Raised in Yukon, Oklahoma

Headed to Nashville in pursuit of a country music career; returned to Oklahoma within a week

Joined the band Santa Fe

With Santa Fe and his new bride Sandy, moved to Nashville, writing songs while holding down a job at a boot store

Signed a songwriter's contract for publishing purposes; hooked up with manager Bob Doyle

Like his mother before him in the 1950s, signed to Capitol Records

Released his self-titled debut album, featuring the melancholic hit single "The Dance"; album went on to become a multiplatinum seller, and the most successful country album of the 1980s

Followed up success with the multiplatinum "No Fences", spawning the hit singles "Friends in Low Places" and "The Thunder Rolls"

Hit album "Ropin' the Wind" debuted at #1 on both the country and pop charts; the hit-filled album scored numerous Academy of Country Music Awards, Billboand Music Awards, American Music Awards and Country Music Association Awards as well as a Grammy

Headlined the NBC variety special "This Is Garth Brooks"

Played himself in an episode of the NBC sitcom "Empty Nest"

Released "Beyond the Season", a holiday album with proceeds going to Feed the Children

"The Chase", his fifth album is released, hitting #1 on Billboard's pop and country album charts; graces the covers of Time, People, Entertainment Weekly, Saturday Evening Post and Forbes

Named Entertainer of the Year by both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association

In protest of the marketing of used CDs and its subsequent drain on the purchase of new albums, threatened to pull his releases from any retailers that sold pre-owned recordings

Released the album "In Pieces", his third (and the third ever) album to debut at #1 on both Billboard's pop and country charts

Sold out three shows at Dallas' Texas Stadium in a record-breaking 92 minutes; filmed second special "This Is Garth Brooks Too!" (NBC)

Released first greatest hits compilation "The Hits", another top ranking release on the pop and country charts

Seventh studio album "Fresh Horses" released to multiplatinum chart-topping sales

Starred in third NBC special "The Hits"

Toured extensively; respectfully turned down the Favorite Artist of the Year Award at the American Music Awards, asserting in a short speech that every artist is equally important

Featured in the VH-1 special "Garth Brook: Storytellers"

Released "Sevens", featuring the hit single "To Make You Feel My Love" from the soundtrack of the romance "Hope Floats"

Headlined HBO special "Garth -- Live From Central Park"

Was host of and musical guest on "Saturday Night Live" (January)

Released "Garth Brooks: The Limited Series", a box set of his first 6 CDs and "Double Live", an aptly titled live double album

Attended spring training exercises with the San Diego Padres, a professional baseball team

Received Artist of the Decade as well as Artist of the Year honors from the Academy of Country Music

Premiered his alt-rock alter ego Chris Gaines (his character in the as-yet unproduced feature "The Lamb") with the album "The Life of Chris Gaines"

Attended spring training excercises with the New York Mets

Wrote and performed "When You Come Back to Me", the theme from the time travel tearjerker "Frequency"; earned Golden Globe nomination

Plans for a Graceland-like museum/home in Goodlettsville, Tennessee were shot down by the city council

In October, two weeks after announcing his impending divorce, announced plans to enter semi-retirement, slated to possibly release two albums in 2001 but choosing not to tour in support of any releases until his children are grown

Hosted three live variety specials that aired on CBS under the catch-all title "Garth Brooks: Coast to Coast Live"