One simply cannot talk about ’90s music without discussing the enormous commercial crossover appeal of country superstar Garth Brooks. In fact the RIAA, America’s recording industry trade association, puts him ahead of Elvis in terms of total albums sold in the U.S. by any solo artist.
            The Oklahoma born Brooks grew up listening to folk, pop, and rock artists like James Taylor and Bob Seger, though his mom was a professional country vocalist. In college he began singing country, and he moved to Nashville in the mid-’80s in an attempt to break through as a recording artist. From the start he found success on both the country and pop charts. His second and third LPs, 1990’s No Fences and 1991’s Ropin’ the Wind are among the best selling albums in history, and five other LPs, The Chase, In Pieces, Sevens, and two greatest hits compilation albumshave also earned Diamond Platinum certification, indicating sales of at least 10 million each. Among his best loved singles are “The Dance”, which can be heard as a wistful love meditation or a dying man’s reflection, and “Friends in Low Places”, a rowdy, anthemic blue collar staple.

            Brooks seamlessly blends a down home, regular guy persona with a rock star mystique, capable of filling huge stadiums and bounding about the stage with his headset mic and signature black Stetson like he was a country Freddie Mercury; and while his music has never been particularly controversial or radical, he’s been willing to stand up for diversity and tolerance, even going against a conservative tide in a recent controversy involving Bud Light and a transgender influencer. It’s not the first time Brooks has spoken of a “big tent approach” and the need for us all to love one another.

            A man willing to walk away from the business for eight years to focus on family, to loyally use the same band of studio musicians, the G-Men, for decades, and to leave a large charitable footprint, Garth has been honored for his music by the likes of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Library of Congress, and the Kennedy Center.  

            –Steve Williams (10/16/23) Greatest Recording Artists Blog Post #54