Never without his distinctive black cowboy hat, Garth Brooks fought hard to break into the country music industry in the late 1980s, and once in the spotlight shattered previous standards of success by breaking the traditions of the genre and upping the expectations for every country star to follow. Perhaps the most commercially successful country singer of the 1990s, Garth gave up life on the road for his family in 2001. Though you won’t see his black hat flooded in light above the crowd anymore, Garth’s songs still dominate the airwaves of country stations, and his influence on the artists of today is readily apparent with any country singer who dances too close to the edge of rock. Garth Brooks was the son of Colleen Carroll, a semi-successful country singer. Although he might have had music in his blood from the get-go, Brooks seemed to be more at ease in the middle of a track meet with a javelin in hand than on a stage carrying a guitar. In fact, Brooks was on the Oklahoma State University track team when he began studying at the University. After earning a degree in advertising in 1984, Garth decided to give music a try, and began performing in local clubs. After floundering in the industry for a while. Brook eventually built up the connections he needed to get signed to a deal with Capital Records in 1998. When finally given the chance to prove his worth for a larger audience than an Oklahoma City saloon, Garth Brooks swung for the fences, releasing a self-titled album in early 1989. But would country fans, who typically cling tightly to their traditions, be receptive to the newcomer on the scene? With pleasantly surprising record sales for Garth Brooks, the country music world affirmed that Mr. Brooks would be their next new star. Garth Brooks was a hit with fans of the genre who were already getting a taste of Clint Black, Travis Tritt and Alan Jackson. The album’s most popular song, “Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)," took flight in the country charts and gave Brooks a foothold from which to launch several increasingly successful albums. Following his debut record, Brooks churned out No Fences in 1990, which is still perhaps his most celebrated collection of songs. No Fences was highlighted by two signature hits, "The Thunder Rolls" and "Friends in Low Places," both of which are now country classics which you can find in every self-respecting karaoke bar and jukebox on this continent. The next year Garth Brooks dazzled his fans and rode the line between rock and country with Ropin’ the Wind, which was nearly equal to the record-breaking sales success that was No Fences. Over half a dozen studio albums would follow as Garth Brooks dominated the genre for over a decade. But perhaps more than the sheer number of records he moved, Garth Brooks will be remembered for the envelope his pushed, as he introduced unconventional lighting and production qualities to country music concert shows. He wore a black cowboy hat for every performance, but the spectacle and high energy he brought to the stage wrangled in previously untouchable rock star theatrics as a suitable and acceptable practice for every country artist since.