Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Betsy Smittle |
| Birth Date | February 3, 1953 |
| Birth Place | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| Death Date | November 2, 2013 |
| Age at Death | 60 |
| Cause of Death | Ovarian cancer (after a two-year battle) |
| Occupation | Musician, bass guitarist, backing vocalist, activist |
| Notable Relations | Half-sister to Garth Brooks; daughter of Colleen Carroll Brooks |
Biography and Early Life
Tulsa, Oklahoma, welcomed Betsy Smittle on February 3, 1953. Her father, James “Jim” Perry Smittle, played fiddle in local bands. She learned guitar from him, shaping her future. Betsy’s mother, Colleen Carroll, sang country in the 1950s. Her voice filled their home with music. Colleen married Troyal Raymond Brooks after her parents divorced. This blended family has six children. Betsy was raised in Yukon, OK. She learned rhythms from her father. Music was her early path.
In high school, Betsy tuned her skills. She played local bands soon after graduating. Oklahoma’s vivid scene drew her. She supported Anne Bell and Leon Russell. Country artist Ronnie Dunn also met her. These events shaped her. Her regional reputation was established by the late 1980s. Deep musical origins ran in her family. Betsy’s dad played in Colleen’s band. Her choices were affected by legacy. Music was her career, merging country and other genres.
Betsy’s life changed in the 1990s. She joined her half-brother Garth Brooks’ band. But her youth marked her independence. Grit helped her traverse a male-dominated sector. She accepted her lesbianism despite obstacles. She had a partner but kept her personal life discreet. Betsy’s tale shows fortitude. She made her mark on Tulsa’s streets and stages.
Family and Personal Relationships
Betsy’s family was interconnected and talented. Her father, James Perry Smittle, inspired her music. He and Colleen played fiddle. In the early 1960s, Colleen married Troyal Raymond Brooks after her divorce. Troyal had Garth and others. This union created a busy home. Betsy had four older and one younger brothers.
Jerome “Jerry” Paul Smittle stood out. He became a Tulsa public defender from Colleen’s first marriage. Jerry died at 56 in 2006. East Central High School’s oldest Jim Smittle taught and coached. His influence was educational. Missouri school principal Michael “Mike” Brooks was born in 1951. He united the family. Garth’s tour manager Kelly Shane Brooks spent time in banking. He kept siblings together.
Garth Brooks, born February 7, 1962, was the family star. The youngest, he became a country music star. Betsy was close to him. She was his Stillwater bassist from 1990 to 1995. Through Garth, Betsy became aunt. Taylor Mayne Pearl Brooks, born 1992, is his daughter. Family gatherings revolved around music. Betsy’s sexuality transparency strengthened relationships. Garth publicly backed her. He appreciated her rhythm and spirit. The Brooks-Smittles combined art and advocacy. While siblings had different vocations, music connected them. As the lone sister, Betsy offered dimension. She overcame cancer and other losses. She fought for two years after being diagnosed in 2011. Her 2013 death left a vacuum. Family tributes persist. Nieces and nephews remember her kindness.
Music Career and Achievements
Betsy performed and collaborated for decades. She began local Oklahoma scenes after high school. Supporting Anne Bell and Leon Russell improved her. She toured with Ronnie Dunn before Brooks & Dunn. Partner Gus Hardin became important. Betsy supported her for 10 years. She sung on Hardin’s 2001 CD I’m Dancing As Fast As I Can.
With Garth, she broke through. She sang backing and played bass in his band from 1990 to 1995. She appeared on Ropin’ the Wind (1991). The Chase, In Pieces, Fresh Horses, and Double Live followed. TV specials expanded her audience. 1992’s “This Is Garth Brooks” was followed in 1994. Millions witnessed her talent.
In 1994, Betsy went solo. Rough Around the Edges was her release. The album has country, blues, and rock. The Colleen duet “This House” is memorable. It portrayed their bond. Betsy played in several venues. She led her band at the 2006 Oklahoma City Pride Parade. Her Tulsa music community adored her.
Beyond touring, Betsy inspired records. Her bass lines gave Garth hits groove. She occasionally supported other country acts. She had no solo hits, but her influence lasted. Regional fame suited her. She valued genuineness above fame.
Activism and Legacy
Betsy promoted homosexual rights in conservative circles. Openly gay, she performed at Oklahoma Pride. She co-directed Garth’s 1993 “We Shall Be Free” video. Martina Navratilova and Lily Tomlin appeared. The song promoted civil rights. Input from Betsy made it powerful.
She was honest in interviews. Her 1994 statement, “God made us all and he makes no mistakes,” shattered barriers as one of the few openly gay women in the country. Garth confirmed her message. He praised her work and LGBTQ rights.
Tributes honor Betsy. This 2022 Tulsa concert at Cain’s Ballroom honored her. She, Gus Hardin, and Debbie Campbell were honored. Their music endures. Retrospectives highlight her Garth family role. Niece August’s 2013 writings moved fans. Betsy’s tale inspires. She seamlessly combined music and advocacy.
FAQ
Who was Betsy Smittle’s famous sibling?
A close friend and musical collaborator of Garth Brooks, Betsy Smittle was his half-sister.
What instruments did Betsy Smittle play?
Betsy Smittle primarily played bass guitar and guitar, skills she learned from her father, and she also provided backing vocals in various bands.
When did Betsy Smittle release her solo album?
Betsy Smittle’s 1994 solo album Rough Around the Edges included a duet with her mother Colleen and country, blues, and rock.
What caused Betsy Smittle’s death?
Betsy Smittle passed away on November 2, 2013, at age 60 after battling ovarian cancer for two years.
Was Betsy Smittle involved in activism?
Betsy Smittle sang at LGBT pride celebrations and contributed to Garth Brooks’ 1993 civil-rights hymn “We Shall Be Free”.
How many siblings did Betsy Smittle have?
Betsy Smittle had five brothers in her blended family, including half-brothers from her mother’s marriages.
What was Betsy Smittle’s role in Garth Brooks’ career?
Betsy played bass guitar and sang backing vocals in Garth Brooks’ band from 1990 to 1995, appearing on several of his early albums and TV specials.
Did Betsy Smittle have children?
No reliable information indicates that Betsy Smittle had children; she was openly lesbian and maintained a private personal life with a life partner.
