If country music was truly dead (even tho it seems to be dead already), then there's really no reason to have any reason to listen to country music anymore. However, George Strait is said to still be recording, Garth Brooks back in full swing, Alan Jackson is still around, and Tim McGraw is about to release his latest single from his latest album. Just a few reason real country music isn't quite dead yet. It's just on life-support for now. Before we get into McGraw latest tho, as mentioned in my last blog (Not a Moment Too Soon), McGraw is currently celebrating with his second #1 hit reaching its 20th anniversary.
Tim McGraw was born on May 1, 1967 as Samuel Timothy "Tim" McGraw in Delhi, Louisiana. Hold on. Before he knew his biological dad, Tim thought his last name was Smith. More about that in a minute. McGraw, over his music career has seen 13 studios album, with 10 of them seeing #1 on the Top Country Album. From those albums, he released over 25 singles with so far, 25 have reached #1. With this, McGraw have received 3 Grammys, 14 ACM (Academy of Country Music) awards, 11 CMA (Country Music Association) awards, 10 American Music Awards, and 3 People Choice Awards. More to come? Most likely. McGraw has also done some acting. appearing in movies such as, The Blind Side (my favorite of them all), Friday Night Lights, The Kingdom, Four Christmases, Flicka, and the latest, Country Strong. With all this going for him, what more could put this guy at the top of his game? You probably guessed it. Since 1996, Tim been married to another country music legend, Faith Hill. Which I'll be writing about her sometime in the future.
So now, let's get back to when McGraw thought he was a Smith. From his mother marriage, up til he actually met his biological dad, McGraw thought his step-dad, Horace Smith, was his real dad (Which is funny, because I've always thought my step-grandpa, was my real grandpa). McGraw was 11 when he discovered his birth certificate showing Tug McGraw, the former star pitcher for the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies (this info will come in handy, hang in there), as his biological dad. However, it wasn't one of those 1st time meet in person and all is good. No, it took over 7 years for Tug to finally accept Tim as his son. Which, by then, Tim turned 18, and was looking more like Tug. Tug then, couldn't deny Tim anymore, and accepted Tim as his son (so much for going to the Maury Show). In the meantime, Tim attended Florida Community College for 1 term. This was where he first learned to play the guitar (story goes he really sucked at it, yet people seem to enjoy his voice). McGraw didn't really take further action (other than playing and singing around for tips) until his icon, Keith Whitley passed in 1989. McGraw, then moved to Nashville to further pursue his music career. McGraw seem to of had it easy getting signed into a record deal. However, he was not going to have it easy with the business early in his career.
Tug was riding with someone who happened to be friend with one of Curb Records executive when McGraw became known. Earlier, McGraw made a record demo and had handed a copy to Tug. So, if there's an imagination to be picture here, Tug is sitting there with this stranger, puts in the demo, and this stranger is like, wow. Long story short, Tim, within a few weeks, was signed into Curb Records starting 1990. However, the first 4 years was not pleasant for Tim. His first single, "What Room Was the Holiday In" (never heard it, but the name is just so, lame), never did anything for McGraw. Except to be introduced to the world. The only reason Tim had any advances, was due to his dad fame. As it was put by a former program director of Philadelphia (rememebr when i stated to keep info about Tug handy?) WXTU. Another former program director, this time for Nashville station WSM-FM (yes, that's right, Grand Ole Opry station), McGraw showed "undeniable promises." Also, McGraw had recorded 2 songs on his debut album that were co-written by Joe Diffie. To This, McGraw did not get completely wiped off the map. It was just a very slow start.
Then came 1994. McGraw finally released his 2nd album, Not a Moment Too Soon, and so began his fame. The album became the best-selling album of 2004. However, once again, McGraw found himself in a tight spot. With the release of "Indian Outlaw", it sure did cause a mighty controversy. Critics argued the song placed Native American in a patronizing way. Keep in mind, the 90's saw a lot of country songs causing controversy one way or another. For example, "Thunder Rolls" by Garth Brooks and "Independence Day" by Martina McBride just to name a few. Just like these songs, Radio stations had refused to play them, but that was o.k. The controversy is what brought these songs to their fame. For McGraw case, "Indian Outlaw" saw the Top 10 country music hit because of the controversy. "Don't Take the Girl" is where McGraw met his first #1 hit. spending two weeks starting from May 28, through June 4,1994. McGraw title track became his second #1 hit from January 14, to January 27,1995. The album was named top country album of 1994 on Billboard Year-End charts. This was only the beginning, as McGraw continue to see success from here on out.
McGraw saw his third album, All I Want, debut #1 album in 1995 when it was released. The album also saw at least 2 singles hang out with #1 hits. With "I Like It I Love It" stayed there for five weeks (song is probably stuck in your head now. You're welcome). His other #1 hit? "She Never Lets It Go to Her Heart". Which met #1 in 1996. "It's Your Love" (collaboration with Faith Hill), received 2 Grammy Award nomination for Best Country Collaboration and Best Country Song. "Just to See You Smile" (my 2nd all time favorite from him), set a record for longest run on the country charts at the time for 42 weeks.
In 1999, A Place In the Sun album kept McGraw success streak going. Providing four chart-topping singles, "Please Remember Me", "Something Like That", "My Best Friend", and "My Next Thirty Years". The following year, His and Faith tour, Soul2Soul Tour, was one of the top tours of any genre in the U.S., and the leading country tour during the year 2000. On McGraw 2001 album, Set This Circus Down, also provided four # 1 hits which include, "Grown Men Don't Cry", "Angry All the Time", "The Cowboy In Me" (can never get enough of this one), and "Unbroken". Interesting fact? Unless you looked at Jo Dee Messina's record, you probably wouldn't of known that Tim McGraw did harmony vocal for her's, "Bring On the Rain" single. Also produced the single as well. "Things Change", was performed by McGraw during the CMA Awards Show. It was so good, Fans downloaded it online, as well as radio played it extensively. The result? The song became the first country music song to appear on the charts from a fully downloaded version.
The Dancehall Doctors were McGraw touring band. In honor of them, McGraw used them to record his 2002 album, Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors. Normally a session band would be on the recording, while the tour band would perform live. With this album, comes a few more awesome hits such as, "Real Good Man", "She's My Kind of Rain", and "Red Ragtop". One of the song found on the album, "Comfort Me", was in response to the 9/11 tragedy. The song had a special appearance by Kim Carnes.
2004 was a tough time for Tim. Tug, Tim biological dad, life was taken by a brain tumor. In honor of his dad, McGraw recorded "Live Like You Were Dying". The single found it way to #1 and became the top country song of 2004 on the Billboard Year-End charts. However, The album itself, which is the name of the single, didn't really do that great for McGraw. his other single, "Drugs or Jesus" never saw the Top 10. Which was a first for McGraw since 1993. Even tho his duet with Nelly, "Over and Over" did see success ( crossover hit and spend 10 weeks atop Top 40 chart; also gave them both never-before experience in the hot adult contemporary market), there's been rumor that the song was a mistake. the rumor still continue exist today. For me, the song should have never met country music in the first place. That just me (and the rumor was around long before I've heard it those years ago).
Other than the bad times, McGraw soon saw better success again afterward. Had a song in dedication to him (Taylor Swift, "Tim McGraw"), had additional hits, and currently has a new single coming out soon, "Diamond Rings and Old Barstools". If anything else, the one event that will probably be talked about for years to come, is McGraw and Curb Records lawsuit against each other. However, McGraw still growing strong and looks forward to many more success with Big Machine Records.
Resource
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_McGraw
- http://theboot.com/tim-mcgraw-diamond-rings-and-old-barstools/
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