When Todd and I got started here at K99 in the late 1980's the big acts were the Oak Ridge Boys, Eddy Raven, Keith Whitley, Reba and those style of artists...but then something happened in 1989 that changed the face and sound of country. There were three hot new artists who would help take country to heights never seen before and, in turn, give me the chance to have this career that I have loved for 30 years.

Three men, Alan Jackson, Clint Black and Garth Brooks entered the country music world and it has never been the same. These three brought a fresh but traditional sound to the airwaves that made it cool to love country. They started selling millions of albums and packing venues all over. Country was about to explode and these three were the big sticks of dynamite. Had it not been for what these three did for country music, I would not have had the career I have had. Because of them and what they did to the format, I have been able to ride that wave that they created for nearly three decades. I want to personally say thank you Garth, Alan and Clint for doing what you did for me. Here are the three debut smashes from these superstars.

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