Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Tim McGraw

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Tim McGraw

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Tim McGraw made an impact.

Tim McGraw is a highly successful American country singer and actor. He has released 17 studio albums, with 10 reaching number one on the Top Country Albums charts. His 1994 album, 'Not a Moment Too Soon', was the top country album of that year. McGraw's albums have generated 65 singles, including 25 that reached the top spot on the Hot Country Songs or Country Airplay charts, solidifying his place as a prominent figure in country music.

1989: Drops out of College

In 1989, on the day his hero Keith Whitley died, Tim McGraw dropped out of college to head to Nashville and pursue a musical career.

1990: Attention of Curb Records

In 1990, Tim McGraw came to the attention of Curb Records and was eventually signed to a recording contract.

March 29, 1991: Release of "What Room Was the Holiday In"

On March 29, 1991, Tim McGraw made his debut with the single "What Room Was the Holiday In", which did not enter the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

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April 1993: Release of Debut Album "Tim McGraw"

In April 1993, Tim McGraw released his self-titled debut album, which was commercially unsuccessful.

1994: Established Swampstock Event

In 1994, Tim McGraw established the annual Swampstock event, which started as a charity softball game to raise money for hometown little league programs. It has since grown to include a celebrity softball game and a concert.

1994: Awards for Not a Moment Too Soon

In 1994, Tim McGraw won Academy of Country Music awards for Album of the Year and Top New Male Vocalist for "Not a Moment Too Soon".

1994: Controversy over "Indian Outlaw"

In 1994, Tim McGraw's single "Indian Outlaw" sparked controversy, but it became his first Top 10 entry on the U.S. country charts.

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1995: Release and Success of "All I Want"

In 1995, Tim McGraw's third studio album, "All I Want", was released and debuted at No. 1 on the country charts.

1995: "Down on the Farm" Peaks

In early 1995, "Down on the Farm" peaked at number 2, after which, the title track from the album "Not a Moment Too Soon" became Tim McGraw's second number one song.

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1996: Start Date of Band Lineup

At least since 1996, all of the Dancehall Doctors have worked with Tim McGraw.

1996: "She Never Lets It Go to Her Heart" Number One

In 1996, "She Never Lets It Go to Her Heart" became Tim McGraw's fourth number one on the U.S. country charts.

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1997: Acting Debut on 'The Jeff Foxworthy Show'

In 1997, Tim McGraw made his first acting appearance in an episode of "The Jeff Foxworthy Show", playing Foxworthy's rival.

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1997: Release and Success of "Everywhere"

In 1997, Tim McGraw released his fourth album "Everywhere", which topped the country charts. The Country Music Association awarded "Everywhere" its Album of the Year award for 1997.

1997: New Year's Eve Concert Raised Money for Charity

In 1997, Tim McGraw's New Year's Eve concert raised over $100,000 for the Country Music Foundation Hall of Fame and Museum.

1998: "Just to See You Smile" Number One

In 1998, "Just to See You Smile" was the number one country song according to Billboard Year-End charts.

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1998: "Just to Hear You Say That You Love Me" Release

In 1998, the duet "Just to Hear You Say That You Love Me" with Faith Hill was released on her album Faith and reached the Top 5 of the US country charts.

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1999: Began "The Bread and Water Tour"

Beginning in 1999, Tim McGraw started "The Bread and Water Tour", selecting local clubs on each tour to host quickly-organized shows, with all proceeds going to a local charity.

1999: "Let's Make Love" Release

In 1999, "Let's Make Love", a duet with Faith Hill, was featured on her album Breathe.

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1999: Release and Success of A Place in the Sun

In 1999, Tim McGraw released "A Place in the Sun", which debuted atop both the US country and pop album charts, selling 3 million copies. He also recorded a cover of "Milk Cow Blues" with Asleep at the Wheel for the tribute album Ride With Bob.

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October 12, 2000: Donated to Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society

On October 12, 2000, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill gave the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society $375,000 to assist the families of 17 sailors following the terrorist attack on USS Cole in Yemen.

2000: Grammy Award for "Let's Make Love"

In 2000, "Let's Make Love" won a Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Collaboration.

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2000: Co-produced The Clark Family Experience album

In 2000, Tim McGraw and Byron Gallimore co-produced the only album released by The Clark Family Experience.

2000: Greatest Hits Album and Soul2Soul Tour

In 2000, Tim McGraw released his first Greatest Hits album, and he and Faith Hill went on the Soul2Soul Tour. Also in 2000, Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney were involved in a scuffle with police officers in Buffalo, New York, and were later cleared of assault charges.

2000: McGraw Served as Executive Producer

In 2000, Tim McGraw served as executive producer of the Flicka soundtrack album, which was released by his record label, StyleSonic Records, in association with Curb Records and Fox 2000 films.

April 2001: Release of Set This Circus Down

In April 2001, Tim McGraw's sixth studio album, Set This Circus Down, was released, spawning four number one hits. McGraw also provided harmony vocals for Jo Dee Messina's song "Bring On the Rain".

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2001: Retrospective on McGraw's Career in Billboard

In 2001, a retrospective on Tim McGraw's career was published in Billboard, featuring opinions on his debut single.

2002: Recording with The Dancehall Doctors

In 2002, Tim McGraw recorded his seventh studio album Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors with his tour band The Dancehall Doctors, breaking country music traditions.

2004: Acted in 'Black Cloud' and 'Friday Night Lights'

In 2004, Tim McGraw played a sheriff in Rick Schroder's independent film "Black Cloud". Later that year, he received critical acclaim for his role as the father in the major studio football drama "Friday Night Lights".

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October 20, 2006: Lead Role in 'Flicka' Release

On October 20, 2006, Tim McGraw's first lead role in the film "Flicka" was released in theaters. He played the father, Rob, in the remake of "My Friend Flicka", starring with Alison Lohman and Maria Bello.

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2006: Lead Role in Flicka

In 2006, Tim McGraw took on a lead acting role in the movie "Flicka".

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July 12, 2007: Donated to Kozminski Family

On July 12, 2007, Tim McGraw donated $5,000 to Kailey Kozminski, the 3-year-old daughter of Officer Robert Kozminski, a Grand Rapids police officer who was killed on July 8, 2007.

2007: Co-produced Halfway to Hazard's debut album

In 2007, Tim McGraw and Byron Gallimore co-produced Halfway to Hazard's self-titled debut album.

2007: Acted in 'The Kingdom'

In 2007, Tim McGraw had a small part in the Michael Mann–produced film "The Kingdom", reuniting him with "Friday Night Lights" director Peter Berg. He played a widower whose wife was killed in a terrorist attack.

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November 22, 2008: First Appearance on 'Saturday Night Live'

On November 22, 2008, Tim McGraw made his first appearance on "Saturday Night Live". He also played "Dallas McVie" in "Four Christmases".

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2009: Starred in 'The Blind Side'

In 2009, Tim McGraw appeared in the film "The Blind Side" as Sean Tuohy, the husband of Sandra Bullock's character. The film is based on the story of Michael Oher.

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September 12, 2010: Premiered in 'Dirty Girl' at Toronto Film Festival

On September 12, 2010, Tim McGraw starred in "Dirty Girl", which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival.

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2010: Lead Role in Country Strong

In 2010, Tim McGraw played a lead role in the movie "Country Strong".

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2011: Signed with Big Machine Records

In 2011, Tim McGraw signed with Big Machine Records. He was previously signed to the label until 2017.

2015: Appeared in 'Tomorrowland'

In 2015, Tim McGraw appeared in Brad Bird's "Tomorrowland" as Eddie Newton, a NASA engineer and Casey Newton's father.

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2017: McGraw Left Big Machine Records

Tim McGraw was previously signed to Big Machine Records from 2011 until 2017.

2019: Release of Two Best-Selling Books

In 2019, Tim McGraw released two major best-selling books. The first, co-written with Jon Meacham, "Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest, and the Music That Made a Nation" reached No. 2 on the New York Times Bestsellers list. His second book, "Grit and Grace", also reached No. 2 on the New York Times Bestsellers list in 2019.

Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest, and the Music That Made a Nation
Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest, and the Music That Made a Nation

February 2020: Rejoined Big Machine Records

In February 2020, Tim McGraw rejoined Big Machine Records, after having previously been signed with them from 2011 to 2017.

August 21, 2020: Released 'Here on Earth' Album

On August 21, 2020, Tim McGraw released his new album, "Here on Earth". The "Here on Earth Tour" was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

January 2021: Released 'Undivided' Single with Tyler Hubbard

In January 2021, Tim McGraw released the single "Undivided" with Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line. The song was later included on a deluxe edition of his album Here on Earth.

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2021: Lead Role in 1883

In 2021, Tim McGraw played a lead role in "1883".

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2021: Starred in '1883' TV Series

In late 2021, Tim McGraw, along with Faith Hill and Sam Elliott, starred in "1883", a spinoff prequel to Taylor Sheridan's "Yellowstone" television series.

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2022: McGraw Brought Davis on Tour

In 2022, Tim McGraw brought rising country star Brandon Davis on tour with him.

March 10, 2023: Released 'Standing Room Only' as Lead Single

On March 10, 2023, Tim McGraw released the title track "Standing Room Only" as the lead single from his upcoming album. It reached number 2 on the U.S. Country Airplay chart.

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April 2023: Gifted Guitar to Brandon Davis

In April 2023, Tim McGraw surprised rising country star Brandon Davis with a new guitar after Davis' gear was stolen earlier in the month.

August 25, 2023: Released 'Standing Room Only' Album

On August 25, 2023, Tim McGraw released his sixteenth studio album, "Standing Room Only".

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November 21, 2023: Surprise Release of 'Poet's Resumé' EP

On November 21, 2023, Tim McGraw surprise-released a six-track EP titled "Poet's Resumé".