The country music world is known for its famous families. Most children of country stars don’t go on to carry to torch, but some do end up following in their parents’ footsteps. Let’s dive into six country star sons who are doing quite a good job at carrying on their family legacy in music!
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1. Lukas Nelson
Lukas Nelson is one of many country star sons who is carrying on the legacy of his father; and he even performs alongside his famous dad. Lukas Nelson is the song of Willie Nelson, and he definitely inherited his father’s talent for singing, songwriting, and performing. His band Promise Of The Real has seen quite a bit of success, as have his solo performances on tour with his father.
[Get Tickets To See Lukas Nelson And Family Live]
2. Shooter Jennings
Waylon Jenning’s son Shooter is one of the most well-known country star sons who has walked in his father’s outlaw country music-makin’ footsteps. Jennings has made music in both traditional outlaw country as well as country rock. The track “Coming Home” from 2016 is a great example of his work, as is “Outlaw You”.
3. Thomas Rhett
Thomas Rhett Akins Jr., better known as Thomas Rhett, is the son of country music singer Rhett Akins. Rhett has been carrying on the family legacy for quite some time. He has released six studio albums and locked in four Grammy nominations thus far in his career. His hits like “It Goes Like This” and “Crash And Burn” have topped the Billboard Hot Country and Country Airplay charts.
4. Ben Haggard
Country legend Merle Haggard’s youngest son, Ben Haggard, spent much of his childhood playing in his father’s band, The Strangers. He still carries on that family legacy today. Ben and his brother Noel perform their famous dad’s music regularly, and Ben specifically has gained a pretty hefty social media presence in recent years. He also has plans to release his first solo album full of original tracks soon.
5. Sam Williams
Sam Williams is the song of Hank Williams, Jr. and the grandson of Hank Williams. Naturally, it’s not very surprising that Sam Williams has a love for country music; at this point, it’s genetic. Williams puts a more modern spin on traditional country music in his own work, with notable influences from pop music and R&B traditions. His debut record Glasshouse Children is a great piece of work that features contributions from Dolly Parton and others.
6. Jesse Keith Whitley
Jesse Keith Whitley is the son of country music legends Keith Whitley and Lorrie Morgan. Whitley performs live on a regular basis, often with his famous country star mother. Their duet cover of the Keith Whitley classic song “Don’t Close Your Eyes” is essential listening. They really do the song justice.
Photo by Catherine Powell
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