Happy Birthday Garth! – 12 signs you are totally obessesed with Mr Brooks
Unless you've been living under a rock, you’ll know that Garth Brooks is now playing an amazing five sold out shows at Croke Park this summer and today the great man is 52.
So on our favourite Oklahoman’s special day we decided (in no particular order) to pick out 12 things only true fans of Garth would know about.
Despite the millions of album sales, Brooks has always had time for his fans and remains one of the best mannered celebrities out there.
Unbelievably, in 1995 astronaut Colonel Bill MacArthur brought a copy of ‘The Hits’ by Garth Brooks into space and onto the Russian space station Mir.
Hard to believe, but for two seasons between 1998 and 1999 Garth was a professional baseball player with the San Diego Padres and the New York Mets respectively.
Being in his late 30s things didn’t really work out for him on the field but like his music wild horses couldn’t drag him away from his dream.
Back in the day, if you where calling anywhere you were ‘Callin Baton Rogue’ and needed one of these beauties to use an unusual contraption known as a ‘pay phone’ to do it!
That famous black hat is something we all recognise and in recent times Garth has sported a rather dapper baseball cap.
However, only real fans have ….
Don’t deny it, we know it’s hidden in the back of your wardrobe and it’s not alone is it?
Earlier in the week we heard the story of Cameron whose parents must have blasted out the country music sensation so often around the home that he had no choice but to become a fan.
That’s A1 parenting in our book and even Garth himself is stunned by the fresh brood of fans who will witness his music in July.
*******
Now we have to take a brief pause from our list to address ‘the haters’.
For those people who hate Garth Brooks (what’s wrong with them?), these past few weeks of ‘Garthmania’ must have been hell on earth. If you're one of them, is this how you feel?
Back to our list!
*******
Brooks was one of the first international superstars to embrace the Special Olympics movement.
Five years after the International Olympic Committee officially recognised the Special Olympics, Garth brought out the video for ‘Standing Outside the Fire’.
It featured Brandon, an athlete who just wanted to complete on a level playing field with everyone else and whose heart and courage won over not only his coach, but his doubting father as well.
Garth is really Brooks’ middle name, with the artist’s full birth name being Troyal Garth Brooks.
When asked why he doesn’t go by his first name he explained politely (we imagine): “My grandpa's name was Troyal and my dad's name was Troyal, and I didn't want to be Troyal III.”
We expect Troyal to make a big climb in the baby names listing this year!
Sorry Bruce! But, if you’re a Garth Brooks fan there is only one version of a song called ‘The River’ you want to hear.
Just beautiful….
For Irish fans May 16, 17, and 18 of 1997 remain the best days of their lives.
An unfinished Croke Park rocked under unsteady foundations and the great man even surfed the crowd.
If you weren’t there, we bet that video makes you insanely jealous.
On the terrible October day in the year 2000 (true fans will know it was October 26), Garth officially announced his retirement from recording and performing.
A truly honourable desire to raise his three daughters, Taylor Maine Pearl, August Anna and Allie Colleen, drove Brooks to quit the business and bar a handful one-off gigs and charity events, he stayed true to his word.
Fans were starved and it took nine years for him to return, however you could only see him and wife Trisha Yearwood in Las Vegas after he announced a residency at Encore - just weekends, mind you, so he could still care for his beloved girls.
We know all you true fans have seen the show while losing all your money in the casinos and using the complementary buffet to keep yourself alive.
For those who haven’t seen it here is the whole hour and a half of it (well worth your time honest)!
Finally, one of his many gifts to us was a song where you can feel comfortable throwing arms around family and friends to belt out a tune that can only bring you closer.
Released in 1990 ‘Friends in Low Places’ was a mega success even though it was technically unfinished with the musical master adding a third verse the next year for live shows.
Yes, we loved the Mario Rosenstock version too.
Happy birthday Garth - see you in the summer :)
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
