As Father’s Day approaches on Sunday, June 18, Garth Brooks took time to reflect on the values his parents instilled in him as a youngster growing up in Oklahoma.

“They were pretty real people,” says Garth. “Mom believed you could fly. Dad would pull you over and go, ‘Ok, if you’re going to fly, it’s going to take a helluva lot of work.’ So he was the realist . . . she was the dreamer . . . and they worked really, really good together. Dad would tell you things, man. My dad, he was sweet, full of love . . . but he’s going to be a realist.”

The reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year’s career is still flying high thanks, in part, to Mom and Dad’s advice. Garth pulled in $60 million over the last year, according to Forbes, making him the highest-grossing country star in the world. But that hasn’t stopped Garth from trying to be a loving super-dad to his three daughters, Taylor, August and Allie.

“You kind of figure out what true love is, don’t you?” says Garth. “And true love is simply this: when she’s sad, you’re sadder than she is. And when she’s happy, you’re happier than she is. That’s true love, right there.”