Country music is a hallmark of America — but where do some of today’s biggest artists get their inspiration?
Scotty McCreery and Carly Pearce are among the many country artists who turn to the people and places they grew up in to shape their music and their ever-changing musical dreams.
The singers — as well as members of Old Dominion and other A-listers from the genre — exclusively tell Us Weekly in the “Country Artists Celebrate America” issue which locations make them feel most at home in the U.S.A.
Scroll down to see which country stars a.k.a Us’ “hometown heroes” attribute their all-American upbringing to their success as we head into Fourth of July weekend.
Plus, pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now for more from the “Country Artists Celebrate America” feature.
Scotty McCreery
Hometown: Garner, North Carolina
“I grew up on the same street as my bud — dies that I’m still best friends with today,” the season 10 American Idol winner exclusively tells Us. “We went to school together, played baseball together, went to church together. I remember the first time I sang in front of my friends. I was just nervous as all get out. It was a pool party … and it went well. So, I was like, ‘Oh, maybe I’ll keep doing this!’”
Carly Pearce
Hometown: Taylor Mill, Kentucky
“That’s the town that made me,” the Grammy winner tells Us while hosting Carly’s Closet to benefit the CMA Foundation. “I think about my grandparents a lot. They knew that country music was what I wanted to do. And even today I was texting with my mom, and I was like, ‘Can you believe that I’m singing with Rascal Flatts at CMA Fest in the stadium?’ All these years later, it’s still a very wild thing to think about all of the shows. I’m very, very proud to be from there. It’s definitely the heart of who I am.”
Brad Tursi
Hometown: Westport, Connecticut
“I was lucky enough to grow up right on the water on the Long Island Sound,” the Old Dominion guitarist tells Us. “I spent a lot of days and nights on boats just hanging out with friends, wakeboarding, that kind of thing.” (The band will release their sixth album, Barbara, on August 22, and are currently on the How Good Is That World Tour.)
Matthew Ramsey
Hometown: Buchanan, Virginia
“I grew up in a very small town. It’s about 900 people and everybody knows everybody, and that entire community has supported us on our journey,” the Old Dominion lead singer tells Us. “It’s a beautiful place with a lot of love. [As a kid], I remember loving riding my bike on all the three streets that were there! It was a great place to grow up.”
Geoff Sprung
Hometown: Richmond, Virginia
“I grew up in Northern Virginia, and I miss all the cool free museums,” the Old Dominion drummer exclusively shares with Us. “A favorite memory is learning to play music with people while growing up being in garage bands.”
Trevor Rosen
Hometown: Woodhaven, Michigan
“I grew up in the Detroit area, so the music history is amazing. We have Motown and so much good music,” the Old Dominion guitarist and keyboardist tells Us. “We have great sports teams. And it’s Michigan, so you drive a few hours and you’re in the most beautiful outdoor landscape. People don’t think of Michigan when they think of country, but I grew up fishing and hunting, doing all the things we sing about.”
Harper Grace
Hometown: McKinney, Texas
“My grandparents live in West Texas, and my favorite memory is my grandmother playing the accordion,” the American Idol alum says, referring to their home in Midland-Odessa, Texas. “It’s why I fell in love with country music. She’d play all the classics like Dolly [Parton] and Loretta Lynn, and I’d dance around.”
Kameron Marlowe
Hometown: Kannapolis, North Carolina
“It’s the home of Dale Earnhardt, so racing is definitely in our blood,” the Voice alum exclusively tells Us. “My favorite memory is catching my very first personal best bass with my grandpa, and him being so fired up for me. That was just a sweet moment that I hold onto.”
Gavin Adcock
Hometown: Watkinsville, Georgia
“I grew up on a cattle farm working with my daddy,” the singer recalls. “I’d go to the stockyards. My dad would buy cattle, and I’d go in the back and work with the rough hands as a real little kid. I’m lucky to be here, honestly!”
Riley Green
Hometown: Jacksonville, Alabama
“I still kinda live in my hometown,” the “Worst Way” singer shares with Us. “I loved that I could get outta school and go see both sets of my grandparents, and if I went by my grandmother Nancy’s house first, she’d call my grandmother Jean and tell her. So, I had to go to the other one and vice versa.”
Parker McCollum
Hometown: Conroe, Texas
“I still got a lot of family, and I love the pine trees and my grandparents’ barn,” the “Burn It Down” singer says of his Texas hometown. “That was like the center of my universe.”
Brian Kelley
Hometown: Ormand Beach, Florida
“I am a big believer that the people make the place,” the former Florida Georgia Line member tells Us. “I am very lucky. I love where I grew up. My favorite memories are tubing down the Tomoka River. River days, seeing manatees and alligators, I love all that. I still live on the water — living the dream!”
Jordan Davis
Hometown: Shreveport, Louisiana
“It was a great place to grow up. My favorite memory is AA baseball,” the singer recalls to Us. “We had the Shreveport Captains. My dad took us to probably 100 games. Me, my brother, sister and my dad. That was really cool.”
RaeLynn
Hometown: Baytown, Texas
“Everybody truly is rooting for each other,” says the songstress, who spoke to Us while participating in Folds of Honor: Rock ’N Jock Celebrity Softball Game, of her birthplace. “We might leave — I moved [to Nashville] 12 years ago — but when I go back, everybody’s still so proud. And that’s really just the best hometown feeling.”
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