Garth is the man.  He has the best product coming out of
Nashville today.  His music is as good as anyone else's, but the
feeling, message(s), storyline, and creativity he puts into his
songs cannot be matched.  Granted, that a few other artists have
a song every now and then that competes, but none do it
consistently.  The majority of Garth's songs are not about
getting crunk, or losing your girlfriend, like most country
(especially, the so called classics).  I used to detest country,
but I grew to like it when I gave it a chance.  But I never have
liked liking what everyone else likes, and since Garth was (and
still is) the biggest name in country music at the time, i
avoided him.  Once I finally dug deeper than the cliched songs
"The Dance', and "The Thunder Rolls", and "Friends and Low
Places", (although they all are very good again after not hearing
them for  a while) I found that Garth is a very sensitive man,
who has no shame in communicating that in his music.   He is also
intelligent, which allows him to put his marketing degree to good
use.  And it is not a sin to have one,or use it.  I admit that
tribute albums are usually done once the artist leaves center
stage(if Garth ever does), if anyone today deserves one IN THE
FUTURE,it is Garth.  Just like all the artists today give credit
to Merle, George, and Hank (Haggard, Jones, and Williams or
WIlliams Jr. for all you slow Texans) 15-20 years from now,
artists will be saying "Thanks Garth." (Along with others, I'm
sure.)  I concede that it is too early for a tribut album
(althoug it would be cool to try to hear other people keep up
wiht Garth), he probably said, knowing that someone like you
would get a kick out of it.

                                        Jason Nichols
                                        Oklahoman and Proud