He sold millions of albums through an exclusive distribution deal with Walmart, leasing them the rights to his entire catalog.
In "More Than a Memory", the male narrator describes his attempts to forget about a lover who has left him by drinking heavily and destroying anything that reminds him of her.
John McBride joined Garth Brooks's sound crew and later became his concert production manager. Martina occasionally joined her husband on the road and helped sell Garth Brooks souvenirs. In 1990, impressed by Martina's enthusiastic spirit, Brooks offered her the position of his opening act provided she could obtain a recording contract, which she did in 1991, signing with RCA Nashville Records.
"More Than a Memory" set a new record for the highest debut on that Hot Country Songs, beating the previous record set only one week earlier by Kenny Chesney's "Don't Blink", which debuted at #16. Its chart debut was described by Billboard as "almost impossible", since most #1 debuts on other singles charts are tabulated by sales, and not on radio airplay alone.
According to Brooks, his first encounter with Yearwood felt like "that feeling when you just meet your wife". But Yearwood and Brooks were both married to other people at the time. They began dating in 2002 after both went through divorces. In 2005, Brooks proposed to Yearwood onstage amidst a crowd of 7,000 in Bakersfield, California. The pair married on December 13, 2005.
Originally, "The Dance" had a very different set of lyrics. Writer Tony Arata says those were lost in a move and never recovered. The version fans know today was inspired by the movie Peggy Sue Got Married.
Initially, Brooks planned to feature the Gaines persona in The Lamb, a motion picture which never materialized. In 1999, Brooks released one album as Gaines. The album produced two charting Billboard singles, including the Top 5 pop hit "Lost in You".
Brooks briefly emerged from retirement in late 2005 to record the upbeat "Good Ride Cowboy", shortly after the death of singer Chris LeDoux. Brooks first performed the song at the CMA awards show, while the CMA Chairman's Award of Merit was presented in LeDoux's honor.
"I'm not big on social graces
Think I'll slip on down to the oasis
Oh, I've got friends in low places"
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