Garth Brooks: influences, peers and legacy

Every connection with its receipt

Garth Brooks fused honky-tonk songcraft with arena-rock spectacle, and the map of how he got there runs from George Strait's neotraditional revival through a Wyoming rodeo singer's self-released tapes to the pyro and headset mics of 1970s stadium rock. Stillwater, Oklahoma's bar circuit and Allen Reynolds' Jack's Tracks studio are the two rooms where the sound was built. The legacy is most of modern country radio.

The Kynda mix for Garth Brooks

• Key Influence · Strait Country by George Strait (1981). Brooks has repeatedly pointed to hearing George Strait as the moment country clicked for him — the neotraditional turn of the early 1980s that proved fiddle-and-steel records could still dominate radio. Strait's debut, cut in Nashville with Blake Mevis, set the template of plainspoken delivery and dancehall shuffle that Brooks carried into Stillwater's bar circuit before he ever moved to Tennessee.
• Influencia Obscura · Western Underground by Chris LeDoux (1991). Before 1989, LeDoux was a world-champion bareback rider selling cassettes out of a horse trailer at rodeos. Brooks name-checked him in "Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)" — "a worn-out tape of Chris LeDoux" — which drove Capitol to sign him; they later duetted on "Whatcha Gonna Do with a Cowboy." The most consequential obscure act in Brooks' story, and the rodeo authenticity behind his cowboy image.
• Local Roots · Naturally by J.J. Cale (1972). Cale's Tulsa Sound — laid-back shuffle, country and blues blurred, recorded far from industry centers — defined what Oklahoma music sounded like to the world when Brooks was born in Tulsa and raised in Yukon. The state's refusal to pick a side between country, rock and R&B is exactly the hybrid instinct Brooks later took to Nashville and was criticized for.
• Beyond the Medium · Alive! by Kiss (1975). Brooks has been candid that his live show is modeled on arena rock, not the Opry: flying rigs, pyro, headset mic, running the full stage. Kiss' double live album is the blueprint for treating a concert as spectacle, and Brooks later contributed to a Kiss tribute project. Importing that staging into country in 1991 is the single biggest reason his tours outgrew every venue the format had used.
• Peer · Don't Rock the Jukebox by Alan Jackson (1991). The other defining figure of the Class of '89 — Jackson, Brooks, Clint Black and Travis Tritt all broke within months of each other and remade country's commercial scale. Jackson held the traditionalist line while Brooks pushed toward rock, and the two were constant chart rivals and occasional allies, most famously duetting on "Murder on Music Row" in 2000.
• From the Canon · No Fences by Garth Brooks (1990). The album that broke the format open: "Friends in Low Places," "The Thunder Rolls," "Unanswered Prayers" and "Two of a Kind, Workin' on a Full House" in one sequence. Produced by Allen Reynolds at Jack's Tracks, it balances barroom singalongs against domestic-violence narrative and churchy reflection — the whole Brooks method, rowdy and sentimental in the same breath, fully formed.
• Key Collaborator · Untasted Honey by Kathy Mattea (1987). Allen Reynolds produced every Brooks album of the classic run at Jack's Tracks, and his earlier work with Mattea shows the method: warm, uncluttered arrangements that keep the singer and the story in front. Reynolds was the one insisting Brooks cut "The Dance" and protecting the songs from overproduction — the quiet counterweight to the pyrotechnics of the live show.
• Legacy · This One's for You by Luke Combs (2017). Combs is open about Brooks as the model: big everyman voice, stadium-scale tours, songs about ordinary life delivered without a costume. His debut's run of consecutive number ones echoed Brooks' chart dominance, and the two have appeared together publicly, with Combs repeatedly describing Brooks' concerts as the reason he wanted the job.

What influenced Garth Brooks

• Billy Joel (1964). The article identifies Joel as an influence on Brooks. (also via Shameless, The Stranger) “Similarly, Brooks was influenced by the 1970s-era rock of Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen and the operatic rock of Queen with Freddie Mercury .” (Wikipedia)
• Kiss. Kiss is identified as an early influence on Brooks. (also via Alive!, Hard Luck Woman) “The band Kiss was also one of Brooks' early musical influences, and his shows often reflect this.” (Wikipedia)
• George Strait by George Strait. Brooks’s debut album was influenced in part by Strait. (also via Unwound, Strait Country) “Most of the album was traditionalist country, influenced in part by George Strait.” (Wikipedia)
• Dan Fogelberg. The article says Brooks cited Fogelberg as a major influence. “Brooks was most fond of rock music, citing James Taylor , Dan Fogelberg , and Townes Van Zandt as major influences.” (Wikipedia)
• James Taylor. The article identifies Taylor’s work as an influence on Brooks. “he was strongly influenced by the 1970s singer-songwriter movement, especially the works of James Taylor , whom he idolized and named his first child after, as well as Dan Fogelberg .” (Wikipedia)
• Chris LeDoux. Brooks attributed his energetic stage persona to LeDoux. (also via Western Underground) “Brooks stated the energetic style of his stage persona is directly inspired by Chris LeDoux .” (Wikipedia)
• Queen. The article identifies Queen as an influence on Brooks. (also via A Night at the Opera) “Similarly, Brooks was influenced by the 1970s-era rock of Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen and the operatic rock of Queen with Freddie Mercury .” (Wikipedia)
• Alive! by Kiss (1975). Alive! (Kiss) — culture for Garth Brooks “The band Kiss was also one of Brooks' early musical influences, and his shows often reflect this.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Townes Van Zandt. The article says Brooks cited Van Zandt as a major influence. “Brooks was most fond of rock music, citing James Taylor , Dan Fogelberg , and Townes Van Zandt as major influences.” (Wikipedia)
• A Night at the Opera by Queen (1975). A Night at the Opera (Queen) — culture for Garth Brooks “Similarly, Brooks was influenced by the 1970s-era rock of Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen and the operatic rock of Queen with Freddie Mercury.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• I Am What I Am by George Jones (1980). I Am What I Am (George Jones) — titan for Garth Brooks “Although he listened to some country music, especially that of George Jones, Brooks was most fond of rock music, citing James Taylor, Dan Fogelberg, and Townes Van Zandt as major influences.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Unwound by George Strait. Hearing Strait’s single prompted Brooks’s interest in playing country music. “In 1981, after hearing " Unwound ", the debut single of George Strait , Brooks decided that he was more interested in playing country music.” (Wikipedia)
• The Stranger by Billy Joel (1977). The Stranger (Billy Joel) — culture for Garth Brooks “Similarly, Brooks was influenced by the 1970s-era rock of Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen and the operatic rock of Queen with Freddie Mercury.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Strait Country by George Strait (1981). Strait Country (George Strait) — titan for Garth Brooks “In 1981, after hearing "Unwound", the debut single of George Strait, Brooks decided that he was more interested in playing country music.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Western Underground by Chris LeDoux (1991). Western Underground (Chris LeDoux) — ghost for Garth Brooks “Despite all the cited influences, Brooks stated the energetic style of his stage persona is directly inspired by Chris LeDoux.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Bruce Springsteen (1949). The article identifies Springsteen as an influence on Brooks. “Similarly, Brooks was influenced by the 1970s-era rock of Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen and the operatic rock of Queen with Freddie Mercury .” (Wikipedia)
• Back to the Barrooms by Merle Haggard (1980). Back to the Barrooms (Merle Haggard) — titan for Garth Brooks (musicbrainz.org)
• I Ain't No Jukebox by Bob Childers (1979). I Ain't No Jukebox (Bob Childers) — ghost for Garth Brooks

Peers and kindred spirits

• Ty England by Ty England. England’s official biography says he toured with Brooks. “The other is Ty England, a singer and guitar player who hit the concert road with Garth and became an instant fan favorite.” (Ty England Official Website)
• Toby Keith by Toby Keith. Keith and Brooks both performed at Keith’s Oklahoma tornado-relief concert; the account does not say they performed together. “Toby Keith, Garth Brooks + More Perform for Sold Out Crowd at Oklahoma Twister Relief Concert [PICTURES]” (KLAW 101)
• Jason Aldean by Jason Aldean. Aldean was named as a singer on the planned recording with Brooks. “The release would include a new version of " Friends in Low Places ", featuring George Strait , Jason Aldean , Florida Georgia Line , and Keith Urban singing along with Brooks.” (Wikipedia)
• Keith Urban by Keith Urban. Urban accompanied Brooks during a live performance. “During the ACM Lifting Lives Gala in Nashville several years ago, Brooks was backed by Urban as he performed "Friends in Low Places."” (Billboard)
• Allen Reynolds by Allen Reynolds. Reynolds preceded Miller as Brooks’s producer. “sound engineer Mark Miller, who took over from Allen Reynolds as Brooks' producer starting with Blame It All on My Roots: Five Decades of Influences .” (Wikipedia)
• The G-Men by The G-Men. The G-Men played on most of Brooks’s recordings. “The vast majority of Brooks' recordings have used the same studio band, known collectively as the "G-Men".” (Wikipedia)
• Hearts in Armor by Trisha Yearwood (1992). Hearts in Armor (Trisha Yearwood) — collaborator for Garth Brooks “In September 2014, he began his comeback world tour, with wife and musician Trisha Yearwood, which culminated in 2017.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Shout by The Isley Brothers. Brooks performed the Isley Brothers’ song as a cover. “Brooks performed "We Shall Be Free", along with covers of Don McLean 's " American Pie " and the Isley Brothers ' " Shout ".” (Wikipedia)
• Hard Luck Woman by Kiss. Brooks performed a rendition of the Kiss song. “The unlikely collaboration of Brooks and Kiss' rendition of " Hard Luck Woman " was performed live on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” (Wikipedia)
• Touch 'em All Foundation. Brooks launched the Touch ’em All Foundation. “In 1998, Brooks launched his Touch 'em All Foundation with Major League Baseball .” (Wikipedia)
• Florida Georgia Line. Florida Georgia Line was named as a singer on the planned recording with Brooks. “The release would include a new version of " Friends in Low Places ", featuring George Strait , Jason Aldean , Florida Georgia Line , and Keith Urban singing along with Brooks.” (Wikipedia)
• Simon & Garfunkel. Brooks covered Simon & Garfunkel during his Las Vegas show. “Artists covered in the show include Simon & Garfunkel , Bob Seger , Billy Joel and Don McLean .” (Wikipedia)
• GhostTunes. Brooks established GhostTunes. “In September 2014, Brooks established GhostTunes , a digital music store featuring his own digital music , as well as over ten million songs from other artists.” (Wikipedia)
• Untasted Honey by Kathy Mattea (1987). Untasted Honey (Kathy Mattea) — collaborator for Garth Brooks “People reviewer Ralph Novak compared Mattea's voice favorably to Anne Murray and said that "Mattea may not have the most revolutionary sound around, but her material is especially good." Her second album, From My Heart, was also her firs…” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Imagine by John Lennon. Brooks and Yearwood performed Lennon’s song. “Brooks, along with his wife Trisha Yearwood , performed the John Lennon song " Imagine " at the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter” (Wikipedia)
• Who'll Stop the Rain by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Brooks and Yearwood sang Creedence Clearwater Revival’s song. “With wife Trisha Yearwood, Brooks sang Creedence Clearwater Revival 's " Who'll Stop the Rain " on the Shelter from the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast nationwide telethon” (Wikipedia)
• Pearl Records. Brooks established Pearl Records. “In 2005, Brooks ended his association with Capitol Records and established his own record label, Pearl Records .” (Wikipedia)
• Blake Shelton by Blake Shelton. Brooks and Shelton performed their duet “Dive Bar” live. “Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton made the live debut of their new duet "Dive Bar" during a concert at Albertsons Stadium at Boise State University in Idaho on Friday night (July 19).” (Billboard)
• Trisha Yearwood by Trisha Yearwood. Brooks sang harmony during Yearwood’s performance of “Where Your Road Leads.” “As Yearwood sang lead on the stunning ballad of a lifelong love, Brooks added harmonies.” (Billboard)
• Shameless by Billy Joel. Brooks recorded a cover of Joel’s song. “singles included " The River ", " What She's Doing Now ", and a cover of Billy Joel's " Shameless ".” (Wikipedia)
• Bob Seger. Brooks covered Seger during his Las Vegas show. “Artists covered in the show include Simon & Garfunkel , Bob Seger , Billy Joel and Don McLean .” (Wikipedia)
• Don't Rock the Jukebox by Alan Jackson (1991). Don't Rock the Jukebox (Alan Jackson) — peer for Garth Brooks “Unlike Alan Jackson, who refused to return to the UK after being treated in a similar negative manner by the press, Brooks would later return in 1996 for more performances.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Justin Timberlake by Justin Timberlake. Brooks joined Timberlake onstage for “Friends in Low Places.” “With the memorable guitar intro to "Friends in Low Places," JT kicked off the first verse and chorus to a screaming audience before Brooks made his surprise appearance” (Billboard)
• The Fever by Aerosmith. Brooks released a cover of Aerosmith’s song. “its follow-up single, " The Fever " (an Aerosmith cover) only peaked at No. 23, becoming Brooks' first country single to not chart on the top 10.” (Wikipedia)
• Teammates for Kids Foundation. Brooks began the Teammates for Kids Foundation. “In 1999, Brooks began the Teammates for Kids Foundation, which provides financial aid to charities for children.” (Wikipedia)
• American Pie by Don McLean. Brooks performed McLean’s song as a cover. “Brooks performed "We Shall Be Free", along with covers of Don McLean 's " American Pie " and the Isley Brothers ' " Shout ".” (Wikipedia)
• To Make You Feel My Love by Bob Dylan. Brooks recorded a cover of Dylan’s song. “" To Make You Feel My Love " (a Bob Dylan cover), which also was a top 10 hit on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart” (Wikipedia)
• Killin' Time by Clint Black (1989). Killin' Time (Clint Black) — peer for Garth Brooks “Black placed second in the poll, two votes behind Garth Brooks.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Dust Bowl Ballads by Woody Guthrie (1940). Dust Bowl Ballads (Woody Guthrie) — geography for Garth Brooks (musicbrainz.org)
• Soul Gravy by Cross Canadian Ragweed (2004). Soul Gravy (Cross Canadian Ragweed) — geography for Garth Brooks (musicbrainz.org)
• When I Call Your Name by Vince Gill (1989). When I Call Your Name (Vince Gill) — peer for Garth Brooks (musicbrainz.org)
• Naturally by J.J. Cale (1972). Naturally (J.J. Cale) — geography for Garth Brooks (musicbrainz.org)
• In Full View by Victoria Shaw (1995). In Full View (Victoria Shaw) — collaborator for Garth Brooks (musicbrainz.org)

Who Garth Brooks influenced

• No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems by Kenny Chesney (2002). No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems (Kenny Chesney) — legacy for Garth Brooks “16, setting a new record for the highest debut on that chart since the inception of SoundScan electronic tabulation in 1990, although the record was broken the following week by "More Than a Memory" by Garth Brooks.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Chief by Eric Church (2011). Chief (Eric Church) — legacy for Garth Brooks (musicbrainz.org)
• This One's for You by Luke Combs (2017). This One's for You (Luke Combs) — legacy for Garth Brooks (musicbrainz.org)