CRS In Action: Garth Brooks 'Inside Studio G'

CRS 2017

CRS 2017 featured a special keynote address this MORNING (2/23) with PEARL RECORDS artist GARTH BROOKS. Joined by PEARL RECORDS Dir./Regional Promotion GLENN NOBLIT, BROOKS took CRS attendees "INSIDE STUDIO G," with a Q&A based on his highly popular FACEBOOK LIVE series of the same name. With much to celebrate from the past, present and future, BROOKS -- the only seven RIAA DIAMOND AWARD winner in the history of any music format -- shared the stage in a baseball cap and casual attire.

BROOKS was open and candid with attendees, sharing his thoughts on the state of the music industry as a whole, his reasons behind not electing to stream or offer music via digital download with APPLE and iTUNES, and a glimpse at life since coming out of retirement in 2014. With over 45 million viewers tuning in to BROOKS' weekly "INSIDE STUDIO G: A MONDAY NIGHT CONVERSATION" in 2016 alone, it is safe to say this is yet another space where BROOKS is leading the charge and charting new territory for the Country format.

When asked to address the issues of streaming and digital downloads, BROOKS told CRS attendees that if he were investing his personal money, his bet will always be on terrestrial radio. BROOKS recently entered a partnership with AMAZON MUSIC, which is now streaming all of BROOKS' back catalog and current album, as well as offering digital and physical purchases. But, why AMAZON MUSIC? "If something's not good for the songwriters, it's not good for the industry," BROOKS told the audience, citing the statistic that since the rise of the iPOD and digital music platforms, NASHVILLE has lost 80% of its songwriters.

BROOKS also assured everyone that "my retiring days are behind me," saying that his GARTH BROOKS WORLD TOUR WITH TRISHA YEARWOOD -- which will celebrate 5 million tickets sold in only 60 cities with this WEEKEND's stint in EDMUNTON, ALBERTA, CANADA -- is some of the most fun he has had in his career. "Concerts are like sex," BROOKS shared with honesty, "you're working just hoping for an invitation back." BROOKS touted his first concert experience at a QUEEN show and his desire to just get three seconds of eye-contact from FREDDIE MERCURY. He said he strives to offer every fan that connection.

And is he writing music and planning for another album? BROOKS says yes. The time away from his career allowed BROOKS to raise his daughters, marry YEARWOOD, and settle down for a "normal" life on his farm in OKLAHOMA. "The greatest gift is to be a regular person," said BROOKS, and he thanked the radio programmers and personalities in attendance for giving him the chance to make music, to take time away, and to return.

In true "INSIDE STUDIO G" fashion, BROOKS also fielded some #AskGARTH questions from the audience, including college students who came in for the panel. BROOKS advised them all to live a regular life, draw from their experiences, and "write, write, write, write." BROOKS wrapped the Q&A by sincerely addressing attendees, saying, "I'm gonna ask you, treat GARTH BROOKS like it's 1992. Play the hell out of it; see what happens."

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