Texas Roots Shape The Stars Before They Hit Nashville

Nashville may be where country music stars end up getting their polished looks and produced audio tracks, but it is often the Lone Star state that finds them when their young and raw.

From honky-tonks to dance halls, from radio stations to rodeos, Texas has launched semi famous home-town acts into superstardom. Here are five artists who leapt into the spotlight of the country music world in the heart of Texas.

1. George Strait

You can't talk about Texas country music without starting with the King. George Strait was a ranch kid from Pearsall who gained recognition through performing with his band Ace in the Hole in and around San Marcos. He earned a living making appearances in Texas clubs and dance halls until he established a connection with a rep from Nashville. His sound, swagger, and legacy is all rooted in Texas.

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2. Miranda Lambert

Before major awards and headlining festivals, Miranda Lambert was making her mark on stages across Texas. After appearing the world in Lindale, Miranda began shocking the local venues while preforming with her incredible vocals and unapologetic lyrics. She gained regional notoriety from the Texas music scene before she gained global recognition on Nashville Star. Even now, her Texas upbringing is at the forefront of her brand.  

 

 

 

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3. Cody Johnson

Cody Johnson didn’t wait for Nashville to notice him. A rodeo rider from Sebastopol, he built his own fanbase by doing it the old school way - he performed in every bar, dance hall, and rodeo, and fair ground in Texas. Johnson released a few independent albums, sold out Houston Rodeo without a label, and was firmly established into the Texas country music scene before Nashville ever announced.

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4. Kacey Musgraves

Kacey Musgraves, from Golden, Texas, has been performing since she was quite a young kid, and had made herself established a presence in the Texas music scene long before she took home multiple Grammys. Known for her clever, unique, and original lyrics while tackling progressive themes from a country perspective, she was proof that "Texas talent" can be outside the box while honoring tradition.  

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5. Parker McCollum

Parker McCollum, raised in Conroe, Texas, built his audience while fusing red dirt and Texas style and songwriting. Long before he ever signed to a major label, McCollum was selling out venues in Texas solely by word of mouth and air play on Texas regional stations. Now he is at the top of the charts - but it all took place in Texas.

 

 

 

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From dusty bar stages to sold-out stadiums at rodeos, Texas knows how to spur a country star. And these five artists didn't just use it as a launching pad - they made their legacies in the pages of Texas.