Garth Brooks’ Bar Will Be Inclusive Above All: ‘I Love Diversity’
; cGarth Brooks says that when it comes to his bar, Friends In Low Places, which is currently under construction in downtown Nashville, everyone is welcome. He said on Studio…
; cGarth Brooks says that when it comes to his bar, Friends In Low Places, which is currently under construction in downtown Nashville, everyone is welcome. He said on Studio G last night (6/12), "Here's the deal if you want to come to Friends In Low Places, come in. Come in with love; come in with tolerance and patience. Come in with an open mind and let's go have some fun, okay?"
Brooks continued, "Diversity - inclusiveness – that's me! It's always been me!" He explained, recalling how his song "We Shall Be Free" caught its share of flack years ago, "Everybody's got their opinions. But inclusiveness is always going to be me. I think diversity is the answer to the problems that are here and the answer to the problems that are coming. So I love diversity."
He added, "I understand that might not be other people's opinions, but that's okay, man! They have their opinions; they have their beliefs. I have mine."
Bud Light was recently involved in controversy, first for their association with transgender social media star Dylan Mulvaney, and then for distancing themselves from him.
Garth said he wants anyone who visits "Friends In Low Places" to feel free to enjoy any beverage they want. He said, "I'm a bar owner now. Are we going to have the most popular beers? Yes. It's not our call if we don't or not – it's the patrons' call. The boss." Brooks concluded, "If they don't want it, then I've got to go to the distributors [and] say, 'Hey, man – your stuff's not selling. The truth is, it's those people in those seats that make those decisions."
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Brooks is now deep into his Las Vegas residency, "Garth Brooks/Plus ONE" at Caesars Palace, and according to the country music icon, things have been getting a bit wild. On Studio G (6/5), Brooks noted, "It's crazy!"
Garth recently said it's hard to describe what his shows are like, but they are all distinct. He said, "It's like every week in that room just gets…more fun, but it's a different kind of fun! It's been a blast. [And yet] it's just starting. And I gotta tell ya – if it gets bigger than this, I don't know if I'm going to be able to survive it."
Garth Brooks is a country superstar that can command a stadium full of people in any city he plays, even though his last stadium tour is one that he says was his last. Now with his sites set on a Las Vegas "Garth Brooks / Plus One" at the Coliseum at Caesars Palace residency for the foreseeable future, Garth is celebrating his 61st birthday today (2/7).
Brooks chatted with fans on his weekly Studio G recently (1/9). He said, "I'll tell you right now, this will be the busiest year of our career." It's a big statement coming from a guy who's filled many years of his life on the road and in the studio. He added, "There are going to be so many things happening this year."
Later in the year, he and Trisha Yearwood are committed to a Habitat for Humanity building project on behalf of former President and First Lady Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter. But what else does he have on tap? He does have his new downtown Nashville entertainment venue, Friends in Low Places. Brooks laughs, "This year, we get to open up, I hope."
Garth is also expecting to return to the recording studio this year. He offered, "The studio is going to be wide open this year. We're going to go in and just do a lot of things that probably never will see the light of day. But, to be honest with you, those are my favorite sessions." He added, "This'll probably be one of the heaviest years we've ever had 'cause everything's just coming around to an end or a beginning, which is cool."
We look at 30 songs that solidified his place in music history and made him one of the biggest stars to ever emerge from Nashville.
30. "What She's Doing Now"
UMGA song Garth himself co-wrote from the 'Ropin’ The Wind' album. It was released in December of 1991.
29. "That's the Way I Remember It"
UMGFrom 'In the Life of Chris Gaines' (as Chris Gaines) Album. Yeah, people make fun of the project, but so many of the songs on it were solid.
28. "Why Ain't I Running"
UMGReleased in 2003 from Brooks’ 'Scarecrow' album.The song peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Country Singles chart.
27. "People Loving People"
PearlGarth is so good at songs that bring people together and this is one of them from his 2014 'Man Against Machine album.'
26. "She's Every Woman"
UMGA romantic song from Brooks’ 1995 'Fresh Horses' album. It went to number one and is another one Garth co-wrote, this time with Victoria Shaw.
25. "Do What You Gotta Do"
A song released in January of 2000 from his 'Sevens' album. It was a remake of a song recorded by New Grass Revival for their 1989 album 'Friday Night in America.'
24. "Lost in You"
UMGAnother Chris Gaines classic and one I personally played over and over again. 'The Life of Chris Gaines' was released in 1999.
23. "Wrapped Up in You"
UMGA single released from Garh’s 'Scarecrow' album in 2001. Another great love song.
22. "It Don't Matter to the Sun
UMGCall me crazy but this is another song from Garth’s 1999 'Chis Gaines' album and it’s just good no matter who he was pretending to be.
21. "Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)"
UMGThis is just a classic from Brooks’ debut album, released in 1989.
20. "Rodeo"
UMGThe perfect song from the 'Ropin’ The Wind' album and a tribute to the rodeo riders including Garth’s good friend Chris LeDoux who passed away in March of 2005.
19. "American Honky-Tonk Bar Association"
UMGAren’t we all members of this association? Just a great fun single from Garth. It was released on his 'In Pieces' album in 1993.
18. "Not Counting You"
UMGA two stepper perfect for dancing released from Brooks’ 1989 self-titled debut album.
17. "The River"
UMGA powerful song that tells a story from Garth’s 'Ropin' The Wind' album. The song was released as a single and went straight to the top in late 1992.
16. "Ain't Goin' Down ('Til the Sun Comes Up)"
UMGA perfect stadium song and so much fun. This was a huge hit for Brooks in the summer of 1993.
15. "More Than a Memory"
PearlA solid hit written by Lee Brice, Billy Montana and Kyle Jaobs. It made history becoming the only country single to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Songs chart.
14. "Dive Bar" (with Blake Shelton)
PearlA great song and collaboration between Garth and Blake Shelton. The underwater video was also a big hit. This song inspired a tour of dive bars for Brooks in 2019.
13. "The Thunder Rolls"
UMGThe song’s video is quite dramatic showing Garth singing in the rain. The song’s subject matter is as strong and powerful as the song itself. Little known fact: The song was originally recorded by Tanya Tucker but she never released it.
12. "Two of a Kind, Workin' on a Full House"
UMGAn upbeat song about love from Garth’s 'No Fences' album.
11. "Shameless"
UMGA remake of a Billy Joel classic that Brooks definitely made his own.
10. "To Make You Feel My Love"
Found on the soundtrack of the 1998 movie 'Hope Floats.' Written by Bob Dylan, Dylan gave it to Billy Joel to record for his 'Greatest Hits Vol. III." Dylan later recorded it himself, as did Garth. Trisha Yearwood did her own version (also on 'Hope Floats') and years later, Adele covered it as well.
9. "If Tomorrow Never Comes"
UMGA song well known to be a Garth classic from his debut album. The number one song was only his second single.
8. "Standing Outside the Fire"
UMGA timeless song about standing up for social justice.
7. "Callin' Baton Rouge"
UMGA song released in 1994 and a thriller in concert. From the 'In Pieces' album, it charted number one on Billboard’s Hot CountrySingles and Songs chart.
6. "Papa Loved Mama"
UMGCall me dark, but this is one of my favorite murder songs about a truck driver not able to handle his cheating wife. It only went top five in 1992.
5. “Shallow” with Trisha Yearwood
PearlGarth and Trisha did a great version of the Bradley Cooper/Lady Gaga hit from their film 'A Star Is Born.'
4. "Unanswered Prayers"
UMGA tender ballad released in October of 1990. Yeah, it went straight to number one.
3. "We Shall Be Free"
UMGProbably my favorite song of Garth’s again bringing people together in what should be a fair and loving world.
2. "Friends in Low Places"
UMGArguably Garth’s biggest hit and definitely the song that made him a superstar. Everyone loves this one from 'No Fences.'
1. "The Dance"
UMGOne of the greatest songs of all time was right there on Brooks’ debut album released in 1989. The song’s video shows several American icons and examples of people who died for a dream.
