Brooks true to himself, fans
Bv Jim Patterson
Associated Press Writer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It is hard to say when he blossomed from a mere countrymusic success story into a cultural touchstone, one of those celebrities whose first name is superfluous.
Garth.
Garth. In the John Singleton movie "Poetic Justice," the subject of country music comes up between two urban men. The name with which they associate it is Garth Brooks.
On MTV's "The Real World," aspiring country singer Jon Brannon phones home and is cut off by his father with the explanation, "Garth is singing the national anthem (on television)."
He will likely be the only country singer on the upcoming Kiss tribute album. (Brooks calls his lead vocal on "Hard Luck Woman" his "tribute to Peter Criss.")
Brooks' power is reflected in big and small ways.
What kind of singer would dare alienate consumers with an outspoken stance against used compact discs? Why would anyone who wants airplay on always-conservative country radio stations release "We Shall Be Free," with its line advocating that people "love anyone they choose?" The song was No. 7, instead of Brooks' customary No.1 on the Billboard country singles chart.
Not that Brooks thinks he's above such controversy.
"It doesn't help," he said during an interview at his record company's office.
"My job is to be the most honest Garth Brooks I can be, and I say these things because I believe them," said Brooks, 31.
"I don't think we can be free until everyone can love who they choose, and something has got to be done about used CDs.
"I've got more money than I'll ever be able
to use, but people who are like brothers and sisters (songwriters) to me are getting ripped off. Two things can happen with used CDs—either find a way to pay the people who create them or they must be wiped out."
It is hard to overestimate Brooks' popularity. He is the best-selling recording artist so far in the 1990s, with total sales hovering around 30 million.
"I thought I was finished," Brooks said, completely serious. At the time, Brooks spoke publicly of retiring and devoting himself to being a father.
"The Chase," Brooks' last album, contained "We Shall Be Free" and sold about 5 million copies, about half of what he's become accustomed to.
Instead, wife Sandy and baby girl Taylor Mayne Pearl (named after James Taylor and Minnie Pearl) are joining him on the road as he promotes his new record, "In Pieces."
"In Pieces," produced by Allen Reynolds, is a nice helping of the now-familiar Brooks style. That means intensely sung slices of life balanced with rollicking odes to the regular guy and one or two stylistic twists.
"The Night I Called the Old Man Out" is a good example as to what keeps Brooks solidly country, despite showmanship inspired by 1970s arena rock. In rock'n'roll, the story would end with youth coming out on top. In Brooks' hands, the story ends with the rebel being taught a lesson.
Reynolds has produced every Brooks album. The singer credits him with a key piece of advice given during the recording of the first album.
"He told me he couldn't work with me anymore because I wasn't being myself. I had always wanted to be George Strait, and that's what I was trying to do," Brooks said. "He said the world already had a George Strait, and all I could do was give them Garth Brooks."
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