Garth Brooks is courting some political controversy after introducing himself to Joe Biden.
The Inaugural Presidential Committee announced on Monday that the country singer would be part of the inauguration ceremony for the 46th president of the United States alongside Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez.
The singer appeared after Biden’s inauguration ceremony to present “Amazing Grace” to those present.
Despite agreeing to sing, Brooks made it clear to his fans that doing so was not a political statement at all. In fact, the notoriously kind country artist does his best to avoid talking about politics.
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However, with a career dating back to the mid-1980s, the celebrity has been unable to avoid entering political waters at least a few times. In light of the debate over his decision to sing at the 2021 opening, it is worth taking a look at the other times that Brooks immersed himself in politics.
Grandma on the hill
Garth Brooks received the 2010 Grammys on the Hill Award.
(Kevin Mazur / BBMA2020 / Getty Images for dcp)
In 2010, Brooks received the Grammy on the Hill award, dedicated to highlighting artists and politicians who have championed the cause of musicians throughout their careers.
Although the award itself is political, Brooks was honored thanks to his philanthropic work within the music community.
“As one of the most popular and philanthropic artists, Garth Brooks is an inspiration to musicians and fans,” said Recording Academy President and CEO Neil Portnow at the time.
Donald Trump inauguration
Garth Brooks said he was unable to perform in the possession of Donald Trump, despite having been invited.
(AP Photo / Alex Brandon, Archive)
Although he performed at Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremony in 2008, he declined the opportunity to perform again in Donald Trump’s inauguration in 2017.
At the time, Brooks explained that he is all about “People Loving People” and is “praying” for Trump, but due to a scheduling conflict, he ended up having to decline the presentation.
The country star explained in a Facebook Live video that, after being approached by billionaire Steve Wynn about the opening show, Brooks decided to “leave it up to karma”. Ticket sales determined that Brooks needed to add several dates to his world tour that conflicted with the opening.
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“I’m going to tell you about this whole presidential thing: we have one going out. Pray for him and his family. And for the president coming in, pray for him and his family to guide this nation, ”said Brooks at the time. “Let’s be together. Love, togetherness – that’s what this is about.”
He continued: “We cannot thank the Obama enough for serving this country,” he said. “And may God hold Trump’s hand in the decisions he makes on behalf of this country too.”
Relationship with Jimmy Carter
Garth Brooks and Jimmy Carter are friends through their involvement with Habitat for Humanity.
(AP Photo / John Amis, Archive)
Although the country star does his best to stay out of politics, he is more than willing to show his support for former President Jimmy Carter. For years, Brooks and his wife, Trisha Yearwood, have worked closely with Habitat for Humanity, often helping the 39th president of the United States to build homes for the least privileged in America.
In 2019, Brooks highlighted Carter’s resilience after suffering a fall that required a brief hospitalization just to return and continue building homes.
You don’t expect anything different from the man, “Brooks told Yahoo Entertainment at the time.” He’s just one of those guys, and Rosalynn is the same way. They are just those people that you just have to be around to really believe that. “
He added: “What the Carter people represent is what we should all aim for as human beings. Please forget ‘Republican’ or ‘Democrat’. What they stand for is like human beings. If we are going to get anywhere as a human race, this is the path we want to take. So anything that keeps any kind of light on that path and in the dreams of these two people, so count us on.
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“You have to understand that when you get to heaven, nobody cares about ‘Republican’ or ‘Democrat’ in heaven. ‘Welcome to heaven. That’s it, ‘”concluded Brooks. “You don’t care who is on the other side of the painting who is helping you carry it. You don’t care about your skin color, your sexual preference, your religious preference. It doesn’t matter. You are all here building a house for someone who needs it. Usually for a young woman and her babies, or a family who needs it. So this is way, way, way beyond any political agenda. “
Praise from former presidents
Garth Brooks was the inaugural recipient of the Points of Light to Care and Compasson Award.
(AP Photo / Susan Walsh, Pool)
In 2019, Brooks was the recipient of the inaugural Points of Light Award for Care and Compassion. The tribute is designed to honor former President George HW Bush for a recipient to recognize and “honor outstanding individuals who advance solutions to the world’s toughest challenges and exemplify the extraordinary characteristics of their late founder and 41st President of the United States” , according to its website.
Upon receiving the award, the country singer praised the late POTUS.
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“The fact that this award is a reflection of 41, your beloved Barbara, and the work they believed in is a great tribute,” he said at the time. “An award is as good as the one that receives it – my hope and goal is to make the Bush family and presidents of honor proud that Garth Brooks is the first name in this award for care and compassion.”
Although the award was a recognition of traits exemplified by HW Bush, former presidents George W. Bush, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama serve as honorary chairmen of the committee.
Bernie Sanders confusion
Garth Brooks was mistaken for a Bernie Sanders supporter.
(AP Photo / Patrick Semansky)
Many were quick to report Brooks in 2020, when he was spotted wearing a “Sanders” shirt during an appearance in Detroit. The number on the back was 20, leading many to think he was supporting Senator Bernie Sanders in his 2020 presidential bid.
However, the criticisms were unfounded, as the shirt ended up having absolutely nothing to do with politics. Brooks wore the jersey of former Detroit Lions runner Barry Sanders – a football legend in the city and in the NFL Hall of Fame.
Brooks laughed at the viral moment, but noted that it led to a playful discussion about a run for vice president.
“The whole Sanders thing was nothing but ignorance and foolishness. You’re in Detroit wearing a Barry Sanders shirt, ”he told the Star Tribune. “The only thing that made it fun for me here was a tweet from Barry Sanders saying, ‘I’m running for office; [Brooks] be my vice president? ‘And it put everything in its place. It was very funny.”
Political division
Garth Brooks spoke about the political divide seen in America in 2020.
(Roy Rochlin / WireImage)
In 2020, in the same interview with the Star Tribune, the country singer can’t help but talk about politics when discussing the division he sees in America.
“We are probably divided 50/50 like everyone else. But because it’s country music and they think it’s 90/10, it’s not. It’s just voices,” he said. “That’s why everyone pressed so hard for the vote. The only way to break stereotypes is to let your voice be heard within the stereotype. I was raised where I speak for myself. That’s all I can do. My message is forever tolerance. And don’t vote for the party, vote for the person. “
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Brooks continued, “Is it in our nature to share? Are you Democrat or Republican? Are you black or white? Are you Ford or Chevy? I think it is in our nature to build a wall between us. We create groups. We should focus on inclusion. We immediately build up. barriers to disliking people, rather than finding reasons to bring them into a family. “
Biden tenure
Garth Brooks sings Amazing Grace during the 59th presidential inauguration at the US Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, January 20, 2021.
(AP Photo / Patrick Semansky, Pool)
Shortly after 12 pm on January 20, 2021, the country star, dressed in a black blazer and jeans, took off his basic cowboy hat as he approached the stage in Washington DC in front of a small crowd. The 58-year-old artist then presented a capella version of “Amazing Grace”.
Before that, the star couldn’t help but recognize the political nature of the event that he agreed to sing. In a zoom call announcing that he would be performing, Brooks told reporters that he found the recent violence on the United States Capitol on January 6 “disturbing and sad.”
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“I played for all the presidents that exist since Carter, with the exception of Reagan. It’s an honor for me to be able to serve … and it’s one of the things that, if my family is around, no matter who the president-elect is, it’s an honor to be invited, “he told reporters, according to Entertainment Tonight.