Meet The Other Halves Of Country Music’s Biggest Stars
Country music includes more love songs than most genres. Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You," "I Cross My Heart" by George Strait and "If Tomorrow Never Comes" by Garth Brooks are just a few classic country love songs that will never grow old.
Songwriters draw their inspiration from real-life experiences, so who are their romantic muses? Meet the other halves of country music's biggest stars -- their stories will have you believing in true love.
Sam Hunt's Wife: Hannah Lee Fowler
Sam Hunt has shown that he has massive talent as both a singer and a songwriter. Before his solo career took off, he was the man behind the scenes, writing songs for top country artists including Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, and Billy Currington.
His solo career exploded and he's recognized for experimenting with looping R&B and pop music into his country tracks. Hunt married the muse behind his album Montevallo, Hannah Lee Fowler. The pair dated on and off since 2008 before tying the knot in April 2017.
Kelsea Ballerini's Husband: Morgan Evans
Hailing from Tennessee, Kelsea Ballerini has made waves since she stepped on the country music scene in 2014. She received a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist in 2017 and became the first female country artist to have her first three singles all reach No.1.
Ballerini and Australian country music star Morgan Evans began dating in March 2016, after Evans asked her to take a shot of tequila with him. They married on December 2, 2017 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and had their guests do a tequila toast as a nod to how they first met.
Dierks Bentley's Wife: Cassidy Black
"What Was I Thinkin'" singer Dierks Bentley has released nine albums over the course of his career and has had 16 singles reach No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts. Bentley has headlined fourteen tours since 2006, but he still finds time to spend with the love of his life, Cassidy Black.
Black holds down the fort while Bentley is on the road, taking care of their three children at their Nashville home. The couple met in middle school and dated in high school. Bentley left for Nashville but never forgot about her. After mailing her love letters across the country to San Francisco, they met up at his show in Las Vegas, and Bentley said he "just knew" she was the one.
Tim McGraw And Faith Hill
Arguably the most iconic couple in country music, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill wasted no time getting together. They first met in Nashville at an event at a radio station. Hill then joined McGraw on tour, as his opening act. Although she was engaged at the time, sparks flew and she broke it off with her fiance and got together with McGraw. Less than a year later, they married in October 1996.
It must have been meant to be, as the country music couple is still married today, and have three daughters together... not to mention an estimated shared net worth of $145 million!
Brian Kelley's Wife: Brittney-Marie Cole
After seven months of dating, Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line proposed to Brittney-Marie Cole. The couple then secretly wed in Nashville on December 17, 2013. Although it may have been quick, it seems as though it's meant to last! They renewed their vows on their fifth wedding anniversary while vacationing in Big Sur, California.
Brittney joins her husband on tour and spends a lot of time with Tyler Hubbard's wife, Hayley. She also has her own clothing line, Tribe Kelley, and takes care of their five dogs.
Jason Aldean's Wife: Brittany Aldean
Jason Aldean has had an incredible country music career. He's had 21 singles reach number on either the hot Country songs of Country Airplay charts and has been nominated for countless awards. The "Big Green Tractor" singer has been married to former NBA dancer and American Idol contestant Brittany (Kerr) Aldean since 2015.
They had a controversial start to their relationship, as Aldean was married to his first wife at the time he admitted to have "acted inappropriately at a bar" with Kerr. The couple now has two children together. Aldean told Country Living, "When your wife loves a song, then it's going on the record for sure."
Shay Mooney's Wife: Hannah Billingsley
Country artist Shay Mooney of Dan + Shay first started talking with his now-wife Hannah Billingsley in 2014. Mutual friends introduced them, but with Shay's busy schedule, the two didn't have their first in-person meeting until March 2015, when Dan + Shay had a tour stop in Billingsley's hometown in Arkansas. (Billingsley is the former Miss Arkansas, by the way.)
Sparks flew and by August 2016, they were engaged. A few months later, they announced they were expecting their first child and welcomed a boy, Asher James Mooney, on January 24, 2017.
Dan Smyers' Wife: Abby Law
Dan Smyers of Dan + Shay found the one in Abby Law. The couple had been dating for three and a half years when Smyers proposed to Law on the beach in Waikiki. Both of them are animal lovers and the couple first met in 2013 at an animal rescue center in Nashville.
They made their three dogs apart of their big day, and requested that their wedding guests donate to an animal rescue in lieu of gifts.
John Osborne's Wife: Lucie Silvas
One half of Brothers Osborne, John Osborne met his match Lucie Silvas in 2007 at a songwriting session. Osborne admitted that he was there more for pleasure than for business..."I wasn't there to write a song as much as I was there to meet Lucie," Osborne told The Boot.
They ended up dating and secretly married in June 2015, without their families or friends present. It was so spontaneous, they exchanged candy rings instead of the real thing. Of course, a few months later they had a proper reception and part in East Nashville.
Scott McCreery's Wife: Gabi Dugal
Winner of the tenth season of American Idol, Scotty McCreery began dating his now-wife Gabi Dugal the same year he won the singing competition, in 2011. McCreery waited until September 2017 to pop the question, and the couple was married on June 16, 2018 in North Carolina.
Dugal is a Duke University pediatric nurse. The couple has a dog named Moose that they enjoy taking hikes with. They're also big fans of football.
Tyler Hubbard's Wife: Hayley Hubbard
Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line began dating Hayley Strommel in 2013. Tyler knew she was the one and proposed on September 22, 2014 while on a helicopter ride. They married in Hayley's home state, Idaho, on July 1, 2015.
They now have two children together, Olivia Rose and Luca Reed, and are raising their family in Nashville. The family often joins Tyler on the road, and are close friends with the other half of Florida Georgia Line, Brian Kelley and his wife.
Luke Bryan's Wife: Caroline Boyer
Lovely couple Luke Bryan and Caroline Boyer had two children of their own together and are raising her sister's children after she and her husband both tragically passed away. This do-good couple also runs their charity the Brett Boyer Foundation.
The couple are college sweethearts and have been together for almost two decades. Bryan says he "had to drink a lot before I could go talk to her, but I did.... And yep, I'm going to marry that girl." It was Boyer who went in for the first kiss though! She told Country Living, "He was always so scared of making a girl feel uncomfortable... I kissed him first!"
Carly Pearce's Fiance: Michael Ray
Another country music couple made in heaven, Michael Ray and Carly Pearce confirmed that they were dating on July 19, 2018, and by December they were engaged. They first met at the Nashville Palace following a show at the Grand Ole Opry.
Pearce shared the photo of his proposal on Instagram captioned, "You are the biggest blessing I have and will ever receive. You are my best friend, my partner in crime, my workout, grilled chicken, wine-drinking, classic country Opry loving, Nashville Palace hanging, Publix grocery shopping, This Is Us watching, living room late-night dancing, laugh until we cry soul mate."
Thomas Rhett's Wife: Lauren Atkins
Several of Thomas Rhett's songs are inspired by the love he has for his wife Lauren Atkins, including, "Die a Happy Man" and "Marry Me." Out of all of the couples on this list, these two have known each other the longest, meeting in the first grade in Valdosta, Georgia,
They dated as teenagers, and when that didn't work out, they decided to be best friends. Of course, they got back together and decided on forever.
Joe Don Rooney's Wife: Tiffany Fallon
Country stars and models go hand-in-hand, right? Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts found love with Playboy model and beauty queen Tiffany Fallon. Fallon was also Miss Georgia USA in 2001 and runner up for Miss USA 2001. In 2005, she was named Playmate of the Year.
They were introduced by Jay DeMarcus' wife, who knew Fallon from competing in beauty pageants. The couple has been married for 13 years and has three children together. Fallon told The Boot, "We've been attached at the hip ever since. He’s my best friend, my confidant, my supporter and my sounding board."
Jay DeMarcus' Wife: Allison Alderson
It was Jay DeMarcus' wife, Allison Alderson who introduced Joe Don Rooney to his future wife. Alderson is also a beauty queen. She was named Miss Tennessee USA and competing for the Miss USA crown in 2002. Alderson works as a CMT correspondent and host while her husband plays bass for Rascal Flatts.
The couple met on the set of Rascal Flatts' "These Days" music video. They married in 2004 and have two children together.
Charles Kelley's Wife: Cassie McConnell
Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum met his wife Cassie McConnell while working in the music business. McConnell is a music rep and was working as a publicist for Charles' brother, Josh Kelley. They had great chemistry decided to make it official in 2009.
They welcomed their son, Ward Charles Kelley, in February 2016 after struggling to get pregnant. McConnell shared, "I am so lucky to have a best friend and partner in life like him, and our child couldn't have scored a better dad!"
Justin Moore's Wife: Kate Moore
Justin Moore and his wife Kate met way back when they were teenagers in high school. They stayed together ever since they met that night sitting around a bonfire during spring break in Florida.
On their wedding day in 2007, just as the couple was about to cut the cake, Moore's manager ran up to him with the contract for his first record deal-- quite a day! The couple has four children together and have been married for 12 years.
Kiefer and Shawna Thompson
Another country music couple, Keifer and Shawna Thompson were both solo artists who moved to Nashville independently-- he's from Oklahoma, she's from Alabama. Then they were a couple. Now, they're a married couple who is also a country music duo, Thompson Square.
Keifer and Shawna have been married since 1999, and Shawna says they love being on the road together. She told The Boot, "Keifer would be gone doing his own thing on the road, and I would be at home miserable and missing him. Now, we're getting to do what we both love to do together. It doesn't get any better than that."
Carrie Underwood's Husband: Mike Fisher
Artist and winner of the 2005 American Idol, Carrie Underwood has proved that she has the star power to stay in the spotlight. Even with her singing, songwriting, acting, and fashion designing careers this busy lady was able to find time to find the love of her life in Mike Fisher.
Underwood began dating the NHL player after meeting at one of her concerts in 2008. They married on July 10, 2010 with more than 250 attendees and now share two sons together.
