For country music legend Garth Brooks, the years he spent raising his children in Oklahoma were what he calls “life at its best.” However, his newly released book, The Anthology Part IV: Going Home, reveals that this period was far from easy.
A Shocking Retirement at the Height of Fame
Brooks opened up about the challenges he faced as he uprooted his life, stepped away from the spotlight, and learned how to be a father after retiring at the height of his career.
Brooks and his first wife, Sandy Mahl, were married from 1986 until their divorce in 2001. Together, they share three daughters: Taylor, August, and Allie. On October 26, 2000, Brooks announced his retirement from music, deciding to return to Oklahoma to focus on raising his children. The decision stunned fans and colleagues alike, as Brooks was at the pinnacle of his career at the time.
Storme Warren, a broadcaster for Brooks’ SEVENS Network, recalled the emotional moment when the star announced his retirement, saying, “He just announced his retirement after ten years on top, ten years of being the biggest superstar on the planet.”
Dave Gant, a member of Brooks’ band, admitted his disbelief at the time, questioning how someone could walk away from such a career. Despite doubts from those around him, Brooks felt compelled to make the drastic change.
Reflecting on this period in his book, Brooks admitted, “I announced my retirement and went to Oklahoma. That’s where you’re going to learn to be a dad, watch your marriage end, and get as lost as you’ve ever been. It was one of those things I had to go through to figure it out.”
He described his desire to be the best father he could be, acknowledging that his previous life on the road often left him absent. “I couldn’t blame not being a real dad on my work anymore,” he wrote. “These kids needed their own lives. They didn’t ask to come into this world; I asked for them to come into this world.”
During this transitional phase, Brooks and Mahl made one last effort to save their marriage, even moving in with her parents. However, despite their efforts, the couple ultimately couldn’t make it work.
Learning Life’s Lessons in a Bunkhouse
To ensure their daughters never felt a void, Brooks and Mahl agreed to share custody, exchanging the children every day at 6 p.m. for 14 years. Brooks lived in a modest 700-square-foot bunkhouse during this time, learning the intricacies of parenting on a daily basis.
“A man will blame having to make a living for the times he wasn’t there for his family,” Brooks wrote. “But there’s no justifying not being there to read your kids to sleep. That’s the best part of parenting.”
In 2005, Brooks married singer Trisha Yearwood, a union he described as transformative for both him and his daughters. Songwriter Bryan Kennedy, who worked with Brooks, noted that Yearwood’s presence brought stability and positivity to Brooks’ life, calling her “the greatest thing he ever did.”
Despite the personal growth and family joy, Brooks faced controversy in recent years. In October, court documents revealed that Brooks had been accused of sexual assault by “Jane Roe,” a makeup artist who began working for him in 2017. Brooks has vehemently denied the allegations, filing an amended complaint accusing the woman of extortion, defamation, and other claims.
As Brooks reflects on his journey, he remains grounded in his role as a father and husband, stating that stepping away from music was worth every sacrifice. “As much as I love doing music, being a parent is a thousand times better. I could live without music for the rest of my life. I can’t live without my children for one second,” he wrote.
His story is one of resilience, transformation, and the unwavering commitment to family, even in the face of challenges both personal and professional.
