first country singers

The earliest country singers emerged in the early 1920s, with Fiddlin' John Carson recording the first vocal country song, "Little Log Cabin in the Lane," in 1923. Other foundational artists included fiddler Eck Robertson (1922), Jimmie Rodgers (the "Father of Country Music"), and The Carter Family, who all began recording in the 1920s.

how country music started

Country music originated in the 1920s in the Appalachian Mountains, blending British/Irish folk ballads, African-American blues and banjo techniques, and gospel hymns. It evolved from rural, "old-time" string band music passed down through generations, eventually gaining popularity through radio and commercial recordings in the mid-1920s.

WARNING!: no minimum age requirement to listen to

Born: May 18, 1952 (age 73 years), Poteet, TX

Died: still alive

Real Name: George Harvey Strait Sr.

music: neo-traditional country music

WARNING!: no minimum age requirement to listen to

Born: January 19, 1946 (age 80 years), Pittman Center, TN

Died: still alive

Real Name: Dolly Rebecca Parton

music: country, country-pop, bluegrass, and folk

WARNING!: no minimum age requirement to listen to

Born:April 2, 1996 (age 30 years), Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan

Died:still alive

Real Name: Zachary Lane Bryan

music: Zach Bryan is primarily a country singer-songwriter whose music blends elements of Red Dirt, Americana, folk, and indie-folk

WARNING!: no minimum age requirement to listen to

Born: May 19, 1992 (age 33 years), Baskin, LA

Died:still alive

Real Name: Lainey Denay Wilson

music: contemporary country

Early life: Born on May 18, 1952, in Poteet, Texas, George Strait grew up on a ranch in Frio County, where he developed a love for country music and ranching. He performed in a high school rock band before serving in the Army, later forming his band, Ace in the Hole, and signing with MCA Records to release his hit debut single, "Unwound," in 1981.

Kid

kid:jenifer Strait, George Strait Jr.

siblings

• Buddy Strait
• Pency Edel

Musical Beginning

Musical Beginnings:George Strait's musical beginnings were rooted in Texas country, starting with a high school rock band, followed by forming a country band called [Rambling Country] while serving in the U.S. Army in Hawaii. He gained traction in the mid-1970s at [Southwest Texas State University], joining the band Stoney Ridge, which later became Ace in the Hole.

End life

Overview

George Harvey Strait Sr. is a singer, songwriter, actor, producer, and rancher who has sold millions of records worldwide. Born in Poteet, Texas in 1952, he's known for revitalizing traditional country music styles like honky-tonk, cowboy ballads, and Western swing during a time when pop-influenced country was popular. Strait is considered one of the most influential and successful recording artists of all time, and the first artist to achieve 60 number one singles.

Early life:Dolly Parton was born on January 19, 1946, in a one-room cabin in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, the fourth of twelve children in a "dirt poor" Appalachian family. She grew up in a music-filled, close-knit home without electricity or running water, regularly performing in church, on local radio, and on television by age ten.

Kid

kid:Dolly Parton does not have any children of her own

siblings

• Willadeene Parton
• David Wilburn Parton
• Coy Denver Parton
• Dolly Rebecca Parton
• Robert Lee "Bobby" Parton Jr.
• Stella Mae Parton
• Cassie Nan Parton
• Randel Huston "Randy" Parton
• Larry Gerald Parton
• Estel Floyd Parton
• Freida Estelle Parton
• Rachel Ann Parton

Musical Beginning

Musical Beginnings: Dolly Parton began her musical journey in rural Appalachia, performing on local East Tennessee radio and TV as a child before moving to Nashville at age 18. Mentored by her uncle Bill Owens, she was singing on Knoxville’s The Cas Walker Show by age 10 and released her first single, "Puppy Love," at 13.

End life

Overview

Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist who has had a 60-year career in country music. Her trademark style and smooth sound, which blends traditional country instrumentation with pop appeal, has captured the hearts of generations. Parton is a member of both the Country Music and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame.

Early life:Zach Bryan was born on April 2, 1996, in Yokosuka, Japan, to Navy parents and raised in Oologah, Oklahoma. A Navy brat, he began writing songs at age 14 and later enlisted at 17, following in his family's footsteps. He served eight years in the U.S. Navy before leaving in 2021 to pursue music full-time.

Kid

kid:Zach Bryan does not have any children.

siblings

• an older sister named MacKenzie Taylor

Musical Beginning

Musical Beginnings:Zach Bryan’s musical beginnings were rooted in DIY, heartfelt storytelling while serving in the U.S. Navy. He gained initial attention by uploading raw, acoustic performances recorded on his iPhone to YouTube and Twitter around 2017. His viral success stemmed from the song "Heading South," filmed outside his Navy barracks, before his 2021 honorable discharge allowed him to pursue music full-time.

End life

Overview

Zachary Lane Bryan is an American country singer-songwriter from Oologah, Oklahoma. He's known for his hits “Something in the Orange” and “I Remember Everything”, a Grammy-winning duet with Kacey Musgraves. In 2022, the Academy of Country Music named him New Male Artist of the Year. Bryan has collaborated with artists like John Mayer, Springsteen, Maggie Rogers, and Bon Iver. He released two self-produced albums before signing with Warner Records.

Early life:Lainey Wilson, born in Baskin, Louisiana (pop. ~170) on May 19, 1992, grew up on a farm and was immersed in country music. Inspired by early Grand Ole Opry visits, she began writing songs at age nine, sang in local commercials/fairs, and toured as a Hannah Montana impersonator. She moved to Nashville in 2011, living in a camper for three years to pursue her career.

Kid

kid:country singer Lainey Wilson does not currently have any children

siblings

• an older sister named MacKenzie Taylor

Musical Beginning

Musical Beginnings:Lainey Wilson's musical beginnings started in Baskin, Louisiana, where she began writing songs by age nine and performed as a Hannah Montana impersonator in her pre-teen years. Influenced by her father, she developed a passion for country music early, later moving to Nashville in 2011 to pursue her career, famously living in a camper trailer.

End life

Overview

Lainey Denay Wilson is an American country singer, songwriter, and actress who released her first album in 2014. Wilson has said she wants people to understand how great country music is and what it has to offer. She has also expressed her admiration for Beyoncé, saying that Beyoncé helped more people discover their love of country music. Wilson has performed since a young age and once had a job impersonating Hannah Montana as a teenager.