Aw gee. What an, er, um, blow to all of us.

Sorry, but maybe "Country Music" was the wrong section to put this in....

[This message was edited by Ken Tinsman on 12-16-99]

[This message was edited by b0b on 12-16-99]

I have always suspected that Garth was a big blow hard and show off, and only in it for what he could get out of it. No long term committment. His attitude has always been suspect to me, and I will not miss him in the least, but I know that the current crop of radio DJ's will probably cry and whine ad nauseum about his impending retirement. We will be hearing about this for the next year.

So long Garth, and don't let the back door of the Opry hit you in you know where on your way out.

Dennis

He's almost 3/4 of a century young!

He is singing as good as he ever has...I don't believe he's even thinking about retirement!

That ain't OLD. Not when George Strait will be 48 in May 2000 and still sells lots of albums and reaches the top of the charts on a consistent basis.

Garth has threatened to retire before, particularly so when album sales suffer. Remember FRESH HORSES? Of course he didn't do it. He ain't gonna do it this time either. He probably enjoys seeing his loyal worshippers down on their knees begging him not to retire. He has so much money he doesn't have to work another day for the rest of his life. His wife can divorce him and take a good chunk out of his wallet in the settlement, as well as child support... and STILL have a vault full of cash. However he has NOT beat the Beatles yet and that must gnaw at him. No, he will not retire just because the Gainesburgers went cold....

Well, you all know where I come down on this age issue. Ole Hag never sounded better—and Dennis, I expect you to edit your message and add him to your list.

It’s fine with me if Garth wants to hang it up. That’s his call. What really unnerves me is when he starts carping about how tough it is to balance a career and a family—like he’s the only guy who ever had to do that. Down right nauseating! Garth, old buddy, try it sometime on a workin’ man’s wage.

Right, folks?

The Country Music Association is already predicting that Garth Brooks will come out of retirement...

Brooks himself is planning one last concert tour including the possibility of a last concert pay for view world event.

[This message was edited by Mike Dennis on 12-17-99]

My thoughts exactly, but I didn't want to bash the Judds again so soon. But since you brought it up...

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cjc

[This message was edited by Joe Casey on 12-18-99]

Hopefully in a few years the scene will be as good as in bluegrass music, where a couple of hundred thousand loyal fans listen to music on a few FM or low powered AM stations. Now that's the way to further the steel guitar!

To be honest with you, I am not a big Garth Brooks fan, nor am I a big Shania fan. But neither am I a Back Street Boys fan. But both Garth and Shania have sold a lot more CDs than the Back Street Boys, and they have feature the steel guitar a lot more than the BSBs (trust me, I know.... I have an 11 year old daughter). And some good friends of mine have gotten some great airplay playing some really good steel guitar on Garth's and Shania's singles, so I personally would really miss it if they were no longer selling records. I have the option of getting some great traditional country CDs, including some great new cuts from new artists, but I think that it's necessary for the steel guitar to be featured on singles that even my 11 year old Back Street Boys loving daughter can hear and enjoy.

Let me tell you, it was a big thrill for Emily (my 11 year old) to meet Bruce Bouton in person, knowing that he played on some of her favorite Shania cuts. Now I love old Ricky Skagg records as well as the next guy, but I am an old fart, and it's going to take the likes of Garth or Shania to keep the steel going into the next millenium.

[This message was edited by Hanny on 12-25-99]

I admit that swinging from a rope and having an alter ego is wierd, but he has made a lot of money and has made a mark in entertainment history. I know most of us here on the forum would rather see Gene Watson, Clinton Gregory, or Steve Wariner reach such a level of stardom and success, but where do you draw the line. I guess I hold on to some level of respect for Garth because I saw a personal side that I thought was decent and respectable. Don't ask me what I think about my experience with Dwight Yoakum!!!!

Country music has always had it's cross-over artists, some have crossed from country to pop, others, like Conway Twitty have crossed back into the country charts. So, it shouldn't surprise anyone that Garth Brooks has enjoyed success in both charts and appeals to both audiences. Sure he is well marketed and flashy, but so was Bob Wills. Sure he writes carefully formatted and produced songs, but so did George Richey. I don't hear anyone dissing Hank, Sheb, Conway, Bob, George and Tammy, or anyone else who's legecy Garth has carried on.