Garth Brooks’ sales hit 50 million. (1995, May 20). Liberty Records.

OVERVIEW

Garth Brooks is the fastest selling artist in music history, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In terms of album sales, he is the third biggest seller in RIAA history. Total career albums for Brooks have reached 50 million copies, the result of only seven albums in six years.

Brooks has pulled past some impressive colleagues. The Beatles, considered the biggest band of all-time, have sold 65 million albums since 1964; second ranked Billy Joel has sold 54 million since 1974. Brooks is the only male artist to have two solo albums top the 10 million mark. Despite his achievements, Brooks remains gracious. At a luncheon Brooks hosted for more than 1,000 EMI employees, he said, "Behind every extraordinary achievement, what you’ll find is no big secret, just a bunch of people working their butts off..."

Since the release of his debut album entitled, "Garth Brooks," in 1989, Brooks has been making history. He got his start in June of 1988 after signing a deal with Capital Records. "I was scared to death," he says now. "When we first started, I had one thing in mind...to make the folks back home (in Yukon, Oklahoma) proud." His debut album became the biggest selling country album of the 1980s, while his second album, "No Fences," has become one of the biggest selling albums of the 1990s. "Ropin’ the Wind," Brooks’ third album which was released in 1991, made Billboard history that year as the first album to enter both the Billboard 200 and country charts in the #1 position. "The Chase" (1992) and "In Pieces" (1993) became the second and third albums to enter at #1 on both charts.

Although Garth considers himself a country artist and has made no attempt to move into the pop charts, he has often surpassed pop artists in national polls. Readers of Entertainment Weekly chose him over Michael Bolton, Bruce Springsteen, and Axl Rose as Top Male Singer in 1992. He came away with the People’s Choice Awards nomination for Top Male Musical Performer in 1992, 1993, and 1994 and Top Country Music Performer in 1992 and 1993. (There was no award given for 1994.) Billboard named him Top Pop and Country performer in 1992 and 1993. The pop recognition also extends into other countries. (Liberty Records, 1994)

Garth Brooks has "redefined music in the 1990s." When asked about his successes, he says, "I’m just a small part of this thing that happened." He credits his musicians, studio workers, management, and record label with much of his success. "We’re talking about a lot of people involved," he says.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. What do Garth Brooks’ successes (i.e., closing in on the Beatles and Billy Joel in album sales) say about the changing listening habits of Americans?
2. Garth Brooks appears to be humbled by his success. He also seems to emphasize the importance of teamwork. Can his attitudes be lessons for kids? Should he be used as a role model? Why or why not?

IMPLICATIONS

Garth Brooks’ successes in mainstream music indicate a broadening of musical tastes.