Garth Brooks wanted to be a professional athlete but George Strait’s music inspired him to pursue a country music career.
On Monday, March 1, Brooks joined former University of Tennessee football player Inky Johnson on Episode 1 of his Serendipity Podcast to chat on the topics of ‘grace & mercy.’ During the near 20-minute discussion, the superstar and Johnson talked meeting each other for the first time, a tearful story about how “The Dance” saved one fan’s life and more.
After explaining that his athletic abilities kept him from being a professional athlete, Brooks admitted that it was when he heard George Strait that he realized he wanted to pursue a career in music.
“Me, I was going to be a professional athlete, and the only thing, that little mynute thing that kept me from being a professional athlete was my athletic ability. That was the only thing,” Brooks said laughing.
“When I heard George Strait, I went holy cow, that’s what I want to do,” Brooks explained. “I love music, [I was] the last of six kids, so lots of music in the house. Dad played guitar, Mom actually was signed to Capital Records in the ’50s, so the dream had always kind of been in our house. So, it didn’t seem impossible at the time. So, when I heard George Strait, that’s when I realized what I wanted to do with the rest of my life and Ink I got to tell you, I’ve been lucky to do some pretty cool things. But I would be lying if I told you every morning when I woke up, I no longer want to be George Strait, that would be a lie. Everyday, there’s just something about him that’s going to be forever cool for me.”
See the full interview below.
Additionally, the award-winning singer has postponed his Charlotte, North Carolina stadium tour date. The new date for his show at Bank of America Stadium is Sept. 25, according to Brooks’ website.
