When it comes to bombshell country artists, you have the classics like Shania Twain, Reba, Loretta Lynn, and Dolly – then you have those who are new(er) on the scene. Like Carrie Underwood, Kacey Musgraves, and, of course, Miranda Lambert. All of them have their own accolades, but if you want a true country star from Texas (sometimes with big hair), Miranda’s the star for you.

Not only does she have a voice that can keep up with the country greats of years past, but she’s shown us again and again that she’s multi-faceted, musically. Want an angry ex-girlfriend song? Something reminiscent about the childhood home of your past? Her discography has it all.

The Lone Star State Sweetheart

Lambert hails from Longview, TX, a small-ish town to two parents who owned a local business. Neither parent pursued music professionally, but her dad liked to play guitar and write songs in his spare time. Miranda inherited his talent and started showcasing her skills at the early age of 10. She regularly won talent shows around her home town, leading to the inspiration for the song “Famous in a Small Town.”

Nashville Star and Early Fame

When Lambert was just out of high school, she applied to the talent show Nashville Star. She came in second, but that didn’t seem to derail her career, as she still landed a recording contract with Sony out of the experience. In 2005 she put out her first major studio album, Kerosene, which got her opening spots for legends like George Strait and Keith Urban. It was officially Miranda’s time to shine.

My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is a Superstar

The album Kerosene did well, getting mentions in different music magazines, but didn’t win any awards. That wasn’t the case for her next album, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, though.

It went to number six on the charts and won her an ACM award for Album of the Year. It’s been uphill for her, music-wise, since. Her latest album went platinum, as did five out of the six before that. We’re sure her next will do the same!