On This Day In 1990: Garth Brooks Joins The Grand Ole Opry

When I think of country music I think of Garth Brooks; he has been one of the genre's biggest stars for decades. Aside from being one of the nicest human beings on the planet, his music continues to connect with people of all ages all over the world.

33 years ago today, Brooks joined the Grand Ole Opry -- on October 6, 1990, in Nashville, Tennessee. On the night of his induction, Brooks performed three legendary hits "Friends In Low Places," If Tomorrow Never Comes," and "The Dance."

The Grand Ole Opry has become a second home for Brooks along with his wife Trisha Yearwood. He has called it the "end all be all" for country artists. From sitting in the audience watching their idols to selling out back-to-back nights for fans, it only has become more special for the legendary couple throughout the years.

"It's also a huge responsibility. It hits you like a hammer on the head. These people built something and now you're getting a chance to carry that baton - that's a lot of weight," Brooks told TODAY.

If you've ever seen him perform on a stage, let alone in the Opry circle, then you know how important being a part of the country music family is to him. At 61 years old, Brooks continues to work on exciting projects, create new music, and play shows across the country.

Fast forward to today and Brooks is now a seven-time CMA Award winner of Entertainer of the Year, a two-time GRAMMY Award winner, and has even received one of the most prestigious honors an artist can receive, The Kennedy Center Honor.

Over the years, Brooks has had the honor of inviting, inducting, and even celebrating fellow country artists such as Chris Janson, Ashley McBryde, Booby Bare, Keith Whitley, Mitch Rossell, and many more.

Garth Brooks has had many epic moments in his life and career. Today (2/7), as he celebrates his 61st birthday, we're looking back at just a few of them. 2023 will include many more moments in his career as he embarks on a Las Vegas Residency at Caesars Palace. We take a look at just five of those moments through his incredible life and career.

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Garth has always been a major baseball fan. Throughout the early 2000s in his career, as he enjoyed the spoils of success, he played triple-A baseball as a "bucket list" item. He even joined MLB's Kansas City Royals for Spring Training in 2004.

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After years of retirement to raise his daughters and be with his family, Garth was back in a big way after he won the CMA's most coveted award in 2016, having last won the honor in 1998. He would also go on to win ETOTY from the CMA in 2017 and 2019.

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A huge honor for any entertainer, Brooks received a Kennedy Center Honor at a ceremony in 2021. He won recognition along with entertainment icons Dick Van Dyke, Debbie Allen, and Joan Baez.

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The ultimate honor for any country music singer, Garth was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame at a ceremony in October 2012. He was joined in his inducted by fellow inductees by longtime Nashville studio musician Hargus "Pig" Robbins and Grand Ole Opry legend Connie Smith.

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Probably what Brooks himself would say his most epic moment was marrying fellow country star Trisha Yearwood; the couple recently celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary. They were married at their home in Owasso, Oklahoma.