Showbiz is historically a cutthroat industry full of people out to make it for themselves. That being so, kindness, humility, and respect are reportedly not the traits that typically get you to the top. This can be universally interpreted for every arm of the entertainment industry, so throw country music into this perspective as well. Though, one artist who was actually once coined as too kind didn’t just make it in the country music business, but also dominated it for a great period of time. That musician is the best-selling country music artist of all time, Garth Brooks.
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Like most country musicians, Garth Brooks started his career as a wide-eyed and naive 20-something-year-old musician with an ambitious dream. Despite this trait, which some might deem as unbeneficial, Brooks landed a golden opportunity towards the beginning of his career in 1991, two years after his debut album. That opportunity was joining The Judds on their 1991 Farewell Tour as their opener.
Garth Brooks Was Kind and Respectful to a Fault, According to Naomi Judd
In 1991, Garth Brooks was spry, but not all that spry, as the 29-year-old had found some success in country music. Though, the greater forces at hand seemingly had yet to jade the man, and hey, maybe they have yet to do so. Regardless, Wynonna Judd remembers Brooks’ innocently kind disposition of that year, and she didn’t lie about it either, as she divulged that it bugged her.
“He opened for us, and he was so polite. I remember being irritated because I thought he was so nice, and I wanted to be like that.” “And he carried a possum around. I thought that was interesting,” Judd stated on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.
Another individual who commented on Brooks’ kindness was Wynonna Judd’s mother and partner, Naomi Judd. Matter of fact, Naomi thought Brooks’ kindness would hinder the upward mobility within his career. Recalling her mother’s perspective, Wyonna said, “I can tell you a story about my mom. She came up to me after a show and said, ‘You know, I like Garth and he’s sweet. I don’t think he’s going to make it.’”
While Naomi’s comments were seemingly sincere and not malicious, she was, in fact, wrong. Though most people often are, especially when it comes to other people’s futures. Nonetheless, Garth Brooks’ kindness did not hinder his career in any way. We don’t need to rehash all his accolades, but love him, hate him, and or just tolerate him, we can likely all agree that Garth Brooks is one of the most successful country musicians of all time.
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