Country stars are known for their crooning smoky voices and heartstring-pulling lyrics. At least, that’s what country music was like before Dan + Shay got their hands on it. This male duo has a sound that’s so smooth, some people question if it should be classified as country. To that, we say, country is whatever you think it is, whether that includes these two men with incredible voices, or not. Professionally they haven’t had trouble in the country music industry. They’re represented by one of the biggest record companies in the genre, Warner Nashville. Rascal Flatts, who are arguably country-adjacent themselves, were some of their first fans.

Building a Movement

Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney weren’t always friends, even though their interactions and harmonies make it sound like they were. They didn’t meet until they both moved to and started playing open mics in Nashville in 2012. Once they found each other, they knew there was something special between them, creatively. They started playing as a double act, which got the attention of superfans and music fairy godfathers, Rascal Flatts. Rascal Flats, who are big enough themselves to land contracts for playing in Disney Movies, helped them get a record deal that same year.

A Slow Start

Even though they got a record deal within a year of meeting and playing together, they had to fight their way to the top. Their debut album charted but struggled to break the top 20. It wasn’t until 2015 when they put out “Nothin Like You” that they managed a number one hit and got the confidence to put out a second album.

That second album had a charting single “From the Ground Up,” as did their third, “Tequila,” which is played at least three times daily on any country radio station. In 2019, they collaborated with one of the biggest names in music: Justin Beiber, to put out “10,000 Hours”. That impressive feat earned them even more fame, and their careers are going nowhere but up.