10 Country Artists Whose Journeys to Success Included Time on ‘American Idol’

Kellie Pickler auditioned for American Idol in 2005, performing Martina McBride’s “A Broken Wing” and a song from another Idol alum, Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone.” Pickler finished in sixth place on American Idol’s fifth season, and has gone on to release four albums, and earn a 10 Country Airplay chart hit with “Best Days of Your Life.”

Gracin was serving in the US Marine Corps when he competed on American Idol and landed a fourth place finish during the show’s second season. He went on to earn three top 10 Country Airplay hits, with his song “Nothin’ to Lose” reaching the chart’s pinnacle in 2005. His self-titled 2004 album hit No. 2 on the Top Country Albums chart and No. 11 on the Billboard 200.

Mickey Guyton competed on season 7 of American Idol, though her audition wasn’t televised. Guyton was cut from the competition before reaching the top 24 that season. Guyton has gone on to become a Grammy-nominated artist thanks to songs including “Remember Her Name” and “Black Like Me,” and performed the national anthem during Super Bowl LVI in 2022.

Beckham was crowned the winner of American Idol in 2021, and followed by making his Billboard Hot 100 chart debut earlier this year with his song “23.” In March, Beckham’s self-written track became his first Country Airplay chart No. 1. He’s followed that hit with the song “Everything I Need.”

Louisiana native Lainey Wilson is another artist who was rejected from American Idol early on in her career. Wilson tried out for Idol seven times, but didn’t make it to the American Idol stage until she performed during the season finale in May 2023 — though by that time, Wilson had become one of country music’s highest-rising success stories.

“I finally made it on American idol,” she said after the performance. “I tried out seven times. I took the long way around but I finally made it on American Idol. I never made it through. I never made it past the first round.”

Just months after that performance, she was named the entertainer of the year by the Country Music Association in November 2023, and earlier this year earned the same accolade from the Academy of Country Music, as well as being a Billboard cover star in 2024. She has also won a Grammy for best country album (for Bell Bottom Country).

After finishing third on American Idol in 2018, Barrett earned a smash hit two years later when “I Hope” reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, and No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart. Her followup single, “The Good Ones,” spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart, while “Pick Me Up” reached No. 6. Her debut album Goldmine reached No. 4 on the Top Country Albums chart, while her 2024 followup album Chapter & Verse reached No. 39.

Kane Brown is a multi-platinum, award-winning singer-songwriter who became the first artist ever to lead all five of Billboard’s main country charts simultaneously. He’s earned 11 No. 1 Country Airplay hits and is currently on his headlining In The Air Tour. But early in his career, he saw the success his classmate Alaina had while competing on American Idol and decided to give it a try. Idol rejected him however, with Brown previously telling Billboard that he was told by Idol that “they didn’t need another Scotty McCreery.” He also tried out for another televised music competition, The X Factor, but told Billboard, “they tried to put me in a boy band, so I quit. I went home and did my own American Idol with covers online.” Suffice it to say, Brown has done just fine.

Lauren Alaina competed on the same season as Scotty McCreery, finishing as the runner-up. Since then, she’s earned multiple No. 1 Country Airplay hits, including the 7x platinum song “What Ifs” with Brown, as well as solo hits including the RIAA platinum-certified “Road Less Traveled” and 2x platinum-certified “One Beer” with HARDY and Devin Dawson. She was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2022. That same year, Alaina aligned with a new label home, Big Loud Records, and issued the six-song EP, Unlocked, in 2023.

At age 16, Scotty McCreery auditioned on the 10^th season of American Idol, as the season progressed, McCreery ended up facing off against fellow country performer Lauren Alaina in the final round. McCreery was crowned the season’s winner, celebrating by performing his first single “I Love You This Big.” His inaugural album Clear as Day debuted atop the all-genre Billboard 200 charts.

Since his Idol days, McCreery has become one of the foremost traditional country vocalists of his generation, earning five No. 1 Billboard Country Airplay charts. McCreery released his latest studio album Rise & Fall in May, and earlier this year, he was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Since winning American Idol‘s fourth season in 2005, Underwood has become one of country music’s top entertainers and most powerful voices, with a career that includes not only 16 No. 1 Country Airplay hits, but spans work in film, television, theater, books and more. She has sold out arena shows across North America and in the U.K. Each of her 10 albums has debuted in the top 10 on the all-genre Billboard 200. She’s earned eight Grammy trophies, 16 Academy of Country Music Awards (including three entertainer of the year ACM wins) and seven CMA Awards. She was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2008. In 2021, she was the first artist to perform at the Resorts World Theatre, and her Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency has just been extended into 2025.

Underwood created the fitness and lifestyle brand CALIA by Carrie Underwood, and published the book Find Your Path. She also launched the fitness app fit52 and expanded her lifestyle brand with an equity partnership with BODYARMOR Sports Drink. Additionally, she’s launched the SiriusXM channels Carrie’s Country, CARR-Dio by Carrie’s Country, and Savior Sunday Daily by Carrie’s Country.