colt ford

Country stars live glamorous lives, but it hasn't always been glitz and glory for your favorite artists.

Country music is full of amateur athletes who dreamed of playing in the NFL, MLB or NHL. Here are 11 who gave up a professional athlete's paycheck for the dream of making country music.

The irony is thick.

We're not sure which is hotter -- summertime in the south, or these new country tunes!

We can all do better, he says.

He's encouraging everyone to lighten up and have some fun.

Brantley Gilbert's not afraid to celebrate an illicit holiday.

Now that's a hole-in-one.

John Anderson helps Colt Ford rework 'Waffle House' as the Georgia-born singer's band plays along during this behind-the-scenes clip of the recording of 'Ride Through the Country Revisited.' The 16-track album offers a second take on many of the songs Ford released five years ago. Brantley Gilbert, Ronnie Dunn and Wynonna are three of the other special guests who appear.

'Drivin' Around Song' is Colt Ford's best chance for a radio hit, something the singer would likely be willing to shave his body hair for. Jason Aldean's chorus is smooth and memorable, and his presence on the track from 'Declaration of Independence' gives Ford superstar credibility.

A new version of the John Anderson classic 'Swingin'' appears in the upcoming movie 'Super Zeroes.' The legendary country singer re-cut the song with Colt Ford and created a song that truly blends the two singer's unique styles. During an interview shared exclusively with Taste of Country, Ford and Anderson explain the history of the song and the new recording.

One more win and he's in. Craig Campbell's new song 'Outta My Head' is counting on fan support for a fifth straight night to get him into the Showdown Hall of Fame. The mid-tempo mourner has hooked fans new and old to top four other new singles in the online vote and on Taste of Country Nights. Today, Campbell will need to get past a tag team of singers.