While there are certainly more famous singers from Oklahoma than listed below. Here are some of the most widely recognized for their craft.
1. Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood, a Grammy-winning country singer, won American Idol in 2005. Underwood’s background in Muskogee, Oklahoma, shaped her music and ideals.
“Some Hearts,” her 2005 first album, established Underwood as a country music star. “Before He Cheats” and “Jesus, Take the Wheel” demonstrated her narrative and vocal range.
She has remained loyal to Oklahoma throughout her career. After severe tornadoes, she helped with disaster relief. In 2010, she organized a performance for her hometown of Checotah, Oklahoma, demonstrating her continued connection to the area that shaped her.
Oklahoma-born Carrie Underwood continues to be one of country music’s biggest stars.
2. Garth Brooks
Garth Brooks, born February 7, 1962, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a country music icon who mixes rock with country. He is one of the best-selling solo musicians in the US due to his distinctive style, explosive performances, and poignant compositions.
Brooks’ 1989 first album introduced his country-rock blend to a large audience. His country hits “Friends in Low Places” and “The Dance” showed his ability to write appealing songs with meaningful lyrics.
Brooks’ songs and public presence reflect his Oklahoma background. At Oklahoma State University, he started performing in pubs and clubs. He conducted a fundraiser event after the Moore, Oklahoma disaster in 2013.
Garth Brooks is recognized for his tremendous live concerts and continuous musical production. His Oklahoma roots and profession have turned him into a country music and Oklahoma superstar.
3. Blake Shelton
Blake Shelton, born on June 18, 1976, in Ada, Oklahoma, is a prominent figure in country music. Known for his charismatic performances and emotionally resonant songs, Shelton has made a significant impact on the genre since his career took off in the early 2000s.
Shelton’s debut single “Austin” was a number one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 2001, and since then, he has produced a steady stream of hits, including “God Gave Me You,” “Boys ‘Round Here,” and “God’s Country.” Besides his music, Shelton gained fame as a coach on NBC’s talent show “The Voice,” where his affable personality won over many new fans.
An Oklahoma native, Shelton has continually shown his dedication to his home state. He has been involved in numerous philanthropic endeavors in Oklahoma, including wildlife preservation efforts and fundraising for disaster relief after the 2013 Moore tornado. He also opened Ole Red, a restaurant and entertainment venue, in his hometown of Tishomingo, creating jobs and promoting tourism in the local area.
Blake Shelton remains a major figure in country music, with his Oklahoma roots profoundly shaping his career and personal life.
4. Reba McEntire
Reba McEntire, born on March 28, 1955, in McAlester, Oklahoma, is a beloved figure in country music and one of its most enduring stars. Known for her powerful vocals and emotive storytelling, McEntire has had a significant influence on the genre since the late 1970s.
Reba’s first hit, “I Don’t Want to Be a One Night Stand,” charted in 1976, and she has produced a steady output of successful songs since, including “Fancy,” “Is There Life Out There,” and “The Heart Won’t Lie.” Aside from her music career, McEntire has made her mark as an actress in film, theater, and her eponymous television sitcom, further establishing her as a versatile entertainer.
McEntire’s Oklahoma roots have deeply influenced her music and character. The values and narratives she absorbed in her rural upbringing frequently feature in her songs. Furthermore, she has engaged in charitable work in Oklahoma, demonstrating a lasting commitment to her home state.
Reba McEntire remains a dominant figure in the country music industry, her career indelibly linked to the Oklahoma soil that nurtured her talent and shaped her identity. Reba recently opened a restaurant in Atoka called ‘Reba’s Place‘.
5. Tyson Ritter
Tyson Ritter, born on April 24, 1984, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, is best known as the lead vocalist and bassist of the American rock band, The All-American Rejects. Known for his distinct voice and charismatic stage presence, Ritter has significantly contributed to the pop-punk and alternative rock genres since the early 2000s.
The All-American Rejects, formed in 1999, shot to mainstream success with their self-titled debut album in 2002, featuring hit singles “Swing, Swing” and “The Last Song.” Their follow-up album, “Move Along,” produced more chart-topping hits like “Dirty Little Secret” and “It Ends Tonight,” establishing the band as a staple in the pop-punk scene.
Ritter’s Oklahoma roots influenced the band’s formation and music style. The All-American Rejects was formed while Ritter and guitarist Nick Wheeler were still in high school in Stillwater. The band’s lyrics often reflect themes of youth, love, and angst, resonating with their midwestern upbringing.
Tyson Ritter remains an influential figure in the rock music scene, and his Oklahoma heritage continues to shape his music and persona, underlining his connection to his home state and its influence on his career.
6. Vince Gill
Vince Gill is a country singer and songwriter from Norman, Oklahoma. Since his solo career started in the mid-1980s, Gill has influenced country music with his clean tenor voice and superb guitar playing.
Gill’s breakthrough record, “When I Call Your Name,” won the Country Music Association’s Single of the Year in 1990. His classics “Go Rest High on That Mountain” and “I Still Believe in You” have earned him more than 20 Grammy Awards, making him one of the most honored country performers.
Gill’s Oklahoma upbringing has shaped his music. His midwestern heritage inspires lyrics about love, sorrow, and heartbreak. He also donated to the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing monument.
The country music scene continues to revere Vince Gill who credits Oklahomwith shaping his career and driving his love for music.
7. Ronnie Dunn
Ronnie Dunn, born June 1, 1953, in Coleman, Texas, is a country music legend and half of the award-winning duet Brooks & Dunn. Dunn’s raspy, deep voice has shaped country music as a duet and solo performer.
Their 1990 first album “Brand New Man” had four number-one singles. Over the following two decades, the pair had singles including “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” and “My Maria.” After the duo’s 2010 separation, Dunn released solo songs including “Bleed Red” and “Cost of Livin’,” showing his sustained popularity.
Dunn attended Abilene Christian University in Oklahoma. Before relocating to Nashville, he performed in Tulsa bars. His Oklahoma experiences shaped his songwriting and music.
Oklahoma origins helped Ronnie Dunn become a country music legend.
8. Leona Mitchell
Leona Mitchell, born October 13, 1949, in Enid, Oklahoma, is a world-renowned soprano who has shaped opera. Mitchell is one of the best lyric sopranos of her day, known for her range and depth.
The San Francisco Opera launched Mitchell’s career in the early 1970s. She is well known for her portrayal of Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida at the Metropolitan Opera for over two decades. Mitchell has performed at La Scala in Milan and the Vienna State Opera due to her international fame.
Mitchell’s Oklahoma upbringing shaped her life. Singing at her father’s Enid church shaped her voice and enthusiasm for music. She joined the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 1999.
Leona Mitchell’s Oklahoma roots have helped her become one of the world’s most recognized operatic sopranos.
9. David Cook
David Cook, a rock singer-songwriter from Houston, Texas, won “American Idol” in 2008. Cook’s strong voice and passionate performances combine rock, post-grunge, and alternative genres.
“American Idol” launched Cook’s career. “David Cook,” his 2008 major-label debut, included “Light On” and “Come Back to Me.” Cook has produced numerous albums since then, demonstrating his songwriting and musical approach.
Cook was born in Texas but raised in Blue Springs, Missouri. He moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to study music before competing for “American Idol.” Playing in Oklahoma pubs and with Tulsa musicians shaped his sound and stage persona. Cook’s midwestern upbringing and stay in Oklahoma shaped his musical career.
David Cook remains a major rock musician, with his Oklahoma roots helping him succeed.
10. Toby Keith
Toby Keith Covel, known professionally as Toby Keith, is a prominent American country music singer, songwriter, actor, and record producer. Born on July 8, 1961, in Clinton, Oklahoma, his music career was deeply influenced by his southern roots. His debut single, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” released in 1993, was a chart-topping hit and laid the groundwork for a prolific career.
Keith’s music often blends patriotic themes with a traditional country style, and he is renowned for his high-energy performances. His discography spans multiple decades, with dozens of chart-topping hits and multi-platinum albums. Keith’s catalogue includes hits like “Beer for My Horses,” “How Do You Like Me Now?!” and “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American).”
Beyond music, Keith also co-founded the record label Show Dog Nashville and pursued acting, starring in the 2006 film “Broken Bridges.” His entrepreneurial endeavors extend to the food and beverage industry, with the successful chain of “Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill” restaurants.
Keith’s connection to Oklahoma extends beyond his birthplace. He has shown dedication to his home state through various philanthropic efforts, particularly in response to disasters. After a devastating tornado hit Moore, Oklahoma, in 2013, Keith hosted a benefit concert that raised more than a million dollars for relief efforts. His commitment to Oklahoma is a hallmark of his persona, showing his loyalty to his roots.
11. Jean Shepard
Jean Shepard, born on November 21, 1933, in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, was a pioneering female artist in country music. Known for her honky-tonk style and strong, clear vocals, Shepard’s career spanned seven decades, influencing many future artists in the genre.
Shepard first gained national attention as a member of the popular ensemble The Ferlin Husky Show in 1952. Her first solo single, “A Dear John Letter,” was a duet with Husky and became a No.1 hit. As a solo artist, she achieved significant success with hits such as “A Satisfied Mind” and “Second Fiddle (To An Old Guitar).”
Shepard’s music was inspired by her upbringing in Oklahoma during the Great Depression and regional music cultures. Her honest songs typically depicted the struggles of traditional women.
In 2011, the Country Music Hall of Fame inducted Shepard, a Grand Ole Opry member for almost 60 years. Jean Shepard’s Oklahoma background shaped her music. She passed away in 2016.
