Why Do People Hate Garth Brooks?

Garth Brooks is one of the most successful country music stars of all time, having sold over 150 million records worldwide. However, despite his enormous success, Brooks has also been a polarizing figure throughout his career, garnering strong dislike from some country music fans and the public. There are several factors that contribute to why some people hate Garth Brooks.

He Was Seen as Too Big and Bombastic for Country Music

Many longtime country music fans felt Brooks’ grandiose concerts and persona didn’t fit the genre’s roots.

Brooks brought a very rock n’ roll-style energy and bombast to his live shows. From wireless headsets to running around arenas, diving into crowds, and employing over-the-top stage theatrics, some felt Brooks made country music concerts too much like glitzy rock shows and strayed from country’s simpler, more low-key style.

This table outlines some key differences between traditional country shows and Brooks’ concerts:

Traditional Country Concerts	Garth Brooks Concerts
More simple, stripped back	Highly produced, theatrical
Subdued lighting	Dramatic light shows
Limited movement on stage	High energy, running around
Acoustic instruments mostly	Added electric guitars
Limited audience engagement	Jumping into the crowd

Many hardcore older country fans felt his concert style betrayed the historical roots and identity of country music.

He Actually Had More Success Outside the Country Genre

Not only did Brooks make country music concerts bigger and louder, he also gained enormous success outside the traditional country fanbase, which did not sit well with some:

• Brooks had pop crossover hits like “Friends in Low Places” and “The Dance” reach the top ten on general Billboard charts rather than just country charts.
• He was the first country artist to have two albums hit the Billboard Top 200’s #1 spot consecutively when No Fences and Ropin’ the Wind both reached #1.
• His worldwide tours and record sales exceeded that of many top pop stars and rock bands at the time.

This unprecedented crossover success showed Brooks had appeal beyond just loyal classic country fans, instead introducing country music to a worldwide mainstream audience. But again, this acted as a point of contention for longtime country purists who disliked his brand of country-pop fusion music.

Perceived Lack of Authenticity

Another huge factor was the perception by some critics and fans that Brooks lacked authenticity in his music and persona:

• Adopting a cowboy image despite not growing up on a farm or ranch
• Singing with an exaggerated twang vocal style some felt was fake
• Collaborating with Hollywood types like actress Elizabeth Taylor rather than typical Nashville session musicians
• Landing high profile endorsements and advertising deals during his peak

Rightly or wrongly, this gave his critics ammunition to paint him as more interested in fame, money and rock star-like excesses rather than staying true to the working class rural roots that country music was built on.

Was His Chris Gaines Experiment the Final Straw?

In 1999 Brooks introduced an alt-rock persona called Chris Gaines, complete with a fictional biography, wig and beard for “himself”, and an album of non-country rock songs. This concept was widely panned by fans and critics and is considered one of his worst career mistakes:

• It was seen as highly gimmicky and inauthentic
• Releasing a rock album under a fake persona alienated many country fans
• The Chris Gaines look was laughable to many
• It represented the height of his indulgent, self-centered behavior to critics

This bizarre career move solidified many of the common criticisms against Brooks and gave his detractors even more ammunition.

Perception He Usurped Older Country Legends

Another sentiment was that Brooks’ astronomical success came at the expense of older, more authentic country artists:

• Brooks benefited from promoters, radio, retailers heavily favoring his slick, commercial country sound in the 90’s over more traditional artists
• This created resentment by fans of older artists who struggled for attention
• He became the face of “overproduced, watered-down country” that drowned out tried-and-true performers

There was a feeling he dominated too heavily on the business side and took attention away from country roots and those who built the genre.

Mixed Response to His Comeback and Current Tour

After retiring in 2000 and making a comeback in 2014, Brooks continues dividing opinion in country circles:

• His first post-retirement single “People Loving People” was seen as overly simplistic and corny by some
• He’s still collaborating with the max-production team of Berry Gordy and James Taylor, raising accusations of overly slick and pop-styled recordings
• However, his latest albums and intimate acoustic shows have impressed some former skeptics
• Headlining massive stadium tours suggests he still feels more rock star than country star to others though

While far from peak criticism, his music and performances remain controversial for many country purists despite efforts to win back some doubters.

Common Criticisms from People Who Hate Garth Brooks

• “He made country concerts too much like rock shows and ruined the genre’s roots”
• “His music sounds fake and overproduced and aimed too much at crossover success”
• “He lacks authenticity both personally and musically compared to traditional artists”
• “It felt like his huge success crowded out equally talented but less bombastic older performers”
• “He seemed obsessed at his peak with chasing fame, money and rock star stereotypes rather than staying grounded and ‘country'”
• “The Chris Gaines experiment was the height of self-indulgence and showed he’d lost touch with country fans”
• “I appreciate some tunes but he’s still more Vegas than Nashville even after his retirement”

Why Do Other Country Fans Still Love Garth Brooks?

However, despite these criticisms from detractors, Garth Brooks still enjoys a huge, loyal fanbase in country music circles and beyond. What explains his enduring popularity decades later, even amongst more traditional country fans?

He Expanded Country Music’s Audience and Appeal

While hated by some purists, Brooks is credited by others for taking country music mainstream and making it attractive to wider audiences globally:

• Country music was mostly a niche genre before his rise. Brooks showed country songs could regularly top general music charts and sell-out huge worldwide venues.
• This expanded the popularity, profitability and cultural footprint of country music itself – a benefit for all artists and the industry.
• His concerts introduced country music on a large scale to many fans who would never previously have attended a country show or listened to the genre.

Key Achievements that Grew Country Music’s Audience

• 150 million albums sold (surpassing Elvis Presley)
• Beat The Beatles’ record for selling over 10 million tickets on one tour
• His album Ropin’ the Wind was the first country album to debut at #1 on pop charts
• Double Live enjoyed the highest ever soundscan numbers for a country album

Without Brooks, country music arguably wouldn’t enjoy the extensive new fanbases and mainstream cultural presence it has today across new generations.

Perceived Authenticity By Many Fans

For all the accusations of inauthenticity by critics, Brooks enjoys a deeply loyal, almost fanatical following amongst everyday country fans old and new who disagree:

• They see Brooks as genuinely passionate about country music and deeply appreciative of traditional artists who paved the way
• His songs resonated emotionally with millions of listeners because they came from an authentic place centered around country themes of pequen towns, fun, everyday values that fans connected with
• Supporters feel he respects the genre’s roots through his reverence for heroes like Merle Haggard and George Jones
• Covers of older classic country songs also built goodwill with longtime country audiences

Millions of paying concert goers and country radio listeners who propelled his success demonstrate Brooks’ authentic appeal, even if some critics disagree.

He Put His Money and Effort Where His Mouth Was

While often flashy, Brooks also poured profits back into country music itself while demanding little in return from newer artists, generating goodwill:

• He actively mentored and championed rising country acts who later praised his generosity
• Danny Shirley of Confederate Railroad has told of Brooks giving them his tour bus saying “Take it. Pay me back when you can“. It saved their tour.
• Steve Wariner and Mindy McCready were other early careers Brooks assisted.
• He actively lobbied radio and television to support traditional country acts amidst accusations of favoring slick pop-country sounds

This demonstrated Brooks “put his money where his mouth was” when supporting country music.

His Songwriting Resonates Across Country Fans

However divisive his image and commercial success became, Brooks’ songwriting ultimately strikes a chord with many loyal country fans:

• Hits like “The Dance”, “The River”, “Calling Baton Rouge” and “Standing Outside The Fire” among others connected through articulate lyrics and memorable melodies
• Fans feel these songs tap into universal country music themes of small towns, fun times, resilience, loss, nostalgia, patriotism and wise words passed down over generations
• The sheer popularity and replay value of Brooks classics decades later demonstrates his songcraft remains widely appealing

For all the arguments about Brooks’ authenticity and image, his lyrical songs stand on their own merits for many defenders as genuine, enduring country music.

Common Praise from Brooks Supporters

• “He made country music a worldwide phenomenon bringing it millions of new fans”
• “Say what you want, but clearly millions related to his songs and saw Brooks as authentic”
• “He used his own success to put money back into supporting older and emerging country talent”
• “The guy writes lyrics and melodies even traditionalists ended up singing along to – he’s clearly talented”
• “No denying he respects the roots – he’s always praising his own heroes like Merle and George Jones”
• “I’ll take the guy who sings ‘Friends In Low Places’ over some of those pretentious ‘Outlaw’ types!”

Conclusion – A Double-Edged Legacy That Left Nobody Indifferent

Garth Brooks is arguably country music’s most divisive figure. Arguments for and against his music, image and legacy remain heated decades later. But his continued success and stadium sell-outs 30 years into his career demonstrate his unique ability to attract devoted fans who don’t care what haters think.

Ultimately, while polarizing, there’s no denying the enormous influence Brooks has had in reshaping country music’s audience, culture and business landscape into what it has become today – for better or worse depending on one’s perspective. Neither staunch critics nor hardcore Brooks supporters deny he played a massive role in heavily commercializing the genre.

Yet while hated by some, Brooks evidently tapped into a musical style and songcraft passionately loved by millions far beyond just country music circles. Audiences from Ireland to Australia to America suggest Brooks landed upon some accessible lyrical and musical formula global audiences reacted to.

Of course, reasonable minds can disagree on whether that formula was a tacky, fake mutation of authentic country or a natural evolution that spoke to modern listeners. And that’s perhaps how it will remain: just like opinions on country music styles themselves, views on Brooks’ impact tend to depend on one’s personal taste.

But with little middle ground between ardent detractors and fans, Brooks’ legacy ensures he remains possibly the most talked-about country artist decades later. For a genre that often celebrates rabble-rousers and outsiders who rile establishments, becoming country music’s most unifying polarizing force confirms Brooks certainly left his mark both financially and culturally – whether purists liked it or not.

Reasons Brooks Still Polarizes After All These Years:

Perceived inauthenticity and overly commercial sound – Slick production and bombastic rock-like persona lacked sufficient country roots grounding for some.

Dominated and changed the genre too heavily – Enormous commercial success marginalized more traditional artists and shifted culture toward pop-country.

Concerts and image felt more rock star than country star – Brooks’ high-energy shows were a far cry from folksy country concerts building resentment from purists.

Actively chased crossover mainstream success – Ambitiously targeting radio formats, charts and audiences beyond just country fans.

Antics like the Chris Gaines experiment – His fake alternative rockstar alter-ego was a nadir that epitomized creative indulgence and hubris to critics.

Yet his songcraft and impact possibly expanded country music globally more than any other artist. So the debate rages on amongst fans and historians.

FAQs

What are the key reasons people hate Garth Brooks?

The main reasons people hate Garth Brooks include perceptions he lacks authenticity in both image and music, that his commercial success overshadowed more traditional artists, his concerts were over-the-top rock star spectacles straying far from country music’s roots, and stunts like his Chris Gaines experiment exemplified hubris.

What are the counter-arguments from Brooks supporters?

Brooks supporters argue factors like his songwriting talent, the way he financially supported other older and emerging artists, respect he pays country legends who preceded him, and resonance of his lyrics with millions of passionate everyday listeners demonstrate musical and personal authenticity regardless of polished recordings and an elaborate concert approach.

Did Brooks contribute anything positive to country music?

While divisive, Brooks’ unprecedented worldwide commercial success expanded country music’s audience, appeal and exposure globally in a way no other artist had. Country albums topping general music charts, selling out huge international tours and dominating culture became normal in Brooks’ wake. This demonstrably grew country music fandom and profitability overall, benefitting all artists in the genre.

What damage did Brooks do to country music?

Detractors feel Brooks set precedents that allowed corporatization and a big-budget, pop-style recording aesthetic to infiltrate country music at odds with the working class folk roots at the genre’s core. This shifted power and cultural focus from more traditional artists toward commercial country-pop acts selected by labels for crossover appeal through the 1990s especially.

Are opinions softening on Brooks over time?

In recent years, some skeptical country purists have praised Brooks’ post-retirement music and scaled-back concerts as showing more humility and respect for authentic country sounds than his chart-topping 90s era performances and recordings. However many still feel that underneath it all, he remains more rock star than country artist.