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The Garth Factor: The Career Behind Country's Big Boom
Garth Brooks is certified by the RIAA as the #1 selling solo artist in US history. Since his debut in 1990, he has sold over 128 million albums. But success rarely comes without controversy, and Garth has had more than a share. Is he a media and market manipulator, a country music poseur, and a megalomaniac, or is he simply a brilliant businessman and marketing strategist? Industry insider Patsi Bale Cox, who generated all label material on Brooks throughout his career, examines the meteoric rise of the country star. Examining his career within the context of country music history, she takes readers behind closed doors at the labels, and delves into the inner sanctum of the Nashville music community. THE GARTH FACTOR will paint a portrait of how Brooks's friendship with Trisha Yearwood developed into love and marriage, explore the truth behind his "alter-ego" Chris Gaines, and update readers on what he has been up to since retirement.
- GenresBiographyNonfictionMusic
352 pages, Hardcover
First published May 9, 2009
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52 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 11, 2022
I read this book at lightning speed. I loved it. As someone who has read all there is to know about Garth Brooks, this book provided even more details about the behind the scenes goings-on. Very interesting and fulfilling.
May 9, 2021
For Garth Fanatics Only
I’ve been a Garth fan since the very beginning. This book does a fair job of telling his story. The take on the whole Chris Gaines thing was spot-on in my view—-what a truly underrated album. Reading this type of stuff makes me grateful to be an ordinary shlub. Superstardom appears to be extremely overrated.
I’ve been a Garth fan since the very beginning. This book does a fair job of telling his story. The take on the whole Chris Gaines thing was spot-on in my view—-what a truly underrated album. Reading this type of stuff makes me grateful to be an ordinary shlub. Superstardom appears to be extremely overrated.
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July 24, 2017Interesting view of the business side of his fame. Recommended for country music fans and artist-wannabes!
June 2, 2009
In The Garth Factor, Patsi Bale Cox chronicles the highs and lows in
Garth Brooks roller coaster ride to becoming the biggest selling
recording artist of all time. In the process she sets straight many
misconceptions that have plagued Garth for much of his career. Through
interviews with many of the musicians, songwriters and executives
integral to Garth's success, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how
his music was recorded and marketed. You'll also learn the stories
behind your favorite Garth Brooks songs. Long-time fans who've
followed Garth's career closely may think they know all there is to
know about the major confrontations that Garth had with various music
row executives and other industry insiders, but I can guarantee that
they will be surprised by the perspective Bale Cox offers on these
major controversies. Fans will feel that they understand Garth better
both professionally and personally after they've finished this book.
The author not only offers the reader an in-depth analysis of Brooks
career, she also places it in the context of everything going on along
music row at the time, discussing both artists who influenced Garth,
as well as the careers of many of his "Class of '89" contemporaries,
and also the next generation of performers who have risen to
prominence in the wake of his retirement. In short, she paints a
comprehensive picture of Country Music in the '90's. It's this aspect
of The Garth Factor that elevates it above the realm of mere Biography
and makes it a work of serious scholarship. This book is essential
reading for every serious student of the genre, and even casual fans
of Garth, or those who came of age listening to Country Music in the
last two decades will find much to enjoy.
Garth Brooks roller coaster ride to becoming the biggest selling
recording artist of all time. In the process she sets straight many
misconceptions that have plagued Garth for much of his career. Through
interviews with many of the musicians, songwriters and executives
integral to Garth's success, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how
his music was recorded and marketed. You'll also learn the stories
behind your favorite Garth Brooks songs. Long-time fans who've
followed Garth's career closely may think they know all there is to
know about the major confrontations that Garth had with various music
row executives and other industry insiders, but I can guarantee that
they will be surprised by the perspective Bale Cox offers on these
major controversies. Fans will feel that they understand Garth better
both professionally and personally after they've finished this book.
The author not only offers the reader an in-depth analysis of Brooks
career, she also places it in the context of everything going on along
music row at the time, discussing both artists who influenced Garth,
as well as the careers of many of his "Class of '89" contemporaries,
and also the next generation of performers who have risen to
prominence in the wake of his retirement. In short, she paints a
comprehensive picture of Country Music in the '90's. It's this aspect
of The Garth Factor that elevates it above the realm of mere Biography
and makes it a work of serious scholarship. This book is essential
reading for every serious student of the genre, and even casual fans
of Garth, or those who came of age listening to Country Music in the
last two decades will find much to enjoy.
March 2, 2017
When I bought "The Garth Factor", I expected a Garth Brooks biography. The large word "Garth" and the large singular picture on him on the front cover are obviously meant to convey that sentiment (!). Once I actually began reading the book, however, I quickly discovered that this is as much about the country music business around Garth as it is about Mr. Brooks himself. While it still isn't a bad read, all that "industry stuff" really kind of dragged it down.
Basically, I think what this book does is take some good nuggets of "Garth info" and flesh them out into a more macro-look at the country music industry of the 1990s. Like maybe the author didn't have quite enough good stuff about Garth and thus decided to expand the focus. To me, the book was pretty much split 50/50 in this regard: half about Garth, half about his label-dealings.
The highlight of the book for me? In-depth looks at each of Garth's solo albums from "Garth Brooks" to "In The Life of Chris Gaines". I liked how the author went sometimes song-by-song in explaining how/why certain tracks were placed on each album and how Garth made those types of decisions. I looked forward to each of those album discussions!
If you are more interested in the "back room" country music dealings than I am, you will enjoy this much better than I did. I just really got bogged down in names, record labels, backroom politics, album sales, and numbers more often than not.
For those looking for a straight Garth bio, I recommend "American Thunder: The Garth Brooks Story", which focuses on Garth himself much more. Not that you can't like "The Garth Factor", but if you are in it just for Garth himself, you (like me) will likely be disappointed by pages of names/numbers you care little about.
Basically, I think what this book does is take some good nuggets of "Garth info" and flesh them out into a more macro-look at the country music industry of the 1990s. Like maybe the author didn't have quite enough good stuff about Garth and thus decided to expand the focus. To me, the book was pretty much split 50/50 in this regard: half about Garth, half about his label-dealings.
The highlight of the book for me? In-depth looks at each of Garth's solo albums from "Garth Brooks" to "In The Life of Chris Gaines". I liked how the author went sometimes song-by-song in explaining how/why certain tracks were placed on each album and how Garth made those types of decisions. I looked forward to each of those album discussions!
If you are more interested in the "back room" country music dealings than I am, you will enjoy this much better than I did. I just really got bogged down in names, record labels, backroom politics, album sales, and numbers more often than not.
For those looking for a straight Garth bio, I recommend "American Thunder: The Garth Brooks Story", which focuses on Garth himself much more. Not that you can't like "The Garth Factor", but if you are in it just for Garth himself, you (like me) will likely be disappointed by pages of names/numbers you care little about.
July 22, 2009
This book was a little disappointing ... however having said that, if one wants to read about every fact and figure about every prominent country music singer, producer, writer and company head this is the book for you. I was hoping for a little more of a biographical sketch of Garth ... which there is but you have to pick it from a sentence here or a paragraph there from all the other information to find it. The good side - WOW! He really changed the industry and is a good guy.
May 7, 2013
An interesting read if you are a Garth Books fan(yes) AND if you have an interest in the inner workings of the music business. Garth's impact on the business and what I consider his contribution to the revival of the country genre cannot be measured in just the numbers, although they are a good indicator of his success. Clearly he's been a fearless artist who pushed the boundaries. His ideas were not always embraced by the establishment but there is no doubt his fans are loyal and supportive.
September 9, 2018
Although I’ve never been that huge of a Garth fan and started listening to country music during his time in retirement, I’ve always known he was a big part of the history of Country music. This book outlines his incredible story and was a fascinating read. If you are a fan of Garth or even just country music in general this is book is well worth your time.
Favorite Quote: “Garth knew that in Stephanie’s dreams, she would return to Montana someday and own a ranch. That was how he convinced her to continue co-writing: ‘Come on Stephanie, we’ve got a ranch to write.’”
Favorite Quote: “Garth knew that in Stephanie’s dreams, she would return to Montana someday and own a ranch. That was how he convinced her to continue co-writing: ‘Come on Stephanie, we’ve got a ranch to write.’”
July 3, 2014
I just became a country music fan in more recent years, so some of the info in this book did not keep my attention as much as one would hope. This book has a lot of the step by step details of Garth Brooks career. Early in the book, some of those details felt like a laundry list of songs, of who said what, etc. However, as I stuck with the book I found it more and more interesting. I had heard that he is one of a few artist who really tries to stay true to himself, and not be pushed around by labels, producers etc. I loved the attitude of dealing with ticket scalpers--offer more shows and make them free so fewer people buy from the scalpers. I loved hearing how he had to find just the right songs, how he wrote with others and how other artists and song writers felt about him.
Like most people, I had expected to hear a bit more of the personal stories (not the dirt, just the more personal side) and did not find much of that in this book. I think the reviews are mixed because parts of the book are simply that laundry list of his career, and without the personal stories you don't feel quite as drawn in to this book as you would hope.
Like most people, I had expected to hear a bit more of the personal stories (not the dirt, just the more personal side) and did not find much of that in this book. I think the reviews are mixed because parts of the book are simply that laundry list of his career, and without the personal stories you don't feel quite as drawn in to this book as you would hope.
June 22, 2015
Yes, I have a crazy secret fascination and love for Garth Brooks. I picked up this book because it was on our sale shelf and therefore no one could prove I had checked it out on my account. I really expected so much more from a book with such a flashy cover.
While reading this, I began to sense that it was poorly written and very biased from the author's perspective. That's fine. Sometimes it felt like it read like a really really long school report on Garth Brooks. That's fine.
At the bottom of page 298 in the last paragraph, when referencing Dr. Seuss, the author spells his name wrong (i.e. "Suess). Twice.
NOT FUCKING OKAY.
The fact that you can't spell check that shit, that you incorrectly spell the name of the most beloved children's author of all time, COMPLETELY discredits this entire book for me. Totally ruined. Thanks a lot Hachette Book Group for letting this slip through.
While reading this, I began to sense that it was poorly written and very biased from the author's perspective. That's fine. Sometimes it felt like it read like a really really long school report on Garth Brooks. That's fine.
At the bottom of page 298 in the last paragraph, when referencing Dr. Seuss, the author spells his name wrong (i.e. "Suess). Twice.
NOT FUCKING OKAY.
The fact that you can't spell check that shit, that you incorrectly spell the name of the most beloved children's author of all time, COMPLETELY discredits this entire book for me. Totally ruined. Thanks a lot Hachette Book Group for letting this slip through.
September 8, 2009
Patsi Bale Cox provides a behind-the-scenes story of Garth Brooks rise to fame as well the country music boom of the 1990's. This book provides the interesting background stories behind many of Brooks songs as well as extensive insight into the Nashville music company executive changes that occurred either as a direct or indirect result of his meteoric rise. This book is much more than a celebrity biography and is a quick and interesting read.
September 28, 2010
I love Garth Brooks....so much that I slept outside of Smith's in high school to get tickets to his concert. This book was all about how he made it and just a little about his personal life. I didn't realize how much goes into recording/record lable/production/marketing/song writing, etc. Took me back to the good 'ol days of real country music from a legend. I really believe he turned alot of people on to country music, that otherwise wouldn't have turned the dial.
September 10, 2009
This was an interesting book. It was a biography on Garth Brooks, but also examined his impact on country music. It made me remember how much I used to like Garth and how HUGE he was!! He's sold OVER 100 millions CDs. Amazing. I also really respect him for retiring at the height of his career to be a dad to his 3 little girls.
May 7, 2013
Just getting started. Patsi Bale Cox is a blogging friend and an excellent author who knows country music backwards and forwards. More after I finish, but if you love country, you will probably love this book.
March 15, 2010
A fascinating look at the music biz. Partly biography, partly tutorial on the work and perseverance that it takes to make the stars shine. Patsy is a master at conversational writing. Reading her work is like having a close friend whispering secrets in your ear.
September 27, 2009
liked it, but i think there weren't so much new things if you read a few other books about garth.
October 6, 2009
Readable hagiography from a woman apparently bucking to be named Garth's Fan Club President.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews