Garth Brooks, one of the preeminent country musicians of the late 20th and early 21st
century, has forever carved his name into the annals of music history.
Born Troyal Garth Brooks on February 7, 1962 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, this music mogul made
his debut in 1989 and quickly rose to country stardom, changing the landscape of the genre
with his signature incorporation of rock elements.
Throughout his career, he's recorded 13 studio albums, two live albums, three compilations,
and three Christmas albums, while consistently filling countless stadiums and auditoriums
around the globe.
Best known for chart-topping hits like "The Dance", "Friends in Low Places", and "Unanswered
Prayers", Brooks's versatility and showmanship have set him apart.
His phenomenal success resulted in him becoming one of the best-selling solo artists in the
United States, with over 156 million records sold, even outperforming Elvis Presley.
He's received countless accolades for his work, including 2 Grammy Awards, 17 American
Music Awards, and induction into the prestigious Country Music Hall of Fame in 2012.
However, as the adage goes, nobody's perfect, and Garth Brooks's illustrious career has
not been without its controversies.
In the following video, we'll discuss what some see as a significant misstep made by
Brooks - a judgment call that left many of his loyal fans feeling betrayed and disappointed.
Although an icon in his field, Brooks's stance on a highly controversial current issue provides
a valuable lesson on the delicate relationship between an artist and their audience - a lesson
that still reverberates throughout the music industry today.
Stay tuned as we delve into this intriguing chapter of Garth Brooks's storied career.
Facts Verse Presents: Look at Garth Brooks' Mistake, Now His Fans Hate Him
Garth Brook’s Illustrious Career
As we touched on briefly in the intro, Brooks' musical journey really took off in 1989 with
his eponymous debut album.
That groundbreaking record quickly climbed the Billboard country music chart, laying
the foundation for his thriving career.
His unique infusion of rock and roll elements into the country genre introduced a fresh
sound that clearly broadened the audience for country music.
His 1990 album, "No Fences", remains his best-selling record, featuring the hit singles "Friends
in Low Places" and "The Thunder Rolls."
The album cemented his status as a superstar in the country music industry.
He followed up this success with several more popular albums throughout the 1990s, including
"Ropin' the Wind", "The Chase", and "Sevens".
Each record further showcased his gift for storytelling and his wide-ranging musical
style.
Brooks made headlines when he temporarily retired in 2001, aiming to focus on his family.
However, he couldn't stay away from music for long.
He returned to performing in 2005 with a residency at the Encore Las Vegas and fully stepped
back into the industry in 2014 with a new album, "Man Against Machine", followed by
a world tour.
His comeback was met with enthusiasm from his fans, demonstrating his lasting appeal.
Over his career, Brooks has received numerous accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards
and a record-setting seven CMA Entertainer of the Year awards.
He is one of the best-selling solo artists of all time in the United States, with over
170 million records sold.
In 2020, he received the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, further cementing
his legacy.
As of 2023, Brooks continues to make his mark on the music industry, both through his music
and engagements as well as, as you’ll soon see, his commitment to fighting for societal
issues that he firmly believes in – regardless of how his stances may negatively affect his
relationship with some of his fans.
The Dylan Mulvaney-Bud Light Controversy
Dylan Mulvaney, an American TikTok personality, activist, and entertainer, gained significant
recognition through the popular "Days of Girlhood" series on TikTok.
This series documents the gender transition process that Mulvaney began going through
beginning in March 2022.
As the series gained traction and went viral on the platform, Mulvaney's following saw
a swift surge.
However, this visibility led to significant criticism and controversy amongst American
conservatives from October 2022.
In October, Mulvaney collaborated with David Lopez, a genderfluid hairstylist, on a podcast
for Ulta Beauty.
This incident sparked calls from conservatives for a boycott against the beauty store chain.
Later that month, a viral interview conducted by Dylan Mulvaney with US President Joe Biden
for the left-leaning NowThis News attracted greater scrutiny from the American right.
High-profile Republicans and right-wing personalities, including Marsha Blackburn, Caitlyn Jenner,
and Marjorie Taylor Greene, subsequently vocalized their criticism of Mulvaney.
The scrutiny turned into a more pronounced controversy in April 2023, when Anheuser-Busch
enlisted Mulvaney for a sponsorship deal.
The company's aim was to boost the declining sales of its flagship beer brand, Bud Light,
and to attract a younger audience.
However, the campaign backfired as it sparked a wave of conservative backlash.
Notable musician Kid Rock was among those who instigated a boycott against Bud Light
and Anheuser-Busch in response to Mulvaney's promotion of the brand during March Madness.
The impact of the boycott was severe.
Bud Light's sales dropped between 11 and 26 percent, while sales for Anheuser-Busch dipped
by about 1 percent.
By May 2023, the situation had worsened.
AB InBev's stocks plummeted 20%, leading Forbes to categorize them as a Bear stock, while
HSBC downgraded AB InBev's stock to a hold.
CNBC estimated a further drop in AB InBev's sales by 18% in May.
Brooks Refuses To Boycott
Country music stars are often reluctant to voice political views, particularly when those
opinions may clash with right-wing causes.
High-profile cases like The Chicks, formerly the Dixie Chicks, and Taylor Swift underscore
the potential backlash that country stars face when their opinions diverge from those
of their conservative majority fanbases.
The Chicks faced intense backlash, including death threats, after lead singer Natalie Maines
critiqued former President George W. Bush.
Taylor Swift experienced similar consequences when she openly opposed a Donald Trump-endorsed
senate candidate in her home state of Tennessee.
These instances have created an implicit expectation for country singers to just "shut up and sing"
if their viewpoints diverge from right-leaning stances.
This cautionary landscape, however, did not deter Kid Rock from expressing his ire over
Anheuser-Busch's sponsorship with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
Rock made his displeasure known by demolishing multiple cases of Bud Light with a semi-automatic
rifle, an act he proudly showcased on his social media accounts.
His extreme demonstration ignited a right-wing backlash targeting companies seen as supporting
the LGBTQA community.
For instance, Target found itself in the crosshairs for its Pride merchandise, while Walmart,
which sells similar items, strangely escaped unscathed.
In this volatile environment, country legend Garth Brooks has made a bold stand.
Despite the potential risks, Brooks, akin to Swift and The Chicks, has chosen to make
his voice heard.
The iconic singer, who plans to open the “Friends in Low Places Bar and Honky Tonk” in Nashville,
expressed a vision of inclusivity for his establishment.
In Brooks' words, he aims for his bar to be the "Chick-fil-A of honky-tonks,” a place
that emphasizes safety, manners, and mutual respect.
Despite Chick-fil-A's own controversies with the LGBTQA community, Brooks affirmed that
his bar would welcome all brands of beer and, more importantly, all people.
He elaborated on this vision during a conversation with Billboard's Executive Editor Melinda
Newman at Billboard Country Live in Nashville, stating, "Our thing is this, if you [are let]
into this house, love one another.
If you're an a-hole, there are plenty of other places on lower Broadway."
The space, acquired by Brooks in 2021, is intended to be a welcoming classic honky-tonk.
When questioned about his decision to serve Bud Light at his forthcoming establishment,
Brooks reaffirmed, "The goal is a classic honky-tonk that welcomes all and encourages
love and kindness while playing the greatest music in the world in the home of country
music."
The Backlash Begins
Garth Brooks' recent decision to keep Bud Light on the menu at his new bar, "Friends
in Low Places Bar & Honky Tonk", has sparked significant backlash from some of his fan
base.
This decision, standing firmly in the face of ongoing controversy surrounding the brand,
has resulted in fans expressing their disapproval in a variety of ways.
Some have publicly declared they would purge their music libraries of Brooks' music, with
statements such as, "Patriots, I threw out my Garth Brooks music collection," being posted
on social media.
Threats to discard his records and boycotting his concerts further underscore the severity
of the backlash.
Yet, it's not a universally shared sentiment among Brooks' fans.
Others have expressed their admiration for the singer's stance, appreciating the inclusivity
he continues to promote.
A fan emphasized, “It’s something that we love about Garth - He makes his music for
everybody.
And that really is what music is about.
You’re making your music for everybody.
Beer’s for everybody, too.”
A segment of his followers have adopted a more neutral perspective, accepting Brooks'
decision but acknowledging its potential business implications.
One such fan stated on social media, “If Garth is serving Bud Light in his bar, that’s
fine.
Garth can do that.
Garth might find out not many people are going to order it.
And at the end of the day, you have to put things in your establishment that people are
going to purchase if you’re going to run a successful business.
So, he might find that out.”
Interestingly, Brooks' commitment to inclusivity and equality isn't entirely surprising, considering
his family history.
His half-sister, Betsy Smittle, was a passionate gay rights activist who performed at numerous
gay rights events.
The siblings even collaborated on the 1993 anthem, “We Shall Be Free,” a song dedicated
to the fight for civil liberties and equality.
Hence, Brooks' decision might also be seen as part of a larger family legacy of advocating
for rights and equality.
The journey of Garth Brooks, from his rise as a country music icon to his bold stance
in the midst of contemporary social controversies, presents a complex and fascinating narrative.
Brooks continues to make headlines not only with his music but also with his personal
and political views.
Throughout his ongoing career, he has shown a commitment to inclusivity and equality,
which are both reflected in his music and his actions outside of the recording studio.
Now that you’ve heard what we have to share, we’d love to hear from you!
Did you know that Brooks and his half-sister, Betsy Smittle, penned a song together that
became an anthem for the fight for civil liberties and equality and were you aware that Brooks
has stated that he will still be serving Bud Light at his new Nashville bar despite the
ongoing controversy surrounding the brand?
Let us know in the comments below, and let's keep the conversation going.
As always thanks for watching!