Garth Brooks is the first inductee into the newly formed Live Hall of Fame, which was created by Oak View Group, an investment company for the sports and live entertainment industries that acquired concert trade publication Pollstar in 2017.

“It’s a total shock and quite an honor,” said Garth. “I don’t think an entertainer is anything without other people who allow him to do this,” he said before thanking his co-manager Bob Doyle and longtime promoter Ben Farrell. “They have made my career possible.”

OVG CEO and co-founder Tim Leiweke says the Live Hall of Fame was created “as a place to honor artists who have made a huge impact on the live business.”

Garth, the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, recently wrapped a three-year tour that sold more than 6.3 million tickets, making it the most successful North American tour by a solo artist.