RIAA & National Archives Foundation Present: An Evening with Garth Brooks, Celebrating 250 Years of American Music

RIAA Honors' Artist of a Lifetime Tallies the Most Albums in Gold & Platinum History at 200M, And Stands as the Only Artist to Ever Earn 10 Diamond Album Certifications

Garth Brooks dials up the hits for packed crowd Pictured (L-R): RIAA Chief Policy Officer Morna Willens, Garth Brooks, RIAA President & COO Michele Ballantyne, RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier Garth Brooks in the National Archives Rotunda in front of the Founding Documents Pictured (L-R): National Archives Foundation CEO Patrick Madden shows Garth Brooks the original Declaration of Independence in the National Archives Rotunda Garth Brooks runs through a medley of his own classics and songs that inspired his music history RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier prepares to introduce the monumental Spirit of Independence Festival's An Evening with Garth Brooks The National Archives building decorated for the Spirit of Independence festival for America's 250^th Anniversary

WASHINGTON, DC - The Recording Industry Association of America^® (RIAA) partnered with the National Archives Foundation to present An Evening with Garth Brooks, celebrating 250 years of American music and supporting the Foundation's work to foster a greater understanding of our nation's heritage. Hosted in front of the National Archives, the event kicked off the three-day Spirit of Independence Festival activities in Washington, DC.

Retired military musicians The Washington Tattoo opened the marquee event with high-energy cover songs reflecting the long-standing role of music in shaping our national identity and uniting our voices.

National Archives Foundation CEO Patrick Madden and RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier then welcomed attendees to the monumental night, highlighting the power of American music to shape our culture and common history and setting the stage for the legend whose success has spanned decades and has set the bar for Country music for generations to come.

RIAA President & COO Michele Ballantyne and Chief Policy Officer Morna Willens joined to surprise Garth with a massive plaque commemorating another record-setting milestone - tallying the most albums in Gold & Platinum history at 200 million. Recently named RIAA Honors' Artist of a Lifetime, Garth is the only artist ever to earn 10 RIAA Diamond album certifications for massive sales in the US across iconic albums including Double Live, The Hits, No Fences and Ropin' The Wind. Over the thunderous crowd applause, Garth expressed his gratitude for fans, Country radio and the people who have supported him hitting these career pinnacles.

Tracing his view of country music history - from the classics he grew up on to his own hits - it's easy to see why Garth continues to break records, including the most albums sold by any artist. With just a guitar and undeniable charisma, he held fans and industry insiders alike in the palm of his hand, showcasing something only Garth could deliver. "They were so sweet," he said coming off stage, "Industry crowds are supposed to be boring, but I would play for that crowd every night…they were AWESOME!" Garth played for RIAA's celebration in partnership with the National Archives Foundation, tasked with covering the last 70 years of popular music as the nation recognizes its 250^th anniversary. He touched on everything from Elvis, Merle Haggard and George Jones, to Bill Withers and Otis Redding, plus citing musical influences such as James Taylor, Bob Seger and "King" George Strait. But it was Garth's own songs the crowd took and made their own. By the end of the night, the gathering turned into a full blown honky-tonk revival between the best-selling artist of all time and his friends, evidently, in all places.