In the Beginning
The beginnings of country legend Tim McGraw were anything but legendary. If anything they were actually quite normal. Tim McGraw was born Samuel Timothy McGraw in Delhi Lousiana to Betty Ann D’Agostino and Frank Edwin McGraw Jr who at the time was a star pitcher for the New York Mets. In the year 1966, Frank McGraw, also known as ‘Tug’ was a pitcher for the Jacksonville Suns and lives above Betty D’Agostino who at the time was still attending high school. Though they had a seemingly good relationship, D’Agostino’s parents were displeased when she became pregnant and sent her to live with relatives. Tim was raised by his mother in Start, Louisiana, and for the first years of his life believed himself to be the biological son of Horace Smith, his stepfather. This lasted until age 11 when McGraw searched his mother’s closet looking for Christmas presents and came across his birth certificate. After this event, his mother told him the truth, and took him to see his biological father. Unfortunately, ‘Tug’ McGraw would deny paternity for the next seven years, until Tim turned eighteen and the family resemblance became too much to deny. Throughout his childhood, McGraw had a love for competitive sports, baseball in particular, though he had no knowledge of his biological father’s history in the sports community. In addition to that he was a member of the FFA (Future Farmers of America). He attended college at the University of Louisiana, then known a the Northeast Louisiana University on a baseball scholarship, becoming a member of Pi Kappa Alpha. He learned to play guitar during college, though he was apparently bad enough at it that his roommates were constantly prompted to hide his guitar. In 1987, Betty, his mother, returned to Jacksonville Florida, and he went with her to attend Florida Community College for a single term. In 1989 after the death of Keith Whitley, his hero, McGraw dropped out of college and made his way to Nashville where he would pursue a career in music. One year later, in 1990, McGraw caught the attention of Curb Records, having cut a demo and giving the single to his father. Tug happened to be friends with a record executive at Curb, and was able to get McGraw a session with label executives. After hearing the single they immediately signed him to a recording contract, though many believe that the single was terrible, and McGraw was signed simply due to the fame of his father. If that is truly the case, then it is an investment that paid off. None of Tim Mcgraw’s early work made it to the top 40, and his debut album did not chart at all. The days to come however, would be much more lucrative.
Career Accomplishments
In 1994, the best selling country album would be ‘Not a Moment Too Soon’ which was considerably more successful than his first album. In fact, he manage to rock the proverbial boat with the first single ‘Indian Outlaw’ This song was often thought to be racist, or at the very least, patronizing to Native Americans, and as a result some radio stations actually refused to play it. The controversy actually managed to fuel sales, pushing the single to the top of the charts, making it McGraw’s first top ten. The second single from his Album, ‘Don’t take the Girl’ became his first Number 1 country hit, also reaching number 17 on the Hot 100. This single finally helped to establish him as a rugged county singer that people could actually care about. From here on out, everything is history. His 1995 single Refried Dreams fueled an album that would sell more than 6 million copies and even topped the Billboard 200 – a lifetime achievement for many country singers. Tim McGraw has also had a lucrative acting career, first appearing on the Jeff Foxworthy Show in 1997. In addition to that he played a sheriff in the independent film Black Cloud. He has also played in movies such as Friday Night Lights, and Flicka. In 2009 McGraw played Sean Tuphy in The Blind Side, based on the true story of Michael Oher. Having played in several other films, McGraw has received critical acclaim for each and every one of his roles, earning himself a solid foothold in his new acting career.
McGraw’s current discography includes:
Tim McGraw -- 1993 Not a Moment Too Soon -- 1994 All I Want -- 1995 Everywhere -- 1997 A Place in the Sun -- 1999 Set This Circus Down -- 2001 Tim McGraw and The Dancehall Doctors -- 2002 Live Like You Were Dying --2004 Let It Go --2007 Southern Voice -- 2009 Emotional Traffic -- 2012 Two Lanes of Freedom -- 2013 Sundown Heaven Town -- 2014
Most Known For
Tim McGraw is most known for his country music career having topped the charts multiple times for the past 20+ years. In spite of this, one of his most well known moves as of late is his desire to run for public office in the future. As a democrat, Tim McGraw has expressed interest in running for Senate, or possibly Governor of Tennessee, the state from which he comes. In addition to that he has come out as a strong supporter of former president Bill Clinton, and revealed his support for Barack Obama in 2008. McGraw is married to fellow country singer Faith Hill. Together, they have three daughters: Gracie Katherine (b. 1997), Maggie Elizabeth (b. 1998) and Audrey Caroline (b. 2001).[74]
Current Personal Life
Currently, McGraw is married to Faith Hill, a fellow country singer, and they have three daughters together.
Where Are They Now
Married to Faith Hill, Tim McGraw is still touring and still recording albums. Currently, Tim McGraw has been schedule to appear at the 40th anniversary of Glen Campbell’s ‘Rhinestone Cowboy’ hit, alongside Dolly Parton and Darius Rucker. Image Credit: istockphoto.com
