Garth Brooks: Difference between revisions

| background     = solo_singer

| genre           = {{flatlist|

| discography     = [[Garth Brooks discography]]

| years_active   = {{flatlist|

| instrument     = {{flatlist|

| label           = {{flatlist|

'''Troyal Garth Brooks''' (born February 7, 1962) is an American [[Country music|country]] singer and songwriter. His integration of pop and rock elements into the country genre has earned him his immense popularity, particularly in the United States,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/music/2015/09/02/garth-brooks-announces-phoenix-area-shows/71576336/|title=Garth Brooks announces two Phoenix dates|author=Masley, Ed|publisher=Azcentral.com|date=September 2, 2015|access-date=July 17, 2019}}</ref> with success on the country music single and album charts,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MUSIC_GARTH_BROOKS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713173534/http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MUSIC_GARTH_BROOKS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT |url-status=dead|archive-date=July 13, 2014|title=Brooks' music coming to digital via his own site|date=July 13, 2014}}</ref> multi-platinum recordings and record-breaking [[List of Garth Brooks concert tours|live performances]], while also crossing over into the mainstream pop arena.<ref name="johnsonag">{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Kevin C.|title=Country music may survive A.G. (After Garth)|newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|date=November 11, 2000|url=http://planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=428|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307095508/http://planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=428|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 7, 2016|access-date=April 3, 2007}}. Archived from [http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=428 the original] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329044741/http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=428 |date=March 29, 2012 }} on March 21, 2017.</ref>

Brooks is the only artist in music history to have released nine albums that were certified [[RIAA certification#RIAA Diamond certifications|Diamond]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (surpassing [[The Beatles]]' former record of six); those albums are ''[[Garth Brooks (album)|Garth Brooks]]'' (diamond), ''[[No Fences]]'' (17× platinum), ''[[Ropin' the Wind]]'' (14× platinum), ''[[The Chase (Garth Brooks album)|The Chase]]'' (diamond), ''[[In Pieces (Garth Brooks album)|In Pieces]]'' (diamond), ''[[The Hits (Garth Brooks album)|The Hits]]'' (diamond), ''[[Sevens (album)|Sevens]]'' (diamond), ''[[Double Live (Garth Brooks album)|Double Live]]'' (21× platinum), and ''[[The Ultimate Hits]]'' (diamond).<ref name="GarthBrooksASearch">[https://web.archive.org/web/20160202034745/https://www.riaa.com/?s=garth+brooks RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for albums by Garth Brooks] January 27, 2016</ref> Since 1989, Brooks has released 35 records in all, which include 14 studio albums, two live albums, three compilation albums, three Christmas albums and 12 box sets, along with 63 singles. He has won several awards in his career, including two [[Grammy Awards]], 17 [[American Music Awards]] (including "Artist of the '90s") and the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] Award for best-selling solo albums artist of the century in the U.S.

Troyal Garth Brooks was born on February 7, 1962, in [[Tulsa, Oklahoma]].<ref name=allmusic1>{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/garth-brooks-mn0000798248 | title=Garth Brooks | website=Allmusic | access-date=December 11, 2015}}</ref><ref name=oklahistorical /> He was the youngest child of Troyal Raymond Brooks Jr. (1931–2010), a [[Technical drawing|draftsman]] for an oil company, and Colleen McElroy Carroll (1929–1999), a 1950s-era country singer of [[Irish Americans|Irish]]<ref name="irish">{{Cite news|url=https://www.mayonews.ie/?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=19331:paddys-prayers-are-answered-as-he-meets-garth-brooks&amp;catid=23:news&amp;Itemid=46|title=Paddy's prayers are answered as he meets Garth Brooks|newspaper=[[The Mayo News]]|access-date=August 4, 2021}}</ref> ancestry who recorded on the [[Capitol Records]] label and appeared on ''[[Ozark Jubilee]]''.<ref name="mcgraw">{{citation | last = McGraw | first = Marjie | title = Hitting 'Em in the Heart | newspaper = The Saturday Evening Post | date = December 2, 1992 | url = http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=1062 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151015231111/http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=1062 | url-status=dead | archive-date = October 15, 2015 | access-date = April 3, 2007 }}. Archived from [http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=1062 the original] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621045704/http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=1062 |date=June 21, 2012 }} on March 21, 2017.</ref><ref name="pond">{{citation | last = Pond | first = Steve | title = Garth Brooks | newspaper = Playboy | date = June 1, 1994 | url = http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=01136 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160719155940/http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=01136 | url-status=dead | archive-date = July 19, 2016 | access-date = April 23, 2007 }}. Archived from [http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=01136 the original] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621045737/http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=01136 |date=June 21, 2012 }} on March 21, 2017.</ref><ref name="hilburn">{{citation | last = Hilburn | first = Robert | title = The Amazing Garth-O-Matic! | newspaper = Los Angeles Times | date = June 27, 1992 | url = http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=222 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160101015733/http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=222 | url-status=dead | archive-date = January 1, 2016 | access-date = April 3, 2007 }} Archived from [http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=222 the original] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621045648/http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=222 |date=June 21, 2012 }} on March 21, 2017.</ref> This was the second marriage for each of his parents, giving Brooks four older half-siblings (Jim, Jerry, Mike, and Betsy). The couple had two children together, Kelly and Garth.<ref name=cox4>Cox (2009), p. 4.</ref> At their home in [[Yukon, Oklahoma]], the family hosted weekly talent nights. All of the children were required to participate, either by singing or doing skits.<ref name=cox8>Cox (2009), p. 8.</ref> Brooks learned to play both the guitar and banjo.<ref name=cox9>Cox (2009), p. 9.</ref>

Brooks' second album, ''[[No Fences]]'', was released in 1990 and spent 23 weeks at No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' Top Country Albums chart.<ref name="erlewine">{{cite web | last = Erlewine | first = Stephen Thomas| title = Garth Brooks | website = Allmusic | url ={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=garth brooks|bio=true}} | access-date = April 23, 2007}}</ref> The album also reached No. 3 on the ''Billboard'' 200, and eventually became Brooks' highest-selling album, with domestic shipments of 17&nbsp;million.<ref name="riaa">{{cite web | title = Gold and Platinum | publisher = [[RIAA]] | url =https://www.riaa.com/gp/database | access-date = April 23, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040114052546/http://www.riaa.com/gp/database/ |archive-date=January 14, 2004 }}</ref> It contained what would become Brooks' [[List of signature songs|signature song]], the [[Blue-collar worker|blue collar]] anthem "[[Friends in Low Places]]", as well as other popular singles, "[[The Thunder Rolls]]" and "[[Unanswered Prayers]]".

In his live shows, Brooks used a wireless headset microphone to free himself to run about the stage, adding energy and [[arena rock]] theatrics to spice up the normally staid country music approach to concerts. The band [[Kiss (band)|KISS]] was also one of Brooks' early musical influences, and his shows often reflect this. Despite all the cited influences, Brooks stated the energetic style of his stage persona is directly inspired by [[Chris LeDoux]].<ref name="pareles">{{citation | last = Pareles | first = Jon |title = Review/County; Garth Brooks, Genial Superstar, Plays for the Folks Up North | newspaper = The New York Times | date = September 7, 1992 | url =https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE6DA133DF934A3575AC0A964958260 | access-date = April 23, 2007}}</ref>

Brooks' third album, ''[[Ropin' the Wind]]'', was released in September 1991. It had advance orders of 4&nbsp;million copies and entered the ''Billboard'' 200 at No. 1, a first for a country artist.<ref name="mcgraw"/> The album's musical content was a melange of [[country pop]] and [[Honky-tonk#Music|honky-tonk]]; singles included "[[The River (Garth Brooks song)|The River]]", "[[What She's Doing Now]]", and a cover of Billy Joel's "[[Shameless (Billy Joel song)|Shameless]]". It would become Brooks' second-best selling album, after ''No Fences''. The success of ''Ropin' the Wind'' further propelled the sales of Brooks' first two albums, enabling Brooks to become the first country artist with three albums listed in the ''Billboard'' 200's top 20 in one week.<ref name="phillipsJan1992">{{Citation | last =Phillips | first =Chuck | title =Garth Brooks Gets a Rope Around Prime-Time TV | newspaper =Los Angeles Times | date =January 29, 1992 | url =http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00205 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20150414165026/http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00205 | url-status=dead | archive-date =April 14, 2015 | access-date =May 29, 2007 }}. Archived from [http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00205 the original] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621045653/http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00205 |date=June 21, 2012 }} on March 21, 2017.</ref>

In 1993, Brooks, who had criticized music stores selling used CDs since it led to a loss in proper [[royalty payment]]s, persuaded [[Capitol Records]] to not ship his 1993 album, ''[[In Pieces (Garth Brooks album)|In Pieces]]'', to stores which engaged in this practice. This led to several [[antitrust]] lawsuits against the record label, ending with Capitol shipping the albums to the stores.<ref name="philips">{{citation | last = Philips | first = Chuck | title = Garth Brooks' distributor says stores dealing in second hand goods can order his new album | newspaper = Los Angeles Times | date = August 8, 1993 | url = http://www.planetgarth.com/gbnews/garth049.shtml | access-date = March 16, 2007 | archive-date = March 14, 2012

Brooks' first [[The Garth Brooks World Tour (1993–1994)|world tour]] began in 1993, reaching the UK after many domestic concerts. Brooks sold-out venues such as [[Birmingham]]'s [[National Exhibition Centre]] and London's [[Wembley Arena]], a feat never accomplished by an American country music artist. He also began the London radio station, [[Country 1035]]. Despite the disdain of the British media, Brooks' overall popularity in the country was evident, with a top disc jockey, [[Nick Barraclough]], referring to Brooks as Garth Vader (a play on [[Darth Vader]]) for his "invasion" of the charts and his success in the country genre. Unlike [[Alan Jackson]], who refused to return to the UK after being treated in a similar negative manner by the press, Brooks would later return in 1996 for more performances.<ref name="sandler">{{citation | last = Sandler | first = Adam | title = Year's top-grossing tour sealed with Kiss | newspaper = Variety | date = December 27, 1996 | url =https://www.variety.com/vstory/VR1117436237.html?categoryid=38&cs=1&query=garth+brooks | access-date = April 3, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111155218/http://www.variety.com/vstory/VR1117436237.html?categoryid=38&cs=1&query=garth+brooks|archive-date=November 11, 2007}}</ref> Brooks also took his World Tour to other regions throughout Europe, as well as Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand.<ref name="sandler" />

In 1994, Brooks paid homage to one of his musical influences, [[Kiss (band)|KISS]], appearing on the tribute compilation, ''[[Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved]],'' a collection of songs performed by popular artists from various genres. The unlikely collaboration of Brooks and KISS' rendition of "[[Hard Luck Woman]]" was performed live on ''[[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]'', and despite its hard-rock appeal, Brooks' version appeared on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs chart.

In November 1995, Brooks released ''[[Fresh Horses (album)|Fresh Horses]]'', his first album of new material in two years. Within six months of its release, the album had sold over three million copies. Despite its promising start, ''Fresh Horses'' plateaued quickly, topping out at quadruple platinum.<ref name=allmusic>Erlewine, Stephen Thomas [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p1535/biography|pure_url=yes}} Garth Brooks biography & profile] ''All Music.com / Allmusic''. Retrieved 6–23–08.</ref>

In 1997, Brooks released his seventh studio album, ''[[Sevens (album)|Sevens]]''. The album was originally scheduled to be released in August 1997, allowing for promotion during Brooks' [[Garth: Live from Central Park|Central Park concert]]; however, plans went awry after a dispute within Capitol Records.<ref name=allmusic/> The Central Park concert went on as planned, receiving 980,000 fans in attendance and becoming the largest concert in park history.<ref>{{cite web|title=Garth Brooks: The Entertainer |url=http://garthbrooks.com/dialup/index.cfm?id=3&discoID=22 |website=garthbrooks.com |access-date=March 30, 2016 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103102628/http://garthbrooks.com/dialup/index.cfm?id=3&discoID=22 |archive-date=January 3, 2010 }}</ref>

''Sevens'' debuted at No. 1 on both the ''Billboard'' 200 and Top Country Albums charts. It later became Brooks' fourth album to reach sales of 10&nbsp;million copies. The album included the duet "[[In Another's Eyes]]" with [[Trisha Yearwood]], which reached No. 2 on Hot Country Songs chart, and its first single, "[[Longneck Bottle]]", with [[Steve Wariner]], reached No. 1. The album spawned two additional number-one singles, "[[Two Piña Coladas|Two Pina Coladas]]" and "[[Make You Feel My Love|To Make You Feel My Love]]" (a [[Bob Dylan]] cover), which also was a top 10 hit on the [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks]] chart and was released on the [[Hope Floats: Music from the Motion Picture|soundtrack]] to the film, ''[[Hope Floats]]''.

Brooks' first live album, ''[[Double Live (Garth Brooks album)|Double Live]]'' was released in 1998. Recorded at various shows over the course of his second world tour, the album contained new material not previously released, such as "Tearin' It Up (and Burnin' It Down)" and "Wild as the Wind," featuring [[Trisha Yearwood]]. Peaking at No. 1 on both the ''Billboard'' 200 and Top Country Albums charts, ''Double Live'' went on to become the best-selling live album of all time, certified [[RIAA certification|21× Platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]], and is the seventh-most shipped album in United States music history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinum.php?content_selector=top-100-albums |title=RIAA List of Best Selling Albums |publisher=Riaa.com |access-date=May 14, 2012}}</ref>

Brooks' promotion of the album and the film did not garner excitement, and the failure of the Gaines project was evident mere weeks after the album was released. The majority of the American public was either bewildered, or completely unreceptive to the idea of Brooks portraying a rock-and-roll musician.<ref name="gaineserlewine">{{cite web|last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |title=In&nbsp;... The Life of Chris Gaines Review |website=Allmusic |date=June 13, 2005 |url=http://music.yahoo.com/read/review/14237942 |access-date=April 3, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050829103720/http://music.yahoo.com/read/review/14237942 |archive-date=August 29, 2005 }}</ref> Sales of the album were unspectacular, at least compared with most of Brooks' previous albums, and although it made it to No. 2 on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart, expectations had been higher and retail stores began heavily discounting their oversupply.<ref name="gainesgoodman">{{cite news | last = Goodman | first = Dean | title = Brooks Defends Latest Album, Despite Slow Sales | agency = Reuters | date = January 16, 2000 | url = http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=360 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141129084442/http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=360 | url-status=dead | archive-date = November 29, 2014 | access-date = April 3, 2007 }}. Archived from [http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=360 the original] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621045552/http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=360 |date=June 21, 2012 }} on March 21, 2017.</ref> Less-than-expected sales of the album (more than two million) brought the project to an indefinite hiatus in February 2001 and Gaines quickly faded into obscurity.<ref name="lamb2003">{{cite web|title=The Lamb (2003) |publisher=Yahoo Movies |year=2002 |url=https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/preview/1808404802 |access-date=April 3, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314084209/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/preview/1808404802 |archive-date=March 14, 2007 }}</ref>

As his career flourished, Brooks seemed frustrated by the conflicts between career and family. He first talked of retiring from performing in 1992, and again in 1995, but each time returned to touring.<ref name="latimes1993">{{citation | title = Garth Brooks Does What He Has To – Signing a Rich New Contract and Repairing L.A. | newspaper = The Los Angeles Times | date = January 23, 1993 | url = http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00229 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150402111140/http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00229 | url-status=dead | archive-date = April 2, 2015 | access-date = March 16, 2007 }}. Archived from [http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00229 the original] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621045640/http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00229 |date=June 21, 2012 }} on March 21, 2017.</ref> In 1999, Brooks appeared on [[The Nashville Network]]'s ''Crook & Chase'' program, again mentioning retirement in a more serious tone.<ref name="boehlert">{{citation | last = Boehlert | first = Eric | title = Garth Brooks Ponders Retirement Amid Sales Slump | newspaper = Rolling Stone | date = December 16, 1999 | url = http://www.wholenote.com/default.asp?iTarget=http%3A//www.wholenote.com/news/item.asp%3Fi%3D116 | access-date = March 16, 2007 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130616035609/http://www.wholenote.com/n116--Garth-Brooks-Ponders-Retirement-Amid-Sales-Slump | archive-date = June 16, 2013 }}</ref> On October 26, 2000, Brooks officially announced his retirement from recording and performing.<ref name="rosen2">{{cite web|last=Rosen |first=Craig |title=Garth Brooks Announces Retirement |publisher=Yahoo Music |date=October 26, 2000 |url=http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12057103 |access-date=March 16, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061217105905/http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12057103 |archive-date=December 17, 2006 }}</ref> Later that evening, Capitol Records noted Brooks' achievement of selling 100&nbsp;million albums in the US, celebrating at Nashville's [[Bridgestone Arena|Gaylord Entertainment Center]].<ref name="rosen"/>

{{main|Man Against Machine|The Garth Brooks World Tour (2014–2017)}}

In September 2015, it was announced Brooks would reissue his album ''[[No Fences]]'' later in the year to commemorate its 25-year release anniversary. The release would include a new version of "[[Friends in Low Places]]", featuring [[George Strait]], [[Jason Aldean]], [[Florida Georgia Line]], and [[Keith Urban]] singing along with Brooks. The album release has since been delayed due to royalty disputes.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Newman|first1=Melinda|title=Garth Brooks' All-Star 'Friends in Low Places' & Album Reissue On Hold Over Royalty Dispute: Exclusive|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/country/6685889/garth-brooks-friends-low-places-reissue-royalty-dispute|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 6, 2015}}</ref> The track was later featured on his 2016 compilation album, ''[[The Ultimate Collection (Garth Brooks album)|The Ultimate Collection]]''.

{{main|Gunslinger (album)}}

After years of royalty disputes and an opposition to [[Streaming media|online music streaming]], Brooks launched a streaming channel on [[Sirius XM|Sirius XM Radio]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Garth Brooks to Launch His Own Exclusive SiriusXM Channel|url=http://investor.siriusxm.com/investor-overview/press-releases/press-release-details/2016/Garth-Brooks-to-Launch-His-Own-Exclusive-SiriusXM-Channel/default.aspx|publisher=Sirius XM Holdings Inc.|access-date=October 19, 2016}}</ref> He also reached an agreement to stream his entire catalogue via [[Amazon Music]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Newman|first1=Melinda|title=Garth Brooks Reveals Amazon Streaming Deal Details: Exclusive|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7549052/garth-brooks-streaming-amazon-music-unlimited-exclusive|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2016}}</ref>

On June 19, 2018, Brooks released a new single, "[[All Day Long (Garth Brooks song)|All Day Long]]", the first off his 2020 album, ''[[Fun (Garth Brooks album)|Fun]]''. The release also included a [[A-side and B-side|B-side]], "The Road I'm On".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mastrogiannis |first1=Nicole |title=Garth Brooks Debuts New Single "All Day Long" |date=June 19, 2018 |url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2018-06-19-garth-brooks-debuts-new-single-all-day-long/ |publisher=iHeartRadio |access-date=June 20, 2018}}</ref> In August 2018, Brooks announced new [[Album#Live|live album]], ''[[Triple Live]]'', to be released in partnership with [[Ticketmaster]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/country/8472565/garth-brooks-new-album-triple-live|title=Garth Brooks Announces New Album 'Triple Live' in Partnership With Ticketmaster|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 28, 2018}}</ref>

The third single from his upcoming album, "[[Dive Bar (Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton song)|Dive Bar]]", a duet with [[Blake Shelton]], was released in June 2019.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Freeman |first1=Jon |title=Garth Brooks, Blake Shelton Team Up for Rowdy Duet 'Dive Bar' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/garth-brooks-blake-shelton-duet-dive-bar-849428/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=June 18, 2019}}</ref> Brooks also embarked on the [[Dive Bar Tour (Garth Brooks)|Dive Bar Tour]], a promotional tour in support of the single, visiting seven [[dive bar]]s throughout the United States.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Newman |first1=Melinda |title=Garth Brooks Dives into Seven-City Bar Tour |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/country/8518861/garth-brooks-dives-into-7-city-bar-tour |magazine=Billboard |access-date=July 16, 2019}}</ref>

On April 30, 2022, Brooks performed in Tiger Stadium on the campus of [[LSU|Louisiana State University]] in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. When he performed his signature hit "[[Callin' Baton Rouge]]," he became the second person, after LSU quarterback [[Tommy Hodson]], to excite the crowd to a degree that the noise level registered on the university's seismograph – registering as an earthquake caused by excited fans.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/33856319/garth-brooks-causes-latest-earthquake-lsu-tiger-stadium | title=Garth Brooks causes latest earthquake at LSU's Tiger Stadium | date=May 4, 2022 }}</ref>

On January 9, 2025, Brooks along with his wife [[Trisha Yearwood]] performed the [[John Lennon]] song "[[Imagine (song)|Imagine]]" at the [[state funeral]] for former President [[Jimmy Carter]] at the [[Washington National Cathedral]] in [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Live updates: Biden delivers eulogy and grandson speaks of Carter's humanitarian accomplishments |url=https://apnews.com/live/jimmy-carter-funeral-updates#00000194-4b9c-d698-afdf-dffe189a0000 |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

In September 2014, Brooks established [[GhostTunes]], a [[digital music store]] featuring his own [[digital audio|digital music]], as well as over ten million songs from other artists. The store, contracted with "[[Major labels|the big three]]" record labels, allows for autonomous pricing and distribution format, resulting in the most proper [[royalty payment]]s for artists and songwriters.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Karp|first1=Hannah|title=Garth Brooks Launches Download Store|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/garth-brooks-to-launch-music-download-store-1415594399|access-date=December 5, 2014|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=November 9, 2014}}</ref> In March 2017, GhostTunes officially closed, merging with [[Amazon Music]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ghosttunes.com/ |title=GhostTunes is closed |website=GhostTunes |access-date=May 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630162108/https://ghosttunes.com/ |archive-date=June 30, 2017}}</ref>

Brooks married songwriter Sandy Mahl<!--She took the surname Brooks after her marriage, thus, per https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Biography#People_with_the_same_surname, is referred to as "Sandy" to distinguish her from Garth.--> on May 24, 1986. The couple had three daughters: Taylor Mayne Pearl (b. 1992), August Anna (b. 1994), and Allie Colleen Brooks (b. 1996).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1711350/garth-brooks-becomes-a-grandfather.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729001902/http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1711350/garth-brooks-becomes-a-grandfather.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 29, 2013|title=Garth Brooks Becomes a Grandfather|work=CMT News|access-date=April 26, 2015}}</ref><ref name=usgrandchild>{{cite news | url = http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/garth-brooks-is-a-grandfather-2013267 | title=Garth Brooks Is a Grandfather! | date=July 26, 2013 | work = [[Us Weekly]] | first= Brittany | last = Galla | access-date= December 9, 2013}}</ref> Brooks and Sandy separated in March 1999, announcing their plans to divorce on October 9, 2000, and filed for divorce on November 6, 2000.<ref name="rosen">{{cite web|last=Rosen |first=Craig |title=Garth Brooks To Divorce |publisher=Yahoo Music |date=October 9, 2000 |url=http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12054809 |access-date=March 16, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061215114335/http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12054809 |archive-date=December 15, 2006 }}</ref><ref name="bbcnewsdivorce">{{cite news | title = Garth Brooks' divorce finalized | work = BBC News | date = December 18, 2001 | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1717257.stm | access-date = March 16, 2007}}</ref> The divorce became final on December 17, 2001.<ref name="bbcnewsdivorce"/><ref name="yearwoodaffair">{{citation | last = MacDonald | first = Patrick | title = Garth and Trisha, A dynamic duo | newspaper = The Seattle Times | date = July 8, 1998 | url = http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00185 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141129084546/http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00185 | url-status=dead | archive-date = November 29, 2014 | access-date = March 16, 2007 }}. Archived from [http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00185 the original] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621045709/http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00185 |date=June 21, 2012 }} on March 21, 2017.</ref>

In July 2013, Brooks became a grandfather when August had daughter Karalynn with Chance Michael Russell.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/garth-brooks-grandfather/|title=Garth Brooks Becomes a Grandfather|work=Taste of Country|date=July 26, 2013 |access-date=April 26, 2015}}</ref>

Brooks, along with wife Yearwood, has supported [[Habitat for Humanity]]'s work over the years. In December 2010, Brooks played nine shows in less than a week in Nashville at [[Bridgestone Arena]] to benefit victims from the [[2010 Tennessee floods|May 2010 Nashville flood]]. Over 140,000 tickets were sold and $5&nbsp;million raised.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boomsbeat.com/articles/259201/20170422/30-mind-blowing-facts-fan-know-favorite-garth-brooks.htm|title=30 Mind Blowing Facts Every Fan Should Know About Fan Favorite Garth Brooks|last=Karnick|first=Ruby|date=April 22, 2017|website=BOOMSbeat|language=en|access-date=March 1, 2019}}</ref>

In a 1999 interview with ''[[George (magazine)|George]]'', Brooks said, "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."<ref name="George" /><ref name="GayToday">{{cite web|url=http://gaytoday.badpuppy.com/garchive/entertain/040599en.htm|title=GLAAD's Hollywood Hotsheet|last=Horn|first=William|work=Gay Today|access-date=February 28, 2014|archive-date=March 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319004118/http://gaytoday.badpuppy.com/garchive/entertain/040599en.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Lyrics to his song, "We Shall Be Free", features the line, "When we're free to love anyone we choose," which has been interpreted as a reference to same-sex relationships.<ref name="George">{{cite news|date=April 1999|title=[[George (magazine)|George]]|quote="What's odd is that nobody assumed it could mean interracial marriages or interfaith marriages. They immediately went straight to the homosexual thing."}}</ref> Brooks won a 1993 [[GLAAD Media Award]] for the song.

In 2000, Brooks appeared at the [[Equality Rocks]] benefit concert for [[gay rights]]. He sang a duet with openly gay singer [[George Michael]].<ref name="CMTNews">{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1476896/garth-brooks-george-michael-to-duet-at-gay-rights-benefit.jhtml|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140228113033/http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1476896/garth-brooks-george-michael-to-duet-at-gay-rights-benefit.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 28, 2014|title=Garth Brooks, George Michael to Duet at Gay Rights Benefit|date=April 4, 2000|work=[[CMT (American TV channel)|CMT News]]|access-date=February 28, 2014}}</ref>

In October 2024, Brooks was sued by his former hairstylist and makeup artist who claimed she was sexually harassed by him on several occasions. She also claimed that Brooks raped her during a trip the two took to film a Grammy tribute in 2019.<ref name="“CNN”">{{Cite web |last=Wagmeister |first=Elizabeth |date=October 3, 2024 |title=Garth Brooks accused of sexual assault and battery in lawsuit from hair-and-makeup artist who worked for him. |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/03/entertainment/garth-brooks-accused-sexual-assault?Date=20241003&Profile=CNN |access-date=October 3, 2024 |website=[[CNN]]}}</ref> Brooks has denied the allegations, calling them a "shakedown" and an extortion attempt. He initially sued his accuser under a pseudonym in an attempt to block the allegations from coming to light.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wagmeister |first=Elizabeth |date=2024-10-03 |title=Anonymous celebrity lawsuit asks court to declare sexual assault accuser's allegations untrue — before she's even sued |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/03/entertainment/celebrity-lawsuit-sexual-assault-allegations/index.html |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=[[CNN]]}}</ref> In response to the lawsuit naming him, Brooks named his accuser in a countersuit.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Blackwelder |first1=Carson |last2=Jane Bernabe |first2=Angeline |date=2024-10-09 |title=Garth Brooks files lawsuit in response to rape, sexual assault accusations |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/garth-brooks-files-lawsuit-response-rape-sexual-assault/story?id=114656752 |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sisario |first=Ben |date=2024-10-09 |title=Garth Brooks Names Woman Who Accused Him of Rape |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/09/arts/music/garth-brooks-names-rape-accuser.html |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=New York Times}}</ref>

Brooks has won a record 22 [[Academy of Country Music Awards]] and received a total of 47 overall nominations. His 13 [[Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]] nominations have resulted in 2 awards won, along with [[Billboard Music Awards]], [[Country Music Association Awards]], and many others. Brooks' work has earned awards and nominations in television and film as well, including the [[Primetime Emmy Awards]] and [[Golden Globe Awards]]. He was inducted into the [[Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum|Country Music Hall of Fame]] in 2012. In 2010, he was inducted into the [[Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum|Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame Inductees |url=https://www.cfdrodeo.com/cfd-old-west-museum/our-story/history/cheyenne-frontier-days-hall-of-fame-inductees |website=Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum |access-date=October 2, 2018}}</ref> He has also been inducted into the [[Songwriters Hall of Fame]],<ref name="songwriters hall of fame"/> and the [[Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum]].<ref name="musician hall of fame">{{cite news |url=https://eu.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2016/10/26/garth-brooks-ricky-skaggs-among-musicians-hall-fame-inductees/91953666/ |title=Garth Brooks, Ricky Skaggs among Musicians Hall of Fame inductees |first=Dave |last=Paulson|work=Tennessean|date= October 26, 2016 }}</ref>

According to the [[Recording Industry Association of America]], Brooks was the best-selling solo artist of the 20th century in America.<ref name="riaa1999">

[[Category:American male javelin throwers]]