By continuing to use this website you agree to our terms and conditions. If you don't agree with our terms and conditions, you are not permitted to continue using this website.
Table of Contents
Ever wonder what your favoritecountry starswere doing before they hit it big? Believe it or not, many of them held down regular jobs just like the rest of us.
Before the fame, the awards, and the sold-out concerts, these artists were working everyday jobs, dreaming of the day they’d break into the music industry.
From farm work to retail jobs, their pre-fame careers are as diverse and interesting as their music.
These experiences not only shaped their characters but also influenced their music, giving them the relatable and authentic edge that fanslove.
Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and uncover the last “normal” gigs of some of today’s top country artists.
Carrie Underwood: A Small-Town Farm Girl
Before she became America’s sweetheart on “American Idol,”Carrie Underwoodwas a farm girl from Checotah, Oklahoma.
She spent her days tending to animals and helping out around the farm. She also worked at a fuel station.
This down-to-earth upbringing no doubt shaped her grounded personality and relatable lyrics.
Source: Instagram (carrieunderwood)
Blake Shelton: Roofing and Watermelon Selling
Blake Shelton might be known for his charm and wit on “The Voice,” but before all that, he was swinging a hammer and selling watermelons.
Blake worked in roofing construction and also helped his father sell watermelons.
His work ethic and humble beginnings are evident in his music and persona.
Jordan Davis: A Bartender
BeforeJordan Daviswas singing hits like “Singles You Up,” he was working as a bartender in Nashville.
With a degree in environmental science, he was on a completely different career path before deciding to pursue his true passion: music.
Luke Bryan: Peanut Farm Laborer
Growing up in rural Georgia,Luke Bryanwas no stranger to hard work. He spent his pre-fame days working on his family’s peanut farm.
This experience of laboring under the hot sun instilled in him a strong work ethic and an appreciation for the simple things in life, which comes through in hismusic.
Jason Aldean: Pepsi Delivery Service Driver
Jason Aldean‘s last job before hitting it big was performing in clubs and bars. While this might not sound like a “regular” job, it was a grind.
Night after night, he played for small crowds, honing his craft and building his reputation.
He also worked as a delivery driver transporting Pepsi. He did this job until he secured his recording contract.
Chris Stapleton: Songwriter for Others
Chris Stapletonwas writing hits long before he became a star himself.
His job as a songwriter for other artists was his last gig before stepping into thespotlight.
Craftingsongsfor others gave him the experience and insight needed to create his critically acclaimed solo work.
Kane Brown: FedEx and Target Employee
Kane Brown’s rise to fame is a modern Cinderellastory. Before his music career took off, he worked at FedEx and Target to make ends meet.
His big break came through social media, where he built a massive following by posting cover songs.
His hard work and determination helped him transition from retail to the country musicstage.
Dolly Parton: The Early Days in Nashville
Dolly Parton, the queen of country, had her share of humble beginnings.
After moving to Nashville, she worked at local dry cleaners.
This job was far from glamorous, but it was a stepping stone that led her to become a music legend and an icon of perseverance and hard work.
Source: Instagram (dollyparton)
Shania Twain: Resort Singer
Before becoming the best-selling female artist in country music history,Shania Twainworked as a singer at a resort in Ontario, Canada.
This job helped her refine her performance skills and gave her the confidence to pursue a career in music full-time.
Keith Urban: Odd Jobs in Australia
Keith Urbanheld various odd jobs in Australia before making it big in Nashville.
From working at a concert lighting company to doing construction work, Keith’s diverse job history gave him a unique perspective and a rich pool of experiences to draw from in his music.
Kelly Clarkson: Job at Papa John’s
Kelly Clarksonmight be a pop sensation and TV personality today, but before her “American Idol” win, she had a string of odd jobs.
One of her last gigs was promoting energy drinks at various events. She also had a job at Papa John’s and spent time as a cocktail waitress.
These jobs provided her with plenty of life experience and a strong work ethic.
Thomas Rhett: Installed Hardwood Floors
Thomas Rhettgrew up in a musicalfamily, but his path to fame wasn’t instant.
Before Rhett became the voice behind millions of life soundtracks, he used to install hardwood floors.
He has also worked as a songwriter, penning hits for other artists.
His background gave him a unique perspective on the music industry from an early age.
Source: Instagram (thomasrhettakins)
Garth Brooks: A Bouncer
Garth Brooks, the legendary country superstar, worked several jobs before his big break.
During his college years at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla., Brooks worked as a bouncer at a local bar for severalyears.
Furthermore, one of his last pre-fame gigs was selling cowboy boots in Nashville.
These jobs helped him stay afloat financially while he performed in small clubs and honed his craft.
His persistence paid off, leading to his monumental success.
Dierks Bentley: Cleaned Dirty Houseboats
Before hitting it big,Dierks Bentleyhad a job where he drained waste from houseboats that had been out on the water for days or even weeks
He also worked as a researcher for The Nashville Network (TNN).
These jobs allowed him to immerse himself in the country music scene and learn the ins and outs of the industry.
Dave Haywood: Booking Agent
Before achievingfamewith Lady A,Dave Haywoodworked as a booking agent.
Interestingly, he was Lady A’s own booking agent and would pretend he wasn’t part of the band when talking to venues on the phone.
He also worked as an accountant at a brokerage firm in Atlanta, crunching numbers and dealing with finances.
This analytical background provided a unique skill set that he later applied to his music career.
Knowing about the pre-fame jobs of country artists givesfansa glimpse into their lives before they became famous.
It shows that they are regular people who worked everyday jobs, which can make their success stories even more relatable and inspiring.
How did working regular jobs influence these artists’ music careers?
Working regular jobs often instilled a strong work ethic, humility, and a sense of perseverance in these artists.
These qualities helped them navigate the challenges of the music industry and stay grounded despite their fame.
Conclusion
It’s fascinating to learn about the varied paths these country artists took before achieving fame.
Their last pre-fame jobs reflect their roots and often shape their music, making them more relatable to fans.
Whether they were working on farms, selling boots, or promoting energy drinks, these experiences helped mold their work ethics and grounded personalities.
These stories remind us that behind every superstar is a person who once held a regular job, dreaming of the day they’d make it big.
Their journeys from ordinary jobs to country music stardom inspire us all to chase our dreams and stay true to our roots.
So, next time you listen to a hit country song, remember that the artist behind the music might have been working a job just like yours not too long ago.
Last Updated: July 1, 2024
Lucky you! This thread is empty,
which means you've got dibs on the first comment.
Go for it!