In 2014, Garth Brooks made a notable comeback to country music after a 14-year hiatus spent raising his children. Upon returning, he found the music industry had transformed significantly from his heyday. The renowned singer-songwriter had retired in 2000 at the peak of his career, having produced chart-topping hits such as “Friends in Low Places” and “The River” in the ’90s. After immersing himself in family life in Oklahoma, Brooks relocated to Nashville when his youngest child decided to attend Belmont University there.
Upon his arrival in Nashville, Brooks observed a stark shift in the city’s music scene, describing it as a “gutted town” with a significant decline in the presence of songwriters. In his book, “The Anthology Part V,” Brooks lamented the loss of over 80% of songwriters, likening them to essential farmers who cultivate music. This depletion of creative talent and the impact of technology on the industry left Brooks disheartened, as he witnessed music being undervalued and commodified due to technological advancements like the iPod and smartphones.
Brooks’ struggle to adapt to these changes was compounded by personal transitions, including his move to Tennessee and his youngest child leaving home, which he candidly admitted had a profound emotional impact. Despite these challenges, Brooks remained committed to his craft and highlighted the importance of preserving the artistry and value of music in the face of technological disruption.
Garth Brooks found the transition to streaming music particularly challenging, having come from a time when physical copies of albums were the norm. He struggled to navigate the shift to digital music and felt compelled to address the issues he saw by creating his own digital music store, GhostTunes, in 2014. Despite GhostTunes eventually being absorbed into Amazon Music, Brooks does not view it as a failed venture. He believes technology prioritizes profit over art, a sentiment he expressed during his World Tour Press Conference in September 2014.
Brooks kicked off The Garth Brooks World Tour in 2014, his first since 1998. Initially apprehensive about the turnout, he was pleasantly surprised when over 300,000 fans queued online for tickets to his Chicago concert. The tour lasted three years, culminating in seven shows in Nashville in 2017. Brooks’ dedication to his band and crew earned him the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year award in 2016, which he went on to win again in 2017 and 2019. Despite his success, Brooks chose to withdraw from future consideration for the award.
Brooks attributes his triumphant comeback to the hard work and dedication of his team during the extensive tour, which he believes set the stage for his return to music.
“The essence of live music, something that no one can diminish, that no one governs but you, is being present in the moment,” he expressed. “The live performance, where it’s just you and the audience deciding if your work is a triumph or a letdown. It’s fueled by passion. Each time, everything is on the line. You’re connecting directly with the audience.” Brooks added, “Live music predates radio, records, and likely dates back further than we can imagine. One person creating music for another: I assume that if there was love — and certainly if there was romance! — there had to be music. The era of streaming will never have the power to erase that. Live music will always prevail. When I contemplate this deeply, I stop fretting about the future of the music industry.”
