Is Kix Brooks related to Garth Brooks? No — here's why the two are so often confused.
Last refreshed August 5, 2026
| Coverage scope | The Kix Brooks / Garth Brooks relationship and the 1987 Capitol name-change backstory. | Answer family | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stable fields | Relationship fact, 1987 backstory | Dynamic fields |
They are not related; the shared surname and a 1987 Capitol Records coincidence drive the confusion.
Verified references for the relationship question and the 1987 backstory.
Are Kix Brooks and Garth Brooks brothers?
No. They are not brothers and have no family connection — they only share the surname Brooks.
Is Garth Brooks in Brooks & Dunn?
No. The "Brooks" in Brooks & Dunn is Kix Brooks (with Ronnie Dunn). Garth Brooks is a separate solo artist.
Why do people think Kix Brooks and Garth Brooks are related?
They share a surname, and in 1987 both were signed to Capitol Records as solo artists at the same time — a coincidence Garth himself has joked about — so the two names have been confused ever since.
Did Garth Brooks almost change his name because of Kix Brooks?
Yes, by his own account. Garth has said he spent about six months considering a new surname because Capitol already had Kix Brooks, until Kix's deal with the label fell through and he kept his name.
Are Kix Brooks and Garth Brooks the same person?
No. Kix Brooks (born 1955, Shreveport, Louisiana) is half of the duo Brooks & Dunn; Garth Brooks (born 1962, Tulsa, Oklahoma) is a solo artist.
Built from verified biographical references.