Chris Gaines

Twenty-two years ago, Garth Brooks pivoted at the height of his fame to do something ... uh, let's call it "unexpected."

Garth Brooks released his first -- and only -- album as Chris Gaines on Sept. 28, 1999.

Twenty-two years ago, Garth Brooks pivoted at the height of his fame to do something ... uh, let's call it "unexpected."

We're READY for Chris Gaines to come back!

"My ribs are still sore from getting the s--t kicked out of me for it," the singer says.

"It's still some of my favorite music that I ever got to participate in — probably the most I ever had to work in music ... It was draining," Brooks says of the project.

The 'Behind the Music' episode gives its viewers a number of insights into Gaines' entirely fictional life.