Famous drug-abusing country singers

Factual Questions
1

Having grown up as a child of the 50s, 60s and 70s, I was into rock and roll. Over the decades, I have heard of a large number of rock stars who developed alcohol and/or drug problems. Some were pretty closetted (Elvis) and some were legendary (Keith Richards, Kurt Cobain). Lots are in recovery (David Crosby, Kris Kristofferson, Aerosmith, etc.).

Now that I’m older, I enjoy modern country music. I know of only a few country/western stars who have had a history of substance abuse, and they are mostly old-timers, such as George Jones and Johnny Cash. Any current or recent stars who have had a past that they have admitted included personal substance abuse or dependence?

2

Keith Whitley

3

Steve Earle

4

Ah, yes, Keith Whitley. I had heard about his alcoholism, but didn’t start listening to country music until he was deceased. Thanks, beagledave. Anyone else know of more?

5

Good gosh, you kiddin’? Hank Williams, Hank Williams jr., Hank Williams III, George Jones, Steve Earle…

6

Merle Haggard.
Glen Campbell.

7

Waylon Jennings.

8

Mostly all of them, if you’ll consider alcohol a drug, or just that even if a medication is prescribed by a Dr, it still can be abused.

9

Willie Nelson!

10

Johnny Cash.

11

The original country star, Hank Williams, had a drinking problem. And later, he apparently struggled with morphine and painkillers.

12

Tammy Wynette-pain pill addiction

CMT’s Inside Fame has been featuring her story the last couple of weeks.

13

correction: “modern county music,” isn’t country music.

the last “country” song recorded was george jones’s, “he stopped loving her today.” after that it all went to hell.