Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks was born in 1962, in Tulsa, to Colleen Carroll, a country singer, and Troyal Brooks, who worked for an oil company. As a boy he sang with the family but was more interested in athletics.  He went to Oklahoma State University and graduated with a degree in advertising in 1984.

After college, he began to play music seriously. He loved both country and rock, and was influenced by George Strait, so he decided to concentrate on country. In 1987, he moved to Nashville with his wife and produced his first album in 1989.
He toured as an opening act for Kenny Rogers and recorded one of his most famous and well-loved songs, the Dance, which he says is his favourite.   (Another popular song of his is "Friends in Low Places".

His albums did well in the 1990s; He went from success to success.

He always loved rock and incorporated elements of rock into his performances.  One of his favourite artists is James Taylor, after whom he named his daughter. The band Kiss was also one of his early musical influences.

In 1993, he did a world tour, which involved several sell out concerts in England.

 Although his career was flourishing, Brooks was bothered by the conflict of wanting to be with his family and the needs of his work.  Touring  especially for a country artist, was demanding and over the 1990s he considered retiring, to spend time with his children.

In 2000, he committed to giving up performing and recording until his children had finished high school. He did perform occasionally over the years, at charity benefits and occasionally at gigs….

In 2009- he began to sing at weekends in Las Vegas, while still being able to be with his family in Oklahoma during the week. His first marriage to a songwriter Sandy Mahl had ended in divorce and in 2005, he had married country singer Trisha Yearwood…

He is a supporter of gay rights and had worked hard for charity also, being involved in the charity Habitat for Humanity, which builds affordable houses for people in need.  He also performed in 2010, for the victims of the Nashville floods.

He’s not only talented but a warm hearted man who hasn’t let his success spoil him…