Garth Brooks Admitted The 'Best Decade' Of His Life Was When He Became A Dad To His 3 Beloved Daughters

Jul 25, 2023 by apost team

Garth Brooks is an enduring icon of country music who has left an indelible mark on the genre and the hearts of millions of fans worldwide. With his powerful voice, charismatic stage presence and heartfelt storytelling, he has captured the essence of country music and continues to be a driving force in the industry. However, while stardom has its perks, Garth has never lost sight of his true passions – music and family.

Born Troyal Garth Brooks on Feb. 7, 1962, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Garth was exposed to various genres, but it was country music that struck a chord in his heart. Inspired by artists like George Jones and James Taylor, he began honing his singing and songwriting skills from a young age.

In adulthood, Garth pursued his passion for music by moving to Nashville, Tennessee, the heartland of country music. His relentless dedication and undeniable talent eventually caught the attention of Capitol Records, leading to the release of his debut self-titled album in 1989. The album went on to become a massive success, showcasing Garth's unique blend of traditional country elements and contemporary sounds.

Throughout the 1990s, Garth dominated the country music scene with a string of critically acclaimed albums and chart-topping hits, such as “The Thunder Rolls,” “Unanswered Prayers” and “She’s Every Woman.” His signature song, “Friends in Low Places,” became an anthem for country music lovers and solidified his status as a superstar. Garth’s captivating live performances and his connection with the audience further endeared him to fans, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time.

Read on to find out more about Garth’s career in music and what kind of father “The Dance” singer is at home to his kids.

One of the reasons behind Garth’s unparalleled success was his willingness to break traditional norms and experiment with various styles. He introduced elements of rock and pop into his music, widening his appeal to a broader audience without compromising the essence of country music. 

Despite his monumental success, Garth remained humble and grounded. He married his college sweetheart, Sandy Mahl, in 1986, and they went on to have three children. However, Garth’s popularity and career success put a strain on their relationship and was cited by Mahl as one of the reasons for the breakdown in marriage and eventual divorce in 2001. 

According to Country Fancast, in the documentary “Garth Brooks: The Road I’m On” released in 2019, Mahl spoke candidly about the period when her ex-husband began to gain a massive fanbase and how the intensity of his fame affected their lives.

“People constantly wanting your attention and yanking and pulling on him. He’d be gone eight to 10 weeks at a time. He’d come home, there would be number-one parties, or shows, or CMAs, or ACMs, American Music Awards, so it was constantly going. But we both grew apart really, really quickly… I don’t think either of us had stopped to think about how this would change our lives,” she said.

Garth later confessed to being surprised by Mahl’s remarks and told Us Weekly:

“(I was) gone so much on the road (during our marriage), there were things I guess she was (trying to tell) me that I didn’t hear until this biography. It’s rare you get to hear the other side. I just saw her and I think I hugged her harder than I ever have now that I know things that either I didn’t hear or that she didn’t say until now.”

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As Garth struggled to navigate through his highly publicized divorce from Mahl in 2001, he announced his semi-retirement to focus on raising his family. In a press conference, Garth stated that taking the time off was “a thing that I feel good about.” 

“I feel that what I am trading it for is more important at this point in my life – which I never thought that I would find anything that would be that important – your relationship to your children is to anybody who is a parent out there. So, today we start a new life," he added.

After decades in the entertainment industry and more than 100 million records sold in the U.S. alone by then, Garth had grown to be one of the biggest icons in the history of country music. Fans were left heartbroken over the announcement, not knowing when – or if – Garth would ever return to the music scene. On top of dealing with the divorce from Mahl, Garth's mother also passed away during this time.

Garth got down to business as a full-time dad to his three daughters, who were only 8, 6 and 4 years old at the time. Garth soon settled into domestic life, taking his three daughters to school, attending their sporting events and joining them at the dinner table every night. 

The arrangement worked well for the family, including Mahl, according to Garth, who told The Tennessean:

“They saw both their parents in the morning and both parents in the evening and for 14 years. That's how we ran it because we knew it was right for those kids. If you did what was right for the kids, you were going to do what was right for you. It was simple.”

Garth’s love for music never waned. But it was only after his daughters started to blossom into young adults and leave the house that the country star thought about making a return to the music industry full-time.

Garth had made a few performances for charities and benefit concerts while in semi-retirement, but in 2009, he embarked on the Garth Brooks World Tour and marked his triumphant return to the stage. This tour, spanning several years, shattered attendance records and solidified his status as a live performance legend.

Not only did Garth’s career get back on track, but so too, did his love life. As two of the most celebrated voices in the industry, Garth and Trisha Yearwood’s journey from friendship to love captured the hearts of fans worldwide. They first crossed paths in the late 1980s when they both signed with the same record label, Capitol Records. Over time, their professional acquaintance blossomed into a deep and genuine friendship as they bonded over their mutual love for country music. However, as both Garth and Yearwood were committed to other relationships at the time, keeping their feelings for each other platonic.

It wasn't until the early 2000s that their relationship took a significant turn. Both experienced the end of their respective marriages around the same time, leading to a period of introspection and reassessment of their personal lives. In 2000, Garth and Yearwood collaborated on the duet "In Another's Eyes." The heartfelt and emotionally charged song seemed to mirror the deep connection they felt for each other. Their chemistry in the recording studio became undeniable, and it was during this time that their romantic feelings for one another began to surface.

In 2002, Garth and Yearwood finally went public with their relationship, confirming what many fans had suspected for years. Their announcement of love and commitment to each other was met with overwhelming support from the country music community and their fans, who had long seen their special bond onstage and off.

As they navigated their newfound love, they also collaborated on several successful projects, including more duets and joint performances. Their musical chemistry only served to strengthen their bond, and they became one of the most beloved and admired couples in the music industry.

In 2005, Garth and Yearwood tied the knot in a private ceremony. In doing so, Yearwood became the stepmother to Garth’s three daughters, a role the “How Do I Live” singer cherished. She told People Magazine that Garth’s children, “let me learn my way and allowed me to be that third parent in their lives.” 

“They were a gift that I didn't know I needed. I didn't know how much children brought into your life until I got a chance to be a part of their lives,” she added.

In the following years, Garth’s daughters began to leave the family home to build a life for themselves. Garth recalled the period of becoming empty nesters as a bitter-sweet time. “I worship my girls,” he said. "I just didn't know what I was gonna do with myself. The love of my life figured out it was hurting me. She said, ‘Did you ever think about touring again?’”

Garth poured himself back into music but never lost sight of his most important role in life as a father. It turns out his decision to focus on his kids in their childhood prepared them for the exciting adult lives they now lead.

Garth first became a father when he and Mahl welcomed their first child, Taylor Mayne Pearl Brooks, on July 8, 1992. Taylor appears to be completely private, and there is only a little information known about her. She reportedly studied history at Oklahoma State University and graduated in 2016. Her educational background didn’t stop there as she later graduated with a postgraduate degree in Theology from Vanderbilt University.

Garth’s second daughter, August Anna Brooks Russel, was born on May 3, 1994. August became a mother at a young age after giving birth to her first child named Karalynn with her boyfriend at the time, Chance Michael Russell. The two later tied the knot and had another daughter Gwendolyn, which Garth was excited about, as described by Mahl.

“Garth is thrilled he's got a new granddaughter. She's beautiful, healthy and wonderful," she told Radar Online in a 2016 interview.

Lastly, his youngest child, Allie Colleen Brooks, was born on July 28, 1996. She is the only one among her siblings who appears to have followed in the footsteps of her famous father as she’s building a career in the music industry. According to Country Fancast, Allie is now happily married to Jonathan Roberts, a physical education teacher based in Tennessee. They tied the knot in November 2018. The rising musician released her first album in April 2021. 

Many would think that having a father who is a country musician can pave the way for someone’s career, but the singer told American Songwriter that she built her fame from the ground up with a little advice from Garth.

“Ever since I was a kid, my dad has taught me basically one lesson, and that’s to put your head down and work,” she told the outlet.

Allie scored her first Top 40 hit with "Ain't The Only Hell (My Momma Raised)" in June 2020, paving the road towards fame and acclaim. Before going mainstream on her own, Allie had served as a backup singer during her dad's concerts. These gigs may have been quaint family outings for her, but they apparently imbued a thirst for the spotlight. Still, the singer retains surprisingly humble origins. According to Fox News, she told a podcast: 

"I don't know what it's like to have celebrity parents. My dad was there every night." 

And being able to be there every night was surely one of the best things about being a father for Garth. He told SiriusXM in a 2021 interview that the early stages of fatherhood were some of the very best.

“You know the best decade of my life was the next decade where you just got to be a dad. Soccer games, homework, and just fun nights and hard nights. All those good things that just bring you closer,” he said.

In a separate interview with People Magazine in 2015, the musician opened up about his children. He said while some questioned his decision to walk away from his career for his family, “being a dad – there’s nothing that can touch that.” He also described children as "the greatest joy and the greatest heartache you’ll ever have" and believes in the saying that as long as your kids are healthy, you can deal with anything.

“You can introduce them to the Lord, teach them manners, teach them to believe in themselves, but the truth is, they’re going to be who they’re going to be,” he added.

What do you think of the way Garth Brooks prioritized his three daughters? Do you think he made the right decision to step away from his highly successful career to focus on them? Let us know your thoughts, and make sure to pass this on to your friends and family.