Garth Brooks

Troyal Garth Brooks was born on February 7, 1962, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States. Brooks grew up in Yukon, Oklahoma, within a musical family and became interested in music at an early age. His father was a draftsman for an oil company, while his mother was a country singer of Irish ancestry who recorded on the Capitol Records label in the 1950s. Brooks learned to play guitar and banjo while singing in casual family talent shows.

Garth Brooks released his self-titled debut album 'Garth Brooks' on April 12, 1989. The album was a commercial success, peaking at number 2 on the US Country Albums chart and number 13 on the Billboard 200. It produced five charting singles, three of which reached number one: 'If Tomorrow Never Comes', 'The Dance', and 'Not Counting You'. This album's success marked Brooks' entry into mainstream country music.

'No Fences', Garth Brooks' second studio album, was released on August 27, 1990. The album became Brooks' highest-selling studio album to date, with 18 million copies sold in the United States. It featured hit singles such as 'Friends in Low Places', 'The Thunder Rolls', and 'Unanswered Prayers'. The album's success solidified Garth Brooks' status as a major force in the country music genre and beyond.

Garth Brooks released his third studio album, 'Ropin' the Wind', on September 10, 1991. It was the first country album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, marking a significant achievement in Brooks' career. The album features hits like 'Shameless', 'The River', and 'Papa Loved Mama'. It further cemented Brooks as a crossover artist with mass appeal across country and pop music audiences.

'In Pieces', the fifth album by Garth Brooks, came out on August 31, 1993. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and the Top Country Albums chart. 'In Pieces' features hits such as 'Ain't Going Down ('Til the Sun Comes Up)' and 'American Honky-Tonk Bar Association', and was certified multi-platinum. The album highlight Brooks' continued success in blending traditional country with rock elements.

On November 3, 1997, promotion began for Garth Brooks' alter ego, Chris Gaines, a fictional rock and roll musician. Brooks released an album entitled 'Garth Brooks in...The Life of Chris Gaines', which was intended to be the soundtrack for a motion picture about the character. Although the project was a commercial failure, selling only about 2 million copies compared to Brooks' previous albums, it showcased Brooks' willingness to experiment.

In October 2001, Garth Brooks announced his retirement from recording and performing until his youngest daughter finished high school. Brooks stated that family was his number one priority and he wished to be present during his children's formative years. Although he retired from active music production, Brooks maintained a visible celebrity status and involved himself in charity work and minor appearances.

On October 15, 2009, Garth Brooks announced that he would come out of retirement for a residency at Wynn Las Vegas. Brooks performed solo acoustic shows at the Encore Theatre from December 11, 2009, through January 2014. This residency was notable not only because it marked Brooks' return to performance, but also because the intimate, acoustic format showcased his songwriting and performance prowess in an entirely new light.

On September 4, 2014, Garth Brooks launched 'The Garth Brooks World Tour', his first tour since 2000. The tour, co-headlined by Trisha Yearwood, saw Brooks returning to arena concerts with large, elaborate productions. It ran until December 2017 and was a massive success, selling over 6 million tickets and beating attendance records in numerous venues. Brooks' world tour reasserted his status as one of the world's top live performers.

'Gunslinger', Garth Brooks' eleventh studio album, was released on November 25, 2016. The album features the singles 'Baby, Let's Lay Down and Dance' and 'Ask Me How I Know'. Brooks worked on 'Gunslinger' concurrently with his World Tour, and the album reflects diverse musical styles, including rock and country. The album showcased Brooks' adaptability and enduring appeal in the country music scene.

On November 15, 2019, Garth Brooks began his 'Dive Bar Tour', which saw him perform at seven dive bars across the country. The tour was inspired by his song 'Dive Bar', a collaboration with Blake Shelton, and aimed to present an intimate concert experience reminiscent of Brooks' early career. The Dive Bar Tour was well-received for its nostalgic value and Brooks' energetic performances, revealing his connection with fans.

On July 7, 2020, Garth Brooks announced the end of 'The Garth Channel' on SiriusXM. The channel, which had been airing since 2016, featured Brooks’ favorite music across multiple genres and included live recordings from Brooks' concerts. The closure was part of Brooks' decision to focus on other projects and his commitment to new music. The Garth Channel was known for its eclectic playlists and artist interviews hosted by Brooks.