Texas-native Miranda Lambert, born in 1983, received national recognition as a contestant on "Nashville Star." She finished as second runner-up but landed a contract with Sony Music. Her major label debut album Kerosene went platinum.

At the age of 10, Lambert entered her first country music talent show. Her budding career got a boost from performing on Johnnie High's Country Music Revue, a weekly variety show in Arlington, Texas. This program helped launch the careers of several other country music stars, including LeAnn Rimes and Lee Ann Womack.

Inspired by such singer-songwriters as Emmylou Harris, Lambert began writing her own songs after learning how to play the guitar from her father. Her own family supported her efforts in music, helping to finance and promote her first recording, an independent self-titled CD, in 2001. Two years later, Lambert got a big break when she passed the auditions for a new country music reality show, "Nashville Star." She moved to the country music capital to compete for a recording contract among other prizes. While she didn't win, Lambert still landed a major label contract with Sony Music after becoming the show's second runner-up.

In 2004, Lambert released the single "Me and Charlie Talking," an up-tempo tale of puppy love. It was a modest hit and was soon followed by her first major label album, Kerosene. After the album's release, Lambert went on tours with George Strait and Keith Urban.

Debuting at the top of the country music charts, Kerosene surprised some listeners with its fiery lyrics. Her songs struck a chord with the music-buying public—the album sold more than 900,000 copies. Lambert earned several award nominations from the Academy of Country Music, including for top new female vocalist. The following year, she did win the ACM Award.

In 2007, Lambert had another hit album on her hands, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. The title track became a popular hit and anthem of sorts for former girlfriends everywhere. "Gunpowder & Lead" tells the story of a woman seeking to kill her abusive significant other. On the other side of spectrum, Lambert appears unusually vulnerable on "More Like Her." She also reflects on her love of rural life in "Famous in a Small Town." Crazy Ex-Girlfriend won an ACM award for album of the year, and Lambert earned the ACM Award for top new female vocalist. Lambert also received a Grammy Award nomination (best female country vocal performance) for her single "Kerosene." At the 2008 ACM Awards, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend won album of the year.

For 2009's Revolution, Lambert seemed to find her romantic side with such songs as "Making Plans" and "Love Song."

Later in 2011, Lambert teamed up with Angaleena Pressley and Ashley Monroe. The trio, known as Pistol Annies, released the hit album Hell on Heels that September. Lambert continued with her success as a solo act as well, releasing Four the Record that same year.

Lambert has remained one of country music's most popular stars. She married fellow country music star Blake Shelton in 2011 and has made frequent appearances on "The Voice" which he is a judge. In 2013, she was one of the big winners at the Academy of Country Music Awards. Lambert took home two awards for her song "Over You" and was named female vocalist of the year. Her album, Platinum, arrived in June 2014.

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