6 Country Singers You Didn’t Know are East Tennesseans (and 1 You Did)

East Tennessee is known for its Great Smoky Mountains, University of Tennessee Volunteers, and as the birthplace of Dolly Parton. Parton’s Dollywood is the largest employer in Sevier County, where she grew up.

And while Parton is the only icon with an East Tennessee theme park or a statue on the Sevier County courthouse lawn, counties in the 865-area code spawned a host of contemporary country music’s most successful hitmakers.

Kenny Chesney – Just To Say We Did (Official Music Video) (youtube.com)

Kenny Chesney

Chesney was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, and raised in nearby Luttrell. He scored his first No. 1 song—”She’s Got It All”—27 years ago on Aug. 30.

“She’s Got It All” was Chesney’s sixth single and the first of more than 20 chart-toppers. Chesney’s other biggest hits and fan favorites include “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy,” “Don’t Blink,” “American Kids,” and “How Forever Feels.”

An eight-time entertainer of the year winner, Chesney just capped his Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour with a three-night run at Gillette Stadium having played for close to 200,000 fans in Foxboro, Massachusetts, alone.

Morgan Wallen – Lies Lies Lies (Lyric Video) (youtube.com)

Morgan Wallen

Wallen was born about 90 minutes northeast of Knoxville in Sneedville, Tennessee. When Wallen becomes the first artist to play back-to-back nights at the Vols’ Neyland Stadium in September, more than 150,000 fans will cheer him on. The population of Sneedville is about 1,200.

Wallen has 14 No. 1 songs and played for five countries on three continents in 2023 for his One Night At A Time World Tour stadium tour. He added 36 shows to the tour in 2024 –24 of them stadiums. The extended run includes Wallen’s first European tour with seven shows this fall.

Kelsea Ballerini – Sorry Mom (Official Music Video) (youtube.com)

Kelsea Ballerini

Ballerini grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee, and returned to the area to play her first arena show in Big Orange Country at Thompson Boling Arena last fall.

Her hits include “Love Me Like You Mean It,” “Peter Pan,” “Heart First,” and her Kenny Chesney duet “Half of My Hometown.”

Ballerini hosted the CMT Awards for years and earned a Grammy nomination for her brave and vulnerable post-divorce album Rolling Up The Welcome Mat.

Kristian Bush – Trailer Hitch (Island Version) with Cas Haley (Official Audio) (youtube.com)

Kristian Bush

Bush, who, like Dolly Parton, is a Sevierville, Tennessee native, is a multi-platinum-selling, two-time GRAMMY® Award winner most known for co-founding the record-breaking Country duo Sugarland with Jennifer Nettles.

This year, Kristian is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Sugarland with a co-headlining arena tour with Little Big Town and the 34th year of his folk-rock duo Billy Pilgrim, which just made its Grand Ole Opry debut. He’s in the midst of his solo international tour.

Last summer, Bush drove his striped umbrella in the sand, staking his spot in summertime beach music with his EP Drink Happy Thoughts.

Since then, Kristian has released a series of island versions of his popular songs that marry his signature groovy sound with his reggae influence—and more are on the way.

At the same time, Bush discovered and helped launch contemporary country phenom Megan Moroney. He produced her debut chart-topper “Tennessee Orange” and her critically acclaimed first album and its follow-up Am I Okay? that she released in July.

Ashley Monroe – Hot Rod Pipe Dream (Official Video) (youtube.com)

Ashley Monroe

Monroe was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, and is a beloved Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter who has collaborated with everyone from Vince Gill and Miranda Lambert to The Raconteurs and Ricky Skaggs.

She’s one-third of Pistol Annies alongside Lambert and Angaleena Presley. Her solo albums include the Gill-produced Like a Rose and Sparrow, produced by Dave Cobb.

Rodney Atkins – Watching You (Official) (youtube.com)

Rodney Atkins

Atkins was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was adopted as a child and grew up in Cookeville. His hit songs include “Watching You,” “Cleaning This Gun,” and “If You’re Going Through Hell.”

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