Garth Brooks Talks Legacy, Music, and His Induction Into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame

As Austin City Limits (ACL) celebrates its 50th anniversary, the ACL Hall of Fame is making history with a special milestone. For the first time, the Hall of Fame honored a single inductee, country music legend Garth Brooks. On September 5, Brooks took center stage at ACL Live at The Moody Theater in downtown Austin, joining the prestigious ranks of artists who have shaped the legacy of live music in Texas. In a candid conversation, Brooks shared how Austin has embraced him despite his Oklahoma roots, the meaning behind this honor, and his special post-awards tradition with wife Trisha Yearwood, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame just last year.

You’ve often shared how Oklahoma and Nashville have shaped your life and career. I’m interested in hearing about how Texas, and Austin in particular, has influenced your music and personal journey.

Garth Brooks: That’s a great question because Oklahomans aren’t welcome in Texas. So when I came here, I thought, “Well, this is going to be a disaster.” And they treated me like a native son, and I don’t know why, ’cause I have every reason not to be. I’m from Oklahoma and it’s just crazy. But I think they know that I love George Jones, I love George Strait—two of the greatest Texas musicians ever. I think there’s a respect for country music that hopefully they see in me, and that I feel very lucky to be here. And when it comes to Austin, you’re talking about a town that sets trends on what’s cool in music, and they’ve been sweet enough to let me in. Again, I don’t know why, but once they do let you in, that responsibility rests on your shoulders to not let them down.

What I love about Austin City Limits is music’s first. That’s it. It doesn’t matter who the artist is, if I can be that bold to say, what matters are the songs. This is song heaven here, and I’m lucky to be here tonight.

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Reflecting on how you kicked off the 25th anniversary season of ACL early in your career, how does it feel now to be honored for the 50th anniversary? In what ways does it feel different?

Garth Brooks: The set is different, and we were lucky enough to be a part of that bridge as well. But… to answer your question, nothing has changed. Technology should grow, so what they’re using to film with and how it sounds is better. But it comes down to the sincerity, the honesty. It’s another reason why Austin City Limits is married with PBS—because PBS has a reputation of just giving you the truth, and I think that’s what this show is. I love Austin City Limits. Getting to be a son of Austin City Limits almost gives your music a credibility you can’t get anywhere else. So forget Garth Brooks—but if Austin City Limits likes Garth Brooks’ music, that makes Garth Brooks a very lucky artist.

With your better half, Mrs. Yearwood, being inducted last year, how do you both celebrate your accomplishments?

Garth Brooks: You’re not going to believe this, but it’s the truth. The night I get inducted into the Hall of Fame, or the night she wins Female Vocalist—she just got the Icon Award—we always find ourselves, full tux, full gown, in a Taco Bell drive-thru. Always. I think it’s just tradition. For one, you don’t expect to see a full tux and gown at a Taco Bell drive-thru. It’s so much fun, and we laugh about it, but it’s kinda become our thing. We feel very lucky to get to do what we do, but the truth is, you’re not going to find somebody more ordinary and extraordinary than Mrs. Yearwood.

I’m glad this night is here, because for the last year, she’s hung it over my head that she’s a Hall of Famer and I’m not. When you ask what I like to do—anything with that woman. Just sit at home, watch TV, or we can go do something stupid together. What I love is that we’re partners in crime and everything we do.