6 Country Singers You Didn’t Know Are From South Carolina

Country music fans flock to South Carolina beaches every summer and visit the Myrtle Beach bar called The Bowery, where the iconic country band Alabama started.

They may not know that South Carolina is a hotbed of country music history. Some of the genre’s most famous names—past and present—came from the Palmetto State.

Aaron Tippin

Aaron Tippin, known for hit songs including “My Blue Angel” and “You’ve Got to Stand for Something,” wasn’t born in South Carolina. But he grew up there. Tippin lived on a farm in Greer and launched his career singing in local bars.

Bill Anderson

Bill Anderson is the longest serving member of the Grand Ole Opry in the hallowed radio show’s history. He’s a proud Columbia, South Carolina native.

Anderson’s career spans decades. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1975.  The singer joined the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. BMI named Anderson its first country songwriting icon, allowing him to join previously named BMI Icons Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, and James Brown. The Songwriters Hall of Fame inducted him in 2018, along with Alan Jackson and John Mellencamp.

Darius Rucker

Darius Rucker is one of South Carolina’s most famous sons, first conquering the rock world as the voice of Hootie & the Blowfish selling more than 25 million albums. Then he jumped over to country music, successfully launching his solo career with four chart-topping albums and 10 No. 1 singles on Billboard’s country music charts.

Rucker recently released a new album, Carolyn’s Boy, and his memoir, “Learn to Live.”

Josh Turner

This month, Josh Turner released his 10th studio album, This Country Music Thing. He’s had 5 No. 1 singles and hit songs, including “Long Black Train” and “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” which have driven his streaming total over 5.2 billion.

In June 2021, Turner released Your Man Deluxe Edition to celebrate the 15th anniversary of his breakthrough album and the mini-documentary “Josh Turner Your Man 15th Anniversary.”

Doug Gray

Not only was Marshall Tucker Band singer Doug Gray born in South Carolina, but so was his famous Southern rock band. More than 50 years ago, Gray founded the group in Spartanburg, South Carolina. They went on to have hits including “Can’t You See,” “Heard It in a Love Song,” and “Fire on the Mountain.”

Fans can hear Marshall Tucker Band songs in movies and television shows, including Breaking Bad, Blow, The Box, Swing Vote, Half Nelson, and more.  CMT named the MTB’s “Can’t You See” the No. 4 Greatest Southern Rock Song.

Lee Brice

The Sumter, South Carolina, native has had hit songs, including “One of Them Girls,” “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” and “Rumor.” He’s accumulated more than 3.7 billion on-demand streams and has had nine No. 1 songs, including “A Woman Like You,” “Hard to Love,” “I Drive Your Truck,” “I Don’t Dance,” “Drinking Class,” and “Memory I Don’t Mess With.”

(Photo by R. Diamond/Getty Images)