Country music fans have been left bitterly divided over the news that Garth Brooks will be inducted into Austin City Limits' Hall of Fame.
Last week, Austin City Limits announced that it will be honoring Garth, 62, at its upcoming 50th Anniversary celebration in September.
And while many of the musician's supporters were ecstatic over the news, some people on the web were not pleased that he had achieved the feat.
One reporter named Kyle Coroneos, who runs the website SavingCountryMusic.com, said he felt like Garth - who grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma - was undeserving because he is not 'significant to the Austin music scene.'
He wrote a scathing post on the topic and shared it to his website, branding Garth's upcoming induction as a 'naked attempt to draw attention to the show and to appease corporate sponsors.'
Country music fans have been left bitterly divided over the news that Garth Brooks will be inducted into Austin City Limits' Hall of Fame
Last week, Austin City Limits announced that it will be honoring Garth, 62, at its upcoming 50th Anniversary celebration in September
But one reporter named Kyle Coroneos (seen), who runs SavingCountryMusic.com, said he felt like Garth was undeserving because he is not 'significant to the Austin music scene'
'Let's start this off with all the preambles about the greatness of Garth Brooks. Yes, he seems like a nice guy. Yes, he does tons for charity,' he began in the lengthy essay.
'Yes, even though country purists wince whenever his name is uttered like they just swallowed a June bug, the catalog of Garth Brooks is quite good, and quite country, even if he commercialized the music more than ever before.
'But the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame? No, sorry. That's not for someone like Garth Brooks.'
Kyle said the 'Austin City Limits Hall of Fame should be reserved for the performers from Austin and Texas that are seminal to the city and the state's music scene.'
He pointed out that while 'some performers who don't really have a lot to do with Austin' were inducted in the past, they all had 'landmark appearances on the show and felt like part of the extended family.'
'Garth Brooks did appear on Austin City Limits a couple of times during the 25th Anniversary season. But is he in any way significant to the Austin music scene?' the writer asked.
'Inducting Garth Brooks into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame is a naked attempt to draw attention to the show and to appease corporate sponsors.
'Is the legacy of Garth Brooks going to benefit from yet another accolade to cite on the Wikipedia page? Of course not.
Kyle said the 'Austin City Limits Hall of Fame should be reserved for the performers from Austin and Texas that are seminal to the city and the state's music scene.' Garth is seen last year
Stars who were previously inducted into Austin City Limits' Hall of Fame include Sheryl Crow (left), Rosanne Cash (right), Loretta Lynn, and B.B. King, none of whom hail from Austin, Texas
'But some Austin or Texas legend that never had the benefit of a major label, corporate radio, or massive tours may have their legacy cemented by an ACL Hall of Fame induction that otherwise could go forgotten or diminished if not for that opportunity.'
Instead, Kyle recommended inducting stars like Steve Earle, Doug Sahm, Nanci Griffith, Patty Griffin, or Willis Alan Ramsey.
PBS' Austin City Limits is the 'longest-running music program in television history,' Garth performed on the show a few times over the years. He's seen here in 1999 on the show
He also cited 'Austin-based bands' including Silverada, Shane Smith & the Saints, and The Dixie Chicks.
'For sure, Austin City Limits can't only focus on the up-and-comers and fading legends of Austin or it risks fading away itself,' he concluded.
'Since its inception, the show had always brought in bigger names from the industry. But Garth Brooks in its Hall of Fame? That's not for him.
'It's for all the other country and roots music legends who spent their careers living in Garth's shadow.'
PBS' Austin City Limits is the 'longest-running music program in television history' with Garth performing on the show a few times over the years.
Stars who were previously inducted into Austin City Limits' Hall of Fame include Sheryl Crow, Rosanne Cash, Loretta Lynn, and B.B. King, none of whom hail from Austin, Texas.
Kyle's readers seemed to have mixed responses to his take, with some agreeing with him and others defending the decision to induct Garth.
'Perhaps not the first act I would have thought of for ACL but I can understand it and do not fall out with it. I have always enjoyed his music,' one person wrote.
'I had to look up whether Garth had ever played ACL before,' someone else said.
Kyle's readers seemed to have mixed responses to his take, with some agreeing with him and others defending the decision to induct Garth
While Kyle and his readers seemed unhappy, ACL's Instagram post about Garth was flooded with positive comments
'Apparently, back in 1990 and 2000. I don't think he has had any memorable performances on ACL.'
'Garth's music is out of place in ACL. I like a number of his songs and I'm not a Garth hater,' added a different commenter.
'His music reached pop icon status and it's just not in that true artist realm. I remember watching ACL before having high speed internet.
'It was incredible and it was one of the few avenues to find music. It opened me up to a lot of music.'
On Instagram, Austin City Limits wrote that Garth will be inducted on September 5 at the Moody Theater in Austin, Texas.
He is set to perform at the event, and tickets go on sale August 2.
'Austin City Limits is thrilled to kick off its 50th Anniversary celebrations by welcoming a new Austin City Limits Hall of Fame honoree into our ranks for this milestone: Garth Brooks,' the post read.
'For the first time in the decade-long history of the ACL Hall of Fame, only one inductee will be honored at this monumental celebration.'
While Kyle and his readers seemed unhappy, the Instagram post was flooded with positive comments.
'Love this so much,' gushed one person, while another wrote, 'Yes! Wow.'
'Let's go,' said someone else with a bunch of handclapping emojis.
