By Wonderwall.com Editors
12:00pm PDT, Apr 11, 2024
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Take a look back at almost 100 major country music stars early in their careers, starting with singing legend Toby Keith who passed away peacefully at home after a three year battle with stomach cancer on February 5, 2024…
Toby Keith might have lost the mullet, but his talent only grew more than in 1993, the year he released his first studio album — and the year this snap was taken!
Keep reading to see more country stars back at the start of their careers …
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Emily Strayer was 21, Laura Lynch was 34 and Martie Maguire was 23 when this photo of their band — the Dixie Chicks, later renamed The Chicks well after Laura left and singer Natalie Maines became their lead vocalist — posed in Dallas in 1993 ahead of the 1993 release of the groups' third independent album, "Shouldn't a Told You That."
Laura co-founded The Chicks with Robin Lynn Macy (not pictured), Martie and Emily in 1989. She played upright bass and served as the group's lead singer for a time. Robin left the band in the early '90s and Laura followed suit in 1995. Just a few years later, the current iteration of the band featuring Natalie, Martie and Emily shot into the spotlight with breakthrough single "Wide Open Spaces" from their 1998 album of the same name — the band's fourth studio album, which went 13-times platinum in the United States.
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Alan Jackson is pictured here in 1991, a year after he dropped his debut studio album, "Here in the Real World," and scored his first No. 1 hit. He was in his early 30s at the time.
The singer — who's now in the Country Music Hall of Fame — celebrated his 65th birthday on Oct. 17, 2023.
Two years earlier, he publicly shared that he'd been living with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease for more than a decade. "I have this neuropathy and neurological disease," he revealed on the "Today" show in 2021. "It's genetic that I inherited from my daddy. … It's related [to] muscular dystrophy and Parkinson's disease."
The condition is "not going to kill me" but "there's no cure for it," Alan added. "And it's getting more and more obvious. And I know I'm stumbling around on stage. And now I'm having a little trouble balancing, even in front of the microphone, and so I just feel very uncomfortable."
MORE: See your favorite rock stars when they were young
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In 2006 — the same year this smiley snap was taken — a cherub-cheeked, curly-haired Taylor Swift released her self-titled debut album. Just two months shy of her 17th birthday, the singer-songwriter's third single, "Our Song," reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, launching her to superstardom.
MORE: The most iconic rock couples through the years
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Tanya Tucker was just a child when she shot into the spotlight.
She released her debut studio album, 1972's "Delta Dawn," around her 14th birthday.
She's pictured here at 17 in 1975 — the same year she dropped her self-titled album, which was her fourth overall.
Nearly 45 years later, after decades of success, Tanya finally won her first Grammy — two, in fact — at the 2020 Grammy Awards when she was 61.
In 2023, she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
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We hardly recognize New Zealand-born, Australia-raised Keith Urban in this 1993 photo when he was in his early 20s.
After packing up and moving to the States in 1989, Keith became the lead singer of the band The Ranch, which released its first album in 1997.
When he struck out on his own in 1999 with "Keith Urban II," he found musical success with hits like "Where the Blacktop Ends" and "Your Everything."
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Although her self-titled debut album was released in 2001, it wasn't until 2003 that mainstream music fans first heard the name Miranda Lambert.
The talented blonde came in third place on "Nashville Star" that year — she's seen here auditioning at 19!
She managed to snag a lucrative contract with Sony Records on her way out the door.
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Dwight Yoakam, is that you?! The dashing country music star is seen here in 1987 — a year after he won an Academy of Country Music Award for top new male vocalist.
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Country music foursome Little Big Town — Jimi Westbrook, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild and Phillip Sweet — formed in Alabama in 1998.
They're seen here in May 2002, the year they released their self-titled debut album.
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Billy Ray Cyrus rocked a mullet when he made his debut on the music scene in 1992.
His first album, "Some Gave All," became the bestselling album in America that year, and its lead single, "Achy Breaky Heart," went platinum.
MORE: The biggest country music scandals
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Hank Williams Jr. was in his early 20s when he posed for this record label promotional photo circa 1970.
The Southern rock, blues and country music star nicknamed Bocephus — who's the son of country music icon Hank Williams — was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2020.
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In 1991, Trisha Yearwood — who's pictured the following year when she was in her late 20s — dropped her debut self-titled album and her genre-crossing hit single "She's in Love with the Boy."
More than three decades later, she's still one of our all-time favorite country music queens.
Trisha — who in 2005 married her third husband, fellow country music star Garth Brooks — celebrated her 59th birthday on Sept. 19, 2023.
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Before he was ever a hunky, stubble-sporting country music star or a coach on "The Voice" or married to pop star Gwen Stefani, Blake Shelton had a whole smiley-cowboy-with-dimples-and-long-curly-hair look going on. In 2001, he released his self-titled debut album, which went platinum and launched him to superstar status. He's seen here just a few months later at the American Music Awards when he was 25.
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Though The Chicks started making music in the early '90s, they didn't officially arrive until 1998 when they dropped their breakthrough album, "Wide Open Spaces."
The following year, the trio of blondes — Emily Robison (now Emily Strayer, left), Natalie Maines (center) and Martie Seidel (now Martie Maguire) — rocked appropriately eye-catching, oh-so-'90s ensembles during the 1999 Academy of Country Music Awards when they were all still in the 20s.
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Dierks Bentley's first album, "Don't Leave Me in Love," dropped in 2001, but it was so poorly received that it failed to chart.
In 2003 — after he signed with Capitol Records — Dierks released his debut major-label self-titled studio album, which included his first hit single: "What Was I Thinkin'."
He's pictured here in all his curly-haired glory while still in his 20s at the ACM Awards in 2005.
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Look at that side-swept hair! Grammy-winning crooner Steve Earle is seen here during a photoshoot in 1986 — the same year his debut studio album, "Guitar Town," dropped.
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Reba McEntire, who's pictured in 1976 when she was about 21, dropped her self-titled debut album a year later in 1977. She scored her first hit single, "Last Night, Ev'ry Night," when her sophomore album, "Out of a Dream," landed in 1979.
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Shania Twain, who's pictured in 1996, failed to make an impression with her self-titled debut album, which arrived in 1993. But just two years later, she released "The Woman in Me," which went 12-times platinum and included her first hit single, "Any Man of Mine."
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Kenny Rogers, who died in 2020, sure looked different in the 1970s… before he went under the knife and started rocking an all-white beard. During a 2012 appearance on "Anderson Live," the chart-topper admitted that he and Dolly Parton "used to laugh about" his affinity for plastic surgery. "It was all for the sake of what I thought was looking better, and I'm not sure what I'd look like if I hadn't done it, so I'm happy," he said.
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It seems like country music singer Jason Aldean hasn't changed much since his self-titled debut album hit the airwaves back in 2005. (He's pictured the following year when he was in his late 20s.) The album went platinum and gave Jason his first hit singles including "Why," which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
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Connie Smith, who's pictured here in 1973 when she was in her 20s, earned a Grammy nomination for best female country vocal performance for her debut single, 1964's "Once a Day."
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Martina McBride was a crossover country-pop music pioneer who released her debut album, "The Time Has Come," in 1992. She's seen here the following year — before she performed at Farm Aid — when she was 26.
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A baby-faced Luke Bryan was practically unrecognizable at Capitol Records' afterparty following the 41st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas in 2006 — a year before he released his debut album, "I'll Stay Me," in 2007. He was 29 at the time.
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Singer-songwriter and saxophonist Lee Greenwood founded his first band, which played mostly pop tunes, in the early '60s. It wasn't until nearly two decades later that he became a country music star, releasing his first hit singles that made it onto the country charts in 1981 and 1982. He's seen here in 1983 — a year before he released his signature song, "God Bless the U.S.A." (also known as "Proud to Be an American"), in 1984. The patriotic tune, which Lee also wrote, was a wild success that again surged in popularity during the Gulf War in 1991 and following the Sept. 11 terror attacks in 2001.
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Bluegrass-country singer-musician Alison Krauss — pictured at the Grammys in 1993 when she was in her early 20s — was a curly-haired brunette when she first came to fame in the late 1980s.
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Gretchen Wilson shot into the spotlight in 2004 when she was 30 with her debut studio album, "Here for the Party," which featured the hit single "Redneck Woman." She's seen here a few weeks before its release attending a CMT awards show sporting her signature casual-cool look, which hasn't really changed at all over the years!
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Billy Ray Cyrus is famed for his mullet, but he wasn't the only famous country music singer who rocked the hairstyle in the '90s. Travis Tritt — who's pictured in 1991, a year after he dropped his debut studio album, 1990's "Country Club" — also sported the divisive 'do early in his career.
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A baby-faced Brandi Carlile performed in Chicago in 2007 — two years after she made waves with her self-titled debut album.
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These days, this country legend is known for his long hair, bandanas and country-casual look, so we never would've guessed that the man pictured here is Willie Nelson early in his career! The country music icon sported a clean-cut look in this portrait taken circa 1967.
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In 1980 — a year before George Strait released his debut studio album, "Strait Country" — he posed for this portrait. While his current look is more salt-and-pepper cowboy, he's still a certified heartthrob.
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Randy Travis released his debut album, "Storms of Life," in 1986. He's pictured here the following year.
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In 1993 — a year before Tim McGraw posed for this cheesy school-portrait style pic — he released his self-titled debut album, which flopped. His musical fate changed in '94 with the release of his sophomore album, "Not a Moment Too Soon," which reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
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It's been more than 50 years since Emmylou Harris, who's pictured circa 1970 when she was about 23, released her debut studio album, "Gliding Bird," in 1969. As this shot proves, though her hair color has faded from a deep brunette to silver, her beauty and talent only grow with each year!
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In 1994 — the same year this photo was taken — a 26-year-old Kenny Chesney released his debut album, "In My Wildest Dreams." Although it didn't land him at the top of the charts, it did give him his first two hit singles: "Whatever it Takes" and "The Tin Man."
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Fans were blown away in 2005 by curly-haired Carrie Underwood's rich vocal talents on the fourth season of "American Idol" — which the Oklahoma native ultimately won. Her debut studio album, "Some Hearts," dropped later that year, marking Carrie's entrance to the ranks of country music (and, later, pop) royalty. She's seen here at just 22 during a 2005 appearance on the "Today" show.
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When George Jones, who died in 2013 at 81, first entered the mainstream in the late 1950s, he sported a buzzcut and a traditional suit. He released his first No. 1 single, "White Lightning," in 1959 and went on to become one of country music's greatest singers. He's seen here in 1960.
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Johnny Cash, who's pictured in 1956, had quite the dapper look when he first began performing in the 1950s. The country music icon maintained both his looks and his talent throughout his highly successful career. Johnny sold more than 90 million records worldwide by the time of his death in 2003, making him one of the bestselling artists of all time!
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Garth Brooks' first album, "Hungry Years," debuted in 1986. Four years later, the baby-faced cowboy — seen here in 1991 when he was in his late 20s — became a household name following the release of his massive hit song "Friends in Low Places."
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Dolly Parton released her first studio album as a solo artist, "Hello, I'm Dolly," in February 1967. A few years later, the talented blonde beauty posed for this stunning portrait circa 1970.
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Crystal Gayle, who's seen here in London circa 1977 when she was in her mid-20s, has long rocked long, luscious locks! The same year this photo was taken, she released her biggest hit: "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue." Fun fact: She's the younger sister of late country music icon Loretta Lynn!
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The late Loretta Lynn, who died in 2022, sported a classic 1960s bouffant when she first hit the country music scene in 1961, the year this portrait was taken. Today, she's the most awarded female country singer ever: She's sold more than 45 million albums worldwide and scored 24 No. 1 hit singles and 11 No. 1 albums!
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Trace Adkins' looks haven't changed much since he released his debut album, "Dreamin' Out Loud," in 1996. He's pictured here the following year — holding his top new male vocalist trophy — at the 1997 Academy of Country Music Awards.
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Lee Brice — who's pictured in 2010, the same year he dropped his debut studio album, "Love Like Crazy" — often sported a backwards baseball cap early in his career.
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Joe Don Rooney, Jay DeMarcus and Gary LeVox hit the scene as the trio Rascal Flatts in 1999 and dropped their debut self-titled album in 2000. They're pictured together the following year. In 2021, Gary confirmed they'd split after more than two decades of making music together.
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Patty Loveless was 30 when she released her self-titled debut album in 1987. That same year, she was snapped performing at London's Wembley Arena.
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Maren Morris, seen here in 2012, started touring when she was just a kid. It wasn't until she dropped her debut studio album, 2016's "Hero," that she gained critical acclaim and found mainstream success.
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Chris Stapleton's look hasn't changed much since he first gained recognition as the frontman of bluegrass group The Steeldrivers in 2007, the year this photo was taken. One thing that has changed, however, is his level of success. Today, Chris is an acclaimed solo artist who has earned multiple Grammys, ACM Awards and still more CMA Awards.
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Florida Georgia Line landed with a splash in 2012 when they dropped their debut studio album, "Here's to the Good Times." It shot to No. 1 on the country charts — as have several of their follow-up albums. Their sense of style isn't the only thing that's evolved over the years: Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard (pictured in 2012) are also both married now.
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Luke Combs released his first EP, "The Way She Rides," in 2014. The country music singer-songwriter, who's pictured in 2017, has since released two studio albums — 2017's "This One's for You" and 2019's "What You See Is What You Get."
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Kane Brown has been making country music since 2014. After garnering attention via social media, he released the EP "Closer" in 2015. (He's pictured that year.) Then in 2016, he released his debut self-titled album, which reached No. 1 on several Billboard country charts including Top Country Albums and was certified double platinum by the RIAA.
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Grammy-winning country duo Dan + Shay have been making music together since 2013 (pictured) — the same year they released their debut album, "Where It All Began," which features singles "19 You + Me," "Show You Off" and "Nothin' Like You."
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In 1999 — the same year this portrait was taken — Brad Paisley released his debut studio album, "Who Needs Pictures," which featured his first two No. 1 singles: "He Didn't Have to Be" and "We Danced."
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Maddie Marlow and Taylor Dye — who are professionally known as Maddie & Tae — released their debut studio album, "Start Here," in 2015. (They're pictured together in New York City the previous year.)
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Kelsea Ballerini has been in the country music biz since 2014 (pictured). After signing with Black River Entertainment, Kelsea released her debut studio album, "The First Time," in 2015. Three of the album's singles — "Love Me Like You Mean It," "Dibs," and "Peter Pan" — hit No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, making her the first up-and-coming female artist to have her first three singles top the chart.
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When "The Voice" winner Cassadee Pope first hit the music scene, she wasn't a country singer-songwriter — she was the frontwoman of the pop-rock band Hey Monday. The group released their first and only studio album, "Hold On Tight," in 2008. (She's pictured that year.) Four years later, she released a self-titled EP — her first as a solo artist. Her debut country album, "Frame by Frame," debuted in 2013.
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Brett Young entered the country music scene in 2014 with the release of his self-titled EP. The debut single, "Sleep Without You," found major success — it peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. His second studio album, "Ticket to L.A.," was released in 2018. (He's pictured in 2016.)
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Jake Owen chopped off his shaggy locks on the way to country music superstardom. The Florida native released his first album in 2006 (around the time this picture was taken) and has been topping charts ever since.
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Did you know this crooner was born into a country music family? Yep, the son of "Don't Get Me Started" singer Rhett Akins has since become a country superstar in his own right. Thomas Rhett ditched the floppy hair and scruffy look he rocked in 2012 when he was barely 22 (pictured) and is now a slicker, hotter star with several No. 1 singles.
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Gabby Barrett finished third on the 16th season of "American Idol" in 2018 when she was just 17. (She's pictured that year.) The following year, she dropped her debut single, "I Hope," which went four-times platinum!
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Kacey Musgraves dropped her debut album, "Movin' On," in 2002. In 2007, the powerhouse singer-songwriter appeared as a contestant on "Nashville Star" (seen here). She didn't win, but the loss certainly didn't hinder her career!
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Lucinda Williams took home her first Grammy Award — best country song for "Passionate Kisses" — in 1994, two years after she was photographed performing in Chicago.
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Faith Hill, who's pictured in 1995, was just 26 when her first album, "Take Me As I Am," debuted in October 1993. Aside from some perfectly coiffed curls, we'd say Faith looks exactly the same.
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She was such a baby! LeAnn Rimes was a month shy of her 14th birthday when she dropped "Blue," her debut studio album, in July 1996. (She's pictured that year.) Of course, she'd already released three independent albums by then!
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Darius Rucker, who's pictured in 1995, was known as the lead singer of "Hootie and the Blowfish" — and not as a country music singer — when he first launched his career. It wasn't until 2008 that he released his first country album, "Learn to Live," which went platinum and remains his bestselling album to date.
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Eric Church has changed a whole lot over the years. When his first album, "Sinners Like Me," dropped in 2006 (pictured), he rocked a serious hipster look. Gone are the luscious locks and blazers, but what remains is his incredible musical talent.
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Brett Eldredge looked adorably baby-faced in this shot from 2010, three years before his debut studio album, 2013's "Bring You Back," landed.
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Lady A made their red carpet debut at the CMA Awards in 2007, a year before the trio — Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley — dropped their first studio album.
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Country Music Hall of Famers the Oak Ridge Boys started out as a gospel group with a changing membership. In the mid-'70s, they revamped their image and focused on country music. The lineup that delivered the Grammy-winning group's biggest hits (like "Elvira" and "Bobbie Sue") are still together today: Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall, Richard Sterban and William Lee Golden are seen here in 1979.
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Chris Young is pictured in 2006 — the same year he scored his big break by winning the fourth season of "Nashville Star."
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Lauren Alaina is pictured in 2011, the same year she competed on the 10th season of "American Idol" and released her debut studio album, "Wildflower."
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Since this picture was taken in 2015, Ryan Hurd has chopped off his long locks, upgraded his wardrobe and married country music star Maren Morris. In 2017, the songwriter-turned-singer released his first single, "We Do Us."
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Jon Pardi is pictured in 2014, the same year he released his debut studio album, "Write You a Song," which featured singles "Missin' You Crazy" and "Up All Night."
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Singer-songwriter Sam Hunt dropped his debut studio album, "Montevallo," in 2014. (He's pictured that year.) He first made a name for himself writing tracks for big names like Keith Urban and Reba McEntire.
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Dustin Lynch officially arrived in 2012 with his self-titled debut album. (He's pictured that year.) As he's grown as an artist over the years, one thing has miraculously stayed the same: his love of wide-brim cowboy hats!
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Jordan Davis made his country music debut with the 2017 release of "Singles You Up," which earned the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. (He's pictured that year.)
