Go Home Garth Brooks, You Don’t Belong At SXSW
Garth Brooks, take your free tickets to the Auditorium Shores stage and your Frito bags with your damn brand on them, and go back to Oklahoma and roll around naked in your massive, massive piles of money. You don’t belong at South By Southwest.
Don’t get me wrong, I count myself as a Garth Brooks apologist. Like any good ol’ country music fan, sure I hated his ass when he was flying over stadium crowds on wires like Sandy Duncan and solidifying his place as country music’s preeminent sellout in the way he commercialized the genre like never before, not to mention that whole weird-ass Chris Gaines thing. But if you go back and listen to those old Garth Brooks songs like “Much Too Young (Too Feel This Damn Old),” “Unanswered Prayers,” or even more contemporary-sounding stuff like “The Dance” and think it ain’t country, well then I would take serious question with the notion of you considering yourself a country music fan. Garth baggage aside, those songs are timeless.
But there is absolutely nothing about Garth Brooks that is in any way an embodiment of the independent music spirit that is supposed to be at the heart of SXSW. He is the diametric opposite of everything symbolized by the independent music entities of the industry coming together to celebrate music, and networking with fellow, like-minded misfits. And his current music sucks.
I laugh at this idea that has been floated out there this year that somehow SXSW is turning a page. There was a story in Billboard about how less corporate brands are showing up this year. Yet I’m still seeing McDonald’s and Nissan as A-list sponsors, and the streets of Austin flooded with marketers. Saying there’s less marketing at this year’s SXSW is a marketing ploy in itself. Booking Garth Brooks as your keynote speaker is a perfect example. The brands are still here, they’re just finally starting to figure out that setting up a massive stage in the middle of 6th Street and booking The Chainsmokers isn’t effective. They have to be more underhanded about it, attempt to blend in with the hipsters and more nonchalant peddle their worthless shit to you. The Billboard article actually spells that out.
Garth Brooks is using SXSW for street cred just as other artists have done in the past, and SXSW is using Garth for attention. Do you think it’s coincidence that the day before he delivers his keynote, Garth announces that he’s going to be headlining the Houston Rodeo twice in 2018? Why would you be announcing something like that now? The current Houston Rodeo season isn’t even in the books. The story should be about how this year independent Texas artists Aaron Watson and Cody Johnson drew huge crowds, and Chris Stapleton had one of the biggest shows of all. But then here comes Garth, sensing all this attention being trained on the Houston Rodeo at the moment, and figures out how to make it all about himself before he takes the 3 hour trip to Austin to do the same thing at SXSW. The dude is a total attention whore.
I knew the emphasis from marketing hadn’t shifted from SXSW when I called up the Austin Police Department to get the details of an artist getting robbed and shot in east Austin late last week. The very first words out of the Public Information Officer’s mouth were, “This has nothing to do with SXSW.” So wait, you have a gang of armed madmen jumping out of bushes in East Austin—an area frequented by SXSW goers—to rob people coming home from late night shows, wielding pistols and an AR-15 and proving a propensity to shoot to kill if necessary, and this isn’t something that has to do with SXSW? Sure it didn’t happen right inside a SXSW venue, but it shows that even in the local police office, there is an attempt to make sure that nothing stands between Austin and the pumping of dollars into the local economy by advertisers and tourists, even if it means a wanton disregard for quality of life in the city or even public safety. The attempted murderers are still on the loose, buy the way. Perhaps that’s just as important of a story as free Garth Brooks tickets to his SXSW show.
Actually, scrap everything I said at the beginning. Scrap the entire premise of this article. Garth Brooks is perfect as the SXSW keynote speaker and main stage headliner. Who else to set a shining example of unlocking corporate brand synergies and product placement in music than Garth? He is damn near ideal to drive that message home.
Garth Brooks is just SXSW’s kind of music whore.
albert
March 17, 2017 @ 11:26 am
”The dude is a total attention whore.”
Not news ,Trigger ….but DEAD on !
” G” is an unrivaled king of marketing and always has been . Radio , interestingly , is too stupid to know that they need him right now , unfortunately , more than he’ll ever need them . His fans are legion and loyal and don’t seem to be going away whatsoever . Whatever ” G ” does is still working , like it or not .
Stringbuzz
March 17, 2017 @ 12:06 pm
I’ve got the same internal struggles with Garth..
Some of the music is just so good. He is also a helluva a live act, but the commercial machine side of him sometimes gets to me.
He just seems so genuine, but not so genuine.. IDK..
seak05
March 17, 2017 @ 12:11 pm
Garth seems pretty genuine, and he genuinely cares about putting out music that will make him money :p (but seriously the idea that wanting to make money makes you a less genuine person seems silly, and thinking about what you say, and not wanting to offend people doesn’t make you less genuine either…it makes you thoughtful & conscience of others).
seak05
March 17, 2017 @ 12:08 pm
Things that legitimately don’t bother me, artists trying to make money. The whole idea of sell-out is a little silly, it’s priorities and different personality types, and whatever. At the end of the day Garth has brought a ton of people into country music.
Now should Garth be at a festival celebrating independent music? I’d say no, but really the festival and everyone there is trying to increase their own exposure, soo…none of it is “pure” The way SXSW treats the artists is a much bigger problem.
Dave
March 17, 2017 @ 12:32 pm
I am a huge Garth fan. He’s one of the best live performers I’ve seen. I don’t think he’s made a truly terrible album. I still listen to the Chris Gaines CD (the whole thing was pretty silly but there’s a lot of good songs and he sings the hell out of them) Most of the albums are kind of uneven but there’s always a least a couple great songs (maybe not Gunslinger, it’s just really mediocre) That said, he’s always been obsessed with album sales, even now when most people don’t buy album in any form anymore. (I still buy CD’s but I’m in the minority) He needs to stop releasing box sets. As for the main focus of this article, he doesn’t belong at SXSW. Why not have Taylor Swift there next?
Bear
March 18, 2017 @ 2:48 pm
Taylor Swift is done I think. After not saying who she voted for and not marching both of which I am fine with she killed herself publically with the SJW crowd which is a HUGE part of her base.
Dave D.
March 17, 2017 @ 12:38 pm
Whether it’s his doing or not, he’s gonna give some great exposure to Sunny Sweeney and Cale Tyson as his opening acts. That’s good enough for me.
Trigger
March 17, 2017 @ 1:37 pm
If Garth took these two out on tour with him, then perhaps that will be the case. But amidst the madness of SXSW, I have to say it won’t be the major opportunity at exposure some are making it out to be. It can’t hurt, but these two have been running around town all week playing shows and getting exposure. Better than these two than someone else, but better an up-and-coming band gets the exposure Garth is stealing by being the headliner. It’s just another attempt by Garth and SXSW to earn brownie points while the fundamental problems still remain.
seak05
March 17, 2017 @ 4:02 pm
Taking newer artists out on tour is a key to getting them exposure, and honestly I think almost a responsibility that big names have. The recent trend away from it is a little frustrating. I get why they’re doing it, but Luke going with Brett, Garth & Tricia, Eric – no opener at all, is frustrating for developing newer names. (note clearly a number of big names are still taking out newer artists, it’s not everyone).
Paul
March 17, 2017 @ 9:28 pm
Saw Garth one week ago. He had 2 unannounced openers, one of whom is also his backup singer. Not great, not too terrible.
Robert St
March 17, 2017 @ 6:19 pm
I saw Sunny Sweeney this afternoon at Threadgill’s, and she mentioned looking forward to being the opener for Garth Brooks tomorrow. I don’t know enough to render an opinion of Garth’s motives or SXSW’s motives or Austin’s corporate persona or any of the rest of it, but if Sunny Sweeney and Colter Wall (I saw him yesterday) pick up any benefit from opening tomorrow, then that’s at least a silver lining.
Even though the Garth deal is free, I see that it is already “sold out.” I’m not sure what to tackle tomorrow – maybe Threadgill’s again, but I’ll look over the other options.
nascarfan999
March 17, 2017 @ 1:01 pm
With his Man Against Machine album and independent distribution through Ghostturnes, I think Garth would have been a very appropriate speaker a year or 2 ago, but now that he has a new album caving to current music trends and has scraped Ghosttunes to ride the wave of Amazon, he’s lost any cred he had as fighting for independence.
Doyle Hargraves
March 17, 2017 @ 1:36 pm
Go back to OK you fuckin buzzard
ElectricOutcast
March 17, 2017 @ 1:41 pm
Alright Trig, WHAT THE FUCKING HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM?!?!?
Chad Perry
March 19, 2017 @ 9:50 pm
Hmm, didn’t know having an opinion constituted any sort of problem.
Bertox
March 17, 2017 @ 2:39 pm
After blatantly ripping off Todd Snider with that idiotic beer run song, I am ashamed as a Texan that he was not booed off the stage. But it’s Austin, so I’m not surprised. Austin went to shit around the turn of the century, if not before. From the Live Music Capital to the Hipster Douchebag Capital
DJ
March 17, 2017 @ 4:18 pm
Austin went to shit long before the turn of the century. It’s always been a bit weird, hence the bumper stickers; keep Austin weird. Anyone else remember when a “street” person got elected to the city council?
As far as Garth Brooks goes I like his music. I don’t care for his theatrics and lets face it this venue is dead thanks to corporate involvement sell outs (not Garth Brooks) in the city run by ‘liberals’……LOL. Like I said in an earlier post about that very thing; does anyone else see the irony?
Jed Walter
March 19, 2017 @ 2:03 am
Actually, Todd Snider loves Garth Brooks.
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/what-todd-snider-really-thinks-about-garth-brooks/
Bertox
March 19, 2017 @ 11:40 am
I
Bertox
March 19, 2017 @ 12:34 pm
I never said he didnt; I said Garth ripped him off. I figured that Garth probably didn’t write the song, and I guess it’s possible he hadn’t heard Tod’s song when he decided to record it. But the fact he HAD heard “All Right Guy” makes me more than a little suspect. It is cool that Garth gave him ten grand, but he should have made a lot more than that on royalties had he been given proper cowriter credit. I’m not a fan of someone cashing in on someone else’s idea. Then for Blazy to accuse Snider of stealing it from him? Scumbag move. That has nothing to do with Garth, of course, but he did profit immensely (and unapologetically)from a stolen idea
mattdangerously
March 17, 2017 @ 8:06 pm
I’ve seen Willie Nelson, Marty Stuart, Lindi Ortega, Jason Isbell, and one of Clint Black’s lesser brothers live. I’ve lost count of how many Kelly Willis shows I’ve been to. I’ve bought both Sarah Shook albums. I grew up on Don Williams. Regardless, I will for damn sure be trying to get tickets to see Garth at the Houston Rodeo next year. Don’t judge me.
Trigger
March 18, 2017 @ 12:51 am
I wouldn’t judge anyone for wanting to see Garth Brooks at the Houston Rodeo. That’s a perfect venue for him. SXSW is not. The only reason I mentioned the rodeo is because it seemed strange that they announced his slots before the current season is even over.
Yessir
March 17, 2017 @ 9:31 pm
I seen Garth sing 3 wooden crosses the day after ken Williams died…Nobody should be ashamed to like Garth.
Bear
March 18, 2017 @ 2:57 pm
Garth is Madonna of country he has a ton of hits, some great songs, a lot of guilty pleasures, and then the fluff ‘n’ stuff but you cannot ignore the impact or the ego.
And hell he took over for John Dever as the antichrist that is enough for me.
Willie Potter
March 18, 2017 @ 5:27 pm
Lifelong Garth fan here.
Even the Chris Gaines project is one if his strongest albums overall…country or not….and it’s definitely more country than not.
His first three releases will always be regarded as stone cold classics.
There is no disputing the fact that he is far to big a star to play this gig….The biggest selling solo artist in music history.
With those credentials I guess you can do what you want.
Jacob W.
March 18, 2017 @ 5:58 pm
Garth is the new face of sxsw.
Justin
March 18, 2017 @ 6:40 pm
I don’t think Garth wants to quit the marketing machine until he sells more albums than Elvis and The Beatles.
Michael Reddy
March 19, 2017 @ 8:06 am
Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson where the two artists in the early 90’s who drew me into Country Music. I think when GB knuckles down and focuses on the music he is at his best.His style of over the top showmanship was a huge part of 70’s and 80’s rock and I am glad he brought that to Country Music. For me a live concert should be a visual and auditory experience. The last thing I want is a concert where the artist just stands there and sings. I want the pyrotechnics and crowd engagement that GB brings. Also his first 3 albums are fantastic country albums. At the end of the day he has brought a lot of people to the genre and has a deep respect and knowledge of it even when he chooses to go a diffrent direction a lot of the time.
Scribbles Ruk
March 19, 2017 @ 1:06 pm
Says the guy making money from ads on his website… congrats on being a hypocrite. Self righteous ass holes like this websites owner need to go away. this guy is just another failed musician that didnt get what he wants so he took to the internet to ruin the fun for anyone else.
Trigger
March 19, 2017 @ 1:55 pm
In a Capitalist society, everything has to make money, even non profits. If it makes you feel any better, I’m tragically, tragically poor, and this website has been teetering on the brink of extinction because of it for going on 10 years (woot!). If you think I’m getting rich, just go check the employment rankings. Journalists are dead last. People that get shot at for a living have better jobs, because at least they get bennies. Nobody has a problem with Garth Brooks trying to make money. The concern here is coming to Austin to abscond with the attention that is supposed to be given to bands that spend the very last nickel in their coffers to play for free in an attempt to get recognized. That is what SXSW is about. All credit to Garth Brooks for building a massive empire and making so much money. That’s fine for him, and in the right context. SXSW is not the right context.
Scribbles Ruk
March 19, 2017 @ 2:57 pm
With quotes like “The dude is a total attention whore.” Im sure your writing career will take off shortly.
And lets not forget “Garth Brooks is just SXSW’s kind of music whore.”
Both of those seem like dumbed down journalism appealing to the masses of unintelligent human beings that troll through your site. Very similar to the revolving argument your site uses to attack bad country “artist”
My advice? If your are going going to attack corporate country artist for being dumbed down, not country, pop music, sell out, market hungry machines… perhaps you should take the high road yourself and focus on promoting “great bands/artist” and stop whining about things that are obvious.
Fact = SxSw has been a money driven machine for years. Everyone knows this. No need to church it up for the sake of your website’s ad hits.
You are obviously very well spoken. I would even say I like how you write and the way you put things. However, you focusing on the negative side of the country music industry is just as bad as the songs themselves. You want to save country music? Focus on promoting the good song writers no one knows about instead of giving the bad ones more publicity.
Trigger
March 19, 2017 @ 4:23 pm
“However, you focusing on the negative side of the country music industry is just as bad as the songs themselves. You want to save country music? Focus on promoting the good song writers no one knows about instead of giving the bad ones more publicity.”
Yes, like I never do that, and I haven’t been doing that for 10 years. You clicking on this article instead of the scores of positive ones on the front page of the site right now says more about your browsing habits than it says about this site’s focus. What is the topmost post on the site right now? It’s a positive review for the latest Valerie June album:
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/album-review-valerie-junes-the-order-of-time/
Want POSITIVE coverage of SXSW? Check out my top recommended showcases:
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/saving-country-musics-2017-guide-to-unofficial-sxsw-showcases/
Or this feature on the Spring Fling, which tries to offer a local, healthier alternative to SXSW:
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/austins-spring-fling-offers-a-local-alternative-to-sxsw/
Or this album review for AJ Hobbs who was showcasing at SXSW, purposefully posted to coincide with his appearances:
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/album-review-aj-hobbs-too-much-is-never-enough/
Anybody asserting that Saving Country Music doesn’t focus on the positive, or needs to focus more on the positive is characterizing this site in an irresponsible manner. The whole reason you and others are buying into this ridiculous assertion is because certain people are spreading this idea through social media.
And by the way, spirited criticism as been a valued and healthy element of the creative space for centuries. The fact that people are offended that someone would actually give their honest opinion about a situation shows just how uneducated most people are about the importance of criticism, and is also one of the reasons the arts are disappearing in culture.
” No need to church it up for the sake of your website’s ad hits.”
Yes, I should post boring articles that nobody wants to read. That seems like a very smart plan for promoting good music in a positive manner, and influencing the marketplace.
Saving Country Music is doing just fine, but I appreciate the feedback.
Robert St
March 19, 2017 @ 6:51 pm
I’ll add that I just finished four straight days of free SXSW showcases, and found the advice here quite helpful. My timing didn’t work out to see AJ Hobbs, but I did see Jason Eady and Shinyribs each twice, and they’re very good.
Doug
March 21, 2017 @ 1:30 am
The passion in this post is what keeps me coming back to this site. SCM cares about what matters.
Doug
March 21, 2017 @ 1:24 am
The corrupting power of marketing and greed is what makes Garth Brooks’ story so emblematic of what’s wrong with American culture in general. It also points to what’s so inspiring about those artists who have the integrity to resist or ignore that corrupting influence.
Jed Walter
March 21, 2017 @ 9:07 am
In all fairness… artists coming to SXSW to “get discovered” hasn’t been “what SXSW is about” for a loooooooooong time now.
Look up the last 10 years of keynote speakers & the acts that have performed in the slot that Garth performed in. Please post them as a response. Thank you.
Scribbles Ruk
March 19, 2017 @ 4:44 pm
“I’m tragically, tragically poor, and this website has been teetering on the brink of extinction because of it for going on 10 years (woot!)”
“Saving Country Music is doing just fine”
Im on the brink of extinction but im doing just fine sounds like a great country song.
Bertox
March 19, 2017 @ 5:48 pm
Weak attempt at trolling, bro. But hey, you do you…
Chad Perry
March 19, 2017 @ 9:42 pm
Fuck off somewhere.
Mason
March 19, 2017 @ 9:48 pm
Are you a journalist? No? Then don’t try to tell him how to be one. All you’re doing is embarrassing yourself.
scott
March 20, 2017 @ 6:33 am
Seriously, Scribbles, STFU.
Charlie
March 20, 2017 @ 6:57 am
And may I add, if you think you can do better, then go start your own web site. I even have a name for it:
http://www.scribbleseatsabagofdicks.biz
(The dot com version was already taken.)
Rob
March 22, 2017 @ 2:51 pm
I don’t really care about this SXSW bullshit. I just want to know why in the fuck Garth can’t write a good song anymore?
Lee Jones
March 22, 2017 @ 8:19 pm
Maybe people would hate Garth less if they thought of him as country’s answer to KISS.