Garth Brooks

Troyal Garth Brooks (born February 7, 1962 in Tulsa, Oklahoma) is an American singer, songwriter, actor, and charity director who performs country music.

Retirement

As his career took off, Garth Brooks seemed frustrated by the conflicts between career and family. He talked of retiring from performing in 1992 http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00229 and 1995, but went back out on tour each time instead. In 1999, he talked again of retirement again on The Nashville Network's Crook & Chase program; this time, falling records sales may have been an additional trigger. http://www.wholenote.com/default.asp?iTarget=http%3A//www.wholenote.com/news/item.asp%3Fi%3D116

Related Topics:
1999 - The Nashville Network - Crook & Chase

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In 1999, Garth and Sandy Brooks separated http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1717257.stm; they made public their plans to divorce on October 9, 2000 http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12054809 and it became final during 2001.

Related Topics:
1999 - October 9 - 2000 - 2001

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On October 26, 2000, Brooks officially announced his retirement from recording and performing. http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12057103 That same night, Capital Records saluted his achievement of selling 100 million albums in the U.S. with a lavish party at Nashville's Gaylord Entertainment Center. http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12057079

Related Topics:
October 26 - 2000 - Gaylord Entertainment Center

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November 13, 2001 saw the release of Brooks' last album, Scarecrow. Brooks staged a few performances for promotional purposes, but stated that he would be retired from recording and performing at least until his youngest daughter, Allie, turned 18. Although the album didn't sell as well as his heyday, it still sold comfortably well, reaching #1 on both the Pop and Country charts.

Related Topics:
November 13 - 2001 - Scarecrow

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Although Brooks' has ceased to record new material since this time, he continued to chart with previously recorded material. His last chart entry was a top 30 placing for "Why Ain't I Running" in 2003.

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On May 25, 2005, Brooks announced his engagement to fellow country superstar Trisha Yearwood.

Related Topics:
May 25 - 2005 - Trisha Yearwood

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Later in the year there were rumours of a comeback concert in Las Vegas; however, these proved false and Brooks insisted he was not touring, neither did he have any plans to make any new studio material until 2015. However, there was some good news for his fans in August 2005 when it was announced that Brooks had signed a deal with Wal-Mart, leasing them the rights to his back catalog following his split with Capitol. It has been reported that Brooks and Wal-Mart plan to issue a multi-CD box set containing past material and previously unissued recordings. This is the first time in history that a musician has signed a deal that states his music will be sold by only one retailer.

Related Topics:
Las Vegas - Wal-Mart - Back catalog - Capitol

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In September 2005, Brooks came out of his retirement long enough to perform John Fogerty's "Who'll Stop the Rain" with Yearwood on the ' nationwide telethon for Hurricane Katrina relief. Later in the month it was also announced that Brooks would return to the stage for a paying audience, to be part of the 80th birthday celebrations of the Grand Ole Opry.

Related Topics:
John Fogerty - Hurricane Katrina - Grand Ole Opry

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