Country stars are some of the most patriotic celebrities out there. Through the years, the genre’s top artists have never shied away from showing their love for America.
On this list, you’ll find stirring national anthem performances and examples of unwavering commitment to honoring the U.S. military.
Read More: Country’s Most Patriotic Artists
You’ll also find artists who penned their own original contributions to the American Songbook, including multiple songs inspired by the September 11 attacks and how the nation banded together in the wake of that tragedy.
Keep reading as Taste of Country revisits the 17 most patriotic moments in country music history.
No. 1: Alan Jackson Debuts “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” at the 2001 CMA Awards
Two months after the September 11 attacks, Alan Jackson debuted his now-classic ballad “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” at the CMAs. He’d written it just days earlier, inspired by his own emotions and experiences following the tragedy. “Where Were You” spoke to what was going on in many Americans’ minds in the wake of 9/11, and acknowledged feelings like grief, fear and anger.
“I didn’t want to write a patriotic song,” Jackson later said, “and I didn’t want it to be vengeful, either. But I didn’t want to forget how I felt and how I know other people felt that day.”
No. 2: Lee Greenwood Records “God Bless the U.S.A.”
The catalyst for Lee Greenwood‘s “God Bless the U.S.A.” was the 1983 shooting down of Korean Air Lines Flight 007, but he says he’d long wanted to write a song about his love for America.
Over the years, “God Bless the U.S.A.” has taken on larger national meaning as a message of unity and patriotism. Greenwood performed it at the 1988 Republican National Convention and at various events in support of George H.W. Bush, and its popularity surged during the Gulf War in the early ’90s and after the events of Sept. 11, 2001. President Donald Trump has also used “God Bless the U.S.A.” at campaign rallies. Many artists have covered it, including Dolly Parton, Beyoncé and Home Free.
No. 3: Toby Keith Performs For the Troops — Even Under Fire
It’s hard to pick just one patriotic moment from Toby Keith‘s career. Love of country and support for the U.S. military were two major pillars that supported his career foundation, from beginning to end. Songs like “American Soldier,” “Made in America” and “Courtesy of the Red White, and Blue (The Angry American)” are all examples of how patriotism informed his discography.
But perhaps the most patriotic part of Keith’s legacy is the many USO tours he performed in support of the troops. In particular, during one visit to Afghanistan in 2008, a round of mortar fire toward the base interrupted Keith’s performance.
Keith ran with the soldiers to a concrete bunker, where he signed autographs and posed for photos until they got the all-clear. Then, despite being strongly warned not to continue the show, the singer hopped back up onstage and finished out his set.
No. 4: Ray Charles’ Healing Performance of “America the Beautiful”
About six weeks after the September 11 attacks, Ray Charles sang a soaring rendition of “America the Beautiful” at Game 2 of the MLB World Series.
It wasn’t his only time singing the patriotic classic: Charles recorded “America the Beautiful” in 1976, and his version became the traditional New Year’s Eve ball drop song in Times Square. He also sang it on iconic stages such as the January 2001 Super Bowl and at the 1984 Republican National Convention.
But in the wake of the attacks, on the world’s biggest baseball stage, Charles’ “America the Beautiful” carried extra weight. It underscored a national feeling of unity, especially coming from a performer who’d historically blended genres and proved that marriage between soul and country, coming from a Black performer, could succeed.
No. 5: Lee Brice Gets a Truck Back For a Fallen Soldier’s Family
Lee Brice‘s “I Drive Your Truck” — a story song about a bereaved family member who feels the presence of a fallen military service member in the truck he left behind — is patriotic all on its own.
But Brice made the song’s story come true in real life for one family in 2016, when he surprised the widow of U.S. Air Force Major Troy Gilbert with the keys to the truck her husband had sold before a deployment to Iraq 10 years before. Gilbert never returned home from that deployment. With help from Folds of Honor, Brice found the truck, bought it and returned it to the family as a Memorial Day surprise.
No. 6: Johnny Cash Recites “The Ragged Old Flag” In Front of Congress
Johnny Cash‘s spoken-word anthem “Ragged Old Flag” tells the complex, often painful but ultimately enduring American story. He recorded it as the title track for an album in 1974, and for Flag Day — June 14 — in 1977, he brought its message all the way to the People’s House.
That day, Cash delivered a rendition of “Ragged Old Flag” in House Chambers to celebrate the bicentennial of the U.S. flag. He traded in his traditional black clothing for a red,white and blue jacket for the occasion. Before he spoke, Cash told assembled Congress members about his worries over “the bad news coming out of Washington every day,” but also how seeing “kids run up and down” the aisles of a movie theater inspired him to write this song about American pride and hope for the future.
No. 7: Charlie Daniels’ Lifelong Support for Military Service Members + Veterans
Much like Toby Keith would in later years, Charlie Daniels saw support for the military as a major pillar of his career, not just something he did on the side.
His patriotic songs and frequent USO tours showed consistent support for the troops, but perhaps the most powerful point of his legacy is his Journey Home Foundation, which he and his manager co-founded in 2014. Daniels’ foundation assists veterans with much-needed physical and mental rehabilitation services as they return home from war.
No. 8: Kellie Pickler’s Christmas Visit to Afghanistan
Kellie Pickler has been a staunch supporter of the U.S. military throughout her time in country music, describing her USO tours and programs as “the highlight of my career” to E! News.
So much so that, in 2013, the singer performed for troops stationed at the Kandahar Airfield base in Afghanistan on Christmas Day. According to the Los Angeles Times, she brought holiday cheer by singing Christmas songs and telling the troops, “There’s no place I’d rather spend Christmas.”
No. 9: Willie Nelson’s Star-Studded “America the Beautiful” Performance
Following the Sept. 11 attacks, the heads of the four major broadcast networks — ABC, Fox, NBC and CBS — organized a benefit concert called America: A Tribute to Heroes that aired on all four platforms and raised money for victims’ families and New York City first responders.
In a moment of unity across political divides, it was only fitting that a superstar known for uniting diverse crowds — Willie Nelson — concluded the special with a performance of “America the Beautiful.”
Clint Eastwood introduced his performance, and Nelson stood shoulder to shoulder with the whole star-studded cast of the special — including both musicians and famous actors, who spoke during the event. Reba McEntire, Julia Roberts, Robin Williams, Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Jim Carrey were just a few of those onstage during that unforgettable performance.
No. 10: Loretta Lynn Becomes the First Solo Female Country Artist to Perform at the White House
Loretta Lynn became the first solo female country performer to sing at the White House when she appeared there at President Richard Nixon’s invitation in 1971. She would return several times in later years to perform for various administrations, including under Jimmy Carter’s, Ronald Reagan’s and George H.W. Bush’s.
Lynn was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2013.
No. 11: Dolly Parton Writes a Special Song For the Country After Sept. 11
Dolly Parton‘s “Color Me America” isn’t as well known as other post-Sept. 11 country classics such as Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry America)” or Alan Jackson’s “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning).” But just like those other great songwriters, Parton shared her heart and patriotism in song after the attacks.
“Color Me America” was actually one of a couple songs that Parton wrote in response to the national tragedy, and for two years, she only performed it live because she didn’t want to profit off the events of Sept. 11. Parton eventually added “Color Me America” as the finale for her Dolly Parton’s Stampede dinner show, then included it in her 2003 album For God and Country.
No. 12: Brantley Gilbert Accepts a Fan’s Purple Heart
Brantley Gilbert is a staunch supporter of military veterans, and over Memorial Day weekend of 2015, he participated in a motorcycle ride with a group of veterans — including former Army sniper Justin Patterson. At various stops, Gilbert spoke to crowds about the PTSD that veterans often face.
Patterson was so impressed by Gilbert’s dedication that he presented the singer with his first Purple Heart. “This thing means the world to me,” Gilbert said in response, “and I found a lifelong friend named Justin Patterson.”
That friendship held up: Patterson later said that he and Gilbert keep in touch with almost daily calls or texts.
No. 13: Chris Stapleton’s Jaw-Dropping Super Bowl Anthem
Chris Stapleton entered a new echelon of stardom with his stirring, soulful national anthem performance at the 2023 Super Bowl.
Stapleton made the anthem his own, but he also stayed faithful to the patriotic spirit of the American standard. His rendition is widely regarded as among the best — in any genre — and brought many spectators, including the NFL players, to tears.
No. 14: Reba McEntire Launches Her Career With a 1974 Rodeo Anthem Performance
It’s no surprise that Reba McEntire has been dedicated to patriotism throughout her career: A patriotic performance was what brought her big break! McEntire was just 19 years old when she booked a gig to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” a capella at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Oklahoma City.
That performance caught the attention Red Steagalla country and Western singer who helped a young McEntire sign her first contract. It was a moment that would go down in country music history, and also established early on McEntire’s lasting commitment to America and to rodeo.
No. 15: Kid Rock Builds His Very Own White House Replica
If you know Kid Rock, you know that he never misses an opportunity to flex his American pride. But his living situation is a little over the top — even for him!
That’s right: Rock lives in a 27,000 square foot White House replica that he refers to as “the Southern White House.” It’s got golden urinals, according to Fox News, and an eagle from Zac Brown that Rock had plated with gold and hung on the roofline. It was from the top tier of this property — nearby the pool and the mini-Statue of Liberty, of course — that the singer famously saluted a military helicopter earlier this year.
No. 16: Craig Morgan Re-Enlists in the U.S. Army Reserve
It’s one thing to show support for the troops, but Craig Morgan truly put his money where his mouth is in 2023, when he re-enlisted and was sworn into the U.S. Army Reserve live onstage at the Grand Ole Opry.
Morgan had previously served 17-and-a-half years in the Army and Army Reserve with the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions as an E-6 Staff Sergeant and Fire Support Specialist. “I love being an artist,” he said in a statement, “but I consider it a true privilege and honor to work with what I believe are the greatest of Americans, my fellow soldiers.”
No. 17: Trace Adkins’ Moving Tribute to Fallen Soldiers
Trace Adkins‘ 2005 ballad “Arlington” was inspired by the true story of U.S. Marine Corps. Corporal Patrick Nixon, who hailed from Nashville and was killed in action in Iraq in 2003. Songwriter Dave Turnbull later met Nixon’s father, and he and his co-writer Jeremy Spillman wrote “Arlington” together.
Adkins honored fallen soldiers and veterans with “Arlington” and “Still a Soldier,” two songs that he frequently performs on specials, at shows and on the many USO tours he has embarked on over the course of his career.
No. 18: Kris Kristofferson Reminds Us That It’s Patriotic to Criticize the Government
No one can deny Kris Kristofferson‘s patriotic bona fides. He served as a U.S. Army Captain, helicopter pilot and Ranger-qualified paratrooper before rising to fame, and continued to be a fierce advocate for veteran-associated causes throughout his career.
But Kristofferson also knew that that patriotism isn’t about blind adulation, and he frequently criticized the U.S. government and questioned motives behind the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also frequently covered Steven Van Zandt’s pointed “I Am a Patriot” as a reminder to fans that truly loving America means fighting to preserve its integrity.
13 Most Patriotic Country Stars
Country music is closely aligned with the military and with patriotism, so it’s no surprise that many top country stars are openly patriotic. But some are even more notable than others in their avid patriotism. Scroll through to see the most patriotic stars in country music.
Gallery Credit: Sterling Whitaker
