By: Sadie Christine
There is no question that fans of popular artists play a big role in an artist’s success. Sometimes being a fan comes from a love of the music itself, while other times it’s about connecting with who the artist is. For some, fandom stems from being deeply inspired by an artist and looking up to them as motivation for their own creative endeavors.
Before artists become stars, there are often many influential people who shape their journey and inspire them to become who they are today.
Several of today’s biggest and rising artists have publicly shared their admiration for those who influenced them long before they found fame.
Kelsea Ballerini and Taylor Swift
Kelsea and Taylor became fast friends over the past decade, but before their friendship, Kelsea was a fan of Taylor and praised her as one of the main influences behind why she started songwriting!
Megan Moroney and Kacey Musgraves
In various interviews, Megan has explained how much of an influence Kacey has had on her and her artistry. She shared that Kacey’s 2013 album Same Trailer Different Park inspired her to start writing her own songs. Megan’s high school yearbook quote was even lyrics from Kacey’s song “Biscuits.”
Hannah McFarland and Riley Green
After the release of their new duet, “I Just Need You”, from Riley Green’s deluxe edition of Don’t Mind If I Do, up-and-coming artist Hannah McFarland shared a TikTok throwback from 2016, when she was a fan and met him at a bar in Alabama. Nearly 10 years later, Hannah and Riley took the stage together at the Grand Ole Opry.
Just like these artists who were fans before their fame, there are many up-and-coming artists today who draw inspiration from those same fan-girls-turned-stars. And the cycle will always continue.
Stay wild, stay inspired, stay country
