Three Chords & The Truth: Some Country Artists Quiz

Answer: Lonestar

Formed in 1992, Loanstar went on to have nine country number ones in quick succession, including "No News". Another number one, "Amazed", crossed over to the pop charts and topped the Billboard Hot 100.

The quiz introduction borrows a quote from Faith Hill, an acclaimed practitioner of the country music arts, when she said "Country music is the people's music. It just speaks about real life and about truth and it tells things how they really are".

Answer: Dale Earnhardt Sr

Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn hailed from Nashville and were close friends of Dale Earnhardt Sr, the legendary NASCAR and stock car racer/owner.

The singers were both solo artists before getting together as a duo, initially with some reservations about the idea. They began to work as a duo in 1990 and after a five year hiatus from 2010, continued in the business. Their singles and albums appeared regularly in the top 10 of the country music charts. "Honkey Tonk Truth" was a number here on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1997.

Dale Earnhardt Sr was ranked as one of the best American motorsports drivers of all time. Known as "the intimidator", he won 76 NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) events. He died in a crash at the Daytona 500 in 2001.

Answer: Something In Red

Written by Angela Kaset, in 1992 Lorrie Morgan took "Something In Red" to number 14 in the Billboard country charts. It was also the title track of an album.

The song is constructed with the singer asking a similar question in the first line and last line of each verse of each verse: I'm looking for something in red/green/white/blue then red again.

Answer: The Judds

In 1990, "Guardian Angels" reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot Country chart.

Wynona Judd and her mother, Naomi began their singing career as a duo in 1983 and were to have 14 country music chart-toppers. While their career officially came to a conclusion in 1991 through Naomi's ill health, Wynona continued as a solo artist. Naomi died in April 2022.

Answer: Patty Loveless

The song "Here I Am" peaked at number four on the Billboard country charts. From 1985, Patty Loveless had five Counts chart toppers and numerous others hit the top 10.

Answer: Vince Gill

Vince Gill hailed from Norman, Oklahoma. In a career that began in 1978, he notched up more than 25 million album sales and had more than 40 singles on the country charts. More than 20 Grammys went his way.

'Rolling Stone' magazine placed Gill at number 62 on a list of "100 Greatest Country Artists of All Time". The magazine noted that at that time - 2017 - Gill had won more Grammys than any other male country artist - 21.
To save you looking up that list, the number one was Merle Haggard.

Answer: Alan Jackson

The three in the question were among more than 25 country number ones for Alan Jackson from 1991. "I'd Love You All Over Again" was his first. Hailing out of Newnan, Georgia, he sold more than 75 million records.

As well as country songs, Jackson was noted for gospel numbers.

Answer: Reba McEntire

To her fans she was simply 'Reba". In a career that began in 1975 she was a multi-award winner and topped the country charts more than 20 times.

Reba also turned her talent to acting on television, in movies and in the theatre.

Answer: Martina McBride

From 1992, Martina McBride had more than 30 top 20 country singles, including five chart toppers. She was also noted for championing a number of good causes.

Answer: Guy Clark

Guy Clark was born in Monahans, Texas, in 1941 and died in Nashville Tennessee in 2016. He was a noted member of the 'Outlaw Country' scene. His early career was boosted when established stars such as Jerry Jeff Walker covered his songs.

Clarke got Steve Earle his first songwriting job and he was also a mentor to Rodney Crowell. Although personally he did not have much success on the charts, Ricky Skaggs took Clark's "Heartbroke" to the top of the Country charts and Steve Wariner's cover of "Baby I'm Yours" also topped the charts. Clark's last album "My Favorite Picture of You" was his best performer, reaching number 12 on the charts.