Tennessee

This post is on, arguably, the most famous influential female country singer ever. From her big voice to her big *cough* shoulders *cough*,  Dolly Parton is a woman known to most and her amazing voice has been on the country music scene since 1966! Just take a moment to appreciate that. For those of you that aren't mathematically minded, that's 49 years!

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From Sevier County, Tennessee and a family of 12 children, Parton had humble beginnings. Music had always played a big part in her life. At age 13 Parton recorded her first single with Goldband Records. She appeared on different radio shows on local stations from age 10. After graduating high school Parton moved to Nashville to pursue a career in music. She was signed to Momentum Records who tried to make her sing Pop music. Parton insisted she sing country and eventually they relented. Parton has been singing country music ever since.

Dolly Parton has won award after award, had so many albums certified, had so many number 1's and yet I don't need to tell you. It's clear to see just how successful she is. Parton retains her southern accent when singing and has a high, but immeasurably strong, voice. She has collaborated with dozens of people and is often referred to as the Queen of Country.

Singing isn't the only talent Parton has. She received her first guitar age 8 and can now play 13 different instruments! Parton has also been on our screens as an actress starring in the films 9 to 5 and Straight Talk to name a few.


Parton's most famous songs include 9 to 5, Jolene, Coat of Many Colours and I Will Always Love You.
 9 to 5 tells of the struggles of the average working woman, fighting to get ahead in a male driven world. Jolene outlines a woman's upset at her husbands infatuation for another, supposedly more beautiful, woman. Coat of Many Colours was a song Parton wrote which told of her family's poverty and what it was like to grow up in an underprivileged household.  I Will Always Love You tells the story of a woman who is parting from a man, but on good terms still loving and respecting each other. The song was made even more famous by Whitney Houston's cover of it in The Bodyguard and many people are unaware of the fact that it is Parton's song.
Below is the original version sung by Dolly.

Parton is married to Carl Thomas Dean, the two have been together since 1966. They haven't any children however the two helped bring up a few of Dolly's younger siblings. Parton is also godmother to Miley Cyrus, the well known Pop Singer, and even appeared in several episodes of Hannah Montana as 'Aunt Dolly'. Despite singing pop, Miley has been surrounded with country music since she was born with her father being, country crooner, Bill Ray Cyrus. She has sung several country songs, including covering Dolly's Jolene.

Louisianna

Good morrow to you!

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING POST CONTAINS MOMENTS OF AWESOMENESS AND A COUNTRY STAR FROM LOUISIANA.

That's right, Louisianna!
'Who is the awesome singer you've chosen this time??' I hear you ask.
 'Good question!' I answer.
This marvellous post is about the esteemed Tim McGraw.

Fun Fact: His first name is actually Samuel.

Born in Dehli, Louisiana; Samuel Timothy McGraw recently celebrated his 48th birthday (on may 1st). Performing since 1990, you could say Tim's well seasoned, and not just at singing. McGraw has tried his hand at acting too, with minor roles in the films The Blind Side and Dirty Girl,  and a lead part in the film Country Strong.

Tim's debut album was entitled Tim McGraw of which came his debut single What Room was the Holiday In? To date, McGraw has released 13 albums, with 25 number 1 singles between them. Tim McGraw is a household name, when it comes to country music, and it's no surprise either. He has over 50 awards to his name.

In 1996, McGraw married fellow country singer Faith Hill. The two have often collaborated. In 2006 the two went on tour together and it was the highest grossing country tour ever! It was also among the top 5 tours from any genre, ever. Their most recent song together Meanwhile Back at Mama's was certified Gold and is truly a brilliantly done song. McGraw has a real timbre to his voice, which contrasts beautifully with Hill's. The two have a real power behind their voices and draw out real emotion in their songs.

West Virginia

YOU SHALL NOT PASS!


Naw, I'm just kidding, please keep reading.


This post is gonna be on the West Virginian Country Singer, Songwriter, Husband, father, Guitar Player, Entertainer and Bad Joke Maker  - Brad Paisley!


Name: Brad Douglas Paisley
DOB: 28th October 1972
AGE (for those who can't math): 42
PLACE OF BIRTH: Glen Dale, West Virginia
OCCUPATION: Singer / Songwriter
GENRE: Awesome (Country)




Never seen without his signature white hat, Brad Paisley has been on our radios since 1999. He has released 10 albums all of which have, at least, been certified gold! For the past 7 years Paisley has, with the help of his co-host Carrie Underwood, hosted the CMA Awards. Paisley excels, not only at singing, but also at cracking cringe-worthy jokes as can be demonstrated by his time on the CMA's.


Brad has a unique voice but most notable about him is his guitar playing ability; the singer is rarely seen without one. Most of his songs feature a fresh new riff and/or solo (perfect for perfecting your air guitar to). What also stand out about brad is his ability to write an emotion into a song. Whilst he has loads of funny ones; for example 'I'm Gonna Miss Her' and 'I'm Still a Guy' there are more serious ones as well. Paisley really captures emotion well, as seen in 'I Wish You'd Stay' and 'Whiskey Lullaby' which he sang with Alison Krauss.

To top it off his collaborations with Carrie Underwood, be it on stage or in the studio, are guaranteed to have you crying with laughter.

Sooner State

GOOD MORNING VIETNAM!!




Today Imma be writing about Oklahoma! The fantabulastic artist I've chosen is Carrie Underwood (a personal favourite of mine).


Carrie Underwood was born on the 10th of  March 1983 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Her career kicked off after she won the 4th season of the singing show, American Idol. Simon Cowell, one of the judges at the time,  marked her as a favourite to win - a tribute to the incredible talent she possesses. Out of all the country albums released, her debut album Some Hearts was the highest selling debut album released by a solo female, ever! So far Carrie has had 14  number one hits!

Carrie has a more girl-next-door style than Lambert and her music leans more toward country pop. However, she has released a few songs which tread the line between country and rock. Her voice is really versatile and can adapt to practically any genre of music and she has often been credited for her powerhouse vocals. Underwood has, for 7 years, hosted the CMA awards with fellow country crooner Brad Paisley. In 2011 the two released Remind Me , a song about a married couple seeking to regain the passion they held at the beginning of their marriage. The song has been certified x2 platinum and received 3 awards.

Underwood was the first I heard of country music and it's not hard to see, or hear, when you look at her performances, just why I fell in love with it.

Jyle Dupuis

The Lone Star State

If you're reading this you were either intrigued by my first post, or you didn't read it. Either way you're here so:

HELLO!

This post is gonna focus on an artist from the Lone Star State (that's Texas to the uncultured few). The artist I've chosen is Miranda Lambert.

Miranda Lambert was born in Longview, Texas on the 10th of November 1983.She has won 2 Grammys awards, 10 CMA awards, 6 CMT awards - You get the picture! Pretty successful woman. Her big break came when she came 3rd in a singing competition called the Nashville Star.  Her debut album Kerosene is, in my opinion, absolutely awesome! But don't take my word for it: Kerosene debuted at number 1!


Lambert is known for her bad-ass, no-nonsense country girl style. Many of her songs feature women taking things into their own hands or being independent. In 2011 she created the country girl group, Pistol Annies.
She often collaborates with fellow country singers Carrie Underwood and Blake Shelton. In 2014, she and Underwood released the song Somethin' Bad as the 2nd single on Lambert's album; Platinum.

In 2011 she married Blake Shelton. He too is a very prominent country singer, so no pressure on any child that comes into that house! Lambert was recently asked, by Reese Witherspoon, to write a song for Witherspoon's upcoming movie, Hot Pursuits.

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Howdy!

Howdy y'all! I'm Mikeyla and in this blog I wanna take you on a tour of Country Music and some of its famous faces!


Imma deal with artists from a couple of different generations of country music: some of the most prestigious names in modern and "classic" country music and the way that they have shaped the genre as we know it. Y'all may be familiar with household country names like Dolly Parton, Blake Shelton and Carrie Underwood but you may not know where they started.


Each week I'll choose a different state and tell you about some of their most famous artists, both from this and previous generations.