It’s been more than 30 years since Tim McGraw began his career in country music. His eponymous album came out in 1993, kicking off a career that has spanned more than three decades since then, and is still going strong.
Artists with far less success and longevity have gladly stepped away from the spotlight to enjoy some well-deserved rest. Fortunately, McGraw isn’t like most artists, and still believes his best days in country music are ahead of him.
“I hear about it from my management, they tell me that this happened or that happened,” McGraw, who celebrated his 46th No. 1 hit last year. says on Country Countdown USA. “I’m like, what’s next? I’m always looking forward. I don’t look back. I figure when I’m sitting in my rocking chair, maybe I’ll reflect. But I’m not good at reflecting. I still feel like I got a lot more in me.”
The 57-year-old might be a generation ahead of some of the reigning hitmakers right now, but his age has no factor in how McGraw feels, or acts.
“I still feel pretty young,” McGraw reflects. “I still feel pretty vibrant. I feel like I want to make music, keep working on my craft. If I ever get to the point where I think I’m good, I should hang it up.”
McGraw’s determination to stay at the top of his game isn’t anything new. The father of three still wants No. 1 hits, with his drive to be the best behind every song he releases.
“I still want to win the equivalent of the Super Bowl with every single I’m putting out,” he tells The Tennessean.
McGraw is on his way to having another chart-topping single, with “One Bad Habit.” The song, from his Poet’s Resumé EP, is already in the Top 15, and still climbing.
“I love that record,” McGraw says on the Eden and Amadeus podcast. “It was one of those records that was interesting when we went into the studio. I loved the song. I was trying to figure out what to do with it because the demo was way different than the record we ended up making. It was slower and a whole different sort of arrangement. And we went and sort of dug in deep on that song because we felt like it was a really great song.”
McGraw recently spoke out about another milestone, when he met his now-wife, Faith Hill. The two were both performing at the Country Radio Seminar’s New Faces Show in 1994, when sparks instantly flew, at least for McGraw.
“Backstage that night was the very first time I met Faith,” McGraw recalls. “We took a picture … I posted it for our anniversary. My knees went weak. I was definitely smitten with her. It took her a while. I had that ugly red and black jacket on. I’m surprised she paid any attention to me.”
Find “One Bad Habit” and all of McGraw’s music and upcoming shows at TimMcGraw.com.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of CMA