SHORT TAKES : Success Was Worth the Wait
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NEW YORK — Garth Brooks, one of country music’s hottest young singer-songwriters, says he’s glad his first shot at stardom four years ago flopped.
“I wouldn’t trade that experience for the world,” Brooks said of his trip to Nashville at age 24. “It was what I needed. I had thought the world was waiting for me, but there’s nothing colder than reality.”
Brooks said in the Sept. 3 issue of People that he returned to Oklahoma and got married. When he went back to Nashville in 1988, his luck was better.
His debut album sold 1 million copies and launched four No. 1 singles. Brooks was nominated this month for five Country Music Assn. awards, including male vocalist of the year, song of the year and most promising newcomer.
Brooks said he tries to write about simple values and is inspired by John Wayne.
“I’d like to carry the same messages in song that he did in his movies,” Brooks said. “He stood for honesty.”
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