With so much country music to celebrate at the 50th Annual CMA Awards, it’s no surprise that the talk on the carpet turned to musical memories and early influences. Parade hit the red carpet to talk to the men and women of country about the songs and artists that have made the biggest impact on their lives and careers in the last 50 years.
Ty Herndon
Dolly Parton. Talk about reinventing. She’s continually putting new music out, continually writing and continually producing. And if we can do that in country music–growing your craft—she’s a huge example. And so is Reba McEntire and so is Tim McGraw. People that just are constantly working to make themselves a better song writer and a better artist.
Chris Janson
When I listen to music, I listen to a lot of Hank Jr. circa 1983. I listen to everything Merle Haggard ever did. I’m thankful to be friends with Hank and was friends with Merle, too, God rest his soul. I was one of the last artists to tour with Merle Haggard and it was pretty amazing. That’s what I listen to, and it’s the lifeblood of what we do. And I really appreciate songwriters, and those two guys are songwriters and artists. If there’s anybody that I’d like to take my career and mold it in the direction of where they started and their career, I’d say those would be the pinnacle.
The Property Brothers
I love some of the old-school stuff. Somebody who’s been around as an icon, Dolly Parton, absolutely fantastic. —Jonathan Scott
And walking this carpet, you have amazing talent everywhere you look, whether it’s Darius Rucker, or Clint Black or the Dixie Chicks. —Drew Scott
Old Dominion
George Strait. “Troubadour” is one of his later songs, but I’m a huge fan of that song. —Matthew Ramsey, lead singer
Ricky Skaggs and Sharon White
Johnny and June [Cash] were great friends to us. June would always give you something when she left. So would Johnny. He’d take me into his watch closet and just give me a watch, so they were really like mom and dad to a lot of artists in town. But musically, you can’t beat George Jones and Merle Haggard. But I love Ray Price, Bob Wills, man that music was so great. And of course the mountain music from the Stanley Brothers and those old guys. It’s such great music. It’s close to my heart. —Ricky Skaggs
I know a lot of people would say Patsy Cline, but I go back before that. I’m a Kitty Wells fan, and Wilma Lee Cooper. Those are the women that lit my fire. Molly O’Day was a particular favorite of mine, I love her singing. She was such a passionate singer. —Sharon White
Canaan Smith
George Strait. Song-wise, “Please Remember Me” written by Rodney Crowell, performed by Tim McGraw. “Letters From Home,” John Michael Montgomery. Songs that rip your heart out and raise the hair up on your arms. Timeless songs, those are what I believe in.
Parmalee
Our first introduction to country music was Travis Tritt, Garth Brooks, Kentucky Headhunters—all that soul-based stuff, so we grew up playing that stuff and singing those songs. —Matt Thomas, vocalist
A Thousand Horses
The first concert I went to when I was a kid was Alan Jackson, and that’s kind of what inspired me to be an artist and to perform. —Michael Hobby, vocalist
Meghan Linsey
I love Tanya Tucker. I sang Tanya Tucker songs growing up, I just absolutely adore her.
Michael Ray
I love playing “Forever and Ever Amen” [by Randy Travis], “Blues Man” by Hank Williams Jr.—My grandfather played guitar, and that song has always made me think of him. “Today I Start Loving You Again” by Merle Haggard.
Chase Bryant
George Strait, Brooks and Dunn, Brian White, Steve Wariner. Those guys are the ones who shaped who I am as an artist, as a person, as a songwriter, as a guitar player, as a musician.
RaeLynn
Dolly Parton. When you think of country music, you think of Dolly Parton. Even somebody who doesn’t know country music knows Dolly. She is more than an artist, she’s a light in this world. That’s somebody that I aspire to be—I don’t want to just be an artist, I want to be somebody who makes a difference and really is a good person in this world. With so much negativity, being a good person means so much and it’s few and far between.
Lori McKenna
I remember when Mark D. Sanders won for “I Hope You Dance” and I didn’t know who he was at the time, I just remember sitting in my living room watching that and thinking, “wow this is amazing. That’s a songwriter up there on television!” And when we won last year for “Girl Crush” he sent me the nicest text.
Scotty McCreery
There’s plenty of them here tonight. Randy Travis, Charlie Daniels, Dolly Parton. I grew up in the ’90s and early 2000’s, so their music was before me, but it’s timeless music, so we were still listening to it then.
Jon Pardi
Randy Travis, Alan Jackson and the king George Strait. That’s all I need.
Easton Corbin
I love traditional country music. Merle Haggard is one of my biggest heroes, and George Jones and Keith Whitley. Those are really my three biggest heroes. That runs deep.
Gretchen Wilson
I was inspired by so many different people. My grandparents were the big Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn listeners. My Uncle Vern got me into Charlie Daniels, Lynyrd Skynyrd. My influences go all over the board, but that’s why you end up with music like I make.
The Oak Ridge Boys
I really like what Little Big Town is doing. I think that is one of the most creative groups of people put together and they are continually reinventing themselves. And since they are a group, I study them and I just think they are awesome. I really admire them. I’m so happy they’re having the success they’re having. —Duane Allen
Deana Carter
It’s really great to see Dolly. She’s iconic for women–in music and in films. She was a pioneer. She did the Hollywood stuff and country music. She’s a big inspiration. And Vince Gill. Vince Gill was supportive and spoke out for me as a new artist and I will never forget it. And my daddy was a guitar player so when people can play guitar really well, I am on the edge of my seat and I love it.
Granger Smith
George Strait holds the top of that list and stays there. If there wasn’t George, I wouldn’t be playing music.