Clint Eastwood's Surprising Journey Into Country Music

Clint Eastwood is not just a legendary actor and director; he is also a surprising figure in the world of country music. Many people are unaware that Eastwood has dabbled in music, contributing to the genre through various films he has been a part of. His connection to country music is not only fascinating but also highlights how diverse his talents truly are.

Throughout his career, Eastwood has featured country music prominently in several of his films, creating a distinctive blend of entertainment that resonates with audiences. In the late '70s and early '80s, he played a significant role in bringing country music to the forefront, assisting other artists in achieving success on the charts. This unique side of Eastwood adds another layer to his already impressive portfolio as he navigates between acting and music.

His most notable musical achievement is scoring a No. 1 country hit of his own! This remarkable feat showcases not only his versatility but also the impact he has made in the music industry. Let's dive deeper into Eastwood's connection to country music and explore the various ways he has left his mark.

Table of Contents

• Biography of Clint Eastwood
• Clint Eastwood's Connection to Country Music
• Clint Eastwood's No. 1 Country Hit
• Musical Collaborations in Country Music
• Inspiration Behind His Music

Biography of Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood's Connection to Country Music

Clint Eastwood has drenched several of his late '70s and early '80s films in country music. He helped Mel Tillis and Eddie Rabbitt score No. 1 hits from his 1978 movie Every Which Way But Loose with "Coca-Cola Cowboy" and the title song. In 1980, he did it again for David Frizzell and Shelly West, who landed "You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma" on the Any Which Way You Can soundtrack. That year also marked his own country hit, a duet with Merle Haggard on "Bar Room Buddies."

Clint Eastwood's No. 1 Country Hit

Written by Milton Brown, Cliff Crofford, Steve Dorff, and Snuff Garrett, "Bar Room Buddies" appeared on the soundtrack to another Eastwood film, Bronco Billy, in which he plays the star of a failing traveling circus. Released in April of 1980, the song reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart in July and stayed on the chart for 13 total weeks. Eastwood essentially speak-sings his lines in the song, which pairs him with Haggard over a backdrop of very traditional country.

Musical Collaborations in Country Music

Eastwood had previously released a string of singles in the '60s when he was starring in Rawhide, and he has composed music for many of his films over the years. Later, in 1980, he teamed with Ray Charles for a duet titled "Beers to You" from Any Which Way You Can, which reached No. 55 on the Hot Country Songs chart. He also guested on T.G. Sheppard's "Make My Day," which was written around a saying popularized by Eastwood's Harry Callahan character. That song reached No. 12 in 1984.

Inspiration Behind His Music

Eastwood dueted with Marty Robbins on "In the Jailhouse Now" when he played a country singer in the 1982 film Honkytonk Man, and he also sang with Randy Travis on "Smokin' the Hive," from Travis' 1990 album Heroes & Friends. Eastwood also served as the inspiration for Toby Keith's "Don't Let the Old Man In," which appeared in his 2018 film, The Mule.