Jan 7, 2001

Garth Brooks wins the People's Choice award for Favorite Male Musical Performer at the Pasadena Civic Center in California. Faith Hill claims Favorite Female

Jan 22, 2001

"After The Split": Garth and Sandy Brooks' divorce is one of several celebrity breakups chronicled on the cover of People magazine

Jan 24, 2001

Garth Brooks' two-disc concert album "Double Live" is certified by the RIAA for shipments of 14 million copies

Mar 2, 2001

Garth Brooks hails Cal Smith's "Country Bumpkin" as his favorite country song during a performance for the Country Radio Seminar at Nashville's Convention Center

Mar 7, 2001

The Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts cite 365 titles as Songs of the Century, including more than 50 country recordings. Among them: Garth Brooks' "Friends In Low Places"

Mar 22, 2001

Johnny Russell is honored in a Grand Ole Opry House benefit to raise money for his health problems. Performing: Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, The Oak Ridge Boys, Ricky Skaggs, Ralph Emery, Tommy Cash and George "Goober" Lindsey, among others

Apr 23, 2001

USA Today reports that Garth Brooks offered in September to give part of his liver to ailing friend Chris LeDoux. Doctors said their organs were incompatible. Brooks had asked LeDoux not to reveal the offer publicly

May 14, 2001

Major Bob Music, a music publisher which represents numerous titles written by Garth Brooks, among others, sues MP3.com in New York for copyright infringement. The suit seeks $150,000 apiece for some 219 titles--nearly $33 million

Jul 4, 2001

Garth Brooks performs "We Shall Be Free" on an ABC special marking the 225th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. A version of "America, The Beautiful" featuring 30 country and Christian artists is cut 10 minutes before air time

Jul 6, 2001

Johnny Russell is buried in Nashville. Pallbearers include Garth Brooks, Little Jimmy Dickens, Jim Ed Brown, Brad Paisley, Jack Greene, Billy Walker, Porter Wagoner and Bill Anderson. Vince Gill sings "Go Rest High On That Mountain" at the funeral