Just For Kix – Posted by: Sarah

Ask Kix…Everything you wanna know about country music! Our listeners submit their questions about country music and Kix will answer…

This week’s question is from Sarah in Washington…

Hey Kix –

So, Taylor Swift’s first hit was "Tim McGraw" back in 2006.  Taylor was 17 at the time.  Was she the youngest artist to ever have a hit on the country charts?  

Thanks for answering my question!

Signed,
Sarah

Kix's Response:

Thanks Sarah for your question.  Well, 17 is certainly young to launch the kind of a career that Taylor has had, but actually we have quite a history of young stars in country music.  

For those of you who might be thinking it was Brenda Lee, she was actually 15 when she had her first hit. Tanya Tucker was only 13 when she introduced us to the classic "Delta Dawn." And, what about little LeAnn Rimes when she sang that amazing rendition of the song "Blue?" Well, she was also only 13, but I’m not going to have to check birthdays on those two because there’s someone else you might have forgotten.  

Do you remember young Billy Gilman? He was only 11 when he won the hearts of country fans on the CMA Awards and released his hit "One Voice." His range and tone was truly amazing for someone that young, but when his voice changed a couple of years later things were never quite the same. You sure had your moment though, Billy, and made the best of it… For now, that record is yours!!!