Posted by Kevin Neilson on 9/20/2011

In Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1962, Garth Brooks was born to Troyal and Colleen Brooks. With five talented older siblings that loved music, a mother who was a former recording artist, and a father who taught him to play the guitar, Garth was set from an early age to make music a big part of his life.

Garths mother, a cheerful, spunky woman, taught Garth about the ups and downs of the music industry, having been through some challenges within it herself. She taught him to enjoy life and take risks. His father taught him the practical side of life, including the importance of being meticulous in business affairs.

After graduating from Oklahoma State University in 1984, Garth took a leap of faith into the music industry. He struggled, at first, and married his college sweetheart, Sandy Mahl, before he ever succeeded in joining the ranks of recording artists.

Eventually Garth made his presence known. In Spring of 1989 he released his first album. That album was the bestselling album of the 1980s. From there, Garths career took off, leaving every recording artist ever known in the dust.

In fact, in all of United States music history, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has certified Garth Brooks as the top selling solo artist of all time. With sales of over 128 million albums, he holds the record of six albums hitting 10 million sales each. With his versatility and mass-appeal, he has crossed the boundaries of country, reaching listeners who generally favor other genres.

Garth Brooks may never meet his match, and continues today to record and perform, sharing his wealth with charities. He was the first artist to release a simultaneous charitable edition of his most recent collection, in 2007, raising money for breast cancer research. Today, Garth Brooks continues to maintain his place in public popularity, with no end in sight.