Garth Brooks in the National Archives Rotunda
Garth Brooks revs up the crowd while performing
WASHINGTON, DC—The Recording Industry Association of America® (RIAA) partnered with the National Archives Foundation to present An Evening with Garth Brooks, celebrating 250 years of American music and supporting the Foundation’s work to foster a greater understanding of our nation’s heritage. Hosted in front of the National Archives, the event kicked off the three-day Spirit of Independence Festival activities in Washington, DC.
Retired military musicians The Washington Tattoo opened the marquee event with high-energy cover songs reflecting the long-standing role of music in shaping our national identity and uniting our voices.
National Archives Foundation CEO Patrick Madden and RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier then welcomed attendees to the monumental night, highlighting the power of American music to shape our culture and common history and setting the stage for the legend whose success has spanned decades and has set the bar for Country music for generations to come.
RIAA President & COO Michele Ballantyne and Chief Policy Officer Morna Willens joined to surprise Garth with a massive plaque commemorating another record-setting milestone – tallying the most albums in Gold & Platinum history at 200 million. Recently named RIAA Honors’ Artist of a Lifetime, Garth is the only artist ever to earn 10 RIAA Diamond album certifications for massive sales in the US across iconic albums including Double Live, The Hits, No Fences and Ropin’ The Wind. Over the thunderous crowd applause, Garth expressed his gratitude for fans, Country radio and the people who have supported him hitting these career pinnacles.
Running through his view of Country music history, starting with the classics he grew up on and his own hits, it’s easy to see why Garth continues to break records like having the most albums sold. Holding fans and an industry crowd in the palm of his hand with just a guitar, charisma and showcasing what only Garth could do. “They were so sweet,” he said coming off stage, “Industry crowds are supposed to be boring, not into the fan experience, but I would play for that crowd every night…they were AWESOME!”
Brooks played for RIAA’s celebration in partnership with the National Archives Foundation, tasked with covering the last 70 years of popular music as the nation recognizes its 250th anniversary. He touched on everything from Elvis, Merle Haggard and George Jones, to Bill Withers and Otis Redding, plus citing musical influences such as James Taylor, Bob Seger and “King” George Strait. But it was Garth’s own songs the crowd took and made their own. By the end of the night, the gathering turned into a full blown honky-tonk revival between the best-selling artist of all time and his friends, evidently, in all places.
The National Archives building decorated for the Spirit of Independence Festival for America’s 250th Anniversary
Pictured (L-R): National Archives Foundation CEO Patrick Madden shows Garth Brooks the original Declaration of Independence in the Rotunda
Garth Brooks shares a special moment with Trisha Yearwood, signing a replica of the Declaration of Independence at the National Archives
Garth Brooks runs through a medley of his own hits and songs that inspired his music history
RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier prepares to introduce the monumental Spirit of Independence Festival’s An Evening with Garth Brooks
Pictured (L-R): RIAA Chief Policy Officer Morna Willens, Garth Brooks, RIAA President & COO Michele Ballantyne, RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier
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ABOUT GARTH BROOKS
Garth Brooks is synonymous with groundbreaking, history making, and barrier shattering. Throughout his career, he has constantly challenged preconceptions and limitations while bringing his music to a worldwide audience.
He is the #1-selling album artist in U.S. history, certified by the RIAA with 200 million album sales. Brooks is the first and only artist to receive ten RIAA Diamond Awards for ten albums certified at over 10 million. According to the RIAA, Double Live is the biggest selling live album and the top-selling country album in the U.S. Double Live, No Fences, Ropin’ the Wind, and Triple Live are four of the top five best-selling country albums of all time. Brooks has 20 Billboard #1 singles to his credit and was the first artist to garner top-5 singles at country radio in five consecutive decades—the ‘80s, ‘90s, ‘00s, ‘10s and ‘20s.
On the concert stage, everywhere from dive bars and county fairs to arenas, stadiums, and Vegas theaters, Brooks has shattered attendance records since his first tour. On August 7, 1997, Brooks drew the largest crowd ever to attend a concert in New York’s Central Park.
Brooks has been awarded virtually every accolade an entertainer can receive, including the Kennedy Center Honors and the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. He is the only seven-time recipient of the CMA Entertainer of the Year award. He was named ACM Artist of the Decade for the 1990s and Pollstar’s Country Touring Artist of the Decade in 2021. He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Musicians Hall of Fame, the Pollstar LIVE Hall of Fame, and the Grand Ole Opry. He has received 2 GRAMMY® Awards, 17 American Music Awards, and 12 People’s Choice Awards.
ABOUT NATIONAL ARCHIVES FOUNDATION
The National Archives Foundation is an independent nonprofit foundation that increases public awareness of the National Archives, inspires a deeper appreciation of our country’s heritage, and encourages citizen engagement in our democracy. The Foundation generates financial and creative support for National Archives exhibitions, public programs, and educational initiatives, introducing America’s records to people around the U.S. and the world. Learn more at www.nationalarcstg.wpenginepowered.com.
ABOUT RIAA
The Recording Industry Association of America® advocates for recorded music and the people and companies that create it in the United States. RIAA’s several hundred members – ranging from major American music groups with global reach to artist-owned labels and small businesses – make up the world’s most vibrant and innovative music community, working to help artists reach their potential and connect with fans while supporting hundreds of thousands of American jobs.
