Garth Brooks

NAME Troyal Garth Brooks Note, his actual first name is Troyal (Garth is his middle name), the same first name as his father's.

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Garth Brooks is famous for being one of the most successful and influential country music artists of all time, known for his energetic live performances and hit songs like "Friends in Low Places" and "The Dance."

BIRTH Garth Brooks was born on February 7, 1962, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Brooks was born to Troyal Raymond Brooks Jr., a draftsman for an oil company, and Colleen McElroy Carroll, a country singer who recorded on the Capitol Records label in the 1950s and appeared on Ozark Jubilee).

This was the second marriage for both parents giving Garth four older half-siblings (Jim, Jerry, Mike, and Betsy and a younger sister, Kelly.

CHILDHOOD Brooks grew up in a musical household in Yukon, Oklahoma, where family gatherings often included singing and music. He showed early signs of musical talent, learning to play guitar and banjo.

EDUCATION Brooks attended Oklahoma State University in Stillwater on a track scholarship, where he graduated with a degree in advertising in 1984. He earned his Master's in business administration from Oklahoma State in 2011

CAREER RECORD Brooks began his music career playing in local bars and clubs in Oklahoma. He moved to Nashville in 1987 and signed with Capitol Records in 1988. Here's his resume: 

During Garth Brooks' early career, he was still holding down day jobs while his music gained traction. including working at a boot store and cleaning churches.

Debuted with self-titled album in 1989, launching a phenomenal career.

Garth Brooks announced his "retirement" from performing and touring on October 26, 2000. He cited his desire to spend more time with his family as the primary reason, especially as he wanted to focus on raising his three young daughters. Brooks did, however, continue working on music sporadically and released a few projects during his retirement, including the album Scarecrow in 2001.

Though his "retirement" was intended to be indefinite, Brooks returned to the stage in 2009 for a residency in Las Vegas, and in 2014, he fully returned to touring with a world tour alongside his wife, Trisha Yearwood.

Nine RIAA Diamond Awards (albums selling over 10 million copies) – a record for any artist.

Fifteen studio albums, numerous compilations and live recordings.

Over 148 million certified album sales in the US alone.

Seven CMA Entertainer of the Year awards (another record).

APPEARANCE Brooks is tall and athletic build with a distinctive cowboy look. He is known for his warm smile and engaging stage presence.

Garth Brooks December 2022

FASHION Brooks' fashion style is quintessentially country, featuring cowboy hats, boots, and belt buckles, which complement his rugged and approachable image.

CHARACTER Brooks is often described as warm, down-to-earth, and highly energetic. His passion for music and dedication to his fans are well-documented. He's a devoted family man and philanthropist.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Brooks is known for his good sense of humor, often engaging in playful banter with his audience during performances and interviews.

RELATIONSHIPS The future country music titan once found himself playing peacemaker at the Tumbleweed Ballroom in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where he was working as a bouncer. The object of his intervention? A young woman named Sandy Mahl. They became sweethearts and married on May 24, 1986. Garth and Sandy had three daughters together (August Anna, Allie Colleen, and Taylor Mayne Pearl Brooks) before divorcing in 2001. 

Garth Brooks married fellow country music star Trisha Yearwood on December 10, 2005, at their home in Owasso, Oklahoma. The couple chose to keep their wedding intimate, with only family members in attendance. Brooks described their wedding as "the perfect Christmas gift to each other," expressing that they "could not be happier".

The wedding came seven months after Brooks proposed to Yearwood on May 25, 2005, in a public and romantic gesture. The proposal took place during the "Legends in Bronze" event at Buck Owens' Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, California, where Brooks got down on one knee in front of 7,000 audience members.

Their marriage marked the beginning of a new chapter for both country music stars, who had known each other since 1987 when they first met during a demo recording session in songwriter Kent Blazy's attic studio. The couple's relationship had evolved from a strong friendship to a romantic partnership over the years, culminating in their 2005 wedding.

Brooks and Yearwood in 2019 © Glenn Francis, www.PacificProDigital.com

MONEY AND FAME Brooks has achieved significant financial success, with a net worth estimated to be over $400 million. He is one of the world's best-selling music artists, having sold over 170 million records.

FOOD AND DRINK Brooks enjoys a variety of foods but has often mentioned his fondness for comfort foods, including burgers and barbecue.

Garth Brooks shared a quirky family tradition on Jimmy Kimmel Live where he and his daughters would have an "Eat Like a Dog Night." This involves making spaghetti with a mild sauce, saying a prayer, banging forks on the table, throwing them over their shoulders, and then eating the spaghetti with their faces directly on the plate—no utensils allowed. They introduced this tradition to Trisha Yearwood during her first dinner with the family, which could have been a make-or-break moment. Instead of being taken aback, Trisha joined in and bonded with the girls, solidifying her place in the family.

MUSIC AND ARTS Brooks has a deep love for music and has influenced and been influenced by various genres, including rock and pop. He is also a fan of classic rock artists like Billy Joel and James Taylor.

This Oklahoma-born singer, with a voice as smooth as buttered toast and a smile that could charm a rattlesnake, rocketed to fame in 1988 after signing with Capitol Records. 

His second album, No Fences, was a chart-topping monster, clinging to the number one spot on the Billboard Country chart for a whopping 23 weeks. 

Eighteen months after his debut album, Garth became the 65th member of the Grand Ole Opry on October 6, 1990 – a testament to his lightning-fast rise. But wait, there's more!  Ropin' the Wind, his next album, became the first country album ever to debut at the top of the Billboard 200 chart. Talk about kicking down doors!

Across the pond, Garth-mania was a real thing. In 1994, his concerts in Dublin drew bigger crowds than, well, the Pope's visit in 1979. That's some serious star power, folks.

Fast forward to August 7, 1997, and Garth holds a free concert in New York's Central Park, christened "Garthstock" in a playful nod to Woodstock. An estimated 980,000 people showed up – that's nearly a million people singing along to "Friends in Low Places"!  This wasn't just a concert; it was a celebration of music, community, and open spaces.

Now, Garth's a man of many hats (or should we say Stetsons?). In 1999, he surprised everyone by introducing Chris Gaines, a fictional Australian singer-songwriter. While the planned film featuring Garth as Chris never materialized, an album under the "Chris Gaines" moniker did, scoring a Top 5 pop hit with "Lost in You." Talk about a plot twist!

By the year 2000, Garth had become the biggest-selling recording artist in America, and the American Music Awards took notice, honoring him as the Artist of the Decade. But then, in a move that left fans bewildered, Garth announced his retirement from performing and touring. Thankfully, the hiatus wasn't permanent.

2007 saw the release of "More Than a Memory," Garth's 51st single, a chart-topping phenomenon that became the first ever to debut at number one on the country chart.

And then, in 2012, Garth was crowned the top-selling artist of the past two decades, outselling even the Beatles!  This wasn't just a comeback, it was a triumphant return of the king.

In 2013, Garth announced his official return to the stage, kicking off the record-breaking Garth Brooks World Tour in 2014.  Over 300 shows later, with millions of tickets sold and hundreds of millions of dollars grossed, the tour ended in 2017.

LITERATURE While Brooks is primarily focused on music, he has expressed an appreciation for storytelling, which is evident in the narrative quality of his songs.

NATURE Brooks enjoys outdoor activities and has a connection with nature, often reflected in his lyrics that evoke the rural American landscape.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Brooks is an avid sports fan and  has participated in various charity sports events.

A lifelong baseball fanatic, Brooks dreamt of trading the microphone for a bat. He even participated in spring training – not once, not twice, but three times! The San Diego Padres and the New York Mets got a taste of Garth's grit in 1998, 1999, and 2000, respectively. Unfortunately, his batting average resembled the silence after a bad joke. The Mets politely showed him the door in 2000 after a strikeout-laden spring training.

But Garth's a fighter. In 2004, he swung back for one last shot with the Kansas City Royals. Alas, the dream remained just that. However, this time around, he managed to snag a small victory – a hit off Mike Myers, proving his skills went beyond charming crowds.

One summer, Garth and his three daughters undertook the unique task of building a 58-foot compression bridge together. The project included everything from pouring concrete to welding. Garth saw it as a bonding opportunity and a lesson in hard work for his daughters. His oldest later referenced this project when tackling challenges, saying, "Dad, I’ve built a bridge."

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Brooks has spoken about his belief in hard work, perseverance, and the importance of family. His songs often reflect themes of love, faith, and the human experience.

SCANDAL Brooks has largely avoided scandal throughout his career, maintaining a positive public image. His divorce from Sandy Mahl was amicable and handled privately.

MILITARY RECORD Brooks has shown strong support for the military through benefit concerts and charitable work.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Brooks has maintained good health throughout his career, though he has spoken about the challenges of balancing diet and exercise, especially with the demands of touring.

Garth's heart is as big as his stage presence. In 2000, he offered a part of his liver for a transplant to fellow country singer Chris LeDoux, tragically battling cancer. Though ultimately incompatible, the gesture speaks volumes about the man beneath the Stetson.

And now, for a lighter note: rumor has it Garth possesses an alarming fondness for dental hygiene. Whispers abound of over 80 toothbrushes residing in his home. Perhaps that's the secret to his megawatt smile that lights up stadiums

HOMES Brooks owns several properties, including homes in Nashville, Tennessee, and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

TRAVEL Brooks has traveled extensively for his tours, performing in cities across the United States and internationally.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Brooks has appeared in numerous television specials, award shows, and interviews. 

He also had his own television specials, including This Is Garth Brooks and Garth Brooks: Live in LA.

ACHIEVEMENTS Numerous awards and accolades, including Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, and Country Music Association Awards.

Induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Holds numerous sales records, solidifying his place as a music industry legend.