Some country music stars who were very successful in the 1990s have since evidently gone to ground. How come they seemed to step away from their formerly hot careers? There can be various explanations. Some of them are health issues, family obligations, the grueling, demanding life of a music star, creative burnout, or just making a switch to a different lifestyle. These four country stars - Ricky Van Shelton, Patty Loveless, LeAnn Rimes, and John Michael Montgomery all apparently drifted off the radar. We examine what happened.
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Ricky Van Shelton
Van Shelton, now 73, had his greatest musical success between 1986 and 2006. Per the Grand Ole Opry web site, he collaborated with Dolly Parton in 1991 on "Rockin' Years," had hits such as "I Am A Simple Man," Somebody Lied," and "I've Cried My Last Tear," and was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1988. For him, that was the realization of a treasured goal. He said, "And I dreamed about playing the Grand Ole Opry. But one thing I never dreamed is that I would be asked to join."
No one doubted Van Shelton's talent, but he was seemingly troubled. According to American Songwriter, "Sadly, this country star struggled with addiction and made the brave choice to pursue recovery and spend more time with his family. He announced his retirement from music in 2006." Van Shelton has evidently achieved sobriety.
Patty Loveless
Patty Loveless has had a pileup of tragic goodbyes in her and her family's life. She lost her sister, niece, brother, and stepdaughter, per Woman's World. Her husband has also had significant health problems. Per the outlet, she shared that "[t]here have been a couple of times that I thought I was going to lose [my husband] Emory and I'm so thankful that he's still here with me." Loveless has had to deal with an unimaginable amount of challenge and grief over the years. Despite that, she enjoyed a thriving singing career for many years.
Loveless, 68, was hugely successful in the 1990s. Major industry awards and prestigious nominations just kept coming her way. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame two years back. Loveless stopped touring 15 years ago.
LeAnn Rimes
You likely recall how LeAnn Rimes burst explosively onto the music scene in 1996 at the render age of 13 with her monster hit song, "Blue." Even as a young teen, Rimes' vocal sophistication made many compare her to Patsy Cline. American Songwriter referred to her as "the it girl of country music in the 1990s." She sure was.
Since those glory days, Rimes, 42, has spoken of the rigors of success at such a young age and handling her anxiety, psoriasis, and depression. She also dealt with the fallout from her relationship with her husband, Eddie Cibrian, who was married when they met (as was she), per mamamia.com.au. According to American Songwriter, "Sad stories aside, Rimes seems to be doing well for herself nowadays. She won The Masked Singer in 2020, and released her country spiritual album God's Work in 2022."
John Michael Montgomery
Per thelist.com, "John Michael Montgomery kicked off his career in 1992 when he released his debut album 'Life's A Dance.' With his velvety voice and charismatic grin, the country crooner had no trouble winning the hearts of fans." But problems lay ahead for him.
Per the outlet, Montgomery, now 60, flourished during the 1990s. Then, twenty years ago, at a NASCAR event, he sang "The Star-Spangled Banner." It was, at best, a stumbling performance. He messed up the lyrics and gave a sub-par rendition. According to the outlet via Billboard, Montgomery said he had "a neurological disorder." Then, "[a] year later, he was arrested for DUI and unlawful possession of painkillers." The singer entered rehab in 2008. Last year, he retired.
