With the advent of singing competitions that started with American Idol and then spawned spinoffs like America's Got Talent and The Voice, it's not surprising that many of the household names we have in country music today got their start on reality TV. Here are 10 country stars who earned their claim to fame on the small screen.
Scotty McCreery
When Scotty McCreery first appeared on the 10th season of American Idol, the singer was more known for looking like the Mad Magazine guy than for his impressively smooth bass voice.
Meghan Linsey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWZ0OUta7pQ
Meghan Linsey got her start in the music business on the show Can You Duet, as part of the duo Steel Magnolia. Their song "Keep on Lovin' You" went to No. 4 on the charts. She later appeared on The Voice as a solo artist.
Kellie Pickler
Kellie Pickler may not have won season five of American Idol, but her debut album, Small Town Girl was certified gold by the RIAA. Recently, she started co-hosting a talk show called Pickler & Ben.
Lauren Alaina
You might remember Lauren Alaina lost season 10 of American Idol to fellow country star Scotty McCreery. Since then she has had two No. 1 hits, including "Road Less Traveled," and won several awards.
Joey + Rory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND_nJHmTB9g
Joey + Rory won third place in CMT's Can You Duet in 2008. The husband and wife team's 2008 debut album The Life of a Song went to No. 10 on the country charts. Rory retired from performing after Joey's untimely death from cervical cancer in 2016.
RaeLynn
RaeLynn made it to the quarterfinals of The Voice on Team Blake, and her 2014 single "God Made Girls" made it to No. 7 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
Kacey Musgraves
Kacey Musgraves appeared on Nashville Star in 2007, but didn't have her first hit until 2012 when she released "Merry Go 'Round."
Chris Young
Unlike many of the other successful Nashville Star veterans, Chris Young actually won the show in 2006. He has since charted several hit songs and was recently inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.
Carrie Underwood
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Khsc-vH2wbs
Country music superstar Carrie Underwood got her singing career started by winning the 4th season of the hit show American Idol. The show may have faltered since then, but Underwood has not, earning 14 No. 1 hits.
Miranda Lambert
Miranda Lambert didn't win the first season of Nashville Star when she went on the show in 2003, but she's won a record eight consecutive ACM awards and two Grammys.
Related:
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- The 9 Best Country Blind Auditions on The Voice
- The 10 Best TV Shows Set in Texas
