Garth Brooks was serious in his praise for songwriter Kim Williams at the Oct. 7 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony in Nashville. Garth was speaking on behalf of Kim, who was being inducted as a new member of the Songwriters Hall, noting that he was “the definition of what a songwriter really is.”

But Garth also drew laughs when he recalled his first co-writing session with Kim in 1988, before Garth even had a hit record. Told that a writer named “Kim Williams” was interested in writing with him, Garth immediately perked up. He thought he'd be spending some time crafting a tune with an attractive young woman.

“The first thing you notice,” Garth said, and paused for effect, “is that Kim Williams is a guy.”

Despite the momentary letdown, Garth and Kim went on to write several hits together, including “Papa Loved Mama” and “Ain’t Going Down (Til the Sun Comes Up).”

During the ceremonies, Garth played a portion of “Papa Loved Mama,” noting that he and Kim completed the tune in about 20 minutes.