Editing Garth Brooks (section)

==Career==
===1985–1989: Musical beginnings===
In 1985, Brooks began his professional music career, singing and playing guitar in Oklahoma clubs and bars, most notably Wild Willie's Saloon in Stillwater.<ref>{{cite news |title=Garth Brooks Emerging from Retirement with Solo Shows at Wynn Las Vegas |url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1623996/garth-brooks-emerging-from-retirement-with-solo-shows-at-wynn-las-vegas/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629225113/http://www.cmt.com/news/1623996/garth-brooks-emerging-from-retirement-with-solo-shows-at-wynn-las-vegas/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 29, 2015 |publisher=[[CMT (American TV channel)|CMT]] |date=October 15, 2009 |access-date=October 25, 2015}}</ref> Through his elder siblings, Brooks was exposed to a wide range of music. 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.<ref name=cox8/> In 1981, after hearing "[[Unwound (song)|Unwound]]", the debut single of [[George Strait]], Brooks decided that he was more interested in playing country music.<ref name=cox8/>

In 1985, entertainment attorney Rod Phelps drove from [[Dallas]] to listen to Brooks. Phelps liked what he heard and offered to produce Brooks' first demo. With Phelps' encouragement, including a list of Phelps' contacts in [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]] and some of his credit cards, Brooks traveled to Nashville to pursue a recording contract; he returned to Oklahoma within 24 hours.<ref>See "Chicken Soup for the Country Soul", page 148</ref> Phelps continued to urge Brooks to return to Nashville, which he did. In 1987, Brooks and wife Sandy Mahl moved to Nashville, and Brooks began making contacts in the music industry.

===1989–1990: Breakthrough success===
Garth Brooks' [[Garth Brooks (album)|eponymous first album]] was released in 1989 and was a chart success. It peaked at No. 2 on the [[Billboard charts|''Billboard'' Top Country Albums]] chart, and reached No. 13 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart. Most of the album was traditionalist country, influenced in part by George Strait.<ref name="pond"/> The first single, "[[Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)]]", was a country top 10 success. It was followed by Brooks' first number-one single on the [[Hot Country Songs]] chart, "[[If Tomorrow Never Comes]]". "[[Not Counting You]]" reached No. 2, and "[[The Dance (Garth Brooks song)|The Dance]]" reached No. 1; its music video, directed by [[John Lloyd Miller]], gave Brooks his first push towards a broader audience. Brooks has later claimed that out of all the songs he has recorded, "The Dance" remains his favorite.<ref name="pond"/> In 1989, Brooks embarked on his first major concert tour, as opening act for [[Kenny Rogers]].

Brooks' second album, ''[[No Fences]]'', was released in 1990 and spent 23 weeks at No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' Top Country Albums chart.<ref name="erlewine">{{cite web | last = Erlewine | first = Stephen Thomas| title = Garth Brooks | website = Allmusic | url ={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=garth brooks|bio=true}} | access-date = April 23, 2007}}</ref> The album also reached No. 3 on the ''Billboard'' 200, and eventually became Brooks' highest-selling album, with domestic shipments of 17&nbsp;million.<ref name="riaa">{{cite web | title = Gold and Platinum | publisher = [[RIAA]] | url =https://www.riaa.com/gp/database | access-date = April 23, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040114052546/http://www.riaa.com/gp/database/ |archive-date=January 14, 2004 }}</ref> It contained what would become Brooks' [[List of signature songs|signature song]], the [[Blue-collar worker|blue collar]] anthem "[[Friends in Low Places]]", as well as other popular singles, "[[The Thunder Rolls]]" and "[[Unanswered Prayers]]".

Each of these songs, as well as "[[Two of a Kind, Workin' on a Full House]]", reached No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart.<ref name="pond"/><ref name="erlewine"/>
While Brooks' musical style placed him squarely within the boundaries of country music, 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]].<ref name="hurst">{{citation | last = Hurst | first = Jack | title = Garth Brooks Credits His Wife for Punching Up His Sagging Career | newspaper = Chicago Tribune | date = April 26, 1989 | url = http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00248 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150402142245/http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00248 | url-status=dead | archive-date = April 2, 2015 | access-date = April 23, 2007 }}. Archived from [http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00248 the original] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621045746/http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00248 |date=June 21, 2012 }} on March 21, 2017.</ref><ref name="whitemojo">{{cite web | last = White | first = Timothy | title = James Taylor: Immense Singer, Considerable Cranium | publisher = MOJO |date=September 1997 | url =http://www.james-taylor.com/text/mojo9-97.shtml | access-date = April 23, 2007}}</ref> Similarly, Brooks was influenced by the 1970s-era rock of [[Billy Joel]] and [[Bruce Springsteen]] and the operatic rock of [[Queen (band)|Queen]] with [[Freddie Mercury]].

In his live shows, Brooks used a wireless headset microphone to free himself to run about the stage, adding energy and [[arena rock]] theatrics to spice up the normally staid country music approach to concerts. The band [[Kiss (band)|KISS]] was also one of Brooks' early musical influences, and his shows often reflect this. Despite all the cited influences, Brooks stated the energetic style of his stage persona is directly inspired by [[Chris LeDoux]].<ref name="pareles">{{citation | last = Pareles | first = Jon |title = Review/County; Garth Brooks, Genial Superstar, Plays for the Folks Up North | newspaper = The New York Times | date = September 7, 1992 | url =https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE6DA133DF934A3575AC0A964958260 | access-date = April 23, 2007}}</ref>

In late 1990, Brooks was [[List of Grand Ole Opry members|inducted]] into the [[Grand Ole Opry]].<ref>{{cite web| title = Garth Brooks| url = http://www.opry.com/artists/b/Brooks_Garth.html| website = Opry.com| access-date = June 29, 2012| archive-date = May 24, 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120524213538/http://www.opry.com/artists/b/Brooks_Garth.html| url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Opry Member List PDF |url=http://www.opry.com/img/Opry%20Members%20List.pdf |date=April 23, 2012 |access-date=June 29, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607030858/http://www.opry.com/img/Opry%20Members%20List.pdf |archive-date=June 7, 2012 }}</ref>

===1991–1993: ''Ropin' the Wind'', ''The Chase'', and ''Beyond the Season''===
Brooks' third album, ''[[Ropin' the Wind]]'', was released in September 1991. It had advance orders of 4&nbsp;million copies and entered the ''Billboard'' 200 at No. 1, a first for a country artist.<ref name="mcgraw"/> The album's musical content was a melange of [[country pop]] and [[Honky-tonk#Music|honky-tonk]]; singles included "[[The River (Garth Brooks song)|The River]]", "[[What She's Doing Now]]", and a cover of Billy Joel's "[[Shameless (Billy Joel song)|Shameless]]". It would become Brooks' second-best selling album, after ''No Fences''. The success of ''Ropin' the Wind'' further propelled the sales of Brooks' first two albums, enabling Brooks to become the first country artist with three albums listed in the ''Billboard'' 200's top 20 in one week.<ref name="phillipsJan1992">{{Citation | last =Phillips | first =Chuck | title =Garth Brooks Gets a Rope Around Prime-Time TV | newspaper =Los Angeles Times | date =January 29, 1992 | url =http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00205 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20150414165026/http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00205 | url-status=dead | archive-date =April 14, 2015 | access-date =May 29, 2007 }}. Archived from [http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00205 the original] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621045653/http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00205 |date=June 21, 2012 }} on March 21, 2017.</ref>

After spending time in Los Angeles during the [[1992 Los Angeles riots|1992 riots]], Brooks co-wrote a gospel-country-rock hybrid single, "[[We Shall Be Free]]", to express his desire for tolerance.<ref>"Hunter, James. [https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/11/archives/recordings-view-garth-brooks-takes-a-cue-from-rock.html "Garth Brooks Takes a Cue from Rock,"] ''New York Times.'' October 11, 1992.</ref> The song became the first single off his fourth album ''[[The Chase (Garth Brooks album)|The Chase]]''. The single only reached No. 12 on the ''Billboard'' Top Country Singles chart, Brooks' first song in three years to fail to make the top 10.<ref name="latimes1993"/><ref name="gray">{{citation | last = Gray | first = Timothy M. | title = That was the year that was: A wrap song for '92 | newspaper = Variety | date = December 10, 1992 | url=https://variety.com/1992/voices/columns/that-was-the-year-that-was-a-wrap-song-for-92-102012/ | access-date = 2007-04-03}}</ref> Nonetheless, "We Shall Be Free" peaked at No. 22 on the ''Billboard'' Christian Songs charts through a marketing deal with Rick Hendrix Company, and earned Brooks a 1993 [[GLAAD Media Award]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gaytoday.badpuppy.com/garchive/entertain/040599en.htm|title=Gay Today: Entertainment|website=Gaytoday.badpuppy.com|access-date=26 April 2015|archive-date=March 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319004118/http://gaytoday.badpuppy.com/garchive/entertain/040599en.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="phillips1992">{{Citation | last =Phillips | first =Chuck | title =Cut To The Chase, Garth Brooks Stands Alone at No.&nbsp;1 | newspaper =Los Angeles Times | date =September 30, 1992 | url =http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00221 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20150402094308/http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00221 | url-status=dead | archive-date =April 2, 2015 | access-date =2007-05-29 }}. Archived from [http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00221 the original] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621045606/http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00221 |date=2012-06-21 }} on 21 March 2017.</ref> The next single released from ''The Chase'' was "[[Somewhere Other Than the Night]]", followed by "[[Learning to Live Again]]", which peaked at numbers one and two on the Hot Country Songs chart, respectively. The album's final single, "[[That Summer (song)|That Summer]]", would go on to be the most successful single from the album, reaching No. 1 in July 1993.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.therightcountry.com/FeatureArtist/GarthBrooks.html|title=This Weeks Feature Artists|website=www.therightcountry.com|access-date=June 17, 2019}}</ref>

Brooks released his first Christmas album, ''[[Beyond the Season]]'' on August 25, 1992. The album included classics such as "White Christmas" and "Silent Night", as well as an original tune, "The Old Man's Back in Town". "Beyond the Season" was the best-selling Christmas album in 1992, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart.<ref>Paul Grein (October 29, 2013). "Chart Watch Extra: What Will Be This Year's Top Christmas Album?". Chart Watch. Yahoo.</ref>

===1993–1994: ''In Pieces'' and first world tour===
{{further|The Garth Brooks World Tour (1993–1994)}}
In 1993, Brooks, who had criticized music stores selling used CDs since it led to a loss in proper [[royalty payment]]s, persuaded [[Capitol Records]] to not ship his 1993 album, ''[[In Pieces (Garth Brooks album)|In Pieces]]'', to stores which engaged in this practice. This led to several [[antitrust]] lawsuits against the record label, ending with Capitol shipping the albums to the stores.<ref name="philips">{{citation | last = Philips | first = Chuck | title = Garth Brooks' distributor says stores dealing in second hand goods can order his new album | newspaper = Los Angeles Times | date = August 8, 1993 | url = http://www.planetgarth.com/gbnews/garth049.shtml | access-date = March 16, 2007 | archive-date = March 14, 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120314044657/http://www.planetgarth.com/gbnews/garth049.shtml | url-status = dead }}</ref>

Despite the delay in shipping, ''In Pieces'' was another success, peaking at No. 1 on both the ''Billboard'' 200 and Top Country Albums charts, and selling a total of nearly 10&nbsp;million copies. After a delay in its worldwide release, the album also peaked at No. 2 on the United Kingdom [[UK Albums Chart|Albums Chart]]. That same year, "[[The Red Strokes]]" became Brooks' first single to make the UK Singles Chart, reaching a high of No. 13; it was followed by "[[Standing Outside the Fire]]", which reached No. 23. Previous albums ''No Fences'', ''Ropin' the Wind'' and ''The Chase'' also remained in the top 30 in the UK Albums Chart.

Brooks' first [[The Garth Brooks World Tour (1993–1994)|world tour]] began in 1993, reaching the UK after many domestic concerts. Brooks sold-out venues such as [[Birmingham]]'s [[National Exhibition Centre]] and London's [[Wembley Arena]], a feat never accomplished by an American country music artist. He also began the London radio station, [[Country 1035]]. Despite the disdain of the British media, Brooks' overall popularity in the country was evident, with a top disc jockey, [[Nick Barraclough]], referring to Brooks as Garth Vader (a play on [[Darth Vader]]) for his "invasion" of the charts and his success in the country genre. 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.<ref name="sandler">{{citation | last = Sandler | first = Adam | title = Year's top-grossing tour sealed with Kiss | newspaper = Variety | date = December 27, 1996 | url =https://www.variety.com/vstory/VR1117436237.html?categoryid=38&cs=1&query=garth+brooks | access-date = April 3, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111155218/http://www.variety.com/vstory/VR1117436237.html?categoryid=38&cs=1&query=garth+brooks|archive-date=November 11, 2007}}</ref> Brooks also took his World Tour to other regions throughout Europe, as well as Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand.<ref name="sandler" />

In 1994, Brooks paid homage to one of his musical influences, [[Kiss (band)|KISS]], appearing on the tribute compilation, ''[[Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved]],'' a collection of songs performed by popular artists from various genres. The unlikely collaboration of Brooks and KISS' rendition of "[[Hard Luck Woman]]" was performed live on ''[[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]'', and despite its hard-rock appeal, Brooks' version appeared on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs chart.

===1995–1998: More albums released and second world tour===
{{further|The Garth Brooks World Tour (1996–1998)}}
In November 1995, Brooks released ''[[Fresh Horses (album)|Fresh Horses]]'', his first album of new material in two years. Within six months of its release, the album had sold over three million copies. Despite its promising start, ''Fresh Horses'' plateaued quickly, topping out at quadruple platinum.<ref name=allmusic>Erlewine, Stephen Thomas [{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p1535/biography|pure_url=yes}} Garth Brooks biography & profile] ''All Music.com / Allmusic''. Retrieved 6–23–08.</ref>
The album's lead single, "[[She's Every Woman]]" peaked at No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs chart; however, its follow-up single, "[[Fever (Aerosmith song)|The Fever]]" (an [[Aerosmith]] cover) only peaked at No. 23, becoming Brooks' first country single to not chart on the top 10. However, Brooks had three additional top 10 singles from the album, including "[[The Beaches of Cheyenne]]", which reached No. 1.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/garth-brooks-mn0000798248/biography|title=Garth Brooks {{!}} Biography & History|website=AllMusic|language=en-us|access-date=June 17, 2019}}</ref>

Following the release of ''Fresh Horses'', Brooks embarked on his second [[The Garth Brooks World Tour (1996–1998)|world tour]]. Its total attendance, approximately 5.5&nbsp;million, ranks third on the all-time list of concert attendance, and its gross of over $105&nbsp;million ranks it among the [[List of highest-grossing concert tours|highest-grossing concert tours]] in the 1990s.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Waddell|first1=Ray|title=Brooks Set For Nine-Show Kansas City Run|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1048444/brooks-set-for-nine-show-kansas-city-run|access-date=March 10, 2016|magazine=Billboard|date=October 8, 2007}}</ref>

In 1997, Brooks released his seventh studio album, ''[[Sevens (album)|Sevens]]''. The album was originally scheduled to be released in August 1997, allowing for promotion during Brooks' [[Garth: Live from Central Park|Central Park concert]]; however, plans went awry after a dispute within Capitol Records.<ref name=allmusic/> The Central Park concert went on as planned, receiving 980,000 fans in attendance and becoming the largest concert in park history.<ref>{{cite web|title=Garth Brooks: The Entertainer |url=http://garthbrooks.com/dialup/index.cfm?id=3&discoID=22 |website=garthbrooks.com |access-date=March 30, 2016 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103102628/http://garthbrooks.com/dialup/index.cfm?id=3&discoID=22 |archive-date=January 3, 2010 }}</ref>

''Sevens'' debuted at No. 1 on both the ''Billboard'' 200 and Top Country Albums charts. It later became Brooks' fourth album to reach sales of 10&nbsp;million copies. The album included the duet "[[In Another's Eyes]]" with [[Trisha Yearwood]], which reached No. 2 on Hot Country Songs chart, and its first single, "[[Longneck Bottle]]", with [[Steve Wariner]], reached No. 1. The album spawned two additional number-one singles, "[[Two Piña Coladas|Two Pina Coladas]]" and "[[Make You Feel My Love|To Make You Feel My Love]]" (a [[Bob Dylan]] cover), which also was a top 10 hit on the [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks]] chart and was released on the [[Hope Floats: Music from the Motion Picture|soundtrack]] to the film, ''[[Hope Floats]]''.

Brooks' first live album, ''[[Double Live (Garth Brooks album)|Double Live]]'' was released in 1998. Recorded at various shows over the course of his second world tour, the album contained new material not previously released, such as "Tearin' It Up (and Burnin' It Down)" and "Wild as the Wind," featuring [[Trisha Yearwood]]. Peaking at No. 1 on both the ''Billboard'' 200 and Top Country Albums charts, ''Double Live'' went on to become the best-selling live album of all time, certified [[RIAA certification|21× Platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]], and is the seventh-most shipped album in United States music history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinum.php?content_selector=top-100-albums |title=RIAA List of Best Selling Albums |publisher=Riaa.com |access-date=May 14, 2012}}</ref>

In 1998, Brooks also released the first installment of ''[[The Limited Series (1998 album)|The Limited Series]]'', a six-disc box set containing reissues of his first six studio albums. Each of the reissued albums included a bonus track not available on the original release.

===1999: "Chris Gaines" and holiday album===
{{main|Chris Gaines}}
In 1999, Brooks took on the [[persona]] of "[[Chris Gaines]]", a fictitious [[Rock and roll|rock-and-roll]] musician and character for an upcoming film titled ''The Lamb''. In September 1999, the film's pre-release soundtrack, ''[[Garth Brooks in...the Life of Chris Gaines]]'' (also dubbed Gaines' ''Greatest Hits''), was released to much public criticism. Brooks also appeared as Gaines in a television [[mockumentary]] for the [[VH1]] series ''[[Behind the Music]]'', and as the musical guest on an episode of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', which he also hosted as himself.

Brooks' promotion of the album and the film did not garner excitement, and the failure of the Gaines project was evident mere weeks after the album was released. The majority of the American public was either bewildered, or completely unreceptive to the idea of Brooks portraying a rock-and-roll musician.<ref name="gaineserlewine">{{cite web|last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |title=In&nbsp;... The Life of Chris Gaines Review |website=Allmusic |date=June 13, 2005 |url=http://music.yahoo.com/read/review/14237942 |access-date=April 3, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050829103720/http://music.yahoo.com/read/review/14237942 |archive-date=August 29, 2005 }}</ref> Sales of the album were unspectacular, at least compared with most of Brooks' previous albums, and although it made it to No. 2 on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart, expectations had been higher and retail stores began heavily discounting their oversupply.<ref name="gainesgoodman">{{cite news | last = Goodman | first = Dean | title = Brooks Defends Latest Album, Despite Slow Sales | agency = Reuters | date = January 16, 2000 | url = http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=360 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141129084442/http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=360 | url-status=dead | archive-date = November 29, 2014 | access-date = April 3, 2007 }}. Archived from [http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=360 the original] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621045552/http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=360 |date=June 21, 2012 }} on March 21, 2017.</ref> Less-than-expected sales of the album (more than two million) brought the project to an indefinite hiatus in February 2001 and Gaines quickly faded into obscurity.<ref name="lamb2003">{{cite web|title=The Lamb (2003) |publisher=Yahoo Movies |year=2002 |url=https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/preview/1808404802 |access-date=April 3, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314084209/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/preview/1808404802 |archive-date=March 14, 2007 }}</ref>

Despite the less-than-spectacular response to the Gaines project, Brooks gained his first (and only) ''Billboard'' Top 40 pop single in "[[Lost in You (Chris Gaines song)|Lost in You]]". The album was later certified Double Platinum by the RIAA.

On November 23, 1999, Brooks released his second holiday album, ''[[Garth Brooks & the Magic of Christmas]]''. The album peaked at No. 7 on ''Billboard''{{'}}s Top 200 and No. 1 on the Top Country Albums, making it Brooks' 10th number-one album.<ref>"The Magic of Christmas: Songs From Call Me Claus – Garth Brooks". Billboard.com. Retrieved January 2, 2013.</ref>

===2000–2004: ''Scarecrow'' and retirement===
As his career flourished, Brooks seemed frustrated by the conflicts between career and family. He first talked of retiring from performing in 1992, and again in 1995, but each time returned to touring.<ref name="latimes1993">{{citation | title = Garth Brooks Does What He Has To – Signing a Rich New Contract and Repairing L.A. | newspaper = The Los Angeles Times | date = January 23, 1993 | url = http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00229 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150402111140/http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00229 | url-status=dead | archive-date = April 2, 2015 | access-date = March 16, 2007 }}. Archived from [http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00229 the original] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621045640/http://www.planetgarth.com/news/article.php?cid=00229 |date=June 21, 2012 }} on March 21, 2017.</ref> In 1999, Brooks appeared on [[The Nashville Network]]'s ''Crook & Chase'' program, again mentioning retirement in a more serious tone.<ref name="boehlert">{{citation | last = Boehlert | first = Eric | title = Garth Brooks Ponders Retirement Amid Sales Slump | newspaper = Rolling Stone | date = December 16, 1999 | url = http://www.wholenote.com/default.asp?iTarget=http%3A//www.wholenote.com/news/item.asp%3Fi%3D116 | access-date = March 16, 2007 | url-status=dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130616035609/http://www.wholenote.com/n116--Garth-Brooks-Ponders-Retirement-Amid-Sales-Slump | archive-date = June 16, 2013 }}</ref> On October 26, 2000, Brooks officially announced his retirement from recording and performing.<ref name="rosen2">{{cite web|last=Rosen |first=Craig |title=Garth Brooks Announces Retirement |publisher=Yahoo Music |date=October 26, 2000 |url=http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12057103 |access-date=March 16, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061217105905/http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/12057103 |archive-date=December 17, 2006 }}</ref> Later that evening, Capitol Records noted Brooks' achievement of selling 100&nbsp;million albums in the US, celebrating at Nashville's [[Bridgestone Arena|Gaylord Entertainment Center]].<ref name="rosen"/>

Brooks' final album before retirement, ''[[Scarecrow (Garth Brooks album)|Scarecrow]]'', was released on November 13, 2001. The album did not match the sales levels of Brooks' heyday, but still sold well, reaching No. 1 on ''Billboard'' 200 and Top Country Albums charts. Although he staged a few performances for promotional purposes, Brooks stated that he would be retired from recording and performing at least until his youngest daughter finished high school.<ref name="rosen2" />

===2005–2008: Compilation albums and special performances===
In 2005, Brooks expressed his interest in returning to live performances; however, he remained adamant to the premise of not releasing new music until 2014. Despite this, later that year, Brooks signed a deal with [[Walmart]], leasing them the rights to his entire catalog following his split with Capitol Records.<ref name="newman"/><ref name="leavelabel">{{citation | title = Garth Brooks Leaves Label | newspaper = Country Weekly | date = June 6, 2005 | url = http://www.countryweekly.com/scoop/1154 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090725154214/http://www.countryweekly.com/scoop/1154 | url-status=dead | archive-date = July 25, 2009 | access-date = March 16, 2007}}. Archived from [http://www.countryweekly.com/scoop/1154 the original] on March 21, 2017.</ref> Brooks was one of the first musicians to sign an exclusive music distribution deal with a single retailer (along with fellow country music artist [[Ricky Van Shelton]], who issued his 1998 album ''[[Making Plans]]'' through the chain as well).<ref name="newman">{{citation|last=Newman |first=Melinda |title=Garth Brooks Inks Exclusive Deal with Wal-Mart |newspaper=Billboard Magazine |date=August 19, 2005 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/61724/garth-brooks-inks-exclusive-deal-with-wal-mart |access-date=March 16, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130105951/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/61724/garth-brooks-inks-exclusive-deal-with-wal-mart |archive-date=January 30, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=437&dat=19970908&id=s9QtAAAAIBAJ&pg=4565,2757848|title=The Nation – Google News Archive Search|access-date=April 26, 2015}}</ref>

Three months later, in November 2005, Brooks and Walmart issued an updated ''[[The Limited Series (2005 album)|The Limited Series]]'' compilation, a box set containing reissues of Brooks' albums, including ''[[Double Live (Garth Brooks album)|Double Live]]'', and ''The Lost Sessions'', featuring eleven previously unreleased recordings. The box set sold more than 500,000 physical copies on its issue date. By the first week in December 2005, it had sold over 1&nbsp;million physical copies.<ref name="boxset">{{citation | title = Garth cracks a Million – again | newspaper = Country Weekly | date = December 8, 2005 | url = http://www.countryweekly.com/scoop/1607 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090725154140/http://www.countryweekly.com/scoop/1607 | url-status=dead | archive-date = July 25, 2009 | access-date = March 16, 2007}}. Archived from [http://www.countryweekly.com/scoop/1607 the original] on March 21, 2017.</ref>

Brooks took a brief break from retirement early in 2005 to perform in various [[benefit concert]]s. He also released a new single, "[[Good Ride Cowboy]]", as a tribute to his late friend and country singer, [[Chris LeDoux]], via Walmart.<ref name="ledoux">{{cite press release| title = Garth Brooks Boxed Set is Single Biggest Music Event in Wal-Mart History | publisher =Wal-Mart | date = November 29, 2005 | url =http://www.walmart.com/catalog/garth/news_2005-11-29.jsp?dept=4104 | access-date = March 16, 2007}}</ref>

In early 2006, Walmart reissued ''The Lost Sessions'' as a single CD apart from the box set, with additional songs, including a duet with Trisha Yearwood, "Love Will Always Win", which reached the top 25 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs chart.<ref name="lostsessions">{{citation | title = Garth's "Lost Sessions" Available Soon |newspaper = Country Weekly | date = January 16, 2006 | url = http://www.countryweekly.com/scoop/1638 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090725154151/http://www.countryweekly.com/scoop/1638 | url-status=dead | archive-date = July 25, 2009 | access-date = March 16, 2007}}. Archived from [http://www.countryweekly.com/scoop/1638 the original] on March 21, 2017.</ref> The couple were later nominated for a "Best Country Collaboration With Vocals" [[Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]].

On August 18, 2007, Brooks announced plans for a new box set, ''[[The Ultimate Hits]]''. The new set featured two discs containing 30 classic songs, three new songs, and a DVD featuring music videos. The album's first single, "[[More Than a Memory]]", was released on August 27, 2007. It debuted at No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs chart, becoming the highest-debuting single in the chart's history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/articles/1568955/20070905/brooks_garth.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930061115/http://www.cmt.com/news/articles/1568955/20070905/brooks_garth.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 30, 2007|title=Garth Brooks Makes History at Country Radio|work=CMT News|access-date=April 26, 2015}}</ref>

In November 2007, Brooks embarked on [[Garth Brooks: Live in Kansas City]], performing nine sold-out concerts in Kansas City at the [[T-Mobile Center|Sprint Center]], which had opened a month prior. Originally scheduled to be only one show, the performance expanded to nine due to incredibly high demand, with all nine shows (equaling about 140,000 tickets) selling out in under two hours.<ref>[http://www.livedaily.com/news/12935.html Garth Brooks expands concert plans] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091016100314/http://www.livedaily.com/news/12935.html |date=October 16, 2009 }}</ref> The final concert of the series was simulcast to more than 300 movie theaters across the U.S.

In January 2008, Brooks embarked on another incredible feat performing five sold-out shows (in less than 48 hours) at the [[Crypto.com Arena|Staples Center]] in Los Angeles for a fundraiser towards the 2007 wildfires season that impacted much of Southern California's cities and counties. The first concert (of the five) titled [[Garth Brooks: Live in LA]] was taped and broadcast repeatedly on CBS with all donations going to all of the victims and families in state of California who were impacted by the fires.

===2009–2013: Las Vegas concert residency===
[[File:Garth Brooks at We Are One (edit).jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|Brooks at the [[We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial|We Are One]] concert in 2009]]
{{Main|Garth at Wynn}}

In January 2009, Brooks made another one of few public appearances since his retirement, performing at the [[We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial]] concert in Washington, D.C.. In his three-song set, Brooks performed "We Shall Be Free", along with covers of [[Don McLean]]'s "[[American Pie (song)|American Pie]]" and [[the Isley Brothers]]' "[[Shout (Isley Brothers song)|Shout]]".

On October 15, 2009, Brooks suspended his retirement to begin [[Garth at Wynn]], a periodic weekend [[concert residency]] at [[Encore Las Vegas]] on the [[Las Vegas Strip]]. The schedule allowed Brooks both to have the family life during the week and to continue to perform on the weekend. The financial terms of the agreement were not announced, but [[Steve Wynn]] did disclose that he gave Brooks access to a private jet to quickly transport him between [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]] and his home in [[Oklahoma]].<ref name=wynn>{{cite news|last1=Lewis|first1=Randy|title=How Steve Wynn won over Garth Brooks|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/10/garth-brooks.html|access-date=March 7, 2016|newspaper=LA Times|date=October 16, 2009}}</ref>

Brooks' first weekend on shows in Vegas received positive reviews and was called the "antithesis of Vegas glitz and of the country singer's arena and stadium extravaganzas" by USA Today. The shows featured Brooks performing solo, [[Acoustic music|acoustic]] concerts, and included a [[set list]] of songs that have influenced him. Artists covered in the show include [[Simon & Garfunkel]], [[Bob Seger]], [[Billy Joel]], and [[Don McLean]]. His first performances at Encore Las Vegas coincided with his wedding anniversary, and his wife [[Trisha Yearwood]] joined him for two songs.

In 2013, influenced by the set list of the Las Vegas shows, Brooks released ''[[Blame It All on My Roots: Five Decades of Influences]]'' via Walmart, a compilation album consisting of songs Brooks attributes to the development of his unique country pop genre. The box set's albums were individually certified Platinum and the compilation received a [[Billboard Music Awards|Billboard Music Award]] nomination. In a December 2013 appearance on [[Good Morning America]] to promote the album, Brooks also surprisingly announced plans for a world tour, beginning in 2014.<ref name=gmatour>{{cite web |title= Garth Brooks Announces World Tour on 'Good Morning America' |url = https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2013/12/garth-brooks-announces-world-tour-on-good-morning-america/ |first= Katie |last= Kindelan |website = [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date= December 9, 2013}}</ref>

===2014–2015: ''Man Against Machine'', GhostTunes, and world tour===
[[File:Garth Brooks in Chicago.jpg|thumb|Brooks' tour with [[Trisha Yearwood]] in 2014]]
{{main|Man Against Machine|The Garth Brooks World Tour (2014–2017)}}

In February 2014, Brooks announced two concerts at [[Croke Park]], Dublin, Ireland, to be held on July 25 and 26, 2014. Due to high demand, three additional shows were added, and a total of 400,000 tickets were sold.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/they-re-gone-400-000-garth-brooks-tickets-sell-out-1.1681933 |newspaper= Irish Times | date=February 6, 2014 |title= They're gone: 400,000 Garth Brooks tickets sell out }}</ref> However, due to licensing conflict, [[Aiken Promotions]] and Croke Park management were prompted to cancel two of the five concerts after conflict among nearby residents.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.thejournal.ie/garth-brooks-concernts-croke-park-legal-action-1348786-Mar2014/ |title=Garth Brooks concerts could face legal action from local residents |newspaper= TheJournal.ie|date=March 6, 2014 }}</ref> Brooks, committed to performing the five original concerts, refused to follow through with the request to only perform three, and all concerts were cancelled.<ref>{{cite web|url =http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/music-news/crushed-garth-brooks-confirms-croke-park-cancellations-30430983.html |title= 'Crushed' Garth Brooks confirms Croke Park cancellations|date=July 14, 2014|work= Irish Independent|access-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>

On July 10, 2014, Brooks held a press conference where he announced his signing with [[Sony Music Nashville]], as well as confirming plans for a new album, world tour, the release of his music in a digital format, and remorse for the Ireland concert controversy.<ref name=pc /> Fifteen days later, tickets first went on sale for the [[The Garth Brooks World Tour (2014–2017)|world tour]].

On September 3, 2014, Brooks released his comeback single, "[[People Loving People]]", in promotion of his world tour and new album, ''[[Man Against Machine]]''. The song debuted onto the Nielsen BDS-driven Country Airplay chart at No. 19, tying for the third-highest debut of Brooks' career.<ref>Wade, Jessen. "Garth Brooks Returns." Billboard 126.30 (2014): 94. EBSCO. Web. October 1, 2014.</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Leight|first1=Elias|title=Garth Brooks Releases Comeback Single 'People Loving People'|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6236669/garth-brooks-people-loving-people-new-single|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 9, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Mansfield|first1=Brian|title=Listen to Garth Brooks' 'People Loving People' single|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/09/03/garth-brooks-people-loving-people-single/15032435/|website=USA Today|access-date=September 9, 2014}}</ref> 
On September 4, 2014, Brooks released his entire studio output on digital for the first time ever. Bypassing traditional digital music service providers, Brooks opted into releasing his albums directly his own new [[online music store]], [[GhostTunes]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.garthbrooks.com/|title= Garth Music Goes Digital |date=September 4, 2014|work= RTE News|access-date=September 4, 2014}}</ref> On September 19, Brooks confirmed the release date for his next album, scheduled for November 11 via a press conference in Atlanta. ''Man Against Machine'' was released via Pearl and [[RCA Records Nashville|RCA Nashville]] and was available online exclusively through GhostTunes.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6259028/garth-brooks-reveals-new-album-release-date|title= Garth Brooks Reveals New Album Release Date |date=September 20, 2014|work= Billboard.com|access-date=September 21, 2014}}</ref> GhostTunes closed on March 3, 2017. Brooks' digital catalogue moved to Amazon Music, who maintain exclusive rights over it.

In September 2015, it was announced Brooks would reissue his album ''[[No Fences]]'' later in the year to commemorate its 25-year release anniversary. 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. The album release has since been delayed due to royalty disputes.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Newman|first1=Melinda|title=Garth Brooks' All-Star 'Friends in Low Places' & Album Reissue On Hold Over Royalty Dispute: Exclusive|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/country/6685889/garth-brooks-friends-low-places-reissue-royalty-dispute|magazine=Billboard|access-date=September 6, 2015}}</ref> The track was later featured on his 2016 compilation album, ''[[The Ultimate Collection (Garth Brooks album)|The Ultimate Collection]]''.

===2016–2017: ''Gunslinger'', ''Christmas Together'', and online streaming===
{{main|Gunslinger (album)}}

On October 13, 2016, Brooks released the first single, "[[Baby, Let's Lay Down and Dance]]", from his upcoming album.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Dukes|first1=Billy|title=Garth Brooks, 'Baby, Let's Lay Down and Dance' [Listen]|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/garth-brooks-baby-lets-lay-down-and-dance/|website=Taste of Country|date=October 13, 2016 |access-date=October 13, 2016}}</ref> The following week, Brooks released the upcoming album's title, ''[[Gunslinger (album)|Gunslinger]]'', via [[List of Facebook features#Live streaming|Facebook Live]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tasteofcountry.com/garth-brooks-gunslinger/|title=Garth Brooks' 'Gunslinger' Album: Everything You Need to Know|website=Tasteofcountry.com|date=October 18, 2016 |access-date=August 4, 2021}}</ref> It was released on November 11, 2016, as a part of ''[[The Ultimate Collection (Garth Brooks album)|The Ultimate Collection]]'', a compilation album Brooks released through [[Target Corporation|Target]]. Brooks' other project for 2016 was a duet holiday album with wife [[Trisha Yearwood]], ''[[Christmas Together (Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood album)|Christmas Together]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood Record Duet Album Over Holiday Break|url=http://wincountry.com/news/articles/2016/jan/20/garth-brooks-and-trisha-yearwood-record-duet-album-over-holiday-break/|website=WNWN|access-date=January 26, 2016|archive-date=January 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125054203/http://wincountry.com/news/articles/2016/jan/20/garth-brooks-and-trisha-yearwood-record-duet-album-over-holiday-break/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

After years of royalty disputes and an opposition to [[Streaming media|online music streaming]], Brooks launched a streaming channel on [[Sirius XM|Sirius XM Radio]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Garth Brooks to Launch His Own Exclusive SiriusXM Channel|url=http://investor.siriusxm.com/investor-overview/press-releases/press-release-details/2016/Garth-Brooks-to-Launch-His-Own-Exclusive-SiriusXM-Channel/default.aspx|publisher=Sirius XM Holdings Inc.|access-date=October 19, 2016}}</ref> He also reached an agreement to stream his entire catalogue via [[Amazon Music]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Newman|first1=Melinda|title=Garth Brooks Reveals Amazon Streaming Deal Details: Exclusive|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7549052/garth-brooks-streaming-amazon-music-unlimited-exclusive|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 19, 2016}}</ref>

===2018–present: Stadium Tour and other ventures===
[[File:Garth Brooks (49627465292).jpg|thumb|upright|Brooks performing in 2020]]
{{Main|The Garth Brooks Stadium Tour}}{{See also|Dive Bar Tour (Garth Brooks)}}

On June 19, 2018, Brooks released a new single, "[[All Day Long (Garth Brooks song)|All Day Long]]", the first off his 2020 album, ''[[Fun (Garth Brooks album)|Fun]]''. The release also included a [[A-side and B-side|B-side]], "The Road I'm On".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mastrogiannis |first1=Nicole |title=Garth Brooks Debuts New Single "All Day Long" |date=June 19, 2018 |url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2018-06-19-garth-brooks-debuts-new-single-all-day-long/ |publisher=iHeartRadio |access-date=June 20, 2018}}</ref> In August 2018, Brooks announced new [[Album#Live|live album]], ''[[Triple Live]]'', to be released in partnership with [[Ticketmaster]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/country/8472565/garth-brooks-new-album-triple-live|title=Garth Brooks Announces New Album 'Triple Live' in Partnership With Ticketmaster|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 28, 2018}}</ref>

In August 2018, Brooks announced his [[The Garth Brooks Stadium Tour|Stadium Tour]], which will visit thirty North American stadiums and showcase Brooks in a football-centric environment.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Kruwh |first1=Nancy |title=Game On! Garth Brooks Announces a 3-Year Stadium Tour in the Works |url=https://people.com/country/garth-brooks-announces-stadium-concert-tour/ |magazine=People |access-date=October 19, 2018}}</ref> In promotion of the tour, Brooks performed the first [[Garth: Live at Notre Dame|concert]] at the [[University of Notre Dame]]'s [[Notre Dame Stadium|football stadium]] in 2018<ref>{{cite web|title=Garth Brooks unveils details for Notre Dame Stadium concert |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/music/2018/08/27/garth-brooks-unveils-details-notre-dame-stadium-concert/1108026002/|publisher=IndyStar |access-date=October 21, 2018}}</ref> He released the second single, "[[Stronger Than Me (Garth Brooks song)|Stronger Than Me]]", from his upcoming 2019 album release following a performance dedicated to his wife Trisha Yearwood at the [[Country Music Association Awards|CMA Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2018-11-14-garth-brooks-new-song-stronger-than-me-2018-cmas/|title=Garth Brooks Tearfully Dedicates 'Stronger Than Me' To Trisha Yearwood|last=Fields|first=Taylor|date=November 14, 2018|website=iHeart Radio}}</ref> On August 14, 2021, he performed his largest ever ticketed concert at [[Memorial Stadium (Lincoln)|Memorial Stadium]] in Lincoln, Neb., selling 90,000 tickets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailynebraskan.com/culture/garth-brooks-plays-memorial-stadium-sets-ticket-sale-record/article_a5f12a0a-fd94-11eb-8561-b707e5e42892.html|title=Garth Brooks plays Memorial Stadium, sets ticket sale record|date= August 14, 2021|website=Daily Nebraskan}}</ref>

The third single from his upcoming album, "[[Dive Bar (Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton song)|Dive Bar]]", a duet with [[Blake Shelton]], was released in June 2019.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Freeman |first1=Jon |title=Garth Brooks, Blake Shelton Team Up for Rowdy Duet 'Dive Bar' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/garth-brooks-blake-shelton-duet-dive-bar-849428/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=June 18, 2019}}</ref> Brooks also embarked on the [[Dive Bar Tour (Garth Brooks)|Dive Bar Tour]], a promotional tour in support of the single, visiting seven [[dive bar]]s throughout the United States.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Newman |first1=Melinda |title=Garth Brooks Dives into Seven-City Bar Tour |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/country/8518861/garth-brooks-dives-into-7-city-bar-tour |magazine=Billboard |access-date=July 16, 2019}}</ref>

During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Brooks and wife Trisha Yearwood performed an informal concert broadcast on [[List of Facebook features#Live streaming|Facebook Live]]. The website crashed multiple times as an estimated 5.2&nbsp;million streamed the broadcast. As a result of this, Brooks and Yearwood performed a concert in the same format the following week, broadcast live on [[CBS]], along with a donation of $1&nbsp;million to relief efforts.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Leimkuehler |first1=Matthew |title=Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood pull fans together for hope, love and a few covers on request show |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/04/01/garth-brooks-trisha-yearwood-cbs-live-request-show-recap-highlights/5110034002/ |newspaper=USA Today |access-date=April 2, 2020}}</ref> The CBS special scored an estimated 5.6&nbsp;million viewers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-wednesday-cable-originals-network-finals-4-1-2020.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402205414/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-wednesday-cable-originals-network-finals-4-1-2020.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 2, 2020|title=Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals and Network Finals|first=Mitch|last=Metcalf|publisher=Showbuzz Daily|date=April 2, 2020|access-date=April 3, 2020}}</ref> On July 7, Brooks and Yearwood performed a "part 2" to their previous online concert, taking song requests and again broadcast on Facebook Live.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Houghton |first1=Cillea |title=Garth Brooks hosting another livestreamed concert on Facebook |url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/garth-brooks-hosting-livestreamed-concert-facebook-watch-71538988 |newspaper=[[Good Morning America]] |access-date=July 25, 2020}}</ref> On June 27, 2020, Brooks performed a concert broadcast at 300 [[drive-in theater]]s throughout North America.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Lottie Elizabeth |title=At $100 a car, was the Garth Brooks drive-in show worth it? |url=https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2020/6/29/21307349/garth-brooks-drive-in-concert-live-music-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic |access-date=July 25, 2020 |publisher=[[Deseret News]] |date=June 29, 2020}}</ref>

Brooks released his most recent album, ''[[Fun (Garth Brooks album)|Fun]]'', on November 20, 2020.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Yahr |first1=Emily |title=Garth Brooks on his Charley Pride duet, 'Shallow' cover and the truth behind that Trump rumor |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2020/11/19/garth-brooks-new-album/ |access-date=November 20, 2020 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=November 19, 2020}}</ref>

On January 20, 2021, Brooks performed "[[Amazing Grace]]" at the [[Inauguration of Joe Biden|inauguration]] of [[Joe Biden]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=January 20, 2021|title=Garth Brooks sings 'Amazing Grace' for Biden inauguration|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-garth-brooks-sings-amazing-grace-for-biden-inauguration|access-date=January 20, 2021|website=PBS NewsHour|format=Video|language=en-us}}</ref> He said his performance was an opportunity "to serve" and is a "statement of unity."<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Garth Brooks on why he's performing at Biden's inauguration|url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/garth-brooks-perform-bidens-inauguration-75325490|access-date=January 19, 2021|website=Good Morning America|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Garth Brooks">{{Cite web|title=Garth Brooks|url=https://www.garthbrooks.com/news/garthbrooks-presidential-inaugration|access-date=January 21, 2021|website=www.garthbrooks.com}}</ref>

On April 30, 2022, Brooks performed in Tiger Stadium on the campus of [[LSU|Louisiana State University]] in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. When he performed his signature hit "[[Callin' Baton Rouge]]," he became the second person, after LSU quarterback [[Tommy Hodson]], to excite the crowd to a degree that the noise level registered on the university's seismograph – registering as an earthquake caused by excited fans.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/33856319/garth-brooks-causes-latest-earthquake-lsu-tiger-stadium | title=Garth Brooks causes latest earthquake at LSU's Tiger Stadium | date=May 4, 2022 }}</ref>

On November 14, 2022, Brooks announced his second [[concert residency]], [[Garth Brooks/Plus One|Garth Brooks/Plus ONE]], at [[The Colosseum at Caesars Palace]] in [[Las Vegas]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=FitzPatrick |first1=Hayley |last2=Howe |first2=Katie |title=Garth Brooks announces new 2023 Las Vegas residency |url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/garth-brooks-announces-2023-las-vegas-residency-93132645 |website=[[Good Morning America]] |publisher=ABC News Internet Ventures |access-date=November 14, 2022}}</ref> He released his most recent album, ''[[Time Traveler (album)|Time Traveler]]'', in November 2023.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/country/garth-brooks-new-album-time-traveler-release-date-1235454383/ |issn=0006-2510 |language=en-US |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |last=Newman |first=Melinda |date=October 25, 2023 |accessdate=November 23, 2023 |title=Garth Brooks Announces 14th Studio Album 'Time Traveler': Here's When It Arrives |department=Country}}</ref>

On November 24, 2023, Brooks headlined an ''[[Amazon Music Live]]'' concert special, ''Garth Brooks: Dive Bar Concert''. The concert took place at Brooks' Nashville bar Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nicholson |first1=Jessica |title=Garth Brooks to Headline First Amazon Music Live Concert on Black Friday |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/country/garth-brooks-amazon-music-live-concert-1235462549/ |access-date=December 11, 2023 |publisher=Billboard |date=November 2, 2023}}</ref>

On January 9, 2025, Brooks along with his wife [[Trisha Yearwood]] performed the [[John Lennon]] song "[[Imagine (song)|Imagine]]" at the [[state funeral]] for former President [[Jimmy Carter]] at the [[Washington National Cathedral]] in [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Live updates: Biden delivers eulogy and grandson speaks of Carter's humanitarian accomplishments |url=https://apnews.com/live/jimmy-carter-funeral-updates#00000194-4b9c-d698-afdf-dffe189a0000 |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>