country singers biography books

Biographies About Country Music & Folk Legends From Nashville to the heart of America, hear true tales of hardship, heartbreak, and hard-won success from renegade musicians and revered anthem-makers.

Forever and Ever, Amen

• A Memoir of Music, Faith, and Braving the Storms of Life
• By: Randy Travis, Ken Abraham - contributor
• Narrated by: Rory Feek
• Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins
• Overall 5 out of 5 stars 594
• Performance 5 out of 5 stars 528
• Story 5 out of 5 stars 528

Beloved around the world, Randy Travis has sold more than 25 million albums in both country and gospel genres and is considered one of the finest performers of his generation, admired by superstars across the musical landscape, from Garth Brooks to Mick Jagger....

• 5 out of 5 stars
• By David Stanton on 05-15-19
• By: Randy Travis , Ken Abraham - contributor
• Release date: 05-14-19
• Language: English
• 5 out of 5 stars 594 ratings

Never Look at the Empty Seats

• By: Charlie Daniels
• Narrated by: Charlie Daniels
• Length: 8 hrs and 22 mins
• Overall 5 out of 5 stars 906
• Performance 5 out of 5 stars 816
• Story 5 out of 5 stars 811

Few artists have left a more indelible mark on America's musical landscape than Charlie Daniels....

Like a Rocking Chair on Charlie's Front porch.

• By BassetMomma on 11-07-17
• Release date: 10-24-17
• 5 out of 5 stars 906 ratings

Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die

• Musings from the Road
• By: Willie Nelson, Kinky Friedman
• Narrated by: Tom Stechschulte
• Length: 4 hrs and 5 mins
• Overall 4 out of 5 stars 101
• Performance 4 out of 5 stars 92
• Story 4 out of 5 stars 90

In Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die , Willie Nelson muses about his greatest influences and the things that are most important to him, and celebrates the family, friends, and colleagues who have blessed his journey....

• 1 out of 5 stars

Willie's Ramblings

• By Tiffany on 12-02-12
• By: Willie Nelson , Kinky Friedman
• Release date: 11-13-12
• 4 out of 5 stars 101 ratings

It's a Long Story

• By: Willie Nelson, David Ritz - contributor
• Narrated by: Christopher Ryan Grant
• Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 5,130
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 4,556
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 4,544

"Unvarnished. Funny. Leaving no stone unturned"...So say the publishers about this audiobook I've written. What I say is that this is the story of my life, told as clear as a Texas sky and in the same rhythm that I lived it....

• 4 out of 5 stars

An Enjoyable Listen

• By Patrick on 05-19-15
• By: Willie Nelson , David Ritz - contributor
• Release date: 05-05-15
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 5,130 ratings

The Tao of Willie

• A Guide to the Happiness in Your Heart
• By: Willie Nelson, Turk Pipkin
• Narrated by: Willie Nelson, Turk Pipkin, Tom Stechschulte
• Length: 4 hrs and 15 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 230
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 162
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 160

Let Willie's common sense approach to life awaken you to the happiness that already exists in your own heart....

Loved the book...

• By Ryan on 09-30-11
• By: Willie Nelson , Turk Pipkin
• Narrated by: Willie Nelson , Turk Pipkin , Tom Stechschulte
• Release date: 05-03-06
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 230 ratings

Shotgun Angels

• My Story of Broken Roads and Unshakeable Hope
• By: Jay DeMarcus, Timothy D. Willard
• Narrated by: Jay DeMarcus
• Length: 4 hrs and 57 mins
• Overall 5 out of 5 stars 105
• Performance 5 out of 5 stars 94
• Story 5 out of 5 stars 93

From one of America's most successful and beloved country music artists, Rascal Flatts' Jay DeMarcus, Shotgun Angels reveals the untold stories of his journey and will rally your own courage to find hope where you least expect it....

A great read of Jay's inspiring journey.

• By Book Lover on 05-18-19
• By: Jay DeMarcus , Timothy D. Willard
• Release date: 04-30-19
• 5 out of 5 stars 105 ratings

From This Moment On

• By: Shania Twain
• Narrated by: Shania Twain, Sherie Rene Scott
• Length: 7 hrs and 24 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 435
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 359
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 363

Born Eilleen Regina Edwards in 1965 in rural Canada, Shania Twain has lived a life rife with triumph and tragedy....

• 2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

• By littlesheree on 06-16-11
• Narrated by: Shania Twain , Sherie Rene Scott
• Release date: 05-03-11
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 435 ratings

Take Me Home

• An Autobiography
• By: John Denver
• Narrated by: John Denver
• Length: 3 hrs and 5 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 362
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 311
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 312

In a career that spanned decades, John Denver earned international acclaim as a singer, songwriter, actor, and environmental activist....

Loved hearing John Denver telling his story

• By Brenda M. on 02-03-17
• Release date: 04-22-14
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 362 ratings

Coming Home to Myself

• By: Wynonna Judd, Patsi Bale Cox
• Narrated by: Ellen Archer
• Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 214
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 169
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 168

From the heart of one of the most beloved performers in music comes a candid memoir of professional triumph, private heartbreak, and personal victory....

Not an Interesting Memoir

• By Marcos on 03-14-09
• By: Wynonna Judd , Patsi Bale Cox
• Release date: 09-29-05
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 214 ratings

River of Time

• My Descent into Depression and How I Emerged with Hope
• By: Naomi Judd, Marcia Wilkie
• Narrated by: Naomi Judd, Carolyn Cook
• Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 813
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 711
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 705

Naomi Judd shares her devastating personal story of depression to spread awareness and encourage others with the disease....

Horrible Book

• By SLR on 03-12-17
• By: Naomi Judd , Marcia Wilkie
• Narrated by: Naomi Judd , Carolyn Cook
• Release date: 12-06-16
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 813 ratings

Johnny Cash

• By: Robert Hilburn
• Narrated by: Charles Pittard
• Length: 21 hrs and 42 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 546
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 486
• Story 5 out of 5 stars 484

The definitive, intimate, no-holds-barred biography of Johnny Cash. People don't just listen to Johnny Cash - they believe in him....

• By Steven L. on 10-13-15
• Release date: 10-29-13
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 546 ratings

The Man Called Cash

• The Life, Love, and Faith of an American Legend
• By: Steve Turner
• Narrated by: Kris Kristofferson
• Length: 3 hrs and 19 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 107
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 52
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 50

Johnny Cash is one of the most influential figures in music and American popular culture today....

Well Done Biography, but too short

• By Amazon Customer on 12-03-04
• Release date: 08-05-04
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 107 ratings

• By: Waylon Jennings, Lenny Kaye
• Narrated by: Waylon Jennings
• Length: 2 hrs and 58 mins
• Overall 5 out of 5 stars 690
• Performance 5 out of 5 stars 591
• Story 5 out of 5 stars 585

Born dirt poor, Jennings went from country disc jockey to country superstar, leading the revolution in country music with his platinum album The Outlaws....

Amazing. But not unabridged.

• By Dave on 04-26-18
• By: Waylon Jennings , Lenny Kaye
• Release date: 12-16-99
• 5 out of 5 stars 690 ratings

The Storyteller's Nashville

• By: Tom T. Hall
• Narrated by: Tom T. Hall, Peter Cooper
• Length: 6 hrs and 30 mins
• Overall 5 out of 5 stars 332
• Performance 5 out of 5 stars 295
• Story 5 out of 5 stars 292

The legendary country music songwriter known as the Storyteller delivers the genre's most bracing, hilarious, and unique memoir, bringing to life long-gone characters....

6 Hours Ain't Enough!!

• By Rum Runner on 11-19-22
• Narrated by: Tom T. Hall , Peter Cooper
• Release date: 08-01-14
• 5 out of 5 stars 332 ratings

Tammy Wynette

• Tragic Country Queen
• By: Jimmy McDonough
• Narrated by: Robertson Dean
• Length: 15 hrs and 45 mins
• Overall 4 out of 5 stars 70
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 56
• Story 4 out of 5 stars 55

Tammy Wynette is an intimate portrait of a music icon, the Queen of Heartbreak, whose powerful voice simultaneously evoked universal pain and longing even as it belied her own....

• By Eileen on 03-19-10
• Release date: 03-04-10
• 4 out of 5 stars 70 ratings

An Outlaw and a Lady

• A Memoir of Music, Life with Waylon, and the Faith That Brought Me Home
• By: Jessi Colter
• Narrated by: Devon O'day
• Length: 6 hrs
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 114
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 98
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 99

Renowned songwriter, singer, and wife of Waylon Jennings writes an intimate, enormously entertaining memoir of American music, of life with Waylon and the Outlaws, and of faith lost and found....

Thank you Jessi

• By Jene't on 06-28-19
• Release date: 04-11-17
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 114 ratings

• The Short Life and Long Country Road of Hank Williams
• By: Mark Ribowsky
• Narrated by: Tom Perkins
• Length: 16 hrs and 10 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 175
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 155
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 156

After he died in the backseat of a Cadillac at the age of 29, Hank Williams - a frail, flawed man who had become country music's first real star - instantly morphed into its first tragic martyr....

Hank or F*ck the south

• By Todd Vickers on 07-13-21
• Release date: 11-22-16
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 175 ratings

The Grand Tour

• The Life and Music of George Jones
• By: Rich Kienzle
• Narrated by: John Pruden
• Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 188
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 150
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 150

Veteran country music journalist/historian Rich Kienzle offers a definitive, full-bodied portrait of legendary country singer George Jones and the music that remains his legacy....

Interesting story, bad reading

• By Amazon Customer on 05-12-16
• Release date: 03-29-16
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 188 ratings

Go Big or Go Home

• The Journey Toward the Dream
• By: Scotty McCreery, Travis Thrasher
• Narrated by: Scotty McCreery
• Length: 5 hrs and 53 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 78
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 65
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 64

Go Big or Go Home narrates Scotty's journey from a kid imitating Elvis on the school bus to 30 million across America tuning in to see him win season 10 of American Idol ....

Scotty has/is a truly amazing young man!

• By Debbi on 05-05-16
• By: Scotty McCreery , Travis Thrasher
• Release date: 05-03-16
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 78 ratings
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The Lives You Have to Hear

The Best Country Music Books

By Ross Jones

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Country music is full of stories that we never get tired of hearing. While most are fed into the songs we hear, the world of country music certainly wouldn’t be the same without its books.

Whether it's those that inspire the artists to write the music we love, or those that help us to better understand the lives behind the songs, Holler's Guide to the Best Country Music Books has got something for the bookworm in all of us - some of them dog-eared classics and some of them so fresh off the press they’re not even in the shops yet.

Whatever you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered - from cover to cover:

Photo by Leigh Werner

Country Music: An Illustrated History

The companion coffee table book of the multi-part, multi-hour film series by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan is a beautiful, deeply researched history of the genre from the American south to the global stage.

Hundreds of photos, illustrations, gig posters, sheet music and letters on literally every page make this a must for every music fan, country or not.

Purchase your copy here .

Cash: The Autobiography - Johnny Cash and Patrick Carr

The definitive Johnny Cash book by the Man in Black himself. Following Cash from an Arkansas farm to fame, we get meetings with world leaders, memories of ground-breaking performances and life on the road.

Cash doesn’t shy away from the darker parts of his life, including drug addiction, a suicide attempt and a spiritual awakening that ultimately saved him.

Johnny's Cash and Charley's Pride - Peter Cooper

The recommendations on the back cover tell you everything you need to know about this colourful collection of Peter Cooper’s eccentric musings on country music. Emmylou Harris, Charlie Worsham, Kris Kristofferson and John Prine all thoroughly enjoyed it, and Tom T. Hall describes it as “a beautifully written book”.

Chapters include ‘Loretta Lynn: The Anti-poet’, ‘Don Light and the Impossibility of Unscrambling Eggs’ and ‘Taylor Swift and the Hybrid Art of Understanding’. If you only ever buy one book on country music, buy this one. And then buy the other nine on this list.

Her Country - Marissa Moss

Before Marissa Moss’ Her Country, we only really had the weighty Finding Her Voice by Robert Ooerman and Mary Bufwack to lug around with us everywhere we went.

Thankfully much lighter, if only in pounds and ounces, Moss picks up where Finding Her Voice left off at the turn of the millennium, with a deep dive into Shania and The Chicks and taking us all the way up to Miranda, Maren, Kacey and Mickey.

With chapter titles like ‘Not Ready To Make Nice’ and ‘You Say Tomato, I say Fuck You’, it’s a timely treatise on the infuriating gender politics of country music.

Outlaw: Waylon, Willie, Kris and the Renegades of Nashville - Michael Streissguth

The definitive story of how Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson took on the establishment and indelibly changed country music, at a time when Music Row still - albeit reluctantly - welcomed a shambling melting pot of misfits and outsiders through its front doors.

It's one of the greatest country music stories ever told, written by the author of the equally wonderful Johnny Cash: The Biography .

Country Music Hair - Erin Duvall

The higher the hair, the closer to Jesus! If that’s true, then there’s a lot of country people going to heaven. As country music has grown through the decades, so has the hair.

Beehives, teased up high, mullets, bangs for days, perms, wigs - all here present and correct in countless fashion-forward photographs. Hallelujah Amen!

Rednecks, Queers and Country Music - Nadine Hubbs

Country music is often labelled conservative and straight, but that’s not the whole story.

This myth-busting book from Nadine Hubbs, a Professor of Women’s Studies and Music at the University of Michigan, looks at the intersection of country music with identity, class and politics of sexuality.

A scholarly deep dive that is somehow still a page-turner and hugely thought-provoking.

The Country Music Pop Up Book - Country Music Hall of Fame

If you think pop up books are just for kids, think again. This three-dimensional tour tells the story of country music, and the people and places who made it what it is today.

Using artefacts from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, and with authentic replicas of landmarks like The Ryman, this book will have you ooohing and ahhhing with the turn of every page.

Just be careful when you open the first page, that unfolding guitar could put your eye out!

I Lived To Tell It All - George Jones

Don’t let anyone ever tell you country music doesn’t have the same tales of mayhem, debauchery and excess that rock n roll does.

As heartbreaking as it is hilarious, highlights of Jones’ autobiography include the time he went on stage on a co-headline tour with Buck Owens and played Owens’ entire set before him, and the time he drunkenly drove a lawnmower to the liquor store after his wife confiscated his car keys.

Nashville Babylon - Randall Reise

If you want the juice on country, there’s only one book that really squeezes it all out.

This ultimate warts-and-all country compendium takes the reader behind closed doors to reveal the best-kept secrets of Music City.

All the heartaches, personal tragedies and scandals that inspired the songs and bedevilled the singers that sang them are here.

Chapter titles include ‘The Grand Ole Orgy’, ‘Big Balls in Cowtown’ and ‘The Young Baby Spanker’. Add to basket.

You can purchase all the books in Holler's list from our selected partners above.

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Darius Rucker’s First Memoir & More Country Music Books to Add to Your Reading List

The country star delves into his life in a new book that's already a bestseller -- and it's on sale for up to 20% off.

By Rylee Johnston

Rylee Johnston

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Darius Rucker

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Keep reading to learn where to buy country music books online — including Rucker’s memoir and history-focused books.

What Are the Best Country Music Artist Books?

Clear some space on your bookshelf, because we’ve rounded up some of the best country music books published (so far) to help you stock up on must-read stories about the genre.

‘Life’s Too Short’ by Darius Rucker

From his life growing up in South Carolina with his single mother to the founding of his band Hootie & the Blowfish, Rucker’s memoir will take you through it all — including some of his most memorable stories while on the road. You’ll also discover some of the songs that shaped him along the way, including ones by artists and bands such as KISS, Al Green, Stevie Wonder, Lou Reed, Billy Joel and Nanci Griffith.

‘Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones’ by Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton has been a longtime influence within the country music community — including with her fashion choice. The “Jolene” singer takes you behind each iconic look through Behind the Seams , as well as how she developed her own unique fashion for artists and fans to look up to.

‘My Black Country’ by Alice Randall

Alice Randall spotlights her own history as the first Black woman to co-write an No. 1 country hit, while also weaving in the history of Black artists within country music and the moments that helped shape and put them in the spotlight. Not only will this book touch on Randall’s own accounts, but will pull from moments from before her time, as well as look to what the future holds for her community’s influence in country music.

‘Energy Follows Thought: The Stories Behind My Songs’ by Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson bares it all in this honest book that breaks down the stories behind some of his greatest hits and the lesser known songs that mean the most to him. You can also expect stories about his family, the artists he’s collaborated with and even about his guitar, Trigger.

‘Not That Fancy’ by Reba McEntire

If you want to live your life the Reba way, then pick up a copy of Not That Fancy , which features tips, tricks and even recipes that the country artist swears by. Within its pages are photos of the singer as well as tidbits and stories of her own personal experiences that have helped shape and inspire her today.

‘Johnny Cash: The Life’ by Robert Hilburn

Robert Hilburn aims to break down Johnny Cash’s life in this detailed biography that maps out the legendary singer’s path to fame. As a music journalist, Hilburn followed the successes and trials that Cash encountered while also including never-before-seen material taken from the late singer’s inner circle, according to the official description.

‘Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics’ by Dolly Parton & Robert K. Oermann

Dolly Parton strips down the lyrics to 175 of her songs in this honest book about the music she’s shared with fans. Alongside the “9 to 5” singer’s words are pages of unseen photographs captured throughout her decades of work within the music industry. This is considered a must-have for any fan of the country music icon.

‘Me & Patsy Kickin’ Up Dust’ by Loretta Lynn

Loretta Lynn goes back in time within her book as she gives fans a deeper look into her close relationship with Patsy Cline. You’ll hear straight from Lynn as she recounts moments from their friendship and success through music together up until Clines untimely death and the impact it continues to have.

‘Hank Williams: The Biography’ by William Macewen, George Merritt & Colin Escott

Fans can learn more about the man behind the hit “Your Cheatin’ Heart” through this biography featuring never-before-seen photographs and a breakdown of his song catalog, from hits to lesser known titles. Outside of his music career, the authors analyze his tumultuous personal life including his struggles with addiction and how it impacted his career.

‘Waylon : An Autobiography’ by Waylon Jennings

Read about Waylon Jenning’s life before becoming a hit musician and the love that pushed him to be the success he’s known for today in his only autobiography . Readers will hear from Jennings himself as he details his struggles growing up, becoming Buddy Holly’s protege through his drug abuse, three failed marriages and meeting his wife Jessi Colter.

‘Tammy Wynette: Tragic Country Queen’ by Jimmy McDonough

Queen of country Tammy Wynette left behind a legacy that transcends time, and now fans can connect further with the artist through this biography . You’ll learn more about her struggle with not only making it in a fast-changing Nashville, but her high-profile marriage that ended in divorce, the impact of her hit songs on the country music landscape and her battle with addiction and illness.

‘Forever and Ever, Amen’ by Randy Travis

Randy Travis breaks down his own life in this riveting memoir . The country singer goes through three important decades starting with going back to his roots, describing working class life in North Carolina to his club singing life in Nashville. You’ll also hear from him about his overnight success from the release of the 1986 album Storms of Life , which kicked off a neotraditional movement within the country music genre.

What Are the Best Country Music History Books?

Discover the origins of country music through books that go beyond a single artist and focus on the events and people that have shaped the genre.

Shop some of the best country music history books below.

‘Country Music USA: 50th Anniversary Edition’ by Bill C. Malone & Tracey E. W. Laird

Consider this book the ultimate history guide on country music, with more than 700 pages detailing the “stories of the people who made country music into such an integral part of our nation’s culture,” according to the official description. You’ll go back in time to the origins of the genre, discovering the people and events that helped build and shape what you know and listen to today.

‘Her Country’ by Marissa R. Moss

Marissa R. Moss uses her book to examine women within the country music landscape and their rise within a traditionally male-dominant genre. Using artists such as Kacey Musgraves and Shania Twain (among others), Moss maps out their careers while putting a shining a light on the continued fight female artists within the genre have to face in order to be heard.

‘The Encyclopedia of Country Music’ by Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum

The official Country Music Hall of Fame released its second edition of their in-depth encyclopedia , which covers nine decades of history and artistry. As you flip through, you’ll be met with photo essays on album covers as well as informative sections on some of the most influential bands and singers of the genre including Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift before she turned pop.

‘Dreaming Out Loud’ by Bruce Feiler

Author Bruce Feiler takes readers behind-the-scenes of Nashville’s country music world during a time when the genre was under heavy scrutiny. The history book chooses to follow legends Garth Brooks, Wynonna Judd and Wade Hayes as they help revolutionize country music and push its evolution forward into a less ridiculed and more celebrated genre.

For more product recommendations , check out our roundups of the best books about jazz , Taylor Swift books and music trivia games .

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10 Fascinating Biographies Every Country Fan Should Read

There's so much that goes in to writing an iconic song. Whether it's a run-in with the law or an intense heartbreak, the artists that pen those lyrics have plenty of stories to tell. The lives of our favorite country singers weren't always easy, but their tales continue to intrigue fans to this day. After reading these 10 fascinating country music biographies, you'll hear the genre in a whole new way.

Table of Contents

10.  Smart Blonde: Dolly Parton , Thomas E. Miller

Terry Wyatt/Getty Images

Dolly Parton's iconic image is only a fraction of what makes her unique. In Thomas E. Miller's biography,  Smart Blonde , readers get the chance to meet the woman behind the spectacle. This biography spans over 60 years and is packed with quirky anecdotes.

9.  Tammy Wynette: Tragic Country Queen,  Jimmy McDonough

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Lovers of Tammy Wynette's heartbreaking ballads won't be able to put this book down. Although occasionally critical, Jimmy McDonough's account of Wynette's tumultuous marriages and sudden rise to fame will grip you from beginning to end.

8 .  Kristofferson the Wild American,  Stephen Miller

Karl Walter/Getty Images

If you want to dive into Kris Kristofferson's expansive film career and discography, there's no better place to start than with Stephen Miller's detailed biography. Loaded with little-known information, this book will give you an inside look into Kristofferson's professional and personal life.

7.  Hardcore Troubadour: The Life and Near Death of Steve Earle,  Lauren St. John

At first, Steve Earle's risky and wild career sounds too raucous to be real. Recounting his five unsteady marriages, conflict with the law and brief stint in jail, Lauren St. John's biography could inspire a riveting screenplay. Her interviews with Earle's friends and former wives gives this account an intimate perspective.

6. Honky Tonk Angel: The Intimate Story of Patsy Cline , Ellis Nassour

Patsy Cline's story is familiar one, but Nassour's account digs even deeper into the star's personal life. Honky Tonk Angel  includes rare photographs and personal letters that most fans have never seen. By collaborating with artists who worked closely with her, Nassour was able to expertly capture Cline's sudden shot to stardom and plummeting marriage. Even if it's a story you know by heart, this book will tangle your emotions.

5.  Pretty Good for a Girl: Women in Bluegrass,  Murphy Hicks Henry

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Detailing the lives of over 70 female pickers,  Pretty Good for a Girl  is both a musical history lesson and stunning homage to the trailblazers of bluegrass. Organized by decade, this book discusses everyone from 1940s accordionist Sally Ann Forrester to Alison Krauss. The anecdotes may be brief, but they're packed with intimate details.

4.  Can't You Hear Me Calling: The Life Of Bill Monroe,  Richard D. Smith

Bill Monroe, often referred to as the Father of Bluegrass, didn't just influence mandolin players. Monroe's reach has expanded into all genres. Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and Jerry Garcia have all drawn from Monroe's musical stylings, and this biography is rich with history. Richard D. Smith's deep research, collection of interviews and effortless storytelling makes these 400 pages fly by.

3. Hank Williams: The Biography , Colin Escott, George Merritt, William MacEwen

If you loved the recent Hank William's biopic I Saw the Light,  then you'll adore Hank Williams: The Biography . As the book that inspired the 2015 biographical drama, this page-turner is the most respected account of Hank William's life. Covering his troubled childhood, magnetic musical career and tragic troubles with alcoholism, this biography gives you a comprehensive view of his short life. The latest edition contains previously-unpublished photos and Williams' complete musical catalog.

2. Merle Haggard: The Running Kind, David Cantwell

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Merle Haggard: The Running Kind  is so much more than a biography. David Cantwell dives into his music and dissects each element in a critical and fascinating way. With his witty and easy-going writing style, Cantwell tells Haggard's story in a way you haven't heard it before.

1. Waylon: Tales of My Outlaw Dad , Terry Jennings with David Thomas

This version of Waylon's story comes from a source who knows about his life first-hand. Waylon's son, Terry Jennings, tells raw, rare stories of his father's travels, successes, and depression. Never holding anything back, Jennings' anecdotes will give you an entirely new perspective on the country music legend.

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Read Up – Country Stars Who Have Written Books

Share this link via, or copy link, from writing songs to writing books, these country music singers can do it all here’s a list of country music singers you may not have known have also written books, including memoirs, autobiographies, and even children’s books., loretta lynn ,  coal miner’s daughter (1976), reba mcentire ,  reba: my story (1994), johnny cash :  cash (1997), merle haggard ,  my house of memories: for the record  (1999), trace adkins , a personal stand: observations and opinions from a freethinking roughneck (2007), leann rimes , what i cannot change (2009), shania twain , from this moment on (2011), brad paisley , diary of a player: how my musical heroes made a guitar man out of me  (2011), kenny rogers , luck or something like it  (2011), waylon jennings , waylon  (2012), josh turner , man stuff: thoughts on faith, family, and fatherhood (2014), willie nelson ,  it’s a long story: my life (2015), buck owens , buck em (2016), scotty mccreery , go big or go home (2016), bobby bones , bare bones (2016), charlie daniels , never look at the empty seats: a memoir  (2017), randy travis , forever and ever, amen: a memoir of music, faith, and braving the storms of life  (2019), loretta lynn ,  me & patsy kickin’ up dust: my friendship with patsy cline  (2020), dolly parton , songteller: my life in lyrics  (2020), sara evans , born to fly (2020), lauren akins ,  live in love (2020), kimberly schlapman , a dolly for christmas (2020).

• Jana Kramer,  The Good Fight (2020)

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100 Must-Read Musician Memoirs and Biographies

Looking for musician memoirs and biographies? We got 'em of all shapes, sizes, colors, and genres. A hundred of them, in fact.

Ashley Holstrom

Ashley Holstrom helps make books at Sourcebooks. She lives near Chicago with her cat named after Hemingway and her bookshelves organized by color. Newsletter: Crooked Reads . Twitter: @alholstrom .

View All posts by Ashley Holstrom

At least, that’s how I ended up obsessed with Guns N’ Roses. And The Doors. And Motley Crue. And Aerosmith. And, in the future, many more that I’m holding on to for just the right moment.

Here are 100 musician memoirs and biographies, sorted by the music’s genre (loosely defined), to get you rockin’ and rollin’ and movin’ and groovin’.

Country/Folk

My Cross to Bear by Gregg Allman

Bound for Glory by Woody Guthrie

Rat Girl by Kristin Hersh

Love, Janis by Laura Joplin

Coal Miner’s Daughter by Loretta Lynn, George Vecsey

Shakey: Neil Young’s Biography by Jimmy McDonough

Reba: My Story by Reba McEntire, Tom Carter

It’s a Long Story: My Life by Willie Nelson

Lynyrd Skynyrd: Remembering the Free Birds of Southern Rock by Gene Odom, Frank Dorman

Simple Dreams: A Musical Memoir by Linda Ronstadt

The 50th Law by 50 Cent, Robert Greene

Sentences: The Life of MF Grimm by Percy Carey, Ronald Wimberly

Fight the Power: Rap, Race, and Reality by Chuck D, Yusuf Jah

The Way I Am by Eminem

Ice: A Memoir of Gangster Life and Redemption-from South Central to Hollywood by Ice-T, Douglas Century

Unashamed by Lecrae Moore

The Tao of Wu by The RZA

The Rose That Grew From Concrete by Tupac Shakur

How to Ruin Everything: Essays by George Watsky

Gone ‘Til November by Lil Wayne

The Good Life by Tony Bennett

The Godfather of Soul: An Autobiography by James Brown

Kansas City Lightning: The Rise and Times of Charlie Parker by Stanley Crouch

Miles: The Autobiography by Miles Davis

Can’t Be Satisfied: The Life and Times of Muddy Waters by Robert Gordon

Blues All Around Me: The Autobiography of B.B. King by B.B. King, David Ritz

John Coltrane: His Life and Music by Lewis Porter

Jazz Cleopatra: Josephine Baker in Her Time by Phyllis Rose

Now and Then… by Gil Scott-Heron

Pops: A Life of Louis Armstrong by Terry Teachout

Pop/Punk/Reggae/Ska

Catch a Fire: The Autobiography by Melanie B.

Black By Design: A 2-Tone Memoir by Pauline Black

Passion Is a Fashion: The Real Story of the Clash by Pat Gilbert

Tranny: Confessions of Punk Rock’s Most Infamous Anarchist Sellout by Laura Jane Grace

If Only by Geri Halliwell

Herbie Hancock: Possibilities by Herbie Hancock, Lisa Dickey

Reckless: My Life as a Pretender by Chrissie Hynde

Rotten: No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs by John Lydon

I’ll Never Write My Memoirs by Grace Jones, Paul Morley

A Natural Woman: A Memoir by Carole King

Army of She: Icelandic, Iconoclastic, Irrepressible Björk by Evelyn McDonnell

Lobotomy: Surviving the Ramones by Dee Dee Ramone

Get in the Van: On the Road With Black Flag by Henry Rollins

Be My Baby: How I Survived Mascara, Miniskirts, and Madness, or My Life As a Fabulous Ronette by Ronnie Spector, Vince Waldron

Rod: The Autobiography by Rod Stewart

Diana Ross: A Biography by J. Randy Taraborrelli

In the Pleasure Groove: Love, Death, and Duran Duran by Nigel John Taylor

I, Tina by Tina Turner, Kurt Loder

Catch a Fire: The Life of Bob Marley by Timothy White

Pharrell: Places and Spaces I’ve Been by Pharrell Williams

Rock ‘n’ Roll

Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys by Viv Albertine

Between a Heart and a Rock Place: A Memoir by Pat Benatar

Chuck Berry: The Autobiography by Chuck Berry

Moonage Daydream: The Life & Times of Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie

Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl by Carrie Brownstein

Lips Unsealed: A Memoir by Belinda Carlisle

Cash by Johnny Cash

Clapton: The Autobiography by Eric Clapton

Journals by Kurt Cobain

Not Dead Yet by Phil Collins

Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink by Elvis Costello

  Room Full of Mirrors: A Biography of Jimi Hendrix by Charles R. Cross

Neon Angel by Cherie Currie

Touching from a Distance: Ian Curtis and Joy Division by Deborah Curtis

Hammer of the Gods by Stephen Davis

Things The Grandchildren Should Know by Mark Oliver Everett

Fleetwood: My Life and Adventures in Fleetwood Mac by Mick Fleetwood, Stephen Davis

Girl in a Band by Kim Gordon

Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick

Diary of a Rock ‘n’ Roll Star by Ian Hunter

Dancing with Myself by Billy Idol

Mercury: An Intimate Biography of Freddie Mercury by Lesley-Ann Jones

Scar Tissue by Anthony Kiedis

White Line Fever by Lemmy Kilmister

The Dirt: Confessions of the World’s Most Notorious Rock Band by Tommy Lee

Searching for the Sound: My Life with the Grateful Dead by Phil Lesh

Dirty Blonde: The Diaries of Courtney Love by Courtney Love

The Long Hard Road Out of Hell by Marilyn Manson

Inside Out: A Personal History of Pink Floyd by Nick Mason, Philip Dodd

It’s So Easy: And Other Lies by Duff McKagan

Autobiography by Morrissey

Joan Jett by Todd Oldham, Joan Jett

I Am Ozzy by Ozzy Osbourne

Rocks: My Life in and out of Aerosmith by Joe Perry

Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presley

Life by Keith Richards

Crazy from the Heat by David Lee Roth

Bird Lives!: The High Life & Hard Times of Charlie (Yardbird) Parker by Ross Russell

Slash by Slash, Anthony Bozza

Somebody to Love?: A Rock-and-Roll Memoir by Grace Slick, Andrea Cagan

Just Kids by Patti Smith

Face the Music: A Life Exposed by Paul Stanley

Seven Deadly Sins: Settling the Argument Between Born Bad and Damaged Good by Corey Taylor

Who I Am by Pete Townshend

The Real Frank Zappa Book by Frank Zappa, Peter Occhiogrosso

Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke by Peter Guralnick

Lady Sings the Blues by Billie Holiday, William Dufty

Divided Soul: The Life of Marvin Gaye by David Ritz

Escaping the Delta: Robert Johnson and the Invention of the Blues by Elijah Wald

Hit Me, Fred: Recollections of a Sideman by Fred Wesley

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These books all relate to country music and its musicians. They include biographies of Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Waylon Jennings. There are also children's books about the lives of Dolly Parton and a heartwarming story about a country singer returning home for Christmas. Additionally, there is a collection of popular songs arranged for easy piano playing and a comprehensive collection of guitar tablature for the greatest guitar songs of all time. Finally, there is an exploration of the role music has played in shaping American culture and politics by Tim McGraw.

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For the love of books

7 Country Music Artists Turned Authors And Their Books

Music artists are authors in their own right. Want proof? Here are seven country music artists who swapped music notes for editor notes!

Country music holds a special place in my heart. At the moment, it’s in good standing because I’m going through a period of adjustment in my life, so it’s comforting to go back to something predictable. Artists who thrive in the country music genre like Dolly Parton and Kelly Clarkson have also found a place in the bookish community! Whether it be writing inspiring children’s books, thrilling mysteries, or somber lines of poetry, you’re sure to find something to enjoy in this list of seven books written by famous country artists.

Feel Your Way Through

Kelsea ballerini.

Feel Your Way Through is Kelsea’s way of voicing her thoughts and feelings without her usual musical backing. This collection is much like her songs– personal, emotionally charged, and unabashedly honest. “Just like my songs, they talk about what it’s like to navigate a wildly beautiful and broken world.” Feel Your Way Through by Kelsea Ballerini deals with themes of family, relationships, body image, self-love, sexuality and the lessons of her youth.

Love You, Little Lady

Brett young.

Love You, Little Lady is Brett’s open letter to his daughter about the joys of being a parent. Paired beautifully with the illustrations of Airin O’Callaghan, Brett’s lyrics are brought to life in the most heartwarming way. Based off the message of his hit single, Lady , the picture book, Love You, Little Lady reflects the endless love parents feel for their children. Going through the ages, Brett recalls how he felt during his daughter’s milestones and the helps remind readers that nothing will ever be stronger than the love you have for your little lady (or mini man).

Getting Good At Being You

Lauren alaina.

Getting Good At Being You is Lauren’s account of her life experience. Though she’s only twenty-six, Lauren has formed a fierce relationship with her God that assists her in spreading kindness and love. From her time in the limelight to her personal life with her family, Lauren gives readers a tell-all Christian based self-help book that many people find comforting. In Getting Good At Being You , Lauren invites readers to take the Road Less Traveled with yourself– admitting your faults and offering ways to combat negative and harsh views you might have of yourself.

The Jolly Mon

Jimmy buffett.

The Jolly Mon is the physical form of Jimmy Buffett’s song Jolly Mon Sing . The story itself is based on oceanic folklore and Jimmy’s experiences while sailing with his daughter and co-author, Savannah Jane. Accompanied by the bright illustrations of Lambert Davis, The Jolly Mon takes readers to a remote Caribbean island and a man called the Jolly Mon. The man’s beautiful voice and enchanted guitar helped him spread happiness and lure fish for the villagers. Jimmy spins a tale of bravery, loyalty, and friendship in The Jolly Mon !

Run, Rose, Run

Dolly parton.

Run, Rose, Run is the accompanying book to Dolly’s latest album Run, Rose, Run. Written alongside world-renowed author, James Patterson, Run, Rose, Run is chock full of intrigue, mystery, and determination. AnneLise is a star on the rise, running from her darkened past. She comes to Nashville to claim her destiny as a country music superstar, however, Nashville might also be her downfall. Readers don’t have to wonder what the songs of AnneLise sound like because Dolly’s got us covered with her album, Run, Rose, Run !

If you want to learn more about Run, Rose, Run , we’ve got ya covered here !

My Voice Is a Trumpet

Jimmie allen.

My Voice Is a Trumpet is Jimmie’s lyrical celebration of the many types of voices that can effect change. Leave it to a country music artist turned author to teach kids about the importance of speaking your mind and finding strength in your own voice! My Voice Is a Trumpet comes at a time when social justice is in the forefront of everyone’s mind, so what better way for kids to learn how to speak their minds than with the gorgeous illustrations of Cathy Ann Johnson? Jimmie stresses the importance of valuing everyone’s voice in his very first children’s book.

River Rose and the Magical Lullaby

Kelly clarkson.

River Rose and the Magical Lullaby is a story inspired by Kelly’s daughter, River Rose. Readers follow River Rose on her big day out to the zoo! The night before, she’s too excited to fall asleep, so her mom has to sing a magical lullaby to send River Rose on a dreamland adventure. River Rose and the Magical Lullaby is a rousing, rhyming tale that kids devour! And nothing can go wrong with the illustrations of Laura Hughes and the accompanying lullaby performed by Kelly!

Like I said, country music is in good standing with me at the moment! So I’m cycling through the Kelly Clarkson version of Because of You , Dolly Parton’s Jolene , and Jimmy Buffett’s It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere . There’s one thing I know for sure and it’s that country music artists will never cease to amaze me. I sure hope that you pick up a copy of one of these seven books written by country music artists turned authors!

For more bookish content from us at Bookstr, click here !

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Country singer Toby Keith was known for his rousing anthems to the U.S. soldiers serving in the Middle East, along with the songs “As Good As I Once Was,” “Red Solo Cup,” and “Beer For My Horses.”

Toby Keith News: Late Singer Honored at 2024 ACM Awards

One of the biggest celebrations of country music is honoring one of the genre’s late stars. At the 2024 ACM Awards on May 16, Jason Aldean is performing a tribute to Toby Keith, who died in early February at age 62 after a years-long battle with stomach cancer. Aldean is covering “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” which Keith wrote and released on his self-titled debut album from 1993. The track became his first No. 1 hit on Billboard ’s Hot Country Songs list.

Throughout his three decades in the spotlight, Keith produced five albums that topped the Billboard 200, sold more than 25 million album copies, received seven Grammy Award nominations, and won 14 Academy of Country Music Awards, including two for Entertainer of the Year. His accomplishments earned Keith a place in the Country Music Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2024. The announcement arrived one day after his February 5 death with the induction ceremony slated for this October.

Who Was Toby Keith?

Quick facts, young toby keith, “courtesy of the red, white and blue”, country stardom, u.s.o. tour and movie, more hit songs: “red solo cup,” “made in america,” and “don’t let the old man in”, wife tricia lucus and kids, cancer diagnosis and death.

Country singer Toby Keith was known for his songs about patriotism and partying. His career began in the early 1990s with a self-titled debut album that went platinum in 1994. In reaction to the events of 9/11, Keith wrote the song “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American),” which struck a chord with military personnel yet courted controversy. The two-time Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year frequently performed for U.S. military members. His multiplatinum, No. 1 albums include Unleashed and Shock’n Y’all from the early 2000s. Among his most popular songs are “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” “Red Solo Cup,” and the Grammy-nominated duet “Beer For My Horses” with Willie Nelson . In 2022, Keith revealed he had stomach cancer. The decorated music star died at age 62 in February 2024 and will receive posthumous induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame this October.

FULL NAME: Toby Keith Covel BORN: July 8, 1961 DIED: February 5, 2024 BIRTHPLACE: Clinton, Oklahoma SPOUSE: Tricia Lucus (1984-2024) CHILDREN: Shelley, Krystal, and Stelen ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Cancer

Singer, songwriter, and musician Toby Keith Covel was born on July 8, 1961, in Clinton, Oklahoma. Raised in Oklahoma City, Keith started playing music at a young age after being inspired by the musicians who worked in his grandmother’s supper club. After working for a while in the oil industry and playing defense in the USFL football league, he decided to pursue a career in music.

In the early ’90s, Keith signed with Mercury Records, and by 1994, his self-titled debut album from the previous year was certified platinum. His follow-up records, Boomtown (1994) and Blue Moon (1996), were equally successful thanks to such popular hits as “Who’s That Man” and “Me Too.” In 1997, he teamed with Sting to record “I’m So Happy I Can’t Stop Crying,” which earned the duo a Grammy nomination. It was Keith’s first of seven throughout his career.

More success followed with 1999’s How Do You Like Me Now?! , which won Album of the Year at the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards as Keith was named Top Male Vocalist. Next, Pull My Chain (2001) topped the country album charts in a career first for Keith. Rounding out 2001, the singer took home his first Country Music Association (CMA) Award as Male Vocalist of the Year.

Also in 2001, Keith’s father was killed in a traffic accident. The incident, combined with the events of September 11, prompted Keith to write the controversial “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American),” which was hugely popular, particularly among military personnel. Released in May 2002, the song anchored his 2002 album Unleashed and is now a multi-platinum track.

Unleashed became Keith’s first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 and included a hit duet with Willie Nelson , “Beer for My Horses.” The tune was nominated for two Grammys: Best Country Song and Best Country Collaboration With Vocals.

Keith was named Entertainer of the Year by the Academy of Country Music in 2002 and 2003. He received an additional surge of media attention in 2003 when he engaged in a public clash with Natalie Maines, the lead singer of the Chicks. The two ended up trading barbs, with Maines saying that “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)” made “country music sound ignorant.” Keith took even more offense to Maine saying that she was “ashamed” of President George W. Bush at a concert. In his own concerts, he had pictures of Maines as Saddam Hussein projected on a video screen while he played his hit patriotic anthem.

In November 2003, he released Shock’n Y’All , which reached the top of the country and pop album charts. The recording’s title is a play on the military expression, “shock and awe,” from the Iraq War , and his ode to the troops, “American Soldier,” was a big success. He also continued to cultivate his good ol’ boy image with such tracks as “I Love This Bar” and to show a sense of humor with “Weed With Willie,” which told the story about getting high with Willie Nelson . Shock’n Y’all earned Keith another ACM Award for Album of the Year.

His next effort, Honkytonk University (2005), featured a duet with country music icon Merle Haggard on “She Ain’t Hooked on Me No More.” The biggest single from the album was the ballad “As Good As I Once Was,” which helped Honkytonk University top the country charts for seven weeks. The video for the song also won the CMA Award for Music Video of the Year.

White Trash with Money was released in 2006 and featured such hits as the upbeat ode to a good time “Get Drunk and Be Somebody” and the wistful tune “A Little Too Late.” In addition to being a strong seller, the album received many positive reviews.

In 2007, Keith released Big Dog Daddy and A Classic Christmas , which were both big hits with the record-buying public. That same year, he was honored by his home state with an induction into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Keith and his family resolved a very difficult personal matter around this time, reaching a settlement in their lawsuit regarding the 2001 accident that killed his father.

On the road a lot, Keith made some life-threatening stops along the way. In April 2008, he played 18 shows for U.S. troops in Persian Gulf as part of a U.S.O. Tour. Keith even had to pause during one of his performances because of mortar fire, but he returned to the stage after the attack stopped.

Later that year, he starred in the big screen comedy Beer for My Horses as a small-town deputy who arrests a Mexican drug lord, which leads to the kidnapping of his girlfriend by the drug lord’s brother. Keith co-wrote the screenplay and co-produced the movie, which featured appearances by Ted Nugent and Willie Nelson . The film was panned by some critics. “Even ticketbuyers with a hearty appetite for hayseed humor may be repulsed by the coarse... tomfoolery,” read a review in Variety .

Offscreen, Keith continued to thrive as a performer. He released That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy in 2008, which topped the country album charts and spawned two hits “God Love Her” and “Lost You Anyway.” A popular live act, Keith maintained a heavy tour schedule. His 2009 Toby Keith’s America’s Toughest Tour featured dates in the United States and in Europe.

Keith released American Ride in 2009 and Bullets in the Gun in 2010, but it was 2011 that brought the singer even more critical acclaim. His 2011 album Clancy’s Tavern featured the hits “Made in America” and “Red Solo Cup,” with the latter song being written by The Warren Brothers, along with Brett and Jim Beavers. After Keith heard the viral YouTube song, he worked with the ensemble to record a version and put it on his album.

The country star continued his hot streak with another album the following year, Hope on the Rocks . The album didn’t fare as well as his previous, with the title track peaking at No. 29 on the Billboard country music charts. He released his next album, Drinks After Work (2013), not long after Hope on the Rocks . The album featured the popular single “Shut Up and Hold On” and debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 chart. In 2014, Keith released the single “Drunk Americans” from the album 35 MPH Town. The album was released in 2015, the same year Keith was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

In 2017, Keith signed on to perform at Donald Trump ’s pre-inauguration concert at the Lincoln Memorial on January 19. However, he said his appearance was for the country, not in support of a politician or political party. “I don’t apologize for performing for our country or military,” he said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly . “I performed at events for previous presidents [George W.] Bush and Obama and over 200 shows in Iraq and Afghanistan for the USO.”

Keith took inspiration from an unlikely source for his next song: film actor and director Clint Eastwood . The singer attended Eastwood’s golf tournament in 2018 when he learned about the soon-to-be-88-year-old’s upcoming movie The Mule and asked where he continues to get his energy. “I just get up every morning and go out. And I don’t let the old man in,” Eastwood told him , prompting Keith to write a song for the film.

“Don’t Let the Old Man In” proved to have a long shelf life, eventually peaking at No. 1 on the Country Digital Song Sales chart in October 2023 after Keith performed it at the People’s Choice Country Awards. He also teamed with BMLG Records to release the song to country radio around that time.

In January 2021, President Trump awarded Keith the National Medal of Arts. Nine months later, Keith released his final original album, Peso in My Pocket , which contained the popular singles “Happy Birthday America” and “Old School.” That December, the singer received the BMI Icon Award.

Keith’s final album, 100% Songwriter (2023) featured a collection of his early career hits like “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” “You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This,” and “Who’s That Man.” A month after its release, streaming service Pandora recognized the country star with a Billionaire award in December 2023 after his songs had accrued 3 billion streams.

Keith married Tricia Lucus in 1984. The couple had two children together: a daughter named Krystal, born in 1985, and a son named Stelen, born in 1997. Keith also adopted Lucus’ daughter Shelley after their marriage.

Lucus and Keith met at a bar not long after he graduated high school in 1979. The singer had taken a job as an oil field worker, while also playing at local bars with his band called the Easy Money Band. “I was 19, and he was 20,” Lucus told People . “He was just one of those larger-than-life guys, full of confidence.” The couple dated for three years before tying the knot. In 2006, Lucus helped Keith start the Toby Keith Foundation to help children and their families battling cancer.

Krystal became a musician like her father, but has stepped back from the spotlight in recent years to focus on raising her two daughters. Stelen is a real estate investor.

In June 2022, Keith revealed that he had been undergoing treatment for stomach cancer since fall 2021. He underwent surgery and received chemotherapy and radiation treatments over the course of six months. Still, he was eager to begin performing again. “I am looking forward to spending this time with my family. But I will see the fans sooner than later. I can’t wait,” he said .

In a December 2022 interview for CMT Hot 20 , the singer said he felt optimistic about his prognosis. By June 2023, Keith indicated the treatments were working, telling The Oklahoman his tumor had shrunk by one third and that his health was improving.

Keith attended the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards in September, where he received the Country Music Icon Award. After his acceptance speech, Keith sang “Don’t Let the Old Man In” for his first live performance since his diagnosis. He also played at Park MGM in Las Vegas for three nights that December. However, his improved health didn’t last.

Keith died “peacefully” on February 5, 2024, according to an announcement on his website . The 62-year-old was surrounded by his family at the time of his death.

Weeks later on March 18, the Country Music Association announced that Keith had been voted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and will be posthumously inducted as part of the 2024 class during a ceremony in October.

According to Celebrity Net Worth , Keith’s net worth was estimated at around $400 million in early February 2024.

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Tyler Piccotti first joined the Biography.com staff as an Associate News Editor in February 2023, and before that worked almost eight years as a newspaper reporter and copy editor. He is a graduate of Syracuse University. When he's not writing and researching his next story, you can find him at the nearest amusement park, catching the latest movie, or cheering on his favorite sports teams.

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