Garth Brooks, the iconic country superstar, has long been known as one of the biggest streaming holdouts in the music industry. While artists across various genres embrace platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, Brooks has steadfastly refused to allow his music on these popular streaming services. Instead, he has chosen to exclusively license his music on Amazon Music. This decision has sparked curiosity and speculation among fans and industry insiders alike. In a recent interview at the Country Radio Seminar (CRS) in Nashville, Brooks shed light on the reasons behind his exclusive partnership with Amazon Music and his concerns about the compensation and well-being of songwriters.
A Stand for Songwriters
For years, Garth Brooks resisted licensing his music on streaming platforms, citing serious compensation issues and misalignments in values. He believed that songwriters were not being adequately compensated for their work and that streaming services were not doing enough to support them. This stance changed in 2016 when Brooks signed an exclusive partnership with Amazon Music. During the CRS interview, Brooks emphasized the importance of taking care of songwriters and ensuring they receive fair compensation.
Brooks explained, “The fact is that Amazon is a retailer as well. So you can sign your streaming deal, but part of that streaming deal is to move those physical units so the songwriters get paid. And people, we can talk all day that ‘Garth went on to raise his kids, what a great’— Garth did that for himself. I stick up for the songwriters because I’m freakin’ one of them! Everything I do for the songwriters, I do for myself.”
Brooks’s exclusive partnership with Amazon Music allows him to ensure that songwriters receive proper compensation. By leveraging Amazon’s retail capabilities, he can generate physical sales in addition to streaming revenue, thereby supporting the songwriters who contribute to his music. In an era where physical sales have declined significantly, Brooks’s commitment to the well-being of songwriters is commendable.
The Importance of Physical Sales
One of the key reasons behind Brooks’s exclusive partnership with Amazon Music is the inclusion of physical sales as part of the streaming deal. In the era of digital streaming, physical sales have become increasingly rare. However, Brooks recognizes the value of physical sales in supporting songwriters. During the CRS interview, he stated, “The physical comes in, and nobody’s doing physical anymore. So these songwriters are still doing well.”
Brooks’s emphasis on physical sales stems from his belief that they contribute to the financial success of songwriters. By encouraging physical sales alongside streaming, he ensures that songwriters receive royalties from both sources. This unique approach sets Brooks apart from artists who solely rely on digital streaming revenue. It demonstrates his commitment to supporting the songwriting community and ensuring their continued success.
The Role of Songwriters in Garth Brooks’s Music
As a songwriter himself, Brooks understands the importance of songwriters in creating memorable music. He hopes that aspiring songwriters aspire to have their songs recorded by Garth Brooks, not only because it would be a cool achievement but also because they know they will be fairly compensated. During the CRS interview, Brooks expressed his desire for songwriters to recognize the benefits of having their songs recorded by him.
“I hope that songwriters want to get a Garth Brooks cut. One, because I hope that they think that it would be cool. But two, right behind it closely, I hope it’s because they know that if you’re a Garth Brooks songwriter, you’re going to get paid,” Brooks said.
By exclusively licensing his music on Amazon Music, Brooks creates an environment where songwriters can thrive. His commitment to compensating songwriters fairly and his reputation as a successful artist who values their work make him an attractive collaborator for aspiring and established songwriters alike.
Exploring the Future of AI-Generated Music
In addition to discussing his exclusive partnership with Amazon Music, Brooks also shared his thoughts on AI-generated music during the CRS interview. He described AI-generated music as both “cool” and “scary” and questioned whether it can evoke deep human emotions. Brooks pondered, “But if an AI program writes a song that kills me, and makes me cry, isn’t that what songwriting is all about?”
Brooks acknowledged the power of AI in creating music that resonates emotionally with listeners. He recognized that if AI reaches a level where it can create music that touches people’s hearts, it would be a testament to the progress of technology. However, he also encouraged human songwriters not to underestimate their own abilities, highlighting the importance of human emotion and intuition in the creative process.
“It’s man against machine. So one thing that differentiates us from machines is the heart,” Brooks mused. “Don’t forget your gut, don’t forget what moves you.”
While AI-generated music continues to evolve and challenge traditional songwriting, Brooks’s message serves as a reminder of the unique qualities that human songwriters bring to the table. Their ability to tap into emotions and create music that resonates deeply with listeners is a testament to the power of human creativity.
Conclusion
Garth Brooks’s decision to exclusively license his music on Amazon Music reflects his commitment to supporting songwriters and ensuring their fair compensation. By leveraging Amazon’s retail capabilities and including physical sales as part of the streaming deal, Brooks ensures that songwriters receive royalties from multiple sources. His emphasis on the importance of songwriters and their well-being sets him apart from other artists in the industry.
Furthermore, Brooks’s thoughts on AI-generated music highlight the ongoing evolution of technology in the music industry. While he acknowledges the potential of AI to create emotionally impactful music, he also emphasizes the importance of human emotion and intuition in the creative process. Brooks encourages songwriters to remain connected to their instincts and continue to create music that moves people.
In an industry where streaming platforms dominate, Garth Brooks’s exclusive partnership with Amazon Music demonstrates his dedication to supporting songwriters and maintaining control over the distribution of his music. As his music continues to captivate audiences, his commitment to songwriters serves as a reminder of the importance of valuing and compensating the creative minds behind the music we love.
