A Clash Between Styles: The Feud Between Waylon Jennings and Garth Brooks

What was considered popular music drastically changed when Nashville entered the ’80s and ’90s. Folks such as George Strait, The Judds, and Toby Keith took over the scene with their introduction to pop country; leaving acts like Kris Kristofferson, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Glen Campbell as somewhat artifacts of the past (albeit legendary). That being so, this transition stirred a lot of uproar between generations and led to some animosity between artists—most notably between Waylon Jennings and Garth Brooks.

Jennings and Brooks are polar opposites when it comes to their musical approach. Jennings, a rock ‘n’ roller and one of the founders of Outlaw Country, is a hard-nosed tough son of a gun. Brooks is a bit more of an innocent individual whose music seemingly hinges on its catchiness. Both of them have a vital place in the world of country music. However, neither of them had a place for the other in each of their lives.

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In an interview with The Inquirer in 1994, Jennings stated, “I think he’s the luckiest s.o.b in the world. He’s gotten more out of nothing than anybody I can think of.” Jennings’ point derives from his belief that Brooks’ music was not country music and that it lacked substance altogether.

Furthermore, in the book Dreaming Out Loud: Garth Brooks, Wynonna Judd, Wade Hayes, and the Changing Face Of Nashville, there is a quote by Jennings saying, “He’s the most insincere person I’ve ever seen…He thinks it’s going to last forever. He’s wrong.” Undoubtedly, it can be surmised why Jennings has such disgust for Brooks—to Jennings, he changed country music for the worse.