10 Country Artists Who Have Brought Their Talents to Musical Productions

Kentucky native and multi-talented actress, singer, dancer and entertainer Bundy originated the Broadway roles of Elle Woods (the musical rendition of Legally Blonde) as well as Amber Von Tussle (the musical iteration of Hairspray). She also earned a Tony Award nomination for her role as Woods. She was also a standby for Kristin Chenoweth’s role as Glinda in Wicked.

Then, in 2010, Bundy ventured into country music, releasing the songs “Drop On By” and “Giddy On Up.” In 2013, she released the song “Two Step.” Her video clip for “Giddy On Up” earned a CMT Music Awards nomination for breakthrough video of the year. She also released the country projects Achin’ and Shakin‘, and Another Piece of Me.

In 2023, she returned to Broadway in the production The Cottage, portraying the role of Sylvia Van Kipness.

In 2012, Billy Ray Cyrus made his Broadway debut in the musical Chicago, portraying the sleek lawyer Billy Flynn. Cyrus portrayed the role from Nov. 5 through Dec. 23 at the Ambassador Theatre in New York.

Mac Davis was a multi-hyphenate creator known for penning hit songs for Elvis Presley (“In The Ghetto,” “A Little Less Conversation”), and Kenny Rogers and First Edition (“Something’s Burning”). He also notched several country and crossover hits including “I Believe in Music,” appeared in the film North Dallas Forty with Nick Nolte, and had his own TV show from 1974-76.

In 1992, Davis took on Broadway, performing the role of Will Rogers in The Will Rogers Follies.

Larry Gatlin was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019, and is known for his music as part of Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, as well as for writing songs including “All the Gold in California” and “Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer to You).”

He’s also had a stint on Broadway, starring as Will Rogers in the musical The Will Rogers Follies in 2003. In 2010, he returned to Broadway by making a surprise appearance during the finale of the musical Million Dollar Quartet (a musical inspired by the famed 1956 recording session that brought together Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins). During his appearance, Gatlin performed the song “Johnny Cash is Dead and HIs House Burned Down,” to pay tribute to his late friend Cash.

In 2001, Reba McEntire starred in the leading role of Annie Oakley in the Broadway musical Annie Get Your Gun. As part of the role, the Country Music Hall of Fame member lent her unmistakable voice to classic songs including “I Got Lost in His Arms,” “Anything You Can Do” and “You Can’t Get a Man With a Gun.”

In the early 1980s, Morris earned a string of top 10 and top five Hot Country Songs hits including his version of “The Wind Beneath My Wings” (which earned an Academy of Country Music Award win for song of the year). In 1985, Morris earned his first Hot Country Singles No. 1 with “Baby Bye Bye,” and earned five total country No 1s in the 1980s. But Morris was also had stints on Broadway, starring in the 1987 production of Les Miserables as Jean Valjean, and portraying Rodolfo in the opera La Boheme with country/pop icon Linda Ronstadt.

Jennifer Nettles may be known for both her work as part of the duo Sugarland and for her solo music, but she’s also had a long affinity for acting and musicals. In 2015, she joined the Broadway cast of the musical Chicago, portraying Roxie Hart as part of a limited engagement. In 2021, she portrayed the lead role of Jenna in the Broadway musical Waitress.

Nettles also wrote the book for and will star in the upcoming musical Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo, directed by Rebecca Taichman. The musical will run from Nov. 25 until Dec. 21, 2025, premiering at The Perelman Performing Arts Center in New York City.

Prior to gaining acclaim in the 1980s thanks to country hits including the Grammy-winning “’80s Ladies,” as well as “Hold Me” and “I’ll Always Come Back,” Oslin was part of the cast ensemble for the touring musical Hello Dolly!, and spent two decades in New York City, appearing in cast ensembles for musicals including West Side Story and Promises Promises.

Long before becoming known as an iconic “singing cowboy” in numerous western-themed films, and having hits such as “Rye Whiskey,” “Jealous Heart” and “I’m Wastin’ My Tears on You,” Tex Ritter spent time in New York, working in Broadway productions such as The New Moon, Mother Lode, and Green Grow the Lilacs (which would serve as the basis for the iconic play Oklahoma!). Ritter was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1962.

Since winning American Idol in 2005, Carrie Underwood has steadily worked to forge a career that has touched on a myriad of areas, as a singer, songwriter, actress, entertainer, author and entrepreneur. In 2013, Underwood returned to television, starring in the NBC live musical television special of The Sound of Music Live!, with Underwood taking on the role of Maria von Trapp.