LIST: 11 Of The Most Influential Country Music Power Couples
on Aug 30, 2024
The Importance Of These 11 Country Music Power Couples Can’t Be Ignored
Something magical happens when one country singer falls in love with another and forms a power couple. Several country stars have fallen head-over-heels for a fellow artist, and they end up creating a life together. And…they often create music together, too.
The importance of country music power couples can’t be ignored. These couples are responsible for bringing us some of the greatest duets in the genre’s history. Without them, we wouldn’t have songs like “It’s Your Love” and “When I Said I Do.” So, we wanted to highlight 11 of those couples and their collaborations in this list.
This list does include couples who eventually divorced. But, we felt it was important to feature them because of their impact on the genre as individuals and as couples.
Also, by “power couple,” we mean that every couple in this list is (or was) comprised of two country artists. So don’t worry; we’re not overlooking long-lasting couples like George and Norma Strait or Alan and Denise Jackson.
This list is all about showcasing couples in which both individuals are country stars!
See Our List Of 11 Country Music Power Couples Below
Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood
As individuals, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are two of the most successful artists in country music history. Both are Grammy winners and longtime members of the Grand Ole Opry.
The couple married on December 10, 2005.
Garth and Trisha recorded several songs together before and after their marriage. One of those songs was the passionate track “In Another’s Eyes,” which reached #2 on the Hot Country Songs chart in 1997.
Surprisingly, the inseparable couple never released a full album together until 2016. That’s when they released their holiday record, Christmas Together, featuring their versions of beloved classics such as “Marshmallow World” and “Santa Baby.”
In 2020, the couple’s fan-favorite cover of “Shallow” from A Star is Born reached the 21st spot on the Country Airplay chart. While they haven’t released a new recording in a few years, they often sing together live.
Merle Haggard & Bonnie Owens
Bonnie Owens was married to not one but two country artists. Her first husband was Buck Owens, who she married in 1948 and divorced in 1953. She then married Merle Haggard in 1965, the same year she won the ACM’s Female Vocalist of the Year award. They did not share any children.
Merle often credited Bonnie with helping him break into the country music scene. Together, they co-wrote his song “Today I Started Loving You Again,” which has since been covered by many other artists.
Merle and Bonnie eventually divorced in 1978. The two singers remained friends and continued touring together after their split. Bonnie even served as the maid of honor when Merle married his third wife, Leona Williams.
Bonnie sang backing vocals for Merle until she passed away on April 24, 2006. He died on his birthday in 2016.
Johnny Cash & June Carter
Johnny Cash and June Carter may be the most iconic country music power couple. June was a talented singer, songwriter, and musician from the legendary Carter Family, while Johnny was a skilled singer and songwriter with an unmistakable voice.
The couple married on March 1, 1968, after knowing each other and working together for years. They each had children from their previous marriages and welcomed one son together, John Carter Cash.
June famously co-wrote “Ring of Fire,” which Johnny recorded in 1963. Together, they released iconic duets such as “Jackson,” “It Ain’t Me Babe,” and “Long-Legged Guitar Pickin’ Man.”
The couple was married for 35 years before June died on May 15, 2003. Johnny passed away just a few months later, on September 12, 2003.
George Jones & Tammy Wynette
George Jones and Tammy Wynette had each been married twice before they tied the knot in 1969. “The Possum” and “The First Lady of Country Music” welcomed one child together, a daughter named Georgette.
During their marriage, they scored a string of country hits with songs such as “The Ceremony,” “Take Me,” and “We’re Gonna Hold On.”
While the pair’s union ended in divorce in 1975, they continued to perform and record together. In fact, some of their most popular songs were released after their divorce. Those songs include “Golden Ring,” “Two Story House,” and “Southern California.”
George and Tammy released their final duets album, One, in 1995, three years before Tammy’s death. George passed away in 2013.
Waylon Jennings & Jessi Colter
Here’s an outlaw country power couple! Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter were both married previously before they said “I do” in 1969. It was Waylon’s fourth marriage and Jessi’s second.
Jessi had one daughter from her previous marriage, while Waylon had five children from his past relationships. Together, he and Jessi welcomed one son, Shooter Jennings.
Waylon and Jessi were two of the featured artists on the Wanted! The Outlaws album released in 1976. It was the first country record to ever be certified Platinum by the RIAA. The album included the couple’s version of “Suspicious Minds.”
The duo was also known for singing “Storms Never Last,” “I Ain’t the One,” and “You Never Can Tell (C’est la Vie),” among other tracks. They were married for nearly 33 years before Waylon died on February 13, 2002.
Marty Stuart & Connie Smith
The legendary Connie Smith has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1965. Approximately five years later, she met Marty Stuart for the first time when he was 12 years old.
Marty was enamored with Connie. He recalled telling his mom that he would marry Connie one day.
He was first married to Johnny Cash’s daughter, Cindy, from 1983 to 1988. Then, his dream came true when he and Connie married on July 8, 1997.
The talented country-singing duo is now known for songs such as “Hearts Like Ours,” “I Run to You,” “Blue Heartaches,” and more.
Clint Black & Lisa Hartman Black
Clint Black married actress Lisa Hartman on October 20, 1991. Lisa later showcased her own talents as a singer when she and Clint released their romantic love song “When I Said I Do” in 1999. The song won an ACM Award for Vocal Event of the Year.
The couple welcomed their first and only child, a daughter named Lily Pearl, in 2001.
These days, Clint and Lisa often tour together and bring Lily along for the ride. They also competed on Season 4 of The Masked Singer as the Snow Owls.
Chris & Morgane Stapleton
Together, Chris and Morgane Stapleton are a force to be reckoned with, making them a true country music power couple. Morgane can be heard singing backing vocals on almost every one of her husband’s songs. Plus, she joins him on tour and sings by his side onstage.
They’ve also penned songs together, including “The Fire” and “Nashville, TN.” Additionally, Morgane served as a co-producer on Chris’ latest album, Higher. The album received the Album of the Year award at the 2024 ACM Awards, resulting in Morgane winning her first ACM Award.
Outside of music, Chris and Morgane are parents to five children: four sons and one daughter.
Karen Fairchild & Jimi Westbrook
Two of Little Big Town’s four members are married to each other! Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook tied the knot on May 31, 2006. They share one son, Elijah.
Little Big Town was already a successful group before Karen and Jimi married, having scored their first Top 10 hit, “Boondocks,” the year prior. The quartet has earned many more hits since then, including “Pontoon,” “Tornado,” “Girl Crush,” and “Better Man.”
Kane & Katelyn Brown
Katelyn Jae was pursuing her own singing career before she met and fell in love with country star Kane Brown. The couple married on October 12, 2008.
They welcomed two daughters, Kingsley and Kodi, in 2019 and 2021. The year after Kodi’s birth, Kane and Katelyn released their first duet, “Thank God.” The romantic song became a #1 country hit, and its music video won the CMT Music Award for Video of the Year.
Kane and Katelyn have since welcomed their third child, a son named Krewe. Fans can expect to hear new music from the couple in the future, as Kane says they have already recorded several more duets.
Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
When you think of country music power couples, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are likely one of the first pairs to come to mind. The couple married on October 6, 1996. They share three daughters: Gracie, Maggie, and Audrey.
Tim and Faith have recorded some of country music’s greatest love songs, including “It’s Your Love,” “I Need You,” and “Let’s Make Love.” They’ve also toured together and released a duets album, The Rest of Our Life, in 2017.
Additionally, Tim and Faith played James and Margaret Dutton in the Yellowstone prequel series 1883. They are an unstoppable duo!
If you liked this list, you’re also sure to enjoy our list of Country Stars Whose Marriages Have Stood the Test of Time.
