| Full Name | Samuel Timothy McGraw |
| Age | 56 |
| Birthday | May 1, 1967 |
| Born | Delhi, Louisiana, United States |
| Social Media | Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube |
With his signature cowboy hat and smooth baritone voice, Tim McGraw has been charming country music fans for over 30 years. Known for his relatable lyrics, strong vocals, and high energy performances, McGraw has cemented his place as one of the most popular and enduring country artists of all time.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Samuel Timothy McGraw was born on May 1, 1967 in Delhi, Louisiana to middle relief pitcher Frank "Tug" McGraw and waitress Betty Trimble. He grew up believing his stepfather, Horace Smith, was his biological father. At age 11, McGraw discovered his birth certificate and learned the truth about his parentage. The news led him to develop a close relationship with Tug McGraw.
McGraw received his first guitar at age 11 and he taught himself to play. He began performing in talent competitions during high school. After graduating, McGraw attended Northeast Louisiana University on a baseball scholarship. However, after injuring his knee, he left school to pursue a musical career. In 1989, he moved to Nashville where he took a job selling T-shirts before signing his first record deal with Curb Records in 1990.
Rise to Stardom
McGraw‘s debut single "What Room Was the Holiday In" reached #3 on the Billboard country charts in 1991. His self-titled first album was released in 1993 and sold over 2 million copies. However, it was his sophomore album Not a Moment Too Soon that catapulted him to stardom. Five of its singles topped the country charts, including enduring favorites "Don‘t Take the Girl" and "Indian Outlaw." The album went on to sell over 6 million copies.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, McGraw became one of the most successful artists in country music history. He charted over 25 #1 singles including "It‘s Your Love" with Faith Hill and "Live Like You Were Dying." His albums Everywhere (1997), A Place in the Sun (1999), and Set This Circus Down (2001) all went multi-platinum. He began crossing over into pop music by collaborating with Nelly ("Over and Over") and Taylor Swift ("Highway Don‘t Care").
Major Tours
- Spontaneous Combustion Tour (1996)
- The Shedd Aquarium Concert (1997)
- Soul2Soul Tour (2000) with Faith Hill
- Live Like You Were Dying Tour (2004)
- Soul2Soul II Tour (2006) with Faith Hill
- Brothers of the Sun Tour (2012) with Kenny Chesney
- Sundown Heaven Town Tour (2014)
- Soul2Soul: The World Tour (2017) with Faith Hill
Acting Career
In addition to music, McGraw has built a successful acting career in both film and TV. He made his big screen debut as Charles Billingsley in the 2004 sports drama Friday Night Lights. He went on to appear in films like Flicka (2006), The Blind Side (2009), Country Strong (2010), and Tomorrowland (2015). His emotional performance as James Dutton in the hit Paramount+ series 1883 earned widespread critical acclaim.
Notable Roles
- Friday Night Lights (2004)
- Flicka (2006)
- The Blind Side (2009)
- Country Strong (2010)
- The Kingdom (2007)
- Four Christmases (2008)
- Tomorrowland (2015)
- 1883 (2022)
Personal Life
McGraw married fellow country singer Faith Hill in October 1996. Together they have three daughters – Gracie Katherine, Maggie Elizabeth, and Audrey Caroline. McGraw and Hill have frequently toured and recorded hit duets together, including "It‘s Your Love" and "I Need You." They are considered country music‘s biggest power couple.
In his free time, McGraw is an avid baseball fan who enjoys hanging out with his family. He is a minority owner of the Nashville Sounds, the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. Outside of music, McGraw has supported many charitable causes benefiting disaster relief, veterans, childhood hunger, and more through his organization Team McGraw.
Legacy
With over 80 million records sold worldwide, Tim McGraw remains one of the most successful artists in country music history. He has won 3 Grammy Awards, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards, 11 Country Music Association Awards, and 10 American Music Awards. His Soul2Soul tours with Faith Hill set the record for highest-grossing country music tours of all time.
McGraw has charted an astounding 25 #1 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2022, recognizing his far-reaching contributions to country music over the past three decades. Though his sound has evolved with the times, McGraw‘s unique ability to blend country storytelling with rock instrumentation has allowed him to remain a relevant, versatile artist with a multi-generational fanbase.
After over 30 years in the spotlight, Tim McGraw‘s impact on country music and American pop culture is undeniable. His heartfelt songs and captivating live performances will ensure his music continues to resonate for decades to come.