Tim Mcgraw was born Samuel Timothy McGraw on May 1, 1967 in Delhi, Louisiana. His mother was Elizabeth Ann D’Agostino and father was Mets relief pitcher Frank (Tug) McGraw. Tim, who thought his stepfather was his birth father found his birth certificate in a closet while searching for pictures for a school project. His mom took him to meet his birth father but he denied being Tim’s father for seven years. Tim was 18 years old when his father realized how much Tim looked like him at that age and acknowledged paternity. They remained close until Tug’s death in 2004.

Tim McGraw burst onto the country scene with barely a whimper with the release of his first album. His self titled album was released on Curb records who heard of Tim thanks to his father Tug who knew a Curb record executive, he was signed right away and released his first album in 1992. He had his first minor hit with “Welcome to the Club“, the album did not do that well although “Memory Lane” and “Two Steppin’ Mind” had marginal success. His second album “Not A Moment Too Soon“, was much more of a success, becoming the best selling album in 1994. His first single “Indian Outlaw” was a huge success and caused a lot of controversy as people argued that it was demeaning to the Native Americans. Some radio stations even refused to play it, but the controversy helped spur sales and became Tim’s first top ten hit. The second song released on the album “Don’t Take the Girl” Became Tim’s first number one hit. A year later the albums title track became #1, also reaching the top ten from that album were “Down on the Farm” and “Refried Dreams“.

Tim released “All I Want” in 1995, continuing his run of success debuting at number one on the country charts. The album sold over two million copies and reached the top 5 on the Billboard 200. “I Like It, I Love It” reached number one on the country charts as the lead off single, while “She Never Lets It Go to Her Heart” also went to number one in 1996. “Can’t Be Really Gone“, “All I Want is a Life“, and “Maybe We Should Just Sleep on It” were all top 5 hits.

Since “Indian Outlaw” all of his singles have reached Top 40 on the country charts, with only three missing Top Ten. Twenty-three of these have gone to Number One on the U.S. country charts, starting with 1994’s “Don’t Take the Girl”. Three of his singles — 1997’s “It’s Your Love” (a duet with his wife, Faith Hill), 1998’s “Just to See You Smile“, and 2004’s “Live Like You Were Dying” — are the Number One country hits of their respective years according to Billboard Year-End. The third of these is also his longest-lasting Number One, at seven non-consecutive weeks.

Since 1998’s “One of These Days“, all of McGraw’s country radio releases except for 2008’s “Kristofferson” have also entered the Billboard Hot 100, as did “Indian Outlaw”, “Don’t Take the Girl”, 1995’s “I Like It, I Love It“, and “It’s Your Love“. His highest solo peak on this chart is 1999’s “Please Remember Me” at #10, although “It’s Your Love” was a #7 on the same chart. Four of his singles have also entered the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks charts, including a cover of Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer“. McGraw’s version, released solely to that format, was a #13 hit there. “Live Like You Were Dying”, “When the Stars Go Blue” and “My Little Girl“, the latter two both having been released in 2006, also entered this chart, with “Live Like You Were Dying” at #4 being his highest peak there. Five of his singles also hold RIAA certification. “Indian Outlaw”, “Don’t Take the Girl”, “I Like It, I Love It”, and “Live Like You Were Dying” are all certified gold, and “It’s Your Love” is certified platinum.

McGraw has also sung guest vocals on other singles for Hill, as well as on Jo Dee Messina’s 2002 single “Bring On the Rain” (also a Number One) and Nelly’s #3 pop hit “Over and Over“, which was not released to country radio. He also sang guest vocals on Def Leppard’s 2008 single “Nine Lives“, which did not make the Billboard charts.

Did you know that Tim Mcgraw was arrested?
While in Buffalo, McGraw and Kenny Chesney became involved in a scuffle with police officers after Chesney, who had permission from the sheriff’s daughter, attempted to ride a police horse. McGraw came to Chesney’s aid after police officers nearby believed the horse was being stolen and tried to arrest him. The two were arrested and charged with assault, but were later cleared. During a concert with the George Strait Country Music Festival several weeks later, Hill, dressed as a police officer, made an unscheduled appearance at the end of McGraw’s set and led him off the stage.

McGraw’s first acting appearance came in a 1995 episode of The Jeff Foxworthy Show, where he played Foxworthy’s rival.

In 2004 McGraw played a sheriff in Rick Schroder’s independent release Black Cloud. Later in the same year, McGraw received good reviews as the overbearing father of a running back in the major studio Texas high school football drama Friday Night Lights. The Dallas Observer said the role was “played with unexpected ferocity by country singer Tim McGraw.” The movie went on to gross over $60 million dollars worldwide at the box office and sold millions in the DVD market. Most recently it was named one of the top 50 high school movies of all time (number 37) by Entertainment Weekly.

McGraw’s first lead role was in the 2006 film Flicka, which was released in theatres October 20, 2006. In the remake of the classic book “My Friend Flicka”, McGraw played the father, Rob, costarring with Alison Lohman and Maria Bello. The family-friendly movie debuted in the top 10 list and has grossed over 25 Million dollars at the box office. McGraw again achieved critical acclaim for his acting.

Shortly before Flicka opened McGraw received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His star is located at 6901 Hollywood Blvd. near stars in the sidewalk honoring Julie Andrews, William Shatner and the late Greta Garbo. One of his Flicka co-stars, Alison Lohman, attended the ceremony that included comments from Billy Bob Thornton, McGraw’s co-star in the film, Friday Night Lights.

In addition to acting in Flicka, McGraw served as executive producer of the soundtrack album, which was released by his record label, StyleSonic Records, in association with Curb Records and Fox 2000 films. It featured the closing credit song “My Little Girl“, one of the first two songs that McGraw recorded that he also co-wrote (the other being “I’ve Got Friends That Do,” both of which were included on Greatest Hits Vol. 2). The song was nominated by the Broadcast Film Critics for “Best Song” in a film, and the movie was nominated in the category “Best Family Film (Live Action). The movie proved to be another huge success in the DVD market and has sold over a million copies, debuting at number 3 on the DVD sales chart.

McGraw also had a small part in the Michael Mann-produced 2007 film The Kingdom. McGraw played a bitter, angered, widower whose wife was killed in the terrorist attack the movie revolves around.

McGraw, a Democrat, has stated that he would one day like to run for public office in the future, possibly for Senate or governor of Tennessee, his home state. In the same interview, he praised former President Bill Clinton.

You can catch Tim McGraw at these local Venues: