It’s been 32 years since Garth Brooks released his self-titled album and soared to fame. But he wanted to name the album after another country star.
After its release in 1989, Garth Brooks soared to the number 13 spot on the Billboard 200 and number two on the Top Country Albums chart. The album is RIAA-certified for sales of over 10 million units. Additionally, Brooks snagged his first number one hit song “If Tomorrow Never Comes.” He also won an Academy of Country Music Award for Song of the Year and Video of the Year for “The Dance” in 1990. And “If Tomorrow Never Comes” was named Favorite Country Single at the 1991 American Music Awards. So, it’s a good thing he named the album after himself. During one of his Facebook live videos, Garth Brooks revealed that he originally wanted to title the album after another country superstar from the time.
“Today is the anniversary of the first album out. ‘Much Too Young (To Feel This Old)’ was the first single off the original Garth Brooks,” said Garth. “I’ve said this a million times and people think it’s a joke but it’s really not. I wanted to call it ‘Randy Travis,’ because man, he was killing it,” said Garth. And I just love Randy.”
We still kinda think that’s a joke and we’re happy Garth went with his real name for the album. Garth also added that he never had a party for his debut.
“But I don’t remember having a debut party. I think we just shipped a huge [joking] number of records like 20,000 and that was it,” said Garth. “But because of ‘Much Too Young’ and because of country radio latched on to that thing…country radio was very sweet and they stuck with it. 28 weeks for that song to even enter the top 10. It was great and then it took another long time for it to come down. But ‘If Tomorrow Never Comes’ came right off the heels of that. And it became my first number one.”
Garth Brooks Spent $160 On His Own CD
Releasing your debut album is a pretty exciting life accomplishment. During the same video, Garth Brooks revealed that he didn’t have a debut album party. Instead, he celebrated in a different way. Garth shared a hilarious story of how he ended up spending $160 on his own CD.
“I can’t believe it’s been that long already,” said Garth. “I don’t remember having an album release party. But I do remember bringing the CD home, I was so excited, and then realizing that I didn’t have a CD player. So, the CD was free but ended up costing me like $160 for a CD player.”
Garth added that he loves seeing how his songs are passed down to younger generations.
“When I think about that albums, I think about ‘The Dance,’ ‘If Tomorrow Never Comes’ and ‘Much Too Young.’ I think those songs really lived well. I’m amazed by how many guys who haven’t even been born yet when those songs came out, they’re now their favorite songs,” said Garth. “Which is crazy…It’s pretty cool to see the music has gone to the next generation of players.”
