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Tim McGraw has earned a place in the front ranks of American entertainment, regardless of medium. In his musical journey he has sold 33 million albums and placed 26 singles at #1. His enduring status as one of country music’s most popular and respected live performers have seen his concert tours consistently rank at #1 in country music and Top 5 in all genres. He has established a noteworthy presence in movies, with his well-received debut in Friday Night Lights and the highly anticipated starring vehicle Flicka; in television, where he has had two highly-rated NBC specials; and in pop music, his duet with rapper Nelly stayed atop the charts for no fewer than thirteen weeks.
It is an impressive body of work, one that has made him one of our most important and popular performers across the board. His standing among the entertainment public as a whole is perhaps best exemplified by his 2006 People's Choice award as Top Male Performer, which follows 2005's Favorite Country Male Artist nod and 2004's Favorite Male Musical Performer award.
At the core of it all, of course, is country music, and in that realm he has been perhaps the most consistent major hitmaker in the 12 years since his debut. It is clear that few performers in any medium have established such credibility and identification with their audiences and peers. He has garnered literally scores of awards and nominations, from the Grammys, CMAs, ACMs, AMAs, CMT, Billboard and a host of others, stretching back to the beginning of his career.
He remains one of the music world's hottest draws, and this year's Soul 2 Soul II Tour 2006 finds him reunited with wife Faith Hill for a repeat of the 2000 tour that drew critical accolades and broke box office records across America . Anticipation for a follow-up has been widespread since then, and Soul 2 Soul II, ending as it does Hill's six-year hiatus from touring and marking McGraw's return to the road, is generating enormous excitement, selling out almost as soon as tickets are released for sale.
Through it all, his eyes have always been focused squarely on the music. He has taken full control of his most recent projects, recording with his touring band, putting his artistic stamp more solidly than ever on the material he chooses to record. The success of that approach is highly evident with his tenth project, Tim McGraw Reflected: Hits Vol 2, his second collection of greatest hits. Showcasing a body of work bookended by 1994's "Not A Moment Too Soon" and 2006's "My Old Friend," it is a reminder of the consistency and depth that have made him such an icon. Several of the songs are drawn from two albums he recorded in a mountaintop retreat with his touring band, 2002's Tim McGraw & the Dancehall Doctors, and 2004's Live Like You WereDying. Together, they sold seven million copies, and between them they produced hits like "Watch The Wind Blow By," "Red Ragtop,” “She's My Kind of Rain," "Real Good Man" and the 10-week #1, "Live Like You Were Dying," all of which are included here. The project also includes "Everywhere," from the CD of the same name, and "Grown Men Don't Cry" and "The Cowboy In Me" from 2001's Set This Circus Down.
“I think every artist would prefer to do studio albums and not even think about hits packages,” says McGraw. “I knew that if I ever got the chance to do another one that I’d want more than just past hits. I’m glad that this can be not only a reflection of where I’ve been, but where I am today because it gives more to the fans."
As a man who remains driven to deliver more than expected, to go the extra mile, he has also included four brand new songs--“My Little Girl,” “Beautiful People ,” “I’ve Got Friends That Do,” and the Ryan Adams-penned “When The Stars Go Blue," both of which were simultaneously submitted to radio for airplay. For good measure, the project contains his chart-topping hit with Nellie, "Over And Over."
The project is the next step in a career whose achievements have been extraordinary. They include 26 No. 1 singles, 33 million albums sold, awards including three Grammy’s, 11 Academy of Country Music Awards, nine Country Music Association Awards, eight American Music Awards and three People’s Choice Awards, and much more. Tim has also branched out in recent years as a businessman, becoming part owner of the Nashville Kats in the Arena Football League.
All of it is testament to the instincts and tenacity of a product of the town of Start, La. He grew up loving music and athletics--his father was baseball great Tug McGraw--but it was music that carried the day. He played solo in regional nightspots, then headed to Nashville , where he joined the throng of young hopefuls vying for attention. His on-stage charisma helped land him a record deal, and his debut album hit the stores in April 1993. He and his band--many of whom are still with him--took to the road to hone the sound that continues to make his concerts among the industry's most exciting. With "Indian Outlaw," the hits started coming, spawning multi-platinum albums and sell-out concerts.
In 1996, Tim's Spontaneous Combustion tour found him paired with Faith Hill, whom he married before the year was out. Together and separately they have remained among the most successful artists in any genre ever since, and to this day, Tim plans his tours around family life and school schedules. Family remains the bottom line for him, a way to anchor the heady realities of his across-the-board success.
"I was thrilled when I was invited to be a part of the Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet for another year. I have always been very impressed by all the efforts and assistance the Red Cross has been able to provide to communities all over the world, especially in crisis situations. I feel honored to be able to help and give back whatever I can in assisting the Red Cross in their mission to save lives." -- Tim McGraw |
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