Garth Brooks

When thinking about pop and country music during the 1990s, it’s almost impossible not to include a string of songs by Garth Brooks among the top hits. His concerts have been some of the hottest tickets in the country for decades with fans marveling at his energetic stage presence and stunts. He is the only recording artist in history to have nine diamond-certified records, surpassing The Beatles and Elvis. He has won two Grammy Awards, 17 American Music Awards, 22 Academy of Country Music Awards and was ranked by Billboard as the greatest male solo artist of all time on the Billboard 200.

But on his way to this mind-blowing success, Garth’s career started right here in Stillwater! Garth attended Oklahoma State University on a track scholarship and competed in javelin while earning his degree in marketing. In the late 1980s, you could visit Willie's Saloon on The Strip multiple times a week and gather around $0.25 pitchers of beer with friends while enjoying a live performance by the legend. It was here that he was discovered and his career began to skyrocket.

Garth has continued to be involved with Oklahoma State University over the years. He earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing in 1984, but returned to OSU for his MBA, participating in the graduation ceremony in 2011. In April 2023, Garth performed a student-only concert at the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts where he led an O-S-U chant and sang the signature “Friends in Low Places” along with the audience which has become a Stillwater tradition at football games and other gatherings.

Visit Willie’s Saloon and explore all that Stillwater has to offer to see why Garth keeps coming home to America’s Friendliest College Town!

Explore Stillwater's Rich History!