooks announced the release of "The Ultimate Hits," a comprehensive box set encompassing his career, on August 18, 2007.
On August 27, 2007, "More Than a Memory," the lead single from "The Ultimate Hits," was released and debuted at No. 1, setting a chart record.
After a reevaluation of certification methods by the RIAA, Garth Brooks was once again named the best-selling solo artist in US history on November 5, 2007. This came after audited sales confirmed Brooks' sales exceeding those of Elvis Presley, reaching 123 million.
Garth Brooks' November 2007 Kansas City residency, initially planned as a single show, expanded to nine sold-out concerts due to extraordinary demand.
In 2007, devastating wildfires swept through California, prompting Garth Brooks to organize a series of benefit concerts in 2008 to support the victims and aid in the recovery efforts.
The 2007 Southern California wildfires were a series of devastating wildfires that ravaged the region.
In January 2008, Brooks held a series of benefit concerts in Los Angeles to support victims of the 2007 Southern California wildfires.
On January 25 and 26, 2008, Garth Brooks held five sold-out benefit concerts at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The "Garth Brooks: Live in LA" event set numerous records, including being the only artist to perform 5 shows in a 48-hour timeframe at the venue. Tickets cost $40, and all 85,000 tickets were sold within 58 minutes. The concerts were broadcasted by CBS as a telethon to raise funds for the Fire Intervention Relief Effort, dedicated to supporting those affected by the 2007 California wildfires.
Garth Brooks performed at the "We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration" concert in Washington, D.C. in January 2009.
On October 15, 2009, Garth Brooks began his Las Vegas residency, "Garth at Wynn," allowing him to balance family life with performing.
Garth Brooks began his "Garth at Wynn" concert residency at Las Vegas's Encore Theatre in December 2009, marking a return to regular performances after a period of semi-retirement.
In May 2010, Nashville experienced a significant flood, prompting Garth Brooks to later organize a series of benefit concerts to aid the victims.
In December 2010, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) updated certifications for several of Elvis Presley's albums, leading to Elvis reclaiming the top spot in sales over Garth Brooks. This shift sparked further debate among fans and critics regarding the accuracy and consistency of the RIAA's methodologies for calculating artist sales.
In a display of support following the May 2010 Nashville flood, Garth Brooks performed nine shows at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville in December 2010. The concerts were a resounding success, selling over 140,000 tickets and raising $5 million in relief funds.
Garth Brooks' father, Troyal Raymond Brooks Jr., passed away in 2010.
In 2010, Garth Brooks purchased Jack's Tracks, a recording studio founded by Jack Clement in 1971 and later sold to Allen Reynolds in 1975. Notably, this studio is where most of Brooks' albums were recorded.
In 2010, Garth Brooks' impact on country music and culture was further acknowledged through his induction into the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame.
Garth Brooks completed his MBA from Oklahoma State University and participated in the commencement ceremony on May 6, 2011.
On October 21, 2012, Garth Brooks was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy as a country music icon.
In 2012, Garth Brooks achieved a remarkable feat by surpassing The Beatles as the top-selling music act globally within the preceding two decades. His worldwide sales reached an astounding 68.5 million units, outselling The Beatles by nearly 5 million units.
In 2012, Garth Brooks achieved a significant milestone in his career when he was inducted into the prestigious Country Music Hall of Fame.
In 2012, Garth Brooks renamed Jack's Tracks to Allentown Studios in honor of his 50th birthday.
On July 6, 2013, a benefit concert for victims of the 2013 Oklahoma tornadoes took place at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The sold-out event was headlined by Garth Brooks and Toby Keith, with additional performances by renowned artists such as Mel Tillis, John Anderson, Willie Nelson, Trisha Yearwood, Sammy Hagar, Kellie Coffey, Ronnie Dunn, Carrie Underwood, and Krystal Keith.
Garth Brooks became a grandfather in July 2013 when his daughter August had a daughter, Karalynn, with Chance Michael Russell.
During a December 2013 appearance on "Good Morning America," Brooks announced his highly anticipated world tour.
In 2013, Garth Brooks' half-sister, Betsy Smittle, passed away. A talented musician in her own right, Betsy had released her album and collaborated with other artists, including being a part of Brooks' band for a period. An openly lesbian woman, Betsy's influence contributed to Brooks' support for same-sex marriage.
Garth Brooks released the compilation album "Blame It All on My Roots" in 2013, highlighting his musical influences across five decades.
Garth Brooks' "Garth at Wynn" residency at Las Vegas's Encore Theatre came to an end in January 2014.
In February 2014, planned concerts at Croke Park, Dublin, were canceled due to licensing issues and resident complaints, despite selling 400,000 tickets.
By May 2014, Garth Brooks achieved a groundbreaking feat, surpassing The Beatles to become the best-selling album artist in the United States. His total album sales reached 69,544,000 copies, exceeding The Beatles' 65,730,000, along with other musical titans like Metallica, Mariah Carey, and Celine Dion.
Garth Brooks announced his signing with Sony Music Nashville on July 10, 2014, signaling his return to recording and touring.
In July 2014, Garth Brooks announced his signing with Sony Music Nashville, signaling a new phase in his career.
Garth Brooks marked his comeback on September 3, 2014, with the release of "People Loving People," a single promoting his world tour and forthcoming album.
Breaking from tradition, Brooks released his music digitally for the first time on September 4, 2014, opting for his own online store, GhostTunes.
Garth Brooks embarked on his comeback world tour in September 2014, joined by his wife and musician Trisha Yearwood.
Garth Brooks established GhostTunes, an online music store, in September 2014. This store featured Brooks' own digital music alongside over ten million songs from other artists.
In October 2014, the RIAA provided updated sales figures, placing Elvis Presley at 134.5 million albums sold and Garth Brooks at 134 million. However, the subsequent platinum certification of Brooks' album "Man Against Machine" tipped the scales once more, boosting his total sales beyond 136 million and reinstating him as the number-one-selling solo artist.
Garth Brooks received the Arkansas Traveler Certificate in 2014, an honor bestowed upon individuals who have made significant contributions to the state of Arkansas and garnered national recognition.
Garth Brooks released a studio album in 2014 through both his own label, Pearl Records, and RCA Records Nashville.
Garth Brooks' world tour, announced in December 2013, was set to begin in 2014.
September 2015 marked the announcement of a 25th-anniversary reissue of "No Fences," featuring collaborations with prominent country artists, later delayed due to royalty issues.
In 2015, in between legs of his world tour, Garth Brooks held a sold-out benefit concert at Barretos, Brazil. The concert's proceeds were donated to the Hospital de Câncer de Barretos, demonstrating Brooks' commitment to philanthropic endeavors.
Mike Chapman, bassist for Garth Brooks' studio band, the "G-Men," passed away on June 13, 2016.
In September 2016, Garth Brooks etched his name in music history by becoming the first artist ever to achieve seven Diamond Award albums, as certified by the RIAA. This accomplishment propelled him beyond The Beatles' previous tied record of six Diamond albums, solidifying his unparalleled commercial success.
On October 13, 2016, Garth Brooks released "Baby, Let's Lay Down and Dance," the first single from his forthcoming album, "Gunslinger."
November 11, 2016, saw the release of "Gunslinger," part of "The Ultimate Collection," and "Christmas Together," a collaborative holiday album with Trisha Yearwood.
Garth Brooks and his studio musicians, The G-Men, were inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2016, recognizing their contributions to the music industry.
Garth Brooks released another studio album through Pearl Records and RCA Records Nashville in 2016.
The collaborative track "Friends in Low Places" was ultimately included on Garth Brooks' 2016 compilation album, "The Ultimate Collection."
Garth Brooks' digital music platform, GhostTunes, closed on March 3, 2017, with his catalog becoming exclusive to Amazon Music.
In March 2017, GhostTunes officially closed and merged with Amazon Music.
Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood concluded their comeback world tour in 2017.
On June 19, 2018, Brooks released "All Day Long," offering a glimpse into his 2020 album, "Fun," with "The Road I'm On" as the B-side.
Garth Brooks unveiled plans for "Triple Live" in August 2018, a live album released in partnership with Ticketmaster.
In August 2018, Garth Brooks announced his Stadium Tour, designed to visit thirty North American stadiums and showcase his music in a football-centric environment. In promotion of this tour, Brooks performed the first concert at the University of Notre Dame's football stadium.
June 2019 saw the release of "Dive Bar," a duet with Blake Shelton and the third single from Brooks' upcoming album. Brooks also embarked on the Dive Bar Tour, a promotional tour in support of the single, visiting seven dive bars across the United States.
In 2019, Garth Brooks released "Stronger Than Me," the second single from his upcoming album. This release followed a performance dedicated to his wife, Trisha Yearwood, at the CMA Awards.
In 2019, Garth Brooks made a return to spring training, this time joining the Pittsburgh Pirates to promote his charity.
Garth Brooks launched his Stadium Tour in 2019, showcasing his enduring popularity and stage presence.
On June 27, 2020, Garth Brooks performed a concert that was broadcast at 300 drive-in theaters across North America.
Garth Brooks released his latest album, "Fun," on November 20, 2020.
Garth Brooks released "Fun," his highly anticipated studio album, in 2020.
In 2020, Garth Brooks received the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, becoming the youngest recipient of this prestigious award.
In 2020, Garth Brooks received two notable accolades. He was awarded the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, becoming the youngest recipient at the age of 57. Additionally, music icon Cher presented Brooks with the Billboard Icon Award, solidifying his influential status in the music industry.
On January 20, 2021, Garth Brooks performed "Amazing Grace" at the inauguration of Joe Biden. He viewed his performance as an opportunity "to serve" and a "statement of unity."
Garth Brooks received the "Country Touring Artist of the Decade" award from Pollstar on June 16, 2021, acknowledging his exceptional success and influence on the country music touring scene throughout the 2010s. During his acceptance speech, Brooks expressed gratitude to his bandmates for their unwavering support and companionship.
On August 14, 2021, Garth Brooks performed his largest ever ticketed concert at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, selling an impressive 90,000 tickets.
In recognition of his lifetime artistic contributions, Garth Brooks was chosen as a recipient for the 43rd Annual Kennedy Center Honors in 2021.
On April 30, 2022, Garth Brooks performed at Tiger Stadium on the campus of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. During his performance of his hit "Callin' Baton Rouge," he became the second person to excite the crowd to a degree that the noise level registered on the university's seismograph, effectively registering as an earthquake caused by the excitement of his fans.
On November 14, 2022, Garth Brooks announced his second concert residency, "Garth Brooks/Plus ONE," at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
Garth Brooks released his latest album, "Time Traveler," in November 2023.
In November 2023, Garth Brooks released "Time Traveler," his most recent album.
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.
Garth Brooks' Las Vegas concert residency, "Garth Brooks/Plus ONE," is scheduled to continue into 2024, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to live performance.