Garth to Retire?

[Terry Downs]

We opened the show for Garth once. It think it was 1991. "Much Too Young to Feel This Old" was a chart success and "If Tomorrow Never Comes" was in the top 10. After working with Haggard, Jones, Judds, and etc., I considered Garth to be just another flash in the pan. We talked about various things but he was really into songwriting at the time and was telling me how he loved working with other songwriters. He sure seemed humble and was a real gentleman. I even had to help his fiddle player figure out how to work some settings on his new effects processor. The drummer (who remained in his band for years) was happy to have an additional job of selling T shirts. I would have never dreamed that Garth would reach such stardom.

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!!!!

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Terry Downs
http://nightshift.net
terry@nightshift.net

[BDBassett]

At first, I thought the 'alter-ego' Chris Gaines thing was a little odd, but then I remembered that it has been done before. Remember Luke The Drifter? Remember Ben Colder?

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.

I still say "Friends In Low Places" would have been a hit 20 or 30 years ago. I can almost imagine George or Waylon doing that song.

[Tele]

I'm playing on the rockabilly cicuit and just had a wonderful gig with Marvin Rainwater and Glenn Honeycuttin London, GB. Don't know if anybody knows these guys but they were great still rockin' and there were no signs of retirement. Maybe someone has seen Ronnie Dawson lately...I can't imagine Garth doing such a powerful set when he was beyond 50!!


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