The life of Urban Keith

In October 26, 1967 Keith Loinel Urban was born in Whangarei, New Zealand. His family moved in Queensland, Australia where he was raised. At the very young age of 6 years old, he started to learn playing guitar and actually exhibited talent. By the age of 8, he won a number of young contests. This can be attributed to his parents’ interest in music particularly country music as inspired by great singers namely Dolly Parton and Glen Campbell. When he was a teenager, he formed a band named “The Ranch” which consisted of Urban Keith (vocalist), Peter Clarke (drummer), and Jerry Flower (bass player). In 1997, the band released their debut album but because of Urban Keith’s throat issues, they had to stop and unfortunately they disbanded. Despite of this, Keith never went out of touch with his career as he is always invited to play for famous country groups and artists like the Dixie Chicks and Garth Brooks. But like some famous artists, Urban Keith is a frequent cocaine user and in 1998, he went to rehab. The following year, his treatment was finished and he signed a contract with Nashville TN, right away they produced his self titled debut album. This album had four singles ranking in the top country charts including “But for the grace of God” which was a number one country hit. His second album “Golden Road” which was released in 2002 created two chart topping singles- “Somebody like you” and Who wouldn’t want to be me” In 2004, his next album “Be here” successfully sold over 4 million copies. He had also received numerous awards such as 2001 CMA’s top new male vocalist, 2004 CMA’s Entertainer of the year, 2006 Grammy award for best male country vocal performance and a few Grammy nominations. In 2006, Urban Keith gained attention from the media and his fans when he married the famous and one of the most celebrated actresses Nicole Kidman. In the same year, Keith Urban released another album-“Love, pain and the whole crazy thing” which gained double platinum in United States. He had also admitted the desire to end his alcohol addiction

in order to avoid risking his relationship with Nicole. He then admitted himself into rehab. His next album “Defying gravity” was released in 2009, the singles attribute about his wife- “only you can love me this way” and “sweet thing” topped the charts. 

In the following years, Keith Urban had released successful singles. “Without you” (released in 2011) topped number one and earned him a Grammy award. His latest single “For you” was released for the 2012 film- Act of valor. Being one of the top country singers (2012) Keith Urban has that unique characteristic of fusing pop tunes of songs in country music that entices not only country lovers but pop lovers as well.

The biography of Willie Nelson

Willie Hugh Nelson is the iconic singer for outlaw country music. Nicknamed as the red headed stranger, this talented and versatile country artist is also a songwriter, philanthropist, actor and activist. He was born in Abbot Texas on April 30, 1933- the year in which America suffered great depression. Living with his grandparents, Nelson and his sister were abandoned by their mother and their father died. His grandparents are lovers of music, particularly gospel songs. He was exposed with these songs from their local Methodist church. When he was only 6 years old he started with the basics and learned to play guitar. Amazingly, he wrote his first song at a very young age of 7. A football player in Abbott high school, Nelson is also active in sports. In 1950, he graduated from high school and joined the United States Air force. But his back problems hindered him to last in the military. So, he decided to go to college and has done lots of part time jobs to keep things afloat. But eventually, he dropped out of college and worked as a disc jockey for some radio stations. In 1950, he married his first wife, Martha Matthews and together, they had two children. To pursue his dream, Nelson and his family moved to Nashville in 1960.

Nelson built his career slowly but surely, he had sold his written songs to famous singers like Patsy Cline, Billie Walker and Faron Young. By 1961, Nelson had signed his first contract with Liberty Records and released his debut album. His two first singles from the album namely “Willingly” and “Touch me” topped in the country charts. Nelson’s marriage went topsy turvy when he met Shirley Collie- he had a duet with her in a recording made in 1962. Shirley Collie became his second wife. Then came the 1970s where outlaw revolution reigned. Nelson recorded his greatest album “Shotgun Willie” followed by “Phases and Stages” in 1974. These served as Nelson’s starters in his rise to fame. The following year “Red Headed Stranger” was released. It had scored on both country and rock music charts making another title for Nelson as a crossover artist. “Blue eyes crying in the rain”-A featured single from the album has successfully peaked number one in the billboard country chart. Because of this, Nelson won his first Grammy Award. In 1978, he released his album “stardust” in which Nelson had tried a different approach in country music.  The tracks for songs in his album this time had a new style Nelson created and made his fans love it. His best old country songs include “Always on my mind”, “Mamas don’t let your babies grow up to be like cowboys” and “On the road again”.

The country singer Faith Hill

This female country singer was born on September 21, 1967 in Jackson Mississippi. Audrey Faith Perry was adopted by Pat Perry and Edna Perry. She has two brothers- biological sons of Pat and Edna. As a little girl, she performs in the local Baptist church of their hometown. When she was 9 years old, she attended one of Elvis Presley’s performances and she was very impressed. Eventually she learned to play guitar as a young teenager. At the age of 16, she started her own band and they performed in many local fairs and some rodeo events. She graduated high school and went to college at Hinds Community College. But her college education was cut short when she dropped from school and decided to pursue her singing career at the age of 19. She moved to Nashville and worked jobs such as selling t-shirts in the fan fair, working in the McDonald’s and being a secretary for Gay Morris- a country singer and songwriter. She also worked for her country idol Reba McEntire and in 1988; she married Daniel Hill- a music publishing executive. Faith Hill was discovered while she was singing in bluebird café as a backup vocalist by talent scout Martha Sharp. She released her debut album entitled “Take me as I am” which was released in 1993. It became successful when the album’s first single named “Wild One “reached # one in the country chart for four weeks. Her following singles were also successful hits. These include songs “Piece of my heart” and Take me as I am”. 

However, her life reached a sad part when Faith got divorced with Daniel in 1994. The release of Faith’s second album was delayed when a blood vessel near her vocal chords ruptured. She underwent surgery to repair the unfortunate condition. In 1995, Faith Hill returned into action as she released “It matters to me” her second album which has sprung on top of the charts. Faith Hill has done many tours which added fans to the already growing number. She was on tour with country singer Tim McGraw and they were married in October 6, 1996 after hill went pregnant. They sang together and won a couple of awards from CMA for their duet “It’s your love”. Faith Hill’s career grew fast thru the years. She had become a crossover artist for her single “cry” which won her a Grammy award and sold her 3.7 million of copies. Faith Hill has become one of the popular female country singers with her singles which always had a place in the charts and she received never ending awards. Her next album entitled “Illusion” is said to be released this 2012 and hopefully one of her singles will place in the chart’s top country songs (2012).

Eric Church’s biography

Kenneth Eric Church also known as Eric Church is one of country music’s rising superstars today. Born on May 3, 1977 in Granite Falls New Carolina, Church’s talent was discovered as early as when he was four years old. His first performance was at a local restaurant as he stands in his first stage- a table and sings to the waitress with the song entitled “Elvira” the crowd adored him then. At the age of 13, he bought himself a guitar and like some teenagers that time, he learned to play guitar by himself. As his talent blooms, he also started to write songs. In his high school years, he formed a band composed of his brother, roommate and acquaintance (a guitarist). Their band name was “the mountain boys”. They immediately played gigs in their local bar every night. Eventually, they played their gigs in some restaurants, bars and gatherings located in North Carolina. They had also played some original songs that Church composed. Church had planned to go to Nashville and focus in his dream of having a career in country music but his father offered him a deal that if he finishes college, he’ll pay for the first 6 months stay in Nashville.

Eric Church sees this as a good enough offer so he agreed. Finally, he graduated high school and attended Appalachian State University in college where he got his degree in Marketing. Right away he transferred to Nashville and was scared and clueless at first. But before leaving Carolina, Church and his father had made contacts in Nashville and this got him signing a publishing deal with Sony Tree Company as a songwriter. He had also done about 70 demos for them. He was then introduced to a famous producer named Jay Joyce by Arthur Buenahora Jr. from Sony Tree Company. In 2006, Eric Church signed a contract with Capitol Records and produced his first album “Sinners like Me” with the first single from the album entitled “How ‘bout you” which immediately ranked number 14 in the billboard country chart. His other singles “Two pink lines” and “guys like me” also placed in the top 20 country charts. In March 24, 2009, Church released his second album “Carolina” which bought the single “Love your love the most” and reached in the top 10 of the country charts. His next single “Hell on the heart” was also placed in the top 10 country songs of 2010. Last July 26, 2011 Eric Church released his third album “Chief” which housed some top country songs (2011) like “Springsteen” and “Drink in my hand”.

The Band Perry

This group consists of three siblings Neil, Reid, and Kimberly Perry. Their hometown is in Greeneville, Tennessee. Kimberly (1983) is the eldest followed by Reid (1988) and then Neil (1990)-the youngest. As youngsters, they had already manifested their love for music. Kimberly had started a band and both her brothers’ job was to tune guitars and polish the drums. When the boys got taller, they decided to make a three piece band comprised of siblings. They performed gigs in Mobile, Ala and in radio stations.

In that fateful day of 2005, the band Perry was officially formed when they were included in the New Faces of Country tour. In 2008, they made connections with Bob Doyle- Garth Brook’s manager and right away they were writing and recording songs in Nashville. They were discovered by Jimmy Harnen and Scott Borchetta- both are label executives. In 2009, they signed their first contract with Republic Nashville and released their first single “Hip to my heart” on the same year. It ranked number 20 in the billboard hot country songs. Their next single “If I die young” was even more successful. It immediately skyrocketed to number one in the country chart in just a few months after its release. This song was written single handed by Kimberly Perry. In October 2010, they released their album named “The band Perry” which sold 50,000 copies after its release.

The band has received many awards such as the top new vocal group by the Academy of country music in 2011. They were awarded as the best new artist and best single of the year (If I die young) by the Country Music Association. Their album has been certified platinum and they were invited to perform on the white house and also in the concerts of famous celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Rihanna.

Their third single “You Lie” was another success. Released in December 2010, it placed no.2 in the 2011 country charts. Their next single “All your life” was released in August of 2011 and topped number one in February of the next year, which makes it as their second # 1 hit. “Postcard from Paris” is their latest single and was released in March 2012. The band’s good country songs have led them to be nominated for several awards namely best new artist, vocal group of the year and top country album. Hopefully, their new single will take its place in the country music chart as their other singles did.

Hank Williams Sr. Biography

Hank Williams’ real name is Hiram King Williams. He was born on September 17, 1923 in Mt. Olive west, Ala. He was a son of a World War I veteran which results to a childhood where he was mostly taken care of by his strong-willed mother. He was afflicted with Spina Bifida (a defect from birth wherein the spinal cord does not form properly). They later transferred in Georgiana, Ala where he met his friend a black American named Rufie Payne who is a street musician. This friend he mentioned gave him all the training he ever needed in music. In 1934, Hiram King got into a fight with his coach. Hiram’s mother anticipated the resignation of the coach, but he didn’t so they moved to Montgomery. At the age of 16, Hiram King quit school and decided to follow his dream to become a country singer. It was also at this age in which he decided to change his name to Hank- a name he decided suitable for his career. Hank would play with his guitar in front of the WSFA radio studios until he was invited to come in and perform on air. After his performance, the listeners liked his style and asked more for his songs. After his success on radio stations, he started his own band named “Drifting cowboys”. They frequently performed in clubs and parties. In 1939, he dropped out of school to focus more in his band. But the World War II affected the band badly; all of his band members enlisted for the army and the substitutions refuse to work with Hanks since he is always drunk. Hank Williams was already recognized by fellow country artists but his addiction to alcohol blocked his way for success. In August 1942, he was fired by WSFA because of “Habitual Drunkenness”. In 1943, he met Audrey Mae Sheppard who was his manager and later became her wife in December of 1944. After the help of Sheppard’s friend, Hank signed a contract with Sterling Records and releases his first single “Move it on over” in 1947. In 1948, his song “Honky Tonkin’” was placed in the billboard charts. But because of his alcohol addiction, His manager gave up on him and his wife filed a divorce. But they were reconciled and Hank’s career went back to life. His famous songs were “Lovesick blues”, “You’re gonna change, and “cold cold heart” which gained their places in the billboard charts. But life for Hank is not all rainbows and butterflies. In 1952, he and Sheppard got divorced. And then he married a girl named Jean Jones but still he was miserable. In January 1, 1953, he injected himself with Vitamin B12 and morphine which got him killed. He left handwritten lyrics to a song that was yet to be recorded; it was entitled “I’ll never get out of this world alive”.

Hank was considered as the best country singer for some. His self made lyrics give the notion to reality because he is also experiencing these. His top country songs like

Long Gone Lonesome blues mirror his sad experiences about his life.

The life of John Denver

John Denver is a famous folk and country music artist. The songs “Take me home country roads” (1972), “Rock Mountain high” (1972), “Back home again” (1974), “Annie’s song” (1974) and “Calypso” are his famous original singles. Being an advocate for the environment, he has been referred to as the “poet for the planet”.



John Denver’s real name was Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. Born in Roswell New Mexico in December 31, 1943; he is the eldest of his family and had lived a military life since his stern father worked for the military as he described in his autobiography “Take me home”. On his third year high school, he tried to run away from home but his father came after and retrieved him, he then finished high school.

At the age of 12, he received his first guitar- a gift from his favorite grandmother. It was 1910 Gibson acoustic jazz guitar he was very fond of. In 1957, Denver attended college in Texas Technical University for four years but he didn’t finish it, he dropped out of college and in 1965, he travelled to New York City to try his luck on an audition for Chad Mitchell trio which was composed of John Denver, David Boise and Michael Johnson. He changed his name to John Denver; the “Denver” was after his favorite capital of the state. During “Chad Mitchell’s” presentation at a college in Minnesota, Denver met Annie Marie Martell who later became his wife in 1967 together, they had two children but Denver and Martell got divorced in 1983. Denver had married his second wife-Cassandra Delaney in 1988. In 1968, the group disbanded and Denver then released his debut solo album entitled “Rhymes and Reasons” had covered the single “Leaving on a jet plane” (which was originally entitled “Babe, I hate to go”). This single became utterly famous when folk pop group- Peter, Paul and Mary recorded this. It placed number one in the Billboard top 100. His next four albums for the two following years were also successful. He was tagged as “the golden boy of folk music” with his wholesome good looks. His most successful albums were poems, prayers and promises (1971) and “Back home again (1974). Like any other successful country artist, John Denver received many awards such as Top male recording artist (1974-1975) and CMA entertainer of the year. John Denver like his father is a pilot and while flying a plane down over Monterey Bay, California in October 12, 1997, his plane crashed leading him to his death. John Denver’s songs still belongs in the top country music and best country songs  today in fact his single “take me home country roads” placed number 18 in the list of CMT top 100 songs of 2011.

Country music icon: Dolly Parton

The beginning of this legendary country singer was a life not that of the rich but of that sort where one strives hard to keep food on the table. Dolly Rebecca Parton was born in January 19, 1946 on Sevierville, Tennessee. Living in a poor dilapidated one room cabin with eleven siblings, her mother Avie Lee Parton- a housewife and father-Robert Lee Parton a tobacco farmer can only afford to keep food in their stomachs. She described their life at that time as “dirt poor”. Her song “coat of many colors” describes her poor experience in her childhood. Since Parton’s parents are Pentecostal, religion has a great influence in her music.

As a child, she is already performing in the local radio and television in East Tennessee. At young age of 9 years old, she showed her appearance in the Cas Walker Show. She signed her contract for her debut album with Gold band Records at the age of 13. But Parton cherishes the importance of education so she patiently finished high school. Right after graduating in 1964, she moved to Nashville where she met a guy named Carl Dean who runs an asphalt paving business. This guy later became her husband on May 30, 1966. Although Dean doesn’t like publicity and rarely accompanies Parton during her performances, He simply loves Parton in simple and romantic ways such as writing poems for her. They never had children but their marriage had lasted up to now.

Parton is also a songwriter. She wrote songs for famous country artists like Hank Williams Jr. and Skeeter Davis. In 1965, her dream to become a singer was fully recognized. She signed with the Monument Records company as a pop star and owned her one national chart single entitled “happy happy birthday, baby”. After her performance in the “Porter Wagoner” show where she released her first album “Hello, I’m Dolly”. Dolly has stayed with Wagoner’s show for 7 years and she immediately became famous. Her first country single “Dumb Blonde” ranked number 24 in the country music charts (1967). In 1970, her single “Joshua” placed number 1 which made her decide to try out in the world of country music alone. In 1974, she left the show after performing their last concert with Wagoner.

Dolly Parton’s country music is very successful. Her signature song “Coat of many colors” ranked number four in the country charts. “Jolene” was her blockbuster song and it ranked number one in the singles chart in 1974 and ranked number 7 in the UK singles chart in 1976. Her song “I will always love you” skyrocketed to number one in 1974. Dolly Parton has received numerous awards such as Best female country Vocal  performance and 5 Country music association awards. In the 1970s, her popularity flourished as she is constantly appears on television. She got an Oscar Nomination for writing the title tune in the movie “Nine to five”. Dolly Parton’s country songs are still very well known today, they are considered as one of the best country music of aall time.

The life of Blake Shelton

Born from Ada, Oklahoma in June 18, 1976 Blake Tollison Shelton at the age of 8 was heard by her mother when he was singing in his bedroom. She made him participate in various talent shows and several years later, he has already mastered playing the guitar at the age of 12. He had won awards in his hometown like the Denbo Diamond Award (highest award for young Oklahoma performers) He took a giant step for his dream when he moved to Nashville after his high school graduation to start up his singing career. This was after his older brother died from a car accident.  In 1998, He has signed his first contract with the Giant Records and in the year 2001; he recorded “Austin” which topped number one for five weeks in the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks. Giant Records then underwent dissolution and Shelton was transferred to the Warner Bros, company. His next singles "All Over Me" and "Ol' Red" still gained recognition from the listeners. In 2003, his single “the baby” from his third album placed number one in the billboard country music charts for 3 weeks.

In November 17, 2003, Blake married his long time girlfriend Kaynette Williams but they were later divorced in 2006. Then Shelton met Miranda Lambert (fellow country music singer) in their first duet at a show of country music television and made her his girlfriend. Miranda has served a guest appearance with Shelton’s fourth album Pure BS which led to fans and media attraction. She had made another appearance on his 2008 album “Startin’ fires” in which they had a duet from the single entitled “Bare skin rug”. After dating for four years, Blake proposed to Miranda in 2010. His albums Hillybilly bone and All about tonight has contained three singles which topped the charts. In November, Blake Shelton released his first greatest hits album and was awarded as the Male Vocalist of the year by the 44th Annual Country Music Awards.  His single “Honey bee” placed number one in the Billboard hot country songs chart.  In May, Shelton married Lambert in Boerne, Texas. Several weeks later, he joined NBC’s singing competition “The Voice” as a judge/ coach. His single “Honey bee” from the album “Red river blue has been one of the top country songs 2011.  Recently (2012) , his song “Drink on it” has belonged to the top ten country songs of billboard.com.