Garth Brooks Biography

Fast Facts

• Has won dozens of awards, including the 50th Anniversary Milestone Award at the 2015 Academy of Country Music Awards
• In 2011, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
• His second album, "No Fences," was the first country album to go multi-platinum and sold a record-breaking 13 million copies
• In 1990, he was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry
• Received the Academy of Country Music's Jim Reeves Memorial Award in 1995 for enhancing the international image of country music, the first time it had been awarded in 13 years
• Graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in advertising in 1984, and a masters of business administration degree in 2011
• In 2005, he got married to fellow country singer Trisha Yearwood
• Sang at local clubs with lead guitarist Ty England while he was in college
• Moved to Nashville, Tenn․, in 1987 and began working with songwriters and producers in an attempt to score a record deal, which he eventually did with Capitol Records in 1988
• Quote: "When we first started, I had one thing in mind, and that was to make folks back home proud․ I really felt like I was representing Yukon, Okla․, and more than anything, I wanted them to like what I did․"
• Broke many of the expected country music conventions in his live shows, selling out entire stadiums, performing with a cordless headset, having elaborate light shows and explosions and incorporating other typically rock & roll techniques
• Attended Oklahoma State University on a partial athletic scholarship for javelin throwing
• Once worked as a cowboy boot salesman