Garth Brooks Strong Arms CMAs To Play Unheard Love Song for Trisha
Leave it to Garth to do the most Garth-y thing when it comes to the 2018 CMA Awards. Instead of just accepting a performance slot from the CMAs and performing a relevant song like everyone else is expected to do, he once again has used his celebrity status to strong arm an organization to get his way.
During an October 17th press conference when Garth Brooks was announcing his upcoming stadium tour, he let it be known that he probably wasn’t going to be playing the CMA Awards in 2018, despite being the reigning 2-time Entertainer of the Year—a distinction he’s now won a record six times. The reason? Because he wanted to perform a surprise love song from Trisha Yearwood that not only the public hasn’t heard, but nobody has. Garth hasn’t even revealed the name, and wouldn’t even let the CMAs hear it before signing off on Garth performing it for a live national audience.
“I won’t play it for anybody else because it’s a song…about the strength of a woman. And for me, that’s Trisha,” Garth said in the press conference. “So, what I offered to the CMAs was, ‘Let me sing this to her that night. She hasn’t heard it and she won’t hear it until that moment, nobody will. They’ve been very sweet. They kinda came back and said, ‘Hey look, something new that’s a ballad probably doesn’t work for us.’ So, cool. I’ll find some other way for her to hear it. So, right now, we’re just coming to attend … I get to go with the love of my life and my best friend, and we’ll get dressed up and probably go to Taco Bell after.”
So of course now it’s the CMAs that are cast as the villains to the public, not allowing their reigning Entertainer of the Year to perform a love song for his wife, resulting in him not performing at all. Garth’s public pressure from the press conference also caused Garth Nation to swarm, and demand that the Garth performance be allowed. Slow ballads—especially ones unfamiliar to the public—are often deal killers for awards shows, because they’re commonly when the public tunes out.
The situation is very indicative of the 1993 Super Bowl when Garth Brooks was scheduled to perform the National Anthem. It was around the time Garth had released his single “We Shall Be Free” in response to the Rodney King beating, and the Los Angeles riots. Garth had produced a controversial video he wanted to air right before the Super Bowl that showed images of violent acts, the KKK and burning crosses, and other jarring imagery that NBC balked at. When NBC refused, Garth left the stadium, leaving them with no one to sing the Anthem. So they finally had to cave, which also meant moving back kickoff of the entire game to facilitate the playing of Garth’s video.
And of course the CMAs have caved in this instance as well, and Garth will get his moment. And in typical Garth fashion, he’s saying this love song is the greatest thing ever.
“Trisha hasn’t heard it yet, so she’s going to hear it the night of the CMAs for the first time,” Garth explained to Billy Dukes on Tuesday (11-13). “They’ve got her a chair right dead center on the floor, and I’m just coming out with me and the guitar, and here we go. [It’s one of those songs] where you just sit and kind of stare at whatever is playing it and go ‘Did I hear really what I just heard?’ And then you play it again, and you just stare. This thing kills me.”
Garth won’t even reveal who the songwriters are, but he says he’s not one of them. “I make my living doing this, so I should be able to write something for her, I just never could. And now these guys—two guys that are slobs, just regular Joes, write the perfect song for her. So I’m jealous and happy at the same time.”
One thing is for sure, it will set up a lot of interest and intrigue in the moment. Doubtful Garth Brooks will be lip syncing, though he was last year. Wednesday night will prove if Garth’s strong arm tactics were well worth it. Either he could come off like the king of hyperbole who always gets his way if the reception is mild, or he could create the ultimate moment of the 2018 CMAs, proving his persistence was for the positive. After all, should artists get to play what they want if they’ve earned a performance slot? We’ll just have to see.
Steven Gimmy
November 14, 2018 @ 11:04 am
So…he’s singing a love song to his wife, that some other guys wrote…what a tool.
ScottG
November 14, 2018 @ 11:28 am
Hey, it makes as much sense as this personal, and allegedly special moment having to be force-televised to a national audience.
Lisa
November 14, 2018 @ 12:36 pm
Some other guys that he just called “slobs.” Really.
MH
November 14, 2018 @ 11:09 am
“The reason? Because he wanted to perform a surprise love song from Trisha Yearwood that not only the public hasn’t heard, but nobody has.”
The song will be “She’s Every Woman.”
Claire
November 14, 2018 @ 11:10 am
I’m sorry but “new” Garth is so thirsty! He has to plan out a perfect fake moment at the CMAs- why? To try and erase his lip sync snafu from last year? With all of his talent, clout, money, etc. this truly says a lot about this man.
Mike Butler
November 14, 2018 @ 12:10 pm
Laugh at me if you want, but I think Garth stole this from that atrocious foray into acting by King George Strait; “Pure Country”.
The plot is identical: big star gets busted being a fake, “finds himself again”, sings an acoustic number to his true love. It’s too predictable, dramatic, and designed to draw attention.
Essentially, it’s Garth. I’m going to watch anyway.
Trigger
November 14, 2018 @ 11:12 am
I just want to clarify because I’m afraid the tone of this article might be misunderstood …
I think Garth should be able to perform whatever song he wants, and every artist should be able to perform whatever song they want. Artistic freedom is very important, and the fact that everything is so manicured on these awards shows is what’s wrong with them. I cheer him for standing up to the CMAs and getting his way. That said, the way this all went down is very very Garth. This is what he does. And now this song and performance has to live up to quite a bit of hype.
Lisa
November 14, 2018 @ 12:36 pm
Very Garth. As in, he’s the center of the universe.
thebugman10
November 14, 2018 @ 1:21 pm
The article did come off like you saying he should’ve just fell in line and did what they said. But I agree, if they want him, he should be able to sing what he wants.
SMarco
November 14, 2018 @ 3:18 pm
Agreed. Garth should be able to do whatever Garth, Chris or his wife tells him to do!
Can’t wait for another milquetoast song to ignore. Just Garth (or Chris) being Garth (or Chris). Washed up and tired and too self-important to fade into the horizon gracefully.
Black Boots
November 14, 2018 @ 11:12 am
I am outraged. I’m not even sure I can finish my monster energy drink. IS THIS RUSSIA?!?!
Musiccityman
November 14, 2018 @ 7:07 pm
Nyet, comrade! In Russia, Bob Wills is still the king.
Linda Bogner
November 14, 2018 @ 11:16 am
He is and has been way too full of himself. I will tune out as soon as he comes on.
Greg
November 14, 2018 @ 11:30 am
Hoping for another live stream of Sturgill busking outside. Although he doesn’t like to do the same thing twice. Wish there would be a picking circle outside with Cody, Childers, Sturgill and Margo. Or any other number of actual country artists who write their own songs.
Tom
November 14, 2018 @ 11:35 am
I agree as far as song selection goes. My issue is more with the idea of him taking an industry awards show meant to honor the best and brightest stars in country music (man, it was really hard to type that) and turning it into the “Garth Loves Trisha Hour”.
The guy’s got all the money and power in the world, he should produce a TV special devoted to his love for his wife and let the CMA people run their show the way they see fit.
Cosmic Cowboy
November 14, 2018 @ 11:39 am
Does he really think he is relevent now? Or for that matter ever as far as I am concerned.Please go away Garth and take Sheryl Crow with you. PLEASE!
63Guild
November 14, 2018 @ 11:55 am
Garth is the double edge sword. He has a lot of great songs, but at the same time it can be argued he was one of the biggest offenders that’s resulted in the current state of country music.
Clint
November 14, 2018 @ 11:42 am
He is a very talented singer, but he has always been a jack ass and very corny.
Mike Honcho
November 14, 2018 @ 12:34 pm
Singer, or salesman?
Hey Arnold
November 14, 2018 @ 1:42 pm
Chris Gaines? Nuff said.
Next year, Blake Shelton will have a new persona to rake in more $$$ – Blake will go by the name “Chip Whitley”
norrie
November 14, 2018 @ 11:51 am
Sick bags at the ready
ScottG
November 14, 2018 @ 12:01 pm
““They’ve got her a chair right dead center on the floor.”
Awkward….
Tom
November 14, 2018 @ 12:15 pm
Sounds like “Delia’s Gone”. Maybe he’ll take her down and do ‘er like Delia got done.
Ronald
November 14, 2018 @ 12:07 pm
Hey Greg the comment about Sturgill being actual country is pretty hilarious. Its funny because the Stugill busking outside no different than Garth’s publicity stunts. Sturgill is pulling all kinds of crap to get attention. It is just at a much smaller level than Garth. I am not a huge fan of Sturgill I will admit but it amazes how every move Garth makes people on this site criticize but every move Sturgill makes is praised. I am not criticizing you Trigger. You did an excellent job with this article. It is just the comments that sometimes blow my mind.
Steel
November 14, 2018 @ 1:09 pm
Did Sturgill announce ahead of time that he was going to play outside? That is a sincere question because I don’t know. We can never really know the true intentions behind these stunts/protests, and certainly on some level Sturgill was making at least part of CMAs about him that night, but it also seemed that he was trying to make it about actual country music as well (in his mind, clearly you don’t believe he plays country music).
Seth of Lampasas
November 14, 2018 @ 2:07 pm
He didn’t announce his busking thing and you could tell he didn’t because there were maybe a dozen people watching him in the video by the end and they were all guffawed to be there with him. The one guy who was an aspiring singer couldn’t even believe what he was seeing.
Having said that, I don’t think Sturgill had a good argument about including him in the awards. Sailors Guide is not country imo. Alt-country…maybe, but I would only include Sea Stories and Breaker’s Roar in that category. The rest is basically twangy soul music. I think it was a great album, but it wasnt country imo, and just because the ultra-liberal Grammys say it was country does not mean it is. I love Sturgill and Margo, but they both get a lot of undue support from the left leaning press, and it’s all part of their agenda they’re trying to push down the throat of the country music community.
Now, if he had done the same thing for the album cycle for Metamodern, then that would have had a lot more weight to it.
Steel
November 14, 2018 @ 2:48 pm
Yeah, I actually just watched the whole video and it definitely was not announced beforehand, they didn’t even show up with a fully charged cellphone to record the thing.
Fair points regarding Sailors Guide not being traditional country (though when has that stopped somebody from getting nominated for the CMAs?).
You lost me as soon as you said “liberals”. Those two sentences on politics are totally forced in the context of this conversation. Not every damn thing has to be left vs right. (and yes, I realize Sturgill talked politics in his video, but that also wasn’t what this conversation was about). Just wish people could have a “safe space” to have a conversation where somebody isn’t trying to force their agenda down my throat. Nothing is more a cancer than identity politics, Seth.
Seth of Lampasas
November 14, 2018 @ 7:21 pm
All I’m saying is that politics play a major part in why Hollywood recognizes some artists when Nashville doesn’t and vice versa. I couldn’t care less about politics in music, but unfortunately the music industry is used as a vehicle for political agendas. But I’ll respect your safe space from now on if it upsets you so much.
Billy Wayne Ruddick
November 14, 2018 @ 4:04 pm
Even if one could reduce Sailor’s Guide to “twangy soul music”, it sure beats what the majority of the other crap recognized by the CMAs is…which is basically twangy (sometimes) hip hop or reductive pop. Whatever Sailor’s Guide is characterized as, it was an album of well written songs, sung by a guy with great country vocal ability. It deserved to be recognized by the CMA’s every bit as much as Stapleton ever has been, and 1000x more than the vast majority of the other non-country BS that they recognize year after year.
Coop
November 14, 2018 @ 12:29 pm
So Alan Jackson stands up and plays a George Jones song, or walks out and he’s a hero, Garth says he’s playing what he wants or not playing at all and he’s an A hole? I say, good for him,CMA is a joke and anytime someone goes against them im all for it.
Lisa
November 14, 2018 @ 12:40 pm
That seems like comparing apples and oranges. The Alan Jackson thing was him standing up for someone he thought was being wronged. This is about Garth making a 3 hour show his personal grand gesture to his wife. Whether you think thats fine or not, whatever. Its just two separate things.
Steel
November 14, 2018 @ 12:59 pm
The difference is that Alan Jackson just did it, he didn’t hold a press conference weeks beforehand announcing he was going to do it in order to build hype around himself. Alan’s protests seemed much less about himself.
Trigger
November 14, 2018 @ 1:13 pm
Yeah, I see the point Coop is trying to make, but this is a really bad comparison. A similar comparison would be Kacey Musgraves a few years ago when she was up for some big awards, but refused to play if they wouldn’t give her a full time slot for the song she wanted to sing. Ultimately she lost and didn’t perform at all.
Tom
November 14, 2018 @ 2:20 pm
I’m guessing Alan Jackson also didn’t brag about taking his wife to Taco Bell.
Doug
November 17, 2018 @ 11:46 am
Yea, to me the Taco Bell comment was as revealing as the rest of it.
glendel
November 14, 2018 @ 3:38 pm
how about if Garth played an unheard love song for Alan Jackson’s wife, instead of for Tricia?
then, he’d really be saving county music, the old school way…
Fesgrow
November 14, 2018 @ 12:38 pm
Mr. Brooks is the greatest marketer that music has ever seen. He designs everything he does so that he can add more zeros to the amount of records he’s sold. He comes across as a decent guy, but he sure knows how to make everything about him and his business.
TxMusic
November 14, 2018 @ 12:47 pm
I got these two slobs to write my wife a song. Trisha is a lucky woman.
Seth of Lampasas
November 14, 2018 @ 2:15 pm
Lol I was thinking the same thing TX. And the marketing major knew exactly what he was doing when he made those comments. I’ve never liked his music, but I have to give him props — he is a very smart dude. I don’t believe for one second that this is some big romantic gesture he’s cooked up. He’s just masterfully playing the PR game.
Tom
November 14, 2018 @ 2:20 pm
He’s probably going to sing “Good Hearted Woman”.
TxMusic
November 14, 2018 @ 12:54 pm
This illustrates what a shit show the CMAs have become. Beyoncegate, Garth Lip Sync and now even more pandering. Can Lee Ann Womack tackle these corrupt award shows with the same fervor she goes after radio/music row? They are a big part of the problem in country music.
dave
November 14, 2018 @ 1:32 pm
i thought garth sucked in 1990 and I still think he sucks hes all about marketing his brand and hes done a great job hes filthy rich if only he would just go away but I guess he wont be any worse than any of the other shit on the show fuck them all I wont be watching!!!!!!
Hey Arnold
November 14, 2018 @ 1:40 pm
Garth always referrers to Trisha has his “Queen”. It’s cute, but Garth.. get a room. Has Garth been getting pointers from Thomas Rhett lately – using his wife for more popularity? I hope for Garth’s sake that this performance is amazing.
I hate how Garth doesn’t have any of his songs online or youtube, etc. His current single (which I think is #10 on radio) “All Day Long” – ive sadly never heard it yet… because I don’t listen to radio and I don’t have Garth’s Ghost Tunes app that costs $$. I mean come on Garth, why not have your music videos at least on YouTube… doesn’t make sense… It’s 2018 Garth.. He needs to evolve with marketing strategies of today – At least youtube..
Tom
November 14, 2018 @ 2:25 pm
It makes perfect sense when your entire reason for continuing to release material is to rack up sales numbers in a futile effort to pass The Beatles and you want to make sure you get proper credit.
The guy has become a pathetic shell of his former self, and those who don’t see him for what he is are almost as pathetic.
Hey Arnold
November 14, 2018 @ 3:05 pm
ITunes and YouTube weren’t around in the 90s/early 00s during Garth’s reign. He would probably make more $$ if he allowed his music online… because 18-50 year olds aren’t solely buying just the CD anymore. If he was a real sell out, Garth would be vlogging his life (Look at Dustin Lynch).
Garths album whole consumption unit sales would be much higher if he allowed streaming, itunes, all that jazz.
Tom
November 14, 2018 @ 4:01 pm
It’s not about the money at this point, though. His only remaining goal is to pass the Beatles for most units sold. He has concerns about how streaming services log their sales, and feels that if he restricts access then people will go out and buy the CD or buy it from his proprietary streaming service where he knows he’ll get credited properly.
For the record, I think he’s wrong. People want to hear the music before they commit, and today they’re more likely to hear it while streaming than on the radio. But that’s where he’s coming from.
hey arnold
November 14, 2018 @ 4:48 pm
Odd for Garth to be going after the Beatles’ physical album sales numbers… When you say “units sold”, are u referring to physical sales only(and not just whole consumption units)? I’m pretty sure The Beatles discography (like many artists) is available on iTunes, streaming platforms these days.
ScottG
November 14, 2018 @ 1:45 pm
That’s the icing on the cake in this story, and makes it somewhat entertaining, in a Spinal Tap kind of way. I’m actually looking somewhat forward to this now. If we’re super lucky he will bring said slobs with him.
ScottG
November 14, 2018 @ 1:46 pm
Once again mipsosted…for TxMusic.
TxMusic
November 14, 2018 @ 2:25 pm
It feels like there’s going to be a plot twist when the two slobs are revealed. In pure WWE fashion it will turn out to be Miranda Lambert and Anderson East ending their lip sync feud of CMA 2017.
ScottG
November 14, 2018 @ 2:38 pm
Yeah I was thinking it could be something like that too because who the f would actually say / do something like that? There could be some cleverness there that would slightly redeem this. He made a point to downplay them and made a point to say it was just him and his guitar…possibly just laying the bait. I feel like a sucker though for actually talking about it.
TxMusic
November 14, 2018 @ 3:02 pm
Garth is a showman and knows how to hook us.
Marmarbama
November 19, 2018 @ 1:23 am
The faces he makes when he sings are so cheesy, I wanna puke. At least he didnt lip sync the shitty song like last year…..
ScottG
November 14, 2018 @ 9:21 pm
So wrong…..
TxMusic
November 15, 2018 @ 6:32 am
I guess the slobs were real slobs in the end.
Lugnut
November 14, 2018 @ 2:34 pm
I miss Charlie Rich and his zippo lighter. Garth seems to excel at faking sincerity. I see him and I see Oprah with a cowboy hat.
ScottG
November 14, 2018 @ 3:25 pm
Where else can you get a quasarito?
Corncaster
November 14, 2018 @ 3:33 pm
This guy is such an ego, and not in a good way. More that “I’m the emotional sensitive guy singing with guitar on a staircase to the ladies until John Belushi shows up” sort of way.
Hey Arnold
November 14, 2018 @ 3:37 pm
Garth will be going to the Super Bowl this year then!! aka The Little Cowboy’s room – after that Taco Bell
Ralph
November 14, 2018 @ 4:04 pm
I know Trisha is his wife, and he should think she’s great. But Trisha’s importance in the world of female country vocalists is far overstated when Garth speaks of her. You’d think she was Dolly, Tammy, or Loretta.
Tom
November 16, 2018 @ 10:19 am
Not even close. He seems to think that Trisha is some mythical songstress whose presence has rendered every female country singer in history irrelevant all the way back to Sara Carter.
J Burke
November 14, 2018 @ 5:36 pm
I ‘ve said it before…he may catch The Beatles for US sales but he will never catch them or Elvis for worldwide sales.
Stacey C
November 14, 2018 @ 5:45 pm
Way to go Garth!! This moment is what country music is about!! 😊 The CMA needs this and they knew it!!! This is what Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley can’t do!! Love it!!
Keep saving country music Garth!!
Cilla
November 14, 2018 @ 5:56 pm
Usually when men act like this, something ain’t right and bad news is about to break.
Just remembering a few times when entertainers act like this.
Tom
November 16, 2018 @ 10:40 am
Tom Cruise jumping around on Oprah’s couch shouting about his love for Katie Holmes comes to mind, although it did take a few years for that relationship to fall apart.
Strait Country 81
November 14, 2018 @ 6:54 pm
This jackass should of stayed retired the 1st time.
NPC
November 14, 2018 @ 7:31 pm
You, too, can be a REAL, AUTHENTIC, COUNTRY MUSIC GROUP! Just culturally appropriate some country-western wear and get your CRT filter on!
NPC
November 14, 2018 @ 7:32 pm
Sorry, wrong post… delete please!
Trey
November 14, 2018 @ 7:34 pm
Waylon…. Garth Brooks keeps selling millions…that sure ain’t no joke… but I just can’t help looking for a pig down in the poke
Nayer
November 14, 2018 @ 7:59 pm
“And now these guys—two guys that are slobs, just regular Joes”
About as douchebag of a thing as I’ve ever heard. Call me fickle, but I’m instantly turned off to him.
The Dot
November 14, 2018 @ 8:01 pm
Looks like a spotlight, not a “special chair”. Hi random seat filler and people nearby. It wasn’t that amazing. At least he didn’t lip sync?
The Dot
November 14, 2018 @ 8:02 pm
Damn!! The Brothers won! And had a political joke that was funny.
Guitars, Cadillacs...
November 15, 2018 @ 4:56 am
And here we go again, as if on cue. Man it so so trendy to hate on Garth in these threads that is becoming old and boring. So the biggest selling solo artist in the history of American music plays hardball to garner a spot on the CMAs. So what? For all you supposed sticklers for quality and traditionalism in country music (of which I am I am one), ask yourselves: would you rather see a prime time slot at the CMAs go to Garth Brooks or some other half-baked, psuedo-country bro charlatan? Or how about another duet with a pop star? How about Brantley Gilbert with Lady Gaga? Jason Aldean with Kanye? How about a brand new smash hit from Thomas Rhett or Sam Hunt? Would that be better? Please.
Yes, the man has a business and marketing streak that even I, as a lifelong (and long-suffering at times) Garth fan get sick of. Yes, I’d love to see others such as Cody Jinks and others get their time in the spotlight or even a nod from the CMAs. But in retrospect and in a larger context, Garth is head and shoulders over the majority of today’s putrid swill on Music Row that is force fed into these award shows every year. Do us all a favor and take a little more pragmatic approach and stop making perfect the enemy of good.
Tom
November 16, 2018 @ 10:46 am
What I’d rather see is an artist who isn’t nominated for any award keep the intent of the program and his role in it’s proper perspective and not use his pull to make it all about him.
The Original WTF Guy
November 17, 2018 @ 1:58 pm
“would you rather see a prime time slot at the CMAs go to Garth Brooks or some other half-baked, psuedo-country bro charlatan? How about a brand new smash hit from Thomas Rhett or Sam Hunt? Would that be better? Please.”
How would you be able to tell the difference?
GARTH!!! sucks.
Mike F.
November 15, 2018 @ 7:41 am
Lost all, (never had much) respect for Brooks after I saw an interview where among other stupid self promoting things, he was asked “how long will you continue in country music?”. His response was something to the effect, ” I have more money than I can ever spend,, more than my kids could spend, so retirement is coming fast”. Then he disappeared for years. He has no love for the music or the industry, just himself. There are/were people that do it for the love of country music well into to their 70’s or 80’s, and those are the ones to respect.
Diamond Girl
November 17, 2018 @ 6:26 pm
I found Garth’s performance Awkward. Trisha looked uncomfortable. And for her to not go up and hug him or get out of her chair at all was strange. Plus spotlight on Jason and his wife, they must have been uncomfortable too. And to find out he did not even write the song, what was the point at all? I am sure the real writers love being called slobs.
justracn
November 18, 2018 @ 7:24 am
Can’t stand his fake ass
Lone Wolf
May 18, 2019 @ 12:52 am
Pardon me for showing up late to this article, but being that GB is performing in Pittsburgh later today, I thought I’d search for some GB articles. Something in this one grabbed my attention only because I’d read something different about what happened at the SB Garth Brooks sang at.
I remember reading or hearing nothing back then about the video for ‘We Shall Be Free’ he wanted to play. Seeing that what’s happened after reading it on several different sites, I believe it. What I did read (I can’t remember the source – maybe USA Today, People Magazine, Rolling Stone) was that GB hit up the SB people for more money before he was to go on. He had a number in mind and he wasn’t going to budge. They found out Jon Bon Jovi was there, asked him to sing if Garth wouldn’t (which JBJ agreed to do) and went back to Garth basically saying, “This is what we agreed to pay you. We also have Jon Bon Jovi ready to sing if you won’t. It’s your decision.” So, Garth thought it would be best to swallow his pride and sing the National Anthem, probably worried his image would take a hit.
Thanks Trigger for bringing this to my attention after so many decades.