Page "Garth Brooks" Paragraph 6

Later that year, Brooks began his professional music career, singing and playing guitar in Oklahoma clubs and bars, particularly the Tumbleweed in Stillwater.

Through his elder siblings, Brooks was exposed to a wide range of music.

Although he listened to some country music, especially that of George Jones, Brooks was most fond of rock music, citing James Taylor, Dan Fogelberg, and Townes Van Zandt as major influences.

After hearing Unwound, George Strait's debut single, in 1981, Brooks decided that he was more interested in playing country music.