Garth Brooks released “Friends in Low Places” as the lead single from his sophomore album No Fences in 1990. It became a four-week No. 1 hit for Brooks. More than that, it went on to become his signature song. Today, it’s also the name of his bar and grill in downtown Nashville.

When Brooks took the stage at the CMA Awards for the first time, “Friends in Low Places” was years away from being the cultural touchstone it is today. In 1990, it was a hit single from an up-and-coming country singer from Oklahoma. However, looking at the performance below with the gift of hindsight, it seems that he was destined to be a star, and “Friends in Low Places” was on course to be his signature song.

Garth Brooks’ First Time at the CMA Awards

As Reba McEntire notes in the opening moments of the video above, Garth Brooks attended his first Country Music Association Awards as a nominee in 1990. That night, he was up for five categories. He was nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year and the Horizon Award. “The Dance” brought him the nod for Music Video of the Year. “If Tomorrow Never Comes” earned nominations for Single of the Year and Song of the Year.

Garth Brooks Opens Nashville Bar with Livestream Show with Special Guests

At the end of the night, he walked away with the Horizon Award and the trophy for Music Video of the Year.

He would go on to win a career total of 10 CMA Awards. He’d also win 23 ACM Awards and two Grammys among other awards. His ACM and CMA wins include multiple Entertainer of the Year Awards.

“Friends in Low Places”

Earl Bud Lee and Dewayne Blackwell wrote “Friends in Low Places” and needed someone to record the demo. So, they reached out to a little-known singer named Garth Brooks to do the honors. At the time, his self-titled debut album was almost ready to drop. However, he instantly fell in love with the song and wanted to record it.

“I sang the session out in Hendersonville, and for the next two weeks, the chorus of the song kept running through my head,” Brooks recalled. He added, “I knew it would be a year and a half before the release of No Fences because Garth Brooks was just getting ready to be released. I asked Bud Lee and Dewayne if I could hold onto it and, without a blink of an eye, they both said yes,”