GARTH BROOKS and Alan Jackson both burst onto the country music scene in 1989, but the leading lights of country have bad blood between them, say sources.
“Alan is the classic, old-style country music performer who believes it’s his job to stand at the microphone and sing, tell a story,” a source told The ENQUIRER. “But Garth invented that high-octane kind of performing they call Arena Rock Country, and Alan can’t stand it.
“He’s always thought Garth was a show-off who actually hurt country music over the years.”
Brooks became country music’s kingpin by selling more than 150 million albums. But Jackson has sold nearly 60 million and has scored 35 No. 1 hits compared to Garth’s 20. And the ultra-competitive Brooks, 52, has long seen 55-year-old Jackson as his main competition.