9 Country Music Stars Born And Raised In Tennessee
Morgan Wallen has remained loyal to his Tennessee roots throughout his career. Growing up in Sneedville, Tennesee, before moving to Knoxville as a teenager, Wallen’s affinity for the University of…

Morgan Wallen has remained loyal to his Tennessee roots throughout his career. Growing up in Sneedville, Tennesee, before moving to Knoxville as a teenager, Wallen's affinity for the University of Tennessee Vols has inspired hits such as "Tennessee Fan" and "Had Me By Halftime," while he continues to cheer on his favorite team between tour stops.
Much to Morgan's delight, his "One Night At A Time Tour" will headline Neyland Stadium on Sunday, September 22. He will be joined by special guests HARDY and fellow Tennessee native ERNEST.
Wallen said, "I've had the honor of playing in a lot of college, MLB, and NFL stadiums the past two years, but getting to play to my hometown at Neyland Stadium, nothing tops this for a boy from East Tennessee."
Morgan isn't the only country superstar with Tennessee roots; Kenny Chesney told us recently that the life that keeps him on the road can add layers to his personality, as complicated as that can make things. But he still frequently reverts to that kid from East Tennessee.
Chesney said, "I think that when you travel as much as we've traveled and you have all these life experiences on the road for all these years, you become more complicated because you see a lot of things…"
He added, "But then again, I think that for me and the way I grew up, I'm very simple all at the same time."
In October, in Knoxville, after 15 years of losing to No. 3 Alabama, the No. 6 Tennessee Vols football team won with a score of 52-49. The fans rushed to the field, and at the top of the stadium, there to witness the party, were Knoxville natives Chesney and Kelsea Ballerini.
Dressed in a Vols hat and polo, Kenny posted a photo on his Instagram, writing, "Great to be back in Rocky Top. What a game!!"
Kelsea reacted to his post, "THE HOMETOWN GOOD LUCK CHARM."
And then there's Dolly Parton, a country music matriarch and probably the most famous person from Tennessee next to Elvis Presley. She loves her home state so much that she is helping the East Tennessee economy single-handed with her Dollywood Theme park and resort/hotel chain, which is also soon opening a hotel in downtown Nashville.
As Wallen prepares to play his hometown stadium in Tennessee, we look at other country music superstars who have called Tennessee home since the beginning.
Kane Brown - Chattanooga, Tennessee

Morgan Wallen - Sneedville, Tennessee

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 24: Morgan Wallen attends the 15th Annual Academy Of Country Music Honors at the Ryman Auditorium on August 24, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for ACM)
Dustin Lynch - Tullahoma, Tennessee

AUSTIN, TEXAS - APRIL 02: Dustin Lynch attends the 2023 CMT Music Awards at Moody Center on April 02, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for CMT)
Lady A's Hillary Scott - Nashville, Tennessee

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: Hillary Scott attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Chris Young - Murfreesboro, Tennessee

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 09: Chris Young performs onstage for the 2021 CMT Music Awards at Bridgestone Arena on June 09, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for CMT)
Kelsea Ballerini - Mascot, Tennessee

KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 11: Kelsea Ballerini Headlining THE FIRST TIME Tour Stop In her Hometown - Knoxville, Tennessee at the SOLD OUT Tennessee Theater on November 11, 2016 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Sweet Talk PR)
Jelly Roll - Nashville, Tennessee

AUSTIN, TEXAS - APRIL 02: Jelly Roll accepts the Male Video of the Year Award onstage during the 2023 CMT Music Awards at Moody Center on April 02, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for CMT)
Kenny Chesney - Knoxville, Tennessee

BATON ROUGE, LA - MAY 30: ***EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE*** Singer & Songwriter Kenny Chesney performs at Bayou Country Superfest 2010 at LSU Tiger Stadium on May 30, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
Dolly Parton - Sevierville, Tennessee

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 10: Dolly Parton talks to the media at a press conference at the InterContinental Sydney on November 10, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)