Garth Brooks Says Nyet - Today In Country Music History

January 29th, 1996

Stunned.

That's the only way to describe the reaction after Garth Brooks refused to accept the favorite artist of the year honors at the 23rd annual American Music Awards.

"I cannot agree with this," Brooks said from the podium, as the cheers in the house during the ABC telecast fell silent. "Without any disrespect for the American Music Awards and without any disrespect for the people who voted, for all the people who should be honored I'm gonna leave it right here."

And he did just that, leaving the statue on the podium and walking away.

And that was the end of the show.

While it was hardly a repeat of Sacheen Littlefeather's diatribe delivered on behalf of Marlon Brando when he turned down the best actor Oscar in 1973, it left those on hand grasping to comprehend what had happened.

Brooks would later say backstage that the award should have gone to Hootie + The Blowfish.

Brooks does take two other awards (Favorite Country Male Artist and Favorite Country Album for The Hits), while The Eagles get three (Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Group/Duo, Adult Contemporary Artist and Rock Album for Hell Freezes Over). Other winners: Reba McEntire (Favorite Country Female Artist), Alabama (Country Band/Group/Duo) and Shania Twain (Country New Artist).

2014
Miranda Lambert and Tim McGraw receive seven nominations ch eato lead the finalists for the 49th annual Academy of Country Music Awards. Keith Urban picks up six.
2009
Taylor Swift topped Forbes magazine’s list of the Top Earning Musical Performers of 2008
1999
The Dixie Chicks' Wide Open Spaces album is certified quadruple-platinum.
The album would be awarded 2 Grammy Awards at the 41st annual Grammy Awards ceremony in 1999; for Best Country Album and for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for the song "There's Your Trouble". The Chicks would win the Best Vocal Performance award again in 2000 for “Ready To Run.”
1997
The Charlie Daniels Band’s album A Decade Of Hits was certified triple platinum. The album featured singles released from 1972-1982, including “The Devil Went Down To Georgia” and “The Legend of Wooley Swamp.” The album has since been certified 4x platinum by the RIAA.
1988
Randy Travis collects his first double-platinum album, for Always And Forever. The album featured four #1 singles: "Too Gone Too Long", "I Won't Need You Anymore (Always and Forever)", "Forever and Ever, Amen" and "I Told You So".
1973
Donna Fargo receives the only gold album of her career, with The Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A. The album featured the title track and “Funny Face” with both charted at #1.
1969
"The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour" debuts on CBS. Guests for the first episode: Bobbie Gentry, "Gentle On My Mind" songwriter John Hartford, The Smothers Brothers and comedian Pat Paulsen.
#1 On This Date
SINGLES
2011 – Kenny Chesney – “Somewhere With You” (1/3)
2005 – Darryl Worley – “Awful, Beautiful Life” (2/2)
2000 – Faith Hill – “Breathe” (6/6)
1994 – Clay Walker – “Live Until I Die” (1/1)
1983 – Mickey Gilley – “Talk To Me” (1/1)
1977 – Ronnie Milsap – “Let My Love Be Your Pillow ” (1/1)
1972 – Merle Haggard – “Carolyn” (3/3)
1966 – Red Sovine – “Giddyup Go” (4/6)
1955 – Carl Smith – “Loose Talk” (4/7)
1949 – Jimmy Wakely – “One Has My Name (The Other Has My Heart)” (8/8 non)
1944 – Bing Crosby w/the Andrews Sisters – “Pistol Packin’ Mama” (4/4)

ALBUMS
2010 – Taylor Swift – Fearless
1999 – Dixie Chicks – Wide Open Spaces
1993 – Billy Ray Cyrus – Some Gave All
1988 – Randy Travis – Always & Forever
1982 – Alabama – Feels So Right
1971 – Ray Price – For The Good Times
1965 – Buck Owens – I Don’t Care
Birthdays
Irlene Mandrell is 59

Filed Under: American Music Awards, Today In Country Music History

Categories: ACM Awards, Awards, Country Music News, History

Garth Brooks Says “Nyet” – Today In Country Music History [VIDEO]