History of Garth Brooks in Timeline

Troyal Garth Brooks is a highly successful American country singer and songwriter known for blending pop and rock influences into country music. This fusion propelled him to immense popularity in the United States, achieving top positions on country music charts, numerous multi-platinum records, and record-breaking concert attendance. Brooks also successfully crossed over into the mainstream pop music scene, expanding his reach and influence.

Sections (4)

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

1971: Jack Clement founded Jack's Tracks

In 1971, Jack Clement founded Jack's Tracks recording studio.

1975: Allen Reynolds Bought Jack's Tracks

In 1975, Allen Reynolds bought Jack's Tracks recording studio from Jack Clement.

May 24, 1986: Married Sandy Mahl

On May 24, 1986, Garth Brooks married songwriter Sandy Mahl.

1992: Birth of Daughter Taylor Mayne Pearl

In 1992, Taylor Mayne Pearl, the first daughter of Garth Brooks and Sandy Mahl, was born.

1993: GLAAD Media Award

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

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1994: Birth of Daughter August Anna

In 1994, August Anna, the second daughter of Garth Brooks and Sandy Mahl, was born.

1996: Birth of Daughter Allie Colleen Brooks

In 1996, Allie Colleen Brooks, the third daughter of Garth Brooks and Sandy Mahl, was born.

1998: Launched Touch 'em All Foundation and Signed with the San Diego Padres

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

March 1999: Separation from Sandy Mahl

In March 1999, Garth Brooks and Sandy Mahl separated.

1999: Began Teammates for Kids Foundation

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

1999: Played Baseball and Founded Teammates for Kids Foundation

In 1999, Garth Brooks continued his baseball career by signing with the New York Mets and founded the Teammates for Kids Foundation, which provides financial aid to charities for children.

1999: Remarks on Same-Sex Relationships

In a 1999 interview with George, Garth Brooks expressed his belief in following one's heart and trusting that God will explain why people fall in love with people of the same sex.

October 9, 2000: Announced Plans to Divorce Sandy Mahl

On October 9, 2000, Garth Brooks and Sandy Mahl announced their plans to divorce.

November 6, 2000: Filed for Divorce from Sandy Mahl

On November 6, 2000, Garth Brooks and Sandy Mahl filed for divorce.

2000: 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.

December 17, 2001: Divorce from Sandy Mahl Finalized

On December 17, 2001, Garth Brooks' divorce from Sandy Mahl became final.

2004: Returned to Baseball with the Kansas City Royals

In 2004, Garth Brooks returned to baseball with the Kansas City Royals and got his first and only hit off Mike Myers during his final spring training game.

December 10, 2005: Married Trisha Yearwood

On December 10, 2005, Garth Brooks remarried to country singer and cookbook author Trisha Yearwood.

2005: Established Pearl Records

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

November 5, 2007: Named Best Selling Solo Artist

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

2008: Live in LA Benefit Concerts

On January 25 and 26, 2008, Garth Brooks performed five sold-out concerts at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, to raise money for Fire Intervention Relief Effort, serving those impacted by the 2007 California wildfires. CBS broadcast the first concert live as a telethon for additional fundraising.

May 2010: Nashville Flood

In May 2010, Nashville experienced flooding.

December 2010: Nashville Benefit Concerts

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

December 2010: Presley Surpassed Brooks

In December 2010, after several more of Presley's albums received certifications from the RIAA, Elvis again surpassed Brooks as the best selling artist.

2010: Purchased Jack's Tracks

In 2010, Garth Brooks purchased Jack's Tracks, a recording studio, where most of his albums were recorded.

2010: Inducted into Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame

In 2010, Garth Brooks was inducted into the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame.

May 6, 2011: Completed MBA from Oklahoma State

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

2012: Passed Beatles in Album Sales

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: Renamed Jack's Tracks to Allentown Studios

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

2012: Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame

In 2012, Garth Brooks was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

July 6, 2013: Benefit Concert for Oklahoma Tornadoes

On July 6, 2013, Garth Brooks joined Toby Keith for a benefit concert for victims of the 2013 Oklahoma tornadoes at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

July 2013: Became a Grandfather

In July 2013, Garth Brooks became a grandfather when his daughter August had daughter Karalynn.

2013: Death of Betsy Smittle

In 2013, Garth Brooks' half-sister, Betsy Smittle, who was a musician in his band, died. She inspired his support for same-sex marriage.

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.

September 2014: Established GhostTunes

In September 2014, Garth Brooks established GhostTunes, a digital music store featuring his own digital music and songs from other artists.

October 2014: RIAA Lists Total Sales

As of October 2014, the RIAA listed Presley's total sales at 134.5 million and Brooks' at 134 million.

2014: Released Studio Album

In 2014, Garth Brooks released a studio album via Pearl Records.

2014: Awarded Arkansas Traveler Certificate

In 2014, Garth Brooks was awarded the Arkansas Traveler certificate.

2015: Barretos, Brazil Concert

In 2015, Garth Brooks performed a sold-out concert in Barretos, Brazil to benefit the Hospital de Câncer de Barretos.

June 13, 2016: Mike Chapman's Death

Mike Chapman (bass guitar), member of Brooks' studio band known as the "G-Men", died on June 13, 2016.

September 2016: Achieved 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 Beatles.

2016: Released Studio Album

In 2016, Garth Brooks released a studio album via Pearl Records.

March 2017: GhostTunes Closed and Merged with Amazon Music

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

2019: Alleged Sexual Assult

In 2019, During a trip to film a Grammy tribute, Garth Brooks was accused by his former hairstylist and makeup artist for sexually assaulting her.

2019: Returned to Spring Training

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

2020: Gershwin Prize and Billboard Icon Award

In 2020, Garth Brooks was awarded the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song and the Billboard Icon Award.

June 16, 2021: 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).

2021: Kennedy Center Honors

In 2021, Garth Brooks was named a recipient for the 43rd Annual Kennedy Center Honors.

April 30, 2022: Garth Brooks Performed in Tiger Stadium

On April 30, 2022, Garth Brooks performed at Tiger Stadium at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His performance of "Callin' Baton Rouge" caused the crowd to generate enough noise to register on the university's seismograph, making him only the second person after Tommy Hodson to do so.

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November 14, 2022: Announced Second Concert 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: Released Time Traveler Album

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

November 24, 2023: Amazon Music Live Concert

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

October 2024: Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

In October 2024, Garth Brooks was sued by his former hairstylist and makeup artist for sexual harassment and assault, which he denied, calling it a shakedown.

January 9, 2025: Performed at Jimmy Carter's Funeral

On January 9, 2025, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood performed John Lennon's "Imagine" at former President Jimmy Carter's state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

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