3 Artists Who Unexpectedly Turned to Country Music

Many artists have made the shift into country music. The draw to Nashville has brought many rockers, pop stars, and rappers to Music City. While the leap is not so drastic for some artists, others have truly shocked listeners by deciding to go country. Check out three such artists, below.

3 Artists Who Unexpectedly Turned to Country Music

1. Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr recently made the leap into country music. While he and his former bandmates routinely took inspiration from American roots music, the genre shift still seems somewhat out there for him. Nevertheless, Starr makes it seem like he was made for country music. If you need proof of his credentials, check out the track, below.

Time on my hands
The lesson’s been learned
I’m over her now
That bridge has been burned

Time on my hands
The lesson’s been learned
I’m over her now
That bridge has been burned

[RELATED: Ringo Starr Unveils Details About New Country Album, ‘Look Up,’ Announces Special Nashville Shows; Listen to First Single Now]

2. Darius Rucker

While Hootie and the Blowfish’s sound was far more catered to a rock audience, Darius Rucker found great success in the country space in his solo career. Rucker has been a fan of country music since the onset of his career, but it took him a while to realize his dream of making music with a southern tinge until he moved to Nashville. “Now, I’m in heaven,” Rucker once said. “I mean, I get to go in the studio and sing country music. That’s pretty awesome.”

Headin’ down south to the land of the pines
I’m thumbin’ my way into North Caroline
Starin’ up the road and pray to God I see headlights

I made it down the coast in seventeen hours
Pickin’ me a bouquet of dogwood flowers
And I’m a-hopin’ for Raleigh, I can see my baby tonight

3. Kid Rock

Seeing Kid Rock’s name alone would instantly prompt associations with a different genre. Once upon a time, the controversial singer was a rocker and a rapper, but in the early ’00s, Rock decided to go country. It turned out to be just the right move for Rock. Nowadays, we can’t imagine the Michigan native in any other context.

Living my life in a slow hell
Different girl every night at the hotel
I ain’t seen the sunshine in three damn days
Been fueling up on cocaine and whisky
I wish I had a good girl to miss me
Lord, I wonder if I’ll ever change my ways

Ringo Starr (Photo by Scott Robert Ritchie)