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On April 12, 1989, Garth's first album was released, and since then, the entertainment world--and America--haven't been the same. He was an ordinary guy from Yukon, Oklahoma, who hoped to become an athlete--until he discovered his own unique ability to harness the power of music and reach into people's hearts and souls. By giving his all to his fans and combining the flash of rock 'n' roll with the music and values of country, Garth has created some of the most spectacular hits and concert events of our time, selling a monumental 89 million albums in just ten years.

For the millions of fans who have made Garth Brooks the biggest solo musical artist in history--and for everyone else who wants to know what all the excitement is about--here is the whole amazing story of Garth's wild ride to the top. New York Times bestselling author Jo Sgammato shares the fun-filled stories--many of them never-before published--from the songwriters, managers, publicists, agents, journalists, and industry insiders who witnessed the Garth Brooks phenomenon and helped to make it happen. In a book that's (almost!) as much fun as being there, go backstage and into the recording studios...travel from Texas Stadium to Central Park and to the concert halls of Europe and Australia...and learn the stories behind the songs like "The Dance," "The Thunder Rolls," and the all-time party anthem, "Friends in Low Places." Discover the real Garth Brooks--from his childhood and college years in Oklahoma to his ordinary-guy struggles with questions of success, family, and the meaning of life. From his tough early years in Nashville to his latest venture into the movies with The Lamb, celebrate the man who created a new kind of storm: American Thunder. If you own even one Garth Brooks album--you must read this book!


Author Bio:
Jo Sgammato is the New York Times bestselling author of Dream Come True: The LeAnn Rimes Story, Keepin' It Country: The George Strait Story, Country's Greatest Duo: The Brooks & Dunn Story, and For the Music: The Vince Gill Story. She divides her time between New York and Nashville.


Win the Dream Trip of a Lifetime:
20 lucky radio station winners from 11 major radio station markets go to Nashville (Music City), Tennessee for an all expense paid trip, to eat where Garth eats, sing where Garth sings, meet the songwriters face to face that write the songs that Garth sings and meet the author of American Thunder: The Garth Brooks Story. For more information, visit http://www.tappedinto.com/.

American Thunder: The Garth Brooks Story
by Jo Sgammato
A Ballantine Hardcover, 7/99
$15.00
0-345-43107-3

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