From Prison Guard to Poop Explosions: Country Stars' Pre-Fame Gigs

Before the bright lights and sold-out stadiums, many country music stars held down some decidedly unglamorous jobs. Their pre-fame resumes range from the challenging to the downright disgusting, proving that even the biggest names have to start somewhere.

Coming in at number three is Cody Johnson, who grew up in Huntsville, Texas. Johnson once shared that the options in his hometown seemed limited: "You either go to prison or work there." He chose the latter, becoming a prison guard. Ironically, it was the warden who recognized Johnson's musical talent and encouraged him to pursue his dreams, leading him to trade his uniform for a guitar.

Reba McEntire takes the number two spot. Growing up on a ranch in Oklahoma, McEntire's early career involved a hands-on approach to cattle management. Her task? Holding the tail while her father performed the, shall we say, necessary alterations to turn bulls into steers. A less-than-glamorous gig, but certainly a memorable one.

And finally, at number one, we have Dierks Bentley, whose pre-fame employment takes the cake. Bentley spent his days emptying houseboat toilets at Lake Powell, Arizona. The real horror story? Malfunctioning equipment sometimes led to backfires, resulting in the contents of those toilets being launched skyward and, unfortunately, all over him. 

Bentley's tale of toilet troubles is a testament to the less-than-sparkly side of pursuing a musical career. These stars' early work experiences prove that sometimes, the road to country music stardom is paved with some truly awful jobs.