Born: Feburary 7, 1962

From: Tusla, Oklahoma, USA

Active Career: 1985 - 2003, 2005 - Present

Troyal Garth Brooks is an American singer/songwriter that is regocnized worldwide for his style of country music. Brooks started to sing as a child, but mainly focused on his other passion, sports. He played baseball, football as well as running track and field in his adolescent years and througout his education at Oklahoma State University. During university, he studied marketing. However, he started a band called Santa Fe with his roomate and played at night.

In 1985, he decided to pursue a solo career, and was turned down by multiple labels. However, he eventually signed a record deal with Capitol Records and released his self-titled debut album in 1989. Prior to the record deal, Brooks was exploring all genres of music, although he particulary liked both country and rock music. However, he chose to pursue a country music carrer after hearing the song "Unwound" by George Strait.

His style of country music is instantly recognizable and is energizing, as he incorporates elements of rock music within his songs and concerts. As such, he is the onle artist to record nine albums that have reached platinum status in sales within the US. Songs such like Friends in Low Places, The Dance, If Tomorrow Never Comes and American Honky Tonk Association have helped sell more than 170 million records, on 2nd to The Beatles for most records sold.