Story by Teresa Morris. Planet Garth Columnist
September 27, 1999

It's happened. Slowly at first. Then, with a new song called "Lost In You" played to me from a friends phone in New York it picked up momentum. Then, with each interesting article I read my curiosity was peaking to new levels. Then, I saw HIM. The new man of my dreams. Christian Gaines aka Chris Gaines aka Garth...um somebody.

Another song soon reached the airwaves. A sweet sentimental piece called "It Don't Matter To The Sun." I sat in awe, Garth really WAS Chris Gaines. Or was Chris Gaines really Garth? More importantly...does it even matter?

Radio stations all over the country were pitching their little political temper tantrums. They wouldn't play any of THIS music because Garth was leaving Country Music. Other stations had the guts and the common sense to realize that music is music...forget the title it happens to fall under. If the listeners want to hear it...for goodness sakes...PLAY IT!

Then, there were rumblings of a television taping in California. Fellow Gnutts were attending in force to show their support of Garth, um, Chris. Details would be forthcoming. As those details reached me, I listened with renewed interest as this man named Chris Gaines took over the voice of Garth Brooks and sang his cute lil tushie off. [weg] Yes, I heard about those moves with the microphone stand.

In so many words...I double dawg DARE anyone in my house to disturb me when that special airs on NBC this week! On that night, I will be totally immersing myself in the music and the voice that comes from Chris Gaines, um, Garth Brooks.

Who woulda thunked it? Me? Losing interest in Garth um...what's his name? For a younger man too. One with lots of black hair! Shoot...one WITH hair! A man without them butt-lovin thigh-huggin Wranglers and multi-colored MoBettas. A man without a hat. A man without boots. For a man in leather, with longggggggg black straggly hair in his eyes! A man without shoes for goodness sakes! A man who poses on album covers in a very seductive manner. A man who has to be restrained in a straight jacket! A man who wears black and white tights! Oh myyyyyyyyyyy goodness...those tights.

Yep, maybe its the music, maybe its the tights...maybe its the way they cause sheer delight. Hum....I just may have the beginning to a song there....hehehe.

But, yes, its happened. I done went and lost it for a Mr. Chris Gaines. It was rumored months ago that I was turning my attentions to a younger man. I am sure none of you believed it. Heck, even I laughed when I saw it in print. Me? The Garth um, geez...what is that man's last name...anyhow me, the fan of the Man?

I was at first a lil baffled by what I'd heard about him. He was not only NOT a Southerner but he was from overseas, an Aussie even! He was not a country entertainer. He seemed so reclusive. He was so different in his life style...almost mythical and so mysterious and, he sung pop/rock!

Me? Listen to something besides Country Music? I mean, good golly Miss Molly that in itself is a stretch! Yet, I was drawn into the web of this Chris Gaines person. Who was he? Why was he pulling me into his spell?

Then, I saw the first released photos of him. Heaven help me! I had my answer. Shoulda known! I wasn't losing my mind. No, there was not hat. No, there were no butt-lovin thigh-huggin Wranglers. There was no brightly colored MoBetta. No, there were no boots. Those baby blues that I tend to get totally lost in were hard to find.

But...there it was. THERE WAS STUBBLE! Ahhhhh, oh whatta relief it is. Stubble. Stubble. Stubble. Stubble. Somehow though "Woohoo" did not seem appropriate for a man who was a rocker. Whatta them rock people say when they like the way someone looks anyhow? Geez...HOW old am I now? How quickly we forget the phrases of our youth.

Course, soon as I saw the picture of Garth in the black and white tighties....a phrase definitely came to mind. But, since this a "family" website, I cannot print it here. But, for those who know me best, I will say...it involves me using THE word.

But just like my past addiction to ole Garth um...whatshisname...it was more than just the way he looked in a pair of tight britches, leather OR denim. It was more than the way he wore his hair, or the lack thereof. It was more than them pouty lips that cannot be denied on whoever's face they are! It was more than that way of reaching up to one's heart. It was more than the lil swivels or sways. It was not just the stubble.

Whoa Nellie...whatta revelation. It was NOT just the stubble. Okay...maybe it WAS. I can't lie. It was largely the fault of the stubble! With Garth, you can blame it all on his roots. With me, you can blame it mostly on da stubble or the fault of the wearer of the stubble. Case rested. I plead guilty. I take my punishment...seventy-seven lashes with a pair of Chris' sweat drenched tights!

It was more though. It was the music that drew me in. It started with just one song. With ole G...um...what was that last initial? Anyhow...with that other guy...it all started with a song. And, with Christian...oh my!

It only took one listen to "Lost In You" and I knew with all certainty. I was a goner. Whoosh. There went my heart. Nevermore did it belong partly to G...um...that other man with the Wranglers. But, now, it belonged to Chris Gaines.

It was the music that took me back to the days of my youth. Back when I was careless and reckless. (Um, not that I aint STILL careless and reckless but yall know what I mean!) That was the sound of "Lost In You." It felt so familiar. Like an old friend. Then, it was time to read those lyrics. The words flowed effortlessly off the page and I knew for sure...my heart now belonged to Mr. Chris Gaines. I was, so to speak, "Lost In You."

It was that bluesy feel. That easy flowing...not head banging rock...not solid core country...it was that stuff that once captivated me as a teen and a young woman coming into adulthood. It was just middle of the road enough to totally engulf me.

I tuned into VH1 for a premiere showing of the...I keep forgetting his name...anyhow that guy I used to swoon over, his video as Chris Gaines. I loved the shadowy concept of the man hidden behind the people. Get close, but not too close. I'll be around, but I'm not here to stay. Get to know me...if you dare.

Then, as the video ended and Chris finished stealing my heart, my phone rang. It was my boss calling for her eighteen year old daughter. They were also watching VH1 and she wanted her Mom to ask me "If Garth had went freaky?" My answer was, "Who? I was watching Chris Gaines." Enough said.

Days after the taping in California, a treasured package ended up in my mailbox. There inside was the music from the Chris Gaines CD. I could not get it into a tape player quick enough. I sat and listened to each song and found something in each one that just totally captivated me. Each song was different. A different style, a different tone. Yes, Garth had always told us, if you'll just come along for the ride...well, I'm all buckled up! Let's go!

"Snow in July" is hands down one of my favorites and so is that line "sending up a white flag", as a matter of fact, that song is another hands down favorite! I cannot seem to get it outta my head. I totally and completely heart and soul love the tune "Driftin Away." And, as a sentimental favorite, "The Way of the Girl" just makes me smile. I listen and get this silly lil grin on my face as I picture someone looking at me and saying "Hey girl, what you been doing?" [sigh]

Each song is totally unique to the others and in my opinion, this CD is truly one that only comes around once in a lifetime for an artist. It is so vast in its concept and in its reach. If you just let it, this CD will truly take you to places you never dreamed!

I must admit, one of the sweetest and most surprising things that this CD has brought to me is watching AND listening to my girls response to it. They will soon be turning eight and eleven and of course, they are beginning to branch out and develop their own music tastes. I would say that this bugs the crap outta me. But I trust they will find their own roads just like we all do and that the music they eventually end up being fans of will be the music that speaks to their own hearts. As a Mom, I have to step back and let them find that path on their own. I trust it'll end up being close to the path my own has taken. I trust they'll fall in love with heart music and to me...there's only one path that will lead them down.

They still love Garth and his music, don't get me wrong. It's as common for me to hear the original "Garth Brooks" blaring from their stereo as it is for me to hear Britney Spears, BackStreet Boys or N'Sync. But the typical preteen years are finding them listening to a wider range of music than just the stuff "Mama listens to." To my surprise, as I popped the Chris Gaines tape in as we left for school one morning last week, I got a response that shocked me.

"Cool!! Who is THAT?" I just smiled, cranked it up a lil louder and said "Girls, THAT is Chris Gaines...welcome to Garth's new world."

A few days later, I've already had to make them a copy of the tape for their stereo in their bedrooms. We can't get into the van without them popping the tape in and crankin it up till its rattling the windows. Now, they are even trying to put together a cheer/dance routine to teach their Cheer Squad using one of the CG songs! Ain't life sooooooo sweet??

They sing along and they "get" the music and their Mama "gets" that ole rush she always got before as the new music creeps into her mind, her heart and her soul. For a lil while, I get to go back in time and revisit the sounds of my youth while mixing it with the sounds of my presence. My girls are getting introduced to a "cool" new side of Garth that they didn't know existed. They, in turn, are going to school and telling their friends about this CD that goes on sale next week that they just HAVE to go buy.

Yes, Chris Gaines has invaded my life. I found myself in Walmart doing my grocery shopping Friday. Next thing I knew, I was in the electronic department begging a clerk for a promo button and promotional counter flat and poster. At first, they looked at me a little oddly. Then, they said, "oh you must be a Garth Brooks fan." I said, "Well, actually, I'm a Chris Gaines fan."

This confused the poor clerk and as the store manager came over to see what they could do to help the customer in crisis, I found myself explaining to him, the clerk, a stockperson, and three other interested customers just WHAT a Chris Gaines is. By the time I was finished, they'd all decided they would be buying one of the CD's to see just what this was all about!

As we all ready ourselves for that fateful upcoming Tuesday September 28th, 1999 as Garth Brooks in the Life of Chris Gaines CD hits the shelves, we all have a lot to be proud of. Especially Garth, um, Chris.

Ohhh! Me? Switchin obsessions. Who woulda ever thunked it would end this way? That this would be the way it all would go? I know, our lives are better left to chance. But to think that I, AlwaysCG, um, that don't look right, well anyhow, to think that I, would leave that other dude behind for a man like Chris Gaines. What is this world comin too?

Now, I find myself wanting to learn all I can bout Chris. I want to go back in time and buy all his CD's. I want to collect any articles I can and make scrapbooks. I need to find an appearance schedule, join his fan club. I must find his website! I wonder if they'll let me do a column? Hum...

I have to learn all I can bout this man. This mysterious long haired elusive man. I need to know more! I must know more! I wonder what I could do with all this other stuff I've collected over the years? I mean, I have to have more room for all my Chris Gaines stuff! All those boxes full of magazines and newspaper articles, all those photo albums, all that time and money gone...just gone...for that other man. That Country guy...what was his name?

Chris Gaines...wherever you are (whoever you are!) I'm here for ya dude! Long hair, short hair, no hair. Multiple identities or not. Rock, pop, rhythm and blues, good ole Country music. Whatever character you choose to be. Wherever you choose to do. Whatever mountain you choose to climb. Whoever folks are calling you today or tomorrow or next week.

You're still the guy who makes HEART MUSIC. One day, just maybe the rest of the world will get that concept. When they do, we'll all just be able to look back and smile with pride. Music has no boundaries. It has no walls. Heart music is that stuff that comes from within.

For proving that...for daring to show that to the world once again, in yet another unique and amazingly surprising way...I'm once again so humbled to be able to say that I am not only a fan of the music, but I'm also a fan of the man.

Rock on Chris Gaines. Keep singin 'em like you feel 'em Garth Brooks. I'm right behind you...daring to sing along.

Me? Switchin obsessions? This heart don't think so.

I AM...AlwaysGB.

Teresa Morris