The road to success has looked different for many country stars. Whether they were discovered playing in a local bar, made the leap from songwriter to performer, or rose through the ranks of the Nashville music scene, each artist can likely pinpoint the pivotal moment that made their career take off.
In the last two decades, reality television has changed the way that aspiring artists can gain exposure and jump-start their careers. With The Voice and American Idol still going strong, you never know where the next big name in country music might come from.
Read on to be reminded of twelve country stars that you may not remember got their start on reality television.
Miranda Lambert
Miranda Lambert fans may be surprised to learn that she found her break in the reality singing competition Nashville Star. She placed third in the inaugural season of the show in 2003 and walked away with a record deal.
She auditioned at age 19 with her original song “Greyhound Bound for Nowhere.” The song was later included on her album, Kerosene, which debuted at no.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
Now, Lambert is one of the most prominent female artists in country music, having released nine studio albums and charting 10 number-one singles. Additionally, she has claimed more ACM Awards than any other artist in history.
Carrie Underwood
It is no secret that superstar Carrie Underwood got her start on American Idol. The Oklahoma native won the show’s fourth season in 2005 and has gone on to be one of the series’ most successful alumni (next to Kelly Clarkson).
At 21 years old, the aspiring singer flew on an airplane for the first time in her life to try her luck and audition for the show in St. Louis, Missouri. After her audition, judge Simon Cowell predicted that she would be a favorite to win the competition. He was correct.
Now, 20 years later, Carrie’s career has come full circle as she serves as a judge for the 23rd season of Idol.
Chris Young
In 2006, 20-year-old Chris Young charmed Nashville Star viewers with his smooth voice and original songwriting. After winning season four of the show, Young signed with RCA Records Nashville and released his self-titled debut album that same year.
The Tennessee native has consistently found success with his music. Of the nine studio albums he has released, four have been certified platinum, and two have been certified gold. He has earned 11 number-one singles and was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2017.
Kacey Musgraves
Before she was touring arenas around the world, Kacey Musgraves was one of the young singers hoping to find success on Nashville Star. At 18 years old, she competed in the show’s fifth season in 2007, but it did not go well. She was the fourth contestant eliminated, placing seventh overall.
She later reflected:
“It was good to walk away with some constructive criticism. It was what it was and it was good, and then I moved to Nashville and I got to just really take my time writing and figuring things out and developing myself, and I’m really, really thankful I had that time.”
Chase Rice
Chase Rice competed on Survivor: Nicaragua in 2010, ending the season as the runner-up. Afterward, Rice had the opportunity to perform his song “Buzz Back” in front of a national audience on the televised reunion show.
The 39-year-old began playing guitar and writing songs before his time on Survivor, and his debut album, Friday Nights & Sunday Mornings, was also released in 2010.
Currently, Rice is preparing to embark on the Go Down Singin’ International Tour, which will kick off in Australia in March.
Scotty McCreery
Scotty McCreery was just 17 years old when he competed on and won the tenth season of American Idol in 2011. His debut album, Clear As Day, which was released shortly after his victory, was certified platinum in the United States.
Fun fact: because Scotty McCreery was a minor during his time on Idol, his mother had to live with him for the duration of the competition.
The now-31-year-old has since gotten married, welcomed a son, and been inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.
Lauren Alaina
Lauren Alaina was the runner-up to Scotty McCreery on season 10 of American Idol. She released her debut studio album Wildflower later that year. In 2017, Alaina earned her first number-one single with “Road Less Traveled.”
Lauren Alaina has released a series of highly successful collaborations with fellow country artists, including Kane Brown, HARDY, Devin Dawson, and Dustin Lynch. She returned to reality television to compete in the 28th season of Dancing with the Stars, where she placed fourth.
She married Cam Arnold in February 2024, and the couple is currently expecting their first child.
RaeLynn
In 2011, Texas native RaeLynn impressed the Season 2 Voice coaches during her blind audition with a rendition of “Hell On Heels” by the Pistol Annies. She landed a spot on Blake Shelton‘s team and did well in the competition until she was eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Since competing on The Voice, RaeLynn has worked with Big Machine Label Group and Warner Music Nashville. Her single “God Made Girls” was certified platinum by the RIAA.
RaeLynn is currently putting out music as an independent artist and has started her own label, Daisy Rae Productions, named after her 3-year-old daughter.
Cassadee Pope
Cassadee Pope was the first female winner of The Voice, taking home the title in 2012. Prior to the show, she was the lead vocalist of the pop-punk band Hey Monday.
She made the switch to country music following her success on The Voice, and her first solo country album, Frame by Frame, debuted at number one on the Top Country Albums chart.
In 2024, she announced her departure from country music after feeling “shamed for speaking out.” She expressed that she felt rock music was more “in her bones.”
Michael Ray
Michael Ray was mentored by Big & Rich while on the CW Network’s reality show The Next: Fame Is At Your Doorstep. He won the show in 2012, earning a deal with Atlantic Records and the opportunity to open on tour for his superstar mentors.
He has released two studio albums, Michael Ray and Amos. Ray was briefly married to country singer Carly Pearce, but the couple filed for divorce in 2020 after eight months of marriage.
Morgan Wallen
With Morgan Wallen‘s immense fame and success, it is hard to believe that he started on the same stage as so many other aspiring musicians. The Tennessee native competed on season six of The Voice in 2014 but did not advance past the playoff round.
Following the show, Wallen signed to an independent record label called Panacea Records, with whom he released his debut single, “Spin You Around.”
After parting ways with his original label, Wallen signed with Big Loud in 2016, and his career began to accelerate at a record pace. He has released three studio albums and has a fourth on the way. The 31-year-old continues to smash records in the industry and was most recently named the CMA Awards Entertainer of the Year.
Riley Green
Country heartthrob Riley Green appeared on season four of CMT’s Redneck Island in 2014. The show followed 24 “rednecks” as they lived on an uninhabited island and competed in challenges. Green was the winner of his season and walked away with a $100,000 prize.
He recalled being recruited for the show:
“I was playing at Flora-Bama, and a couple guys came up and said, “We’re casting this show for CMT, we want you to be on it.” I did it because I thought it could help my music, and I believe it will. If 40,000 people watch it and they mention my music, I believe it’s worth it.”
Green is now signed with Big Machine Label Group in Nashville and released his third studio album, Don’t Mind If I Do, at the end of last year.