Though he's one of the most famous entertainers in the world, there are still plenty of Garth Brooks facts that even his most loyal fans might not know.
Trust me, I've loved his multi-award-winning music for most of my life. My first ever concert experience as a little girl was seeing him during a homecoming stretch of five sold-out performances in Tulsa, Oklahoma, way back in 1997. Of course, that was right at the height of his major success in the '90s, and there was no way my family and I were going to miss out on the fun!
But even I have to admit I didn't know quite as many Garth facts as I thought I did when I discovered just a few of the gems listed below. For instance, did you know his first name isn't even Garth? That one definitely threw me for a loop.
Take a look and let us know if we missed any surprising trivia that you've uncovered over the years.
And be sure to SHARE with your friends!
1. His First Name Is Troyal
He was named after his father, Troyal Raymond Brooks Jr. The iconic performer goes by his middle name instead.
2. His Mom Was A Singer Too
The musician has always made it clear just how much he cares for his mother, Colleen Carroll Brooks. He even penned an emotional tribute to her, simply titled "Mom," in 2014. Colleen died in 1999.
Garth's mom was a country singer in the 1950s. She recorded on the Capitol Records label and appeared on Ozark Jubilee.
3. He Was More Interested In Sports As A Kid
Despite his mom's background in the music biz, Garth hardly sang while growing up and focused more on his athletic skills in high school as a member of the football, baseball, and track teams — the latter of which earned him a scholarship to Oklahoma State University, where he competed in javelin throwing.
4. He Has A Degree In Advertising
If his music career hadn't taken off, I'm sure his flair for words would have made him just as successful as an ad man after attaining his degree in the subject from Oklahoma State University in 1984.
In 2011, Garth went back to school to earn a master's degree in business administration.
5. He Has A Huge Fan Base In Ireland
When he arrived on the Emerald Isle in 1994, his performance attracted the biggest crowds the country had seen since Pope Saint John Paul II made a visit in 1979.
6. His Songs Have Been Played In Space
Space shuttle mission specialist Colonel Bill McArthur brought along a copy of Garth's The Hits when he traveled 3.4 million miles on board the Russian Mir space station in orbit back in 1995.
7. He Has 77 Duets With Trisha Yearwood
Roughly three-quarters of Garth's recorded songs have been duets with his current wife, Trisha Yearwood. The pair often performed together before Garth's divorce from his first wife, Sandy Mahl, allowed them to finally tie the knot.
He also refuses to sing love duets with anyone other than Trisha and insists that she's the best singer in their home.
8. He Is The Best-Selling American Artist In History
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) lists Garth as second only to the Beatles in worldwide sales. Here in the states, though, he's managed to top Elvis Presley with 148 million units sold to date, about 10 million more than the King.
He is also the only artist in the history of music to release seven diamond-certified albums.
9. He Co-Founded A Charity For Children
Founded in 1999, Teammates for Kids partners with professional athletes and celebrities with a mission of providing funding for children's hospitals and athletic and educational programs for underprivileged inner city youth, as well as the creation of "Child Safe Zones."
10. He Turned Down A Role In "Saving Private Ryan"
According to a lawsuit filed in 2013, Garth apparently didn't want to play second fiddle to Tom Hanks in the military flick or to a tornado in the thriller Twister when offered roles in each film.
11. He Tried To Give Part Of His Liver To One Of His Best Friends
When friend and fellow performer Chris LeDoux, famously referenced in the early Garth hit "Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)," suffered from liver cancer, the singer selflessly offered to donate a portion of his own organ.
Unfortunately, the pair weren't a match. Chris was still able to undergo surgery thanks to another donor, but ultimately passed away in 2005 after losing his second battle with cancer.
Did we miss any of your favorite facts about the legendary performer? Let us know below, and be sure to SHARE with your friends!
