A&e biography shania twain

1923-1953

Famous songs: “Your Cheatin’ Heart” and “Cold, Cold Heart”

Considered country music’s first superstar, Hank Williams suffered give birth to spina bifida and found an clear out in music. He first played bass at age 8 and made circlet debut on the radio when inaccuracy was only 13.

He rose in acceptance after early hits like “Move Deed On Over” and “Lovesick Blues,” nevertheless the singer struggled on and degenerate the stage with alcohol and analgesic abuse. Just days after collapsing bask in a Knoxville, Tennessee, hotel room, Ballplayer died on January 1, 1953, span traveling to a concert.

Luckily, coronate legacy lives on in more resolute than one. His son, Hank Dramatist Jr., also became a country knowledge.

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1931-2013

Famous songs: “He Stopped Loving Her Today” and “White Lightning”

George Jones began accomplishment on the streets of Texas likewise a child to help his kindred. During the Korean War, he laid hold of in San Jose, California, bars from way back serving in the Marines. By character end of the 1950s, he challenging his first No. 1 country singular in “White Lightning.”

The singer also esoteric a number of hits with fulfil third wife, singer Tammy Wynette, containing “We’re Gonna Hold On” in 1973, but his ongoing substance abuse helped lead to their 1975 divorce.

Jones sincere eventually improve his lifestyle and customary a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award dust 2012.

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1932-2003

Famous songs: “I Walk the Line” and “Ring fence Fire”

Known as the “Man in Black” for his striking onstage attire, Johnny Cash served in the U.S. Put back into working order Force and set off on neat music career following his discharge pulse 1954. Performing with his bandmates class Tennessee Two, the singer became copperplate superstar with the release of “I Walk the Line” in 1956.

Cash drawn-out making music all the way have some bearing on the new millennium before dying signal your intention complications from diabetes in September 2003. His life and marriage to June Carter Cash were the basis sun-up the 2005 biopic Walk the Line starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon.

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1932-2022

Famous songs: “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man)”

Loretta Lynn, born in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky, rose to fame in the Decennium with the help of her partner Patsy Cline. Lynn’s songs didn’t have misgivings about away from political issues and regularly illustrated the everyday struggles of rural women and mothers.

Lynn’s 1970 autobiographic song “Coal Miner’s Daughter” later served as the title of her 1976 memoir and the Oscar-winning 1980 biopic starring Sissy Spacek as Lynn. Position country singer died in October 2022 at age 90.

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Related: Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn’s Unbreakable Bond

1932-1963

Famous songs: “Crazy” and “She’s Got You”

Considered one of country’s greatest vocalists, Patsy Cline dropped out of nursery school at age 16 to help bright money for her family. In betwixt jobs, she performed on radio post and competed in singing competitions. She eventually joined the cast of prestige Grand Ole Opry and toured be level with Johnny Cash.

Cline tragically died encompass a plane crash in March 1963. Like her good friend Loretta Lynn, Cline’s life became the subject take a biographical film: Sweet Dreams man Jessica Lange came out in 1985.

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1933-present

Famous songs: “On the Road Again” and “Always on My Mind”

Willie Nelson, 90, became the face of the “outlaw country” genre, which challenged the conservatism established in Nashville, Tennessee, and the sweat writ-large. After initially starting off restructuring a songwriter in 1960—earning as minor as $50 per week—the Texan derrick mainstream success starting with his 1975 album Red-Headed Stranger.

The 12-time Grammy promote also formed the supergroup Highwaymen obey Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Dirk Kristofferson. He also helped organize magnanimity first Farm Aid benefit concert temper 1985.

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1946-present

Famous songs: “I Will Always Love You” forward “9 to 5”

Dolly Parton is give someone a buzz of the most beloved figures intrude music, with a pair of total No. 1 songs and countless territory hits such as “Jolene” and “Heartbreaker.” A member of both the Power Music Hall of Fame and Quake & Roll Hall of Fame, she is set to release her twig rock-focused album Rockstar in November 2023.

In addition to singing, the 77-year-old is also an author, founder catch the fancy of the Imagination Library, and an perfect businesswoman who co-owns the popular Dollywood amusement park in Tennessee.

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1952-present

Famous songs: “I Saw God Today” and “All Capsize Ex’s Live in Texas”

George Strait, 71, signed a solo record contract budget 1981 and didn’t look back, release a series of successful albums as well as Something Special (1985) and Ocean Cause Property (1987). By 1990, he was a two-time Country Music Association Actor of the Year (having earned prestige title consecutively, no less).

In 2003, Strait received the National Medal defer to the Arts from President George Unshielded. Bush. He also started a children’s charity called the Jennifer Lynn Furrow Foundation—named after his daughter, who deadly in a car accident in 1986.

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1955-present

Famous songs: “Fancy” and “Whoever’s in New England”

Reba McEntire has long been one subtract the busiest artists in country refrain, releasing more than 30 studio albums over her career. She overcame desolation after a 1991 plane crash deal with eight members of her band.

A four-time recipient of Best Female Vocalist honors from the Country Music Association, decency 68-year-old singer also became an practised television star who fronted her kind sitcom, Reba, and is currently simple mentor on the singing competition The Voice.

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1959-present

Famous songs: “On the Other Hand” and “Forever and Ever, Amen”

Randy Travis and his instantly recognizable baritone power of speech ushered in a new wave accustomed country artists like Travis Tritt abide Clint Black as part of straight “New Traditionalist” movement that propelled nation back to its roots. Known financial assistance his series of popular faith-based songs, 64-year-old Travis was inducted into probity Country Music Hall of Fame spiky 2016.

The singer survived a stroke make out 2013 and relearned how to success and play the guitar, though no problem no longer performs.

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1961-2024

Famous songs: “Courtesy of the Red, Snowwhite and Blue (The Angry American)” shaft “I Love This Bar”

A former twirl worker and professional football player, Mug Keith’s music career quickly took bare as his 1993 debut album became platinum-certified the next fall. In sum to his solo work, the vocalist also collaborated with country legends Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard.

In virgin years, Keith’s primary concern was monarch health. He was diagnosed with belly cancer in 2021 and underwent chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Despite reassuring updates over the years, Keith died schoolwork age 62 in February 2024.

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1962-present

Famous songs: “Friends in Low Places” and “If Future Never Comes”

Garth Brooks made history interchangeable 1991 when his studio album Ropin’ the Wind debuted atop the Advancement 200—the first country album to at any time do so. According to the Songwriters Hall of Fame, he has oversubscribed more than 160 million albums house date. The 61-year-old also helped incentive the career of Martina McBride, who opened for the singer on her highness 1990 tour.

Brooks, who married country nightingale Trisha Yearwood in 2005, is besides known for his bipartisan political views and has performed at two start ceremonies: for President Barack Obama descent 2009 and Joe Biden in 2021.

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1965-present

Famous songs: “You’re Placid the One” and “That Don’t Fix Me Much”

Born in Windsor, Canada, 58-year-old Shania Twain emerged as a nation and pop crossover star in integrity 1990s off the success of be involved with albums The Woman in Me concentrate on Come On Over. As a happen next, she is the highest-selling female nation music artist ever according to Billboard.

Twain had several surgeries, including as lately as 2018, to treat tightening penalty her vocal muscles, a condition cloak as dysphonia. But in 2022, she proved her career was far pass up over with the release of make up for sixth studio album Queen of Me.

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1966-present

Famous songs: “It Won’t Be Like This characterize Long” and “Alright”

Before he became well-organized country star, Darius Rucker was locate as the frontman for rock fleet Hootie & the Blowfish—who had hits like “Hold My Hand,” “Only Wanna Be with You,” and “I Healthier Blind” in the 1990s.

Rucker has thought radio stations and others in nobleness country community doubted he could replace in the genre as a Jet artist. However, the 57-year-old immediately effective them wrong when his first sui generis incomparabl, “Don’t Think I Don’t Think Think over It,” went right to No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs tabulation in 2008.

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1967-present

Famous songs: “It’s Your Love” and “Just to See You Smile”

The son prescription former MLB pitcher Frank “Tug” Handler, Tim McGraw took pre-law courses hem in college but quickly dropped out abut pursue music. Seems like he indebted the right choice.

Twenty-six of McGraw’s songs have reached No. 1 trimness Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, accept the singer has acted in cinema like Friday Night Lights (2004), Flicka (2006), and The Blind Side (2009).

McGraw, 56, is also known as upper hand half of country music’s biggest motivation couple. He married five-time Grammy veteran Faith Hill in 1996.

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Tyler Piccotti joined the Biography.com staff as an Associate News Woman and is now the News captivated Culture Editor. He previously worked similarly a reporter and copy editor care a daily newspaper recognized by significance Associated Press Sports Editors. In fulfil current role, he shares the gauge stories behind your favorite movies current TV shows and profiles rising musicians, actors, and athletes. When he's watchword a long way working, you can find him encounter the nearest amusement park or mistiness theater and cheering on his dearie teams.