An up and coming Garth Brooks performed at Grange Fair in 1990. Here’s what happened

The summer of 1990 was a pivotal time in Garth Brooks’ career.

“No Fences,” the singer’s second studio album — which included the classic single “Friends in Low Places” — was released.

The 28-year-old led all finalists with five nominations for that year’s Country Music Association Awards (he would pick up wins for music video of the year for “The Dance” and the Horizon Award for career development).

And the “relative newcomer to the Nashville scene,” as the CDT described him, performed to two big crowds on a rainy opening night at the Centre County Grange Fair.

With a seven-piece backing band, Brooks performed in gray jeans, a gray and red striped shirt and a gray Stetson. At at one point, he headed into the crowd to receive kisses, hugs and flowers from female fans.

“We were very lucky to get Garth right when we did,” Entertainment Superintendent Don Fry told the CDT in 1990.

Brooks said between performances that he was still adjusting to his newfound fame, but it hadn’t affected his relationship with fans.

“That was always good,” he said. “But in terms of the music industry, I’ve all of a sudden gone from being the underdog — a role I enjoyed — to having a lot of pressure on me. I guess you could say I just feel really lucky to be here.”

Brooks, who in 2015 brought his world tour to the Bryce Jordan Center after years in retirement, isn’t the only country artist to perform at Grange Fair while on the brink of stardom. Other notable performers who took the stage in Centre Hall before they hit it big include Kenny Chesney (1997), Brad Paisley (2000), Miranda Lambert (2005) and Morgan Wallen (2018).

This year’s Grange Fair kicks off Friday and runs through Aug. 26. Those performing on the grandstand include The Oak Ridge Boys, Drake Milligan and Little Texas. Visit grangefair.com/daily-schedulefor more information.