The Life and Times of Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks is one of the best-selling solo artists of all time and has sold out stadium tours around the globe. He was honored to receive induction into both Songwriters Hall of Fame and Country Music Hall of Fame as well as being given a Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Yet, even through all this success he remains humble, keeping family close.

As a teenager in Yukon, Oklahoma, Brooks developed his musical talents while performing gigs at college bars on the side. A track-and-field scholarship led him to Oklahoma State University, where after earning a degree in advertising he started working as a salesman before ultimately discovering his musical niche in Nashville.

Brooks’ initial venture into Nashville proved disappointing; however, two years later he returned and signed with Capitol Records. His debut album Garth Brooks was released to critical and commercial acclaim and certified quadruple-platinum by the RIAA; its success spawned another hit entitled Nobody But You.

Ropin’ the Wind marked Brooks’s move into more mainstream musical territory, featuring both honky-tonk and classic rock influences. Both its album and single, “The River,” remain among his most beloved work over time.

“Much Too Young”, composed to honor Brooks’ late mother, stands as one of his most emotional and touching songs.

The ballad was an enormous radio and video hit, introducing Brooks’ music to new audiences who hadn’t experienced his songs previously. Furthermore, its memorable music video featured an unlikely star: an upstanding high school student with Down syndrome running track without quitting!

Brooks continued his success through the years with further albums and concerts that broke records, such as Beyond the Season and The Chase; yet later returned to playful rock with Fresh Horses (1995) and Sevens (1997). These tours brought him acclaim from fans across the world and were the catalysts behind his decision to resume performing again in 2009. His record-setting tours ultimately contributed to him returning to performing in 2009.

In 2009, Brooks made headlines when he surprised everyone by returning to the stage with wife Trisha Yearwood in tow. Together they performed at Encore Las Vegas hotel to raise money for Nashville flood victims; and have announced plans for similar performances in Los Angeles and releasing duets album as a joint effort subsequently in 2017 before another studio album release is anticipated. Alongside musical endeavors, he is an active philanthropist as well; teaming up with professional athletes in creating Teammates for Kids Foundation that promotes childhood fitness; his efforts have raised over $90 Million across various charities over time.