The song was originally written by Dennis Linde, and was recorded by The Oak Ridge Boys for their 1978 release ‘Room Service’. It has since been covered by New Grass Revival and Garth Brooks, who’s version reached number 2 on the U.S. country singles charts in 1994.

Brooks take on the iconic track (as written in his ‘The Hits’ collection via the cd booklet):

I have always been a fan of “Baton Rouge.” I was, still am, and always will be a fan of the members of New Grass Revival, four guys well ahead of their time (even if they came out thirty years from now). “Baton Rouge” was a single for them about the time my first album was released. This song did not even break the top thirty, and I believe it did not get a fair shot. When we recorded it, it seemed only natural to bring in the guys from New Grass Revival – Pat Flynn, Bela Fleck, John Cowan, and Sam Bush, teamed with Jerry Douglas. This was the first time the New Grass Revival had been together since their breakup over a year prior to the recording of this song. It was a very good day and an extremely proud moment, and I think this is reflected in the cut itself.