Garth Brooks Launching GhostTunes Digital Music Service


Amid a comeback that is already picking up steam, Garth Brooks has announced the formation of a new digital music service, GhostTunes.

Brooks revealed the new service at a press conference Thursday, ahead of an 11-concert residency at the Allstate Arena, The Chicago Tribune reports. GhostTunes will reportedly host all of Brooks’ prior albums, as well as more than 7 million singles or albums from a diverse array of artists, in genres ranging from country to hip-hop to jazz. Brooks described the site as an alternative to other music services, without naming the competing platforms. GhostTunes will also offer a bundle of two upcoming Garth Brooks albums in addition to his eight previous studio albums, and an anniversary edition of 1998’s Double Live collection, for under $30.

Famously opposed to digital formats, Brooks has cited his desire to not separate singles from albums as a reason for his refusal to sell music digitally. Speaking at the press conference about the enduring value of albums, Brooks announced that he still would not offer individual track downloads. His new single, “People Loving People,” which The Inquisitr previously noted will only be available as a pre-order for his new, as-yet-untitled album.

Praising the new format, Brooks said that it could be played on any device, and would put an end to territorial considerations. Brooks also asserted that his 15-year stint away from the music industry had given him the perspective to asses how other e-commerce retailers were handling digital music incorrectly, according to Radio.com.

“I wanted a place that just sold entertainment, that took care of the customer, and the price was flexible so the customer could get a break. And you could sell any way the artist wanted it sold.”

To that end, Brooks revealed that GhostTunes operates in a distinctly different manner from other retailers who, until now, have defined digital music sales. In many ways, Brooks asserted that GhostTunes would take artists into greater consideration than current digital platforms, which have stoked no shortage of controversy over the rights and compensation of songwriters.

“First, the music is however the artist or the label that owns that artists’ work wants it sold. Second, it doesn’t go on the 70-30 split that digital music is on right now, it’s on a much more flexible scale.”

Garth Brooks kicked off his world tour last night in Chicago.

[Image via Radio.com]

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