Carrie Underwood: America's Sweetheart

Carrie Underwood was born in 1983 in Muskogee Oklahoma.  She was raised on a farm and spent a majority of her childhood playing on the dirt roads and having fun with the animals and insects as many children do.  After high school she decided to attend Northeastern State University in Oklahoma and completed her major in Broadcast Journalism.  Before graduating, Underwood auditioned for American Idol in 2004.  She later became the winner of the fourth season, in 2005 after graduating.  In that same year she released her first album, (which went triple platinum) with "Jesus Take the Wheel" being her hit, topping the charts.

In 2008, she was inducted in to the Grand Ole Opry by Garth Brooks at the young age of 26.  This made her the youngest member of the Opry.  She also won the Academy Of Country Music's award for Female Vocalist of the Year for three consecutive years 2006, 2007 and 2008.  In that time she also released two albums with many hits.  Her most recent album, Blown Away was released in May of 2012, and by January of the following year had sold 1.4 million copies.  She's one of the fastest Country Singers to reach such high success.  In May of 2013, Underwood replaced Faith Hill on Sunday Night Football for the performance of the song "Waiting All Day for Sunday Night."

All- American Girl- Carrie Underwood (official music video)

I believe that Carrie Underwood is truly an idol to every young girl because in today's day, teens idolize  these untalented actors and performers who sing about the use of cocaine and intercourse.  Carrie Underwood is the image of an American Sweetheart.  She has never had poor media coverage, never sang about inappropriate things and has always dressed appropriately while performing (unlike Miley Cyrus and other celebrities).  In my opinion, this just demonstrates that you don't need to act inappropriately to see fame.  Carrie's success has truly been measured based upon her talent, and I believe that parent's should raise their children hoping they become as good of a person as she is.

Blown Away- Carrie Underwood (live at the Grand Ole Opry)

www.biography.com/people/carrie-underwood-16730308?page=2 

The Mysterious Eric Church

Very seldom do I find any genre artist that I can listen to an entire album on repeat without skipping a song.  Garth Brooks is one artist I can listen to for days, but another is Eric Church.  He is not only dreamy, but he's dark and mysterious, the kind of thing that every girl loves.  He's Country Music's current bad boy, and with many hits, he is also my absolute favourite artist (by far I might add).
One of my favourite song of his actually teaches a very prominent lesson to many, basically stating that sh** happens and you need to move on with life and stop focusing on things that won't matter a couple weeks down the road.  It's titled "Over When It's Over."

He released his first single in 2006 and it hit the top 20 by the time his debut album was released, titled "Sinners Like Me."  But obviously before he produced any music he was born, May 3rd 1977... MAY THIRD IS ALSO MY BIRTHDAY WOOHOO! He grew up in North Carolina, a beautiful state and attended University there for marketing.  Two of the biggest hits from his second album include "Love Your Love The Most" and "Hell On The Heart" two excellent songs. 

Church's most recent hits include "Like Jesus Does" and "Creepin" however, his biggest hit that he has ever released is "Springsteen." The song itself is a typical love story, about a high school romance, however it is written maybe ten or twenty years after the fact.  The moral of the song is generally live life with no regrets, and wish the best for those who pass through your life because every person is beautiful in some way.

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/eric-church-mn0000632233/biography

Blake Shelton; New and Heartfelt Country

Many of the artists I have previously blogged about have experienced some sort of close family-related death like a parent or sibling, and Blake Shelton is another.  After being born in 1976 and raised in Oklahoma, at the age of 14, Blake lost his brother in a fatal car accident.  This shaped his entire life from that moment on.  After the accident Blake was given things of his brothers, including his albums and he listened to them on repeat trying to imagine his brothers presence; however as many may know, nothing can fill the void of an empty heart.  But soon the young man moved to Nashville, at just 17, to pursue a career in songwriting.  In 2002 he finally hit the charts with a song he sang himself titled "Austin."  After the release of that single, Blake continued on to be one of Country Music's currently biggest artists.

The reason why I love Blake Shelton so much is because of one specific song that he himself wrote, and his wife, Miranda Lambert co-wrote and also sung.  The song is titled "Over You" and is about the loss of Blake's brother.  After dating for many years, and being married for over a year Shelton still had not opened up to his wife about the loss of his brother.  One night after watching an interview where Blake's father was asked about the death of his son Richie, (after the death of Blake's father)  Blake finally opened up to his wife about what had happened so many years ago.  They then began to write the song, and the lyrics of the song send shivers down my spine.  Coming from a big family, I could never imagine the loss of one of my siblings, but the song put me in Shelton's shoes and after understanding the story behind the lyrics I could not help but becoming emotional.  It really helped me realize how precious life is, and how blessed I am to have one beautiful sister and three over-protective (and somewhat crazy) brothers.  Blake Shelton is a wonderful idol for any person who has gone through the loss of a sibling or parent at a young age.  Props to absolutely any person who can continue on with life, living each and every moment to it's fullest despite the loss of such a close loved one.  

http://www.biography.com/people/blake-shelton-20833401

http://tasteofcountry.com/blake-shelton-brother-accident-miranda-lambert-over-you/

Shania Twain, A Pretty Cool Lady

Although born in WINDSOR ONTARIO (woohoo for our hometown ladies and gents) Shania Twain was raised in Timmins, in a large and struggling family.  She began performing in her bedroom alone to  ease her mind and soon enough was playing in clubs, nursing homes and any other place she could get booked at the young age of just 8 years old.
As the eldest of five children, when her parents passed away in 1987, Twain was only 21 and took on the responsibility of raising her siblings.  Six years later she landed a record deal and that same year was married.
Late 1994 Twain's first real "hit" single made its way up the country charts all the way to the eleventh spot; "Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under" was a break through song for the young performer.

Shania is the best selling female country artist of all time, and like Garth has retired from the touring life, making her a Country Music Legend. However, throughout the late 1990's she continued to release two more albums and released her last album in 2002 titled "Up!"  Feature hits on the album include: "I'm Gonna Getcha Good."

Other major hits by the artist include "Come On Over" and "You're Still The One."

Shania is a fabulous artist who I have personally always idolized, beginning with a performance at the Calgary Fair in which Shania winked at me in the audience.  My personal favourite song, "Honey, I'm Home" was also the song in which she was performing while this wink occurred. 

Well, a Shania impersonator, but I was three years old so I didn't know any better.  Either way, many of her songs feature a country-pop mix and have always been excellent to sing along to while driving or even to listen to while procrastinating a blog for your High School English class.

Enjoy her beauty and talent, and learn more about her at her own website, where i found a majority of this information, and if you're lucky maybe you'll be able to go see her first real performance in years on December 14th.

http://www.shaniatwain.com/bio.html 

Garth Brooks, My Idol

Garth was born in Tulsa Oklahoma in 1962, and while attending Oklahoma State University he performed in Bars and Clubs to earn a little side money.  He moved to Nashville for the second time in his life time in 1987, both times to pursue a career in Country music, his first time unsuccessful.  Two short years later, with the help of his manager, Garth landed a recording deal with Capitol Records.
Soon he released "If Tomorrow Never Comes" and "The Dance" two of his greatest and earliest hits.  It was hard to predict how successful he would be, but he is now know as one of the top selling Country artist's of all time.
In 2000, while undergoing family-related problems Garth announced his dismissal from country music in order to spend more time with his wife and three daughters.  He was divorced later that year, but also took in three excellent awards at the American Music Awards including Artist Of The Decade.
In 2005 Garth made a partial come back when announcing his marriage to country music star, Trisha Yearwood.  In 2009 he began performing in Vegas and in the next couple years he was inducted into the Song Writer's Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Garth has influenced country in such a way that without his being in history, country would not be as we know it today.  He played a great role in the evolution of the genre in the late 1980's and 1990's to country of today.  Garth also one of favourite artists because in every one of his live performances that I have seen on tv or online, he performs with such a passion that the crowd feels his emotion and is truly warmed by the artist.

During a charity concert in New York, a state where there is minimal Country following and not one Country radio station, Garth was nervous to take the stage expecting only 100 people.  When he walked on stage he was so astonished by the crowd of 1 million people.  His performance of that day was so legendary it is still frequently spoken of on country radio.

I find Garth to be such an idol because as many young couples today are having marriage problems and ending in divorce, Garth has gone through this already in life, and has written songs about how deeply it may affect one's life.  In addition, when he sings, performs or even does so much as step on stage, the emotion behind his performance and the passion that seeps through every word he sings is truly inspiring to anyone who wants to pursue a career in music.  He may have retired from the business, but he continues to be heard all over the world every single day.

http://www.biography.com/people/garth-brooks-9542125

George Strait's Traditional Country

George Strait was born in 1952 in Poteet, Texas. After being raised on a family farm, he decided to study Agriculture a South-Western Texas State University and soon eloped with long-time high school sweetheart, Norma.
After joining the army, Strait was serving in Hawaii and joined a band called Rambling Country.  After many unsuccessful years of trying to land a record deal as a band, George signed a contract with MCA in 1980.  The following year Strait released his first album Strait Country.
During this time period, Country-Pop was becoming popular and George Strait was one of few country artists to remain strictly Traditional Country. He also managed to gain a large following and many #1 hits throughout the rest of the decade.  By 1989 George was the face of Country music, winning Entertainer of the Year in 1989 and 1990 at the CMA's (Country Music Awards).
Between 1996 and 2000 Strait released four hit albums.  He also won a National Medal of the Arts presented by George W. Bush.
Strait has been motivated by the death of his daughter, Jennifer, in a car accident in 1986, to be a better father, song-writer and artist in general.  His son, George Jr performs in rodeo's as a cowboy.
Strait's final tour is currently moving through the US and will be visiting Detroit in February of 2014, his final Detroit show.

Carrying Your Love With Me- George Strait (1997)

"Carrying Your Love With Me" is one of my many favourite songs by George, his traditional country lyrics and feel remind me of the music I listened to growing up and really bring me back to the good ole' days when there were no worries, I'd go driving around with my Dad in his truck and just listen to traditional artists (or the occasional bluegrass artist which i do not care for) for hours.  George is the everyday family man and is the perfect example of the man every boy should strive to be.

http://www.biography.com/people/george-strait-9542120

Hank Williams Jr.

Hank Jr was born in 1949 in Louisianna and began performing his fathers songs at 8 years old. In the early 1970's he combined country and blues; creating his own identity in music, and has released many platinum albums since.  His father, Hank Sr, country music legend and pioneer, passed away in 1952, only three years after his birth.  From that moment on, his mother, Audrey pushed Hank to become a country music artist, and Hank followed willingly. 
At the age of 11, Hank performed at the Grand Ole Opry, a huge honour for the family and Hank. Soon after he had his first top 5 hit, a cover of his fathers song "Long Gone Lonesome Blues."  In 1974, Hank hit an all-time low and attempted suicide, which later led to the creation of his first album "Hank Williams Jr and Friends." 
After an accident, Hank spent two years undergoing reconstructive surgeries to his face, which created his mysterious cowboy look, with a hint of hillbilly.  In the 1980's Hank found the greatest stardom of his life, releasing many hit songs including "Family Tradition," "Texas Woman" and "Born to Boogie."

Later that decade Hank began his association with Monday Night Football on ABC.  However recently  Hank parted ways with the program due to an offensive comment comparing Barrack Obama and Adolf Hitler.  

Much like Conway Twitty, the artist strived during the Country-Pop Era, but Hank continues to produce music and has released songs as early as 2012.

Hank Jr. is one of my personal favourites because he, unlike many others, is capable of stating his opinion without worrying what others may think; he will live his life by his beliefs and he's not afraid to let others know what he thinks.  Personally, I believe that this trait has its good and its bad, but in the long run honesty is the only policy.  If every person were to speak their true beliefs, (we would probably have many more wars) but at least there would be no misunderstandings and people would be happier.

http://www.biography.com/people/hank-williams-jr-162961