Content Warning: This article discusses substance misuse and suicide.
Today, country music draws influence from numerous genres and has given way to a multitude of different sounds.
The 2010s ushered in bro-country, an era of thumping party anthems that glorified trucks and booze.
These days, country music is big business.
Nonetheless, some musicians have spoken out against the country music industry.
In 2023, country starMaren Morris revealed her thoughts on the lack of diversity in country music.
Love it or hate it, country music isn’t going away anytime soon.
However, the same can’t be said for some country stars who’ve vanished over the years.
In some cases, their absence was temporary.
Other times, these artists seemingly fell off the face of the Earth.
Within a year, Gentry went from being a no-name musician to a three-time Grammy winner.
Like many female musicians, Gentry was no stranger to the struggles of navigating a male-dominated space.
Gentry made no effort to hide her disdain for the sexism that permeated show business.
Certainly there are no women executives and producers to speak of in the record business."
In 1981, Gentry quietly retired from show business and dropped out of the public eye.
In 2016, a reporter for theWashington Postclaimed to have tracked Gentry down in Memphis, Tennessee.
In the following months, Carter released her debut album “Did I Shave My Legs For This?”
and launched a nation-wide tour.
By all accounts, Carter was on the fast-track to success.
“It was sad,” she confessed.
“We were trying to achieve the same amount.
The saddest thing is there wasn’t the time.”
Carter drifted further from the spotlight in 2004 after giving birth to her son, Hayes.
In 2021, the country star re-released “Did I Shave My Legs For This?”
to celebrate the album’s 25th anniversary.
The achievement flung her into the spotlight and earned her an ACM award for Top New Female Vocalist.
“I didn’t want to just have one hit.
My goal is longevity.”
Unfortunately, Andrews' music career stalled in 2009 when her record label suddenly dropped her.
“It almost feels like the early records were a different person ago,” she stated.
Since then, Andrews seems to be laying low and enjoying her solitude.
As of this writing, herFacebookfan page is active but her personal Instagram is set to private.
With his velvety voice and charismatic grin, the country crooner had no trouble winning the hearts of fans.
Throughout the 90s, Montgomery’s career was a blur of arena shows and recording sessions.
However, by the mid-2000s, his lifestyle started to catch up with him.
A year later, he was arrested for DUI and unlawful possession of painkillers.
In 2008, Montgomery cancelled his tour and checked into a rehab facility.
After his hiatus, Montgomery returned to public life and started touring again.
He retired in 2024.
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available.
Visit theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration websiteor contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
However, despite her success, Loveless' life wasn’t without hardship.
Speaking withCountry Universein 2008, Loveless explained that she felt disconnected from her craft.
“I wasn’t sure if I was ever going to make another record.'
“I find pleasure in being with him because I traveled so much over the years.”
Despite being one of the ’90s country stars you don’t hear about anymore, Loveless is still around.
Since their heyday in the 2010s, the band has been largely out of the spotlight.
However, it hasn’t been for lack of trying.
Her debut album, “Ten Thousand Angels,” was released in 1996 and quickly achieved double-platinum status.
The following year, the country star received several major award nominations.
Speaking withWAMU 88.5in 2013, record executive Joe Galante noted that McCready’s star power was unmatched.
“She was a unique singer; she was beautiful and funny,” Galante stated.
“[Her] first tour was George Strait at the top of his game.”
Unfortunately, her personal life was far more tragic and complicated than her song lyrics conveyed.
Behind the scenes, McCready dealt with a slew of personal issues, including substance misuse and alcoholism.
During the mid-2000s, the songstress was arrested numerous times for drug and alcohol-related offenses.
She also experienced several drug overdoses.
Ultimately, McCready’s personal hardships caused her to withdraw from the public eye.
In January 2013, McCready’s boyfriend David Wilson died by suicide at their home in Arkansas.
The singer’s two sons were taken into foster care and she was left to pick up the pieces.
By the early 90s, the baritone-voiced cowboy had captured numerous awards and a devoted fanbase.
Unfortunately for Van Shelton, it wasn’t long before the pitfalls of fame began to creep in.
In a 1992 interview, the singer hinted that his alcohol consumption had caused problems in his personal life.
“It had never interfered with my work,” he told theChicago Tribune.
In the book, Bettye wrote extensively about Ricky’s alcoholism and compulsive cheating during the early ’90s.
Van Shelton announced his departure on his website.
Van Shelton has since moved to Virginia and continues to avoid the spotlight.
His decadent voice swooned the masses and nabbed the singer several CMT awards.
But by 2008, the honky-tonk superstar found himself yearning for a simpler way of life.
“I was tired of who I was in this business,” he confessed toPhi Delta Theta.
“I had become somebody who I didn’t want to be.”
Thus, at the height of his music career, Cagle bowed out of the spotlight.
In 2010, Cagle and his wife welcomed a baby girl.
Speaking with Phi Delta Theta, the country star confirmed that he’s thriving in his low-key life.
“I’m happy.
You’re gonna hear the smile through the radio,” he shared.
Mandrell released her first single in 1969, marking the start of her legendary music career.
Instead, she wanted to focus on raising her children and recommitting to her Christian faith.
Mandrell delivered her final performance in 1997 during an extravagant concert at the Grand Ole' Opry.
Since then,you don’t hear from Barbara Mandrell anymore and that’s exactly how she likes it.
“I do not miss it,” the singer toldWSMV Nashvillein 2012.
I am very happy.”
So, what does a retired country legend do with all that extra time?
Mandrell revealed, “I keep my house, I cook, and I work in my garden.”
