Country music has always celebrated the common folk, but that doesn't mean you stop listening once you hit the big time. Some of country music's most vocal cheerleaders are celebrities - and they're not all in Music City. Here are five of the biggest celebrity country music fans.
5. Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson may have gotten her start in the pop world, but she's still a Texas girl at heart. The inaugural American Idol winner has always been vocal about her love for country, collaborating with Vince Gill, Jason Aldean and Reba McEntire. Maybe one day the powerhouse singer will make a country record of her own.
On her talk show, the well-rounded entertainer's interviewed Tim McGraw and covered Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift, "Kellyoke" style.
4. Stephen King
There's a good chance that when the king of horror was penning bone-chilling novels like "The Shining" and "It," he was jamming some country music. The author is an outspoken champion of country music. In his now defunct column for Entertainment Weekly, King praised country songs from The Derailers, Josh Turner, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams III.
"I got a quarter, heads Carolina, tails California, somewhere greener, somewhere warmer..." Man, I love it. Today's Country Day in my house.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) May 28, 2017
Today's great country music title: "She Got the Ring and I Got the Finger."
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) October 12, 2016
3. Matthew McConaughey
Matthew McConaughey is one of Hollywood's most beloved actors. But the Texan's first big break was starring in Trisha Yearwood's video for "Walkaway Joe." That certainly wasn't the last time McConaughey mingled with Nashville stars. He also appeared in Jamey Johnson's video for "Playing the Part," shared the big screen with Trace Adkins in The Lincoln Lawyer and frequently makes memorable and hilarious appearances at country music award shows.
2. Chris Pratt
Everyone's favorite former Pawnee, Indiana City Hall employee and current Star-Lord has his own list of favorite country music stars. Chris Pratt is a die-hard fan of Chris Stapleton and has said that he listened to Eric Church to get pumped for his role in Jurassic World. He also made a country-filled playlist, including Church, George Strait and Garth Brooks, back in 2014.
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1. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
"The Rock" is one of the coolest and most lovable celebrities around so it makes since that he would also have great taste in music. Last year, Dwayne Johnson praised outlaw country singer Cody Jinks for his lyrics and traditional country style. Johnson has also expressed his longtime love for "hardcore country" in interviews and on social media, naming Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Johnny Paycheck and Sturgill Simpson among his favorites. Who wouldn't love to see The Rock at their next country concert?
The Rock's old in-ring rival and fellow WWE Hall of Fame inductee "Stone Cold" Steve Austin has similar listening habits, searching beyond country radio hits for classic country legends and singer-songwriters. Country artist guests on Austin's podcast have included Jinks, Luke Bryan and Joshua Hedley.
And let's not forget the time that Hulk Hogan pretend married Dolly Parton.
This story originally ran on Nov. 2, 2018.
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