dixie chicks
The band is composed of Natalie Maines (lead vocals), Martie Maguire (fiddle, mandolin, vocals), and Emily Robison (dobro, banjo, guitar, vocals). Their story began in Dallas, Texas where Martie Erwin and her younger sister Emily grew up in a household filled with melody. Guided by their mother, a private-school teacher, these two sisters practiced and became proficient on a variety of stringed instruments while remaining in elementary school. learn more

willie nelson
In his long and eclectic career, Willie Nelson has recorded country music, standards, gospel, and much more. Now with the release of Milk Cow Blues, his third album for Island Records and his first blues release, Willie Nelson leaves his mark on yet another chunk of the American musical landscape. learn more

shania twain
Shania's parents encouraged her to take her writing and singing talents to the public, by waking her up in the middle of the night and taking her to afterhour clubs to perform. By the time she was 8, the Twains had taken their young ingénue to every public venue; everywhere from church and community events to performing with local bands at bars. learn more

tim mcgraw
Raised in Start, Louisiana, a young Tim McGraw was raised with the sounds of country musicians like Charley Pride and Johnny Paycheck, and often took his musical skills to church and school plays. Although McGraw was inspired by music early on, he was also involved in little league and considered pursuing a professional baseball career, taking after his father. learn more

faith hill
Hailing from Mississippi, Audrey Faith Perry, grew up in the city of Star, perhaps an indicator of what was to come. Singing in church while growing up and, at 19, she became known to her fans as Faith Hill. She moved to Nashville to pursue a country music career. Hill found a job with Gary Morris' Nashville company at which time Morris heard her singing "It Scares Me" along with the radio. learn more

kenny rogers
As one of country music's biggest crossover successes, Kenny's numerous accolades include three Grammy Awards, 11 People's Choice Awards, 18 American Music Awards, eight Academy of Country Music Awards and five Country Music Association Awards. In addition, he was named "Favorite Singer of All Time" in a PM Magazine/USA Today poll in 1986, and in 1989 readers of PEOPLE MAGAZINE voted Rogers "Favorite Male Vocalist." learn more

brooks & dunn
The undisputed kings of the '90s' line-dancing craze, Brooks & Dunn are not only the biggest-selling duo in country music history, they've also sold more records than any other duo period, save for Simon & Garfunkel. Ronnie Dunn was the quietly intense singer with the soulful voice, while Kix Brooks played the part of the high-energy showman. Neither had been able to break through as a solo act, but together they hit upon a winning formula of rambunctious, rocked-up honky tonk with punchy, danceable beats. learn more

garth brooks
Garth Troyal Brooks was born on Feb. 7, 1962, in Tulsa, Okla., and raised in Yukon, Okla., just outside of Oklahoma City. His parents are Troyal Raymond Brooks and the late Colleen Carroll Brooks. Colleen Carroll recorded for Capitol Records in the 1950s and performed with Red Foley on the Ozark Jubilee. learn more

kenny chesney
Kenny Chesney was born on March 26, 1968 in Knoxville, Tennesse. He grew up in nearby Luttrell (home of Chet Atkins). As a child he listened to both country and rock n' roll. Surprisingly, unlike many other musicians, Chesney did not grow up thinking about music. It was not until he was attending college at East Tennessee State University that his focus zoomed into country music. While attending school, he received a guitar for a Christmas gift. learn more

toby keith
Toby Keith spent the '90s as a solid, workmanlike country star who met with considerable chart success yet never quite broke free of the neo-traditionalist pack to become a household name like Garth Brooks or Alan Jackson. That all changed in 2002 when he recorded "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)," a super-patriotic response to September 11 that became one of country's most highly charged political statements since Merle Haggard's "Okie From Muskogee." learn more