CMT Blog: Archive

It's always interesting to me to find out what odd jobs superstars once held before they became famous. So I decided to do a little research, specifically into some of the Country Music Hall of Famers' lives to see what sort of gigs they may have had before becoming stars. You may be surprised (or not) by some of these findings.

Roger Miller spent time as a bellhop, Ernest Tubb was a drugstore clerk and Johnny Cash a door-to-door salesman selling appliances. Kitty Wells ironed shirts for the Washington Manufacturing Company and Tammy Wynette worked as a beautician (and kept her license all her life). Before he was declared the King of Country Music, Roy Acuff played semi-professional baseball. Jim Reeves enjoyed his time as a minor leaguer and Charley Pride even tried out for the California Angels. Many country music icons spent time in the military, too. Willie Nelson, Cash and Mel Tillis all joined the Air Force. Ray Price served in the Marines while Tom T. Hall joined the Army, as did Rhodes Scholar and helicopter pilot Kris Kristofferson. (He later went on to sweep the floors at Columbia's recording studio in Nashville.) Some up-and-comers were even roommates when they moved to Nashville. Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash shared quarters, as did Ray Price and Hank Williams. But perhaps my most peculiar find is with Vince Gill. His high school band, Mountain Smoke, once opened for the rock group, Kiss. How's that for an early gig?

Now compare these stories to some of today's country music stars -- Faith Hill and Martina McBride both sold T-shirts on tours, Tim McGraw had high hopes of becoming a professional athlete and Alan Jackson spent time in the used-car business. Shania Twain helped her stepfather in a Canadian logging camp and Carrie Underwood wrote for her school newspaper. And who hasn't heard about Kellie Pickler's days as a roller-skating waitress? Though times may have changed, naturally, the cream of the crop continues to rise to the top.