The mullet: a hairstyle that is equally as iconic as it is divisive. With its signature short sides and long back, the mullet defied convention and left a mark on pop culture.
The mullet’s “business in the front, and party in the back” theme paired perfectly with country music, and the hairstyle became a staple amongst country music artists in the 80s and 90s. Also known as the “Kentucky Waterfall” or the “Cameo Cut,” some singers still rock the look to this day.
While the mullet soared in popularity, some artists took the look one step further, pairing the haircut with a mustache. Alan Jackson executed this look well and showed just how comfortably the mullet fits underneath a cowboy hat (which he is never found without).
After the release of his mega hit “Achy Breaky Heart” in 1992, Billy Ray Cyrus essentially became the face of the mullet. Even though he has moved away from his iconic hairstyle in recent years (with the exception of a few temporary revisits) he still sports long, flowing locks. He even wrote a song dedicated to the look in 2006 called “I Want My Mullet Back.”
Blake Shelton recalls sporting a mullet as early as middle school, but when he moved to Nashville in 1994 to pursue country music, the mullet was seemingly on its way out. Nevertheless, Shelton rocked the hairstyle into the early 2000’s and even brought it back for a brief time in 2020 during COVID lockdown.
In its heyday, the mullet was not reserved just for the men of country music. Prior to the long, sleek hair that she is known for, Emmylou Harris was one of few female musicians to boldly model the notorious look.
Garth Brooks’ mullet was more subtle than those worn by his country music comrades. Even though it was short lived, Garth took the hairstyle for a spin in the early 90s. It was most noticeable during his appearance at the 1993 Super Bowl when he removed his hat to sing the National Anthem.
HARDY is one of the handful of modern day country artists who are inspiring the mullet’s resurgence. The singer-songwriter pairs his mullet with a goatee, glasses, and a trucker hat, creating a look that is uniquely his.
If Billy Ray Cyrus had the most recognizable mullet of the early 90s, Joe Diffie was a close second. He sported his blonde locks in different variations of the iconic hairstyle for the better part of his career. The mullet matched his “Pickup Man” persona and fit his musical style perfectly.
In an era where tight, permed curls were all the rage, Keith Whitley trimmed them into shoulder-length blonde mullet. Along with his voluminous hair, Keith kept a tightly trimmed beard – a look that was uncommon, but became his signature style.
The sole silver mullet on the list belongs to none other than Marty Stuart. Marty’s hair seems to never submit to gravity, with volume on top that is unmatched. He has rocked the look since he hit the music scene in the 1980s and has never wavered, earning himself the title of “Mullet King.”
Morgan Wallen’s modern-day mullet was so admired that fans were outraged when he unexpectedly shaved it in August 2023. Morgan noticed the upset and posted an Instagram story implying that the change was only temporary. He captioned the photo: “Right before everybody apparently starting thinking I’m staying clean shaven forever lol”
Thats right, country music’s leading lady once wore a permed mullet. Her iconic fiery locks have been a staple of her look throughout her career and in the late 80s, she followed suit with many of her fellow country music stars, and showed off her own take on the Kentucky Waterfall.
Lately, Tim McGraw has been posting throwback photos that have fans remembering the ways in which the singer’s style has changed. In his younger years, he sported a crop of curls down the back of his neck, paired with a pencil mustache or goatee, and topped off with his signature cowboy hat.
When Toby Keith first debuted with “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” in 1993, he was rocking a big, curly, mullet. The eye-catching look is on full display in the music video for the hit song and he maintained this look for the remainder of the 90s. Gradually, the length of his locks shortened and by the early 2000s, his curls were kept short and mostly covered by a cowboy hat.
Travis Tritt’s dedication to the mullet has remained strong for decades. From a slightly scruffier version in his early years to the more refined variation he sports now, Travis never let ever-changing fashion trends sway him from the style that he loves.
Vince Gill maintains a polished and clean-cut appearance, but once upon a time he too sported some extra length on the back of his head. For a brief stint in 1993, Gill took the new hairstyle for a spin and even though it did not last long, it lives in infamy on the cover of his Christmas album Let There Be Peace On Earth.
Who do you think will be the next country music artist to rock the Kentucky Waterfall?
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