Carolyn Kruse

Carolyn Kruse

Carolyn Kruse

Consider this a big shout-out to the “singletons.” You know,  those who grew up as their parent’s one and only. Here, we take a look at some famous faces who represent these families of three. Below, you’ll find 5 popular country stars who are only children. These notable names may not have siblings, but they have plenty to celebrate.

The fact is there are more people who grew up as an only child now than ever before. For those of us who grew up in bigger families, we admit to being a little jealous of the “only children.” After all, an only child gets their parents’ undivided attention, there’s no sharing clothes or toys. Of course each scenario has it positives and negatives. But today the spotlight is on these 5 popular country stars who are only children.

Elvis was an only child, although his name isn’t included here because he crossed so many musical genres. We know that he did have a twin in utero, sadly his brother Jessie Garon was stillborn. Lots of famous people grew up without siblings, from Adele to John Lennon. Robin Williams, Frank Sinatra and Matthew Perry were all the only children their parents had.

Finding The Country Stars Who Are Only Children

As far as this list of 5 popular country stars who are only children goes, I knew about a couple of them already. However, I did have to do some digging to complete the “roll call.” Thankfully, I found Spinditty, a music site with a more comprehensive knowledge into this subject of celebrity musicians who are only children.

Let’s dive in and check out some of country music’s biggest stars who grew up being the only child in their families. These 5 popular country stars who are only children are listed alphabetically for you. Take a look and let me know if you are surprised by any of the names. According to Psychology Todaykids who grow up as an only child have a closer bond with their parents. Research dating back to the 1980s concluded, “only children “…surpassed all non-only borns, especially those from large families, in the positivity of the parent-child relationship.”

 

 

  • 1. Kelsea Ballerini

    Kelsea Ballerini was born in Knoxville, Tennessee to Ed and Carla Ballerini. Her dad worked as a sales manager for a country radio station a mom worked in marketing for Thomas Nelson Bible publishing. They divorced when she was only 12, but that’s when she wrote her first song. It was for her mother.  Kelsea told Cosmopolitan magazine, “I am a girly girl to my core. I’m an only child, so I just was always like, “Mom, let’s play dress up.” As a kid, my playtime was rummaging around my mom’s makeup bag and frolicking around in glittery dresses.” She took ballet lessons and they encouraged her to perform.

    Ballerini has been nominated for 4 Grammy Awards, including her recent nod for her latest album, Rolling Up the Welcome Mat. She’s also racked up 7 #1 hits and just received a CMT Award nomination for her latest hit, “If You Go Down, I’m Going Down Too.”

  • 2. Luke Combs

    “Guilty of having only child syndrome, but as of late, I like getting stuff for my parents and just hanging out with them,” that’s what Luke Combs told Stage Right Secrets, in an interview. So, apparently he had some guilt of getting too much attention as a kid, but really appreciates all the time he had and still has with his parents. He recalled growing up and having plenty of “fond memories” with his cousins, aunts and uncles and grandparents. The Hurricane singer’s parents Rhonda Combs and Chester Combs, have always helped to keep him grounded, but reaching for the stars.

     

  • 3. Hunter Hayes

    Born on September 9, 1991 in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, Hunter Hayes is the only child of Lynette and Leo Hayes. Because he grew up without siblings, Hayes was able to learn to entertain himself. It started with finding anything in his home that could serve as an instrument. Then, when he was given an accordion by his grandmother, he was off and running! Hunter’s started making appearances on national TV starting at age 4, including the Maury show, Rosie O’Donnell Show and Nickelodeon. When he was only 7 he was  invited to perform at a White House lawn party for  President Bill Clinton.

    Hunter told the Palm Beach Post, “”I was an only child, so on my time off – after doing my homework or sometimes screwing off – I’d go back in my bedroom and just write music and work on demos. That was how I passed my time. Yeah, I went out with friends, but because I was an only child, spending time by myself and doing my own thing was nothing new to me. … I love being in the studio by myself.” The multi-instrumentalist, multi-genre artist has released of ten studio albums, one compilation album, five independently released albums, and scored 10 hit singles. Hunter is best known for his 2012 mutli-platinum, Grammy Award nominated smash, “Wanted.”

     

  • 4. Carly Pearce

    “My parents and I are so close. We’re best friends. I’m an only child. And they let me quit high school, and they cry every time they talk about it.” That’s what Carly Pearce told CMT about being a “singleton” while growing up. Her birthname Carly Cristyne Slusser, and she took her grandfather’s last name to be her stage name. Growing up in in Taylor Mill, Kentucky, as the only child of Tod and Jackie Slusser, Carly began performing professionally around age 11 with a bluegrass band.

    The Grammy Award winning artist notched her first hit in 2017 with “Every Little Thing.” Since then, she’s racked up 7 other big hits, including her latest “We Don’t Fight Anymore,” a Grammy nominated collaboration with Chris Stapleton.

     

  • 5. LeAnn Rimes

    Margaret LeAnn Rimes grew up the only child of  Wilbur Rimes and Belinda Butler. Her father was her manager early in LeAnn’s career and had publicly shared that his daughter had opportunities as an only child that he never did. She was born in Jackson, Mississippi, but raised mostly in Garland, Texas where she started a public life very early. Rimes was performing at local talent shows as early as age 5. By the age of 9 she was on a national tour! She would perform the “Star Spangled Banner” (a capella) at Dallas Cowboys football games.

    Since then, LeAnn has charted over 40 singles, internationally, and sold more than 48 million songs. Today, she remains an in demand singer and continues to tour. Did you know Rimes was the youngest person ever to win a Grammy Award? That was for her breakout hit, “Blue.”

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