Growing up, I wasn’t good at very much. I took piano lessons, played trumpet in the school band. I was so-so at both. I also played basketball. In middle school, I was one of the last guys off the bench. In high school, it was a better story. But I was no Grant Hill or Bobby Hurley.
That’s why when I hear about people today who are excellent at both music and sports, I know it’s deserving of celebration. How can one person be world-class at two (or more) endeavors? While it may not seem fair, it is certainly something worthy of observation and appreciation.
Videos by American Songwriter
Let’s take a look at the best athlete musician and songwriters here. Who are those folks who are accomplished in one field only to step out onto another and soar high there, as well? Without further ado, here are the top athlete musician-songwriters.
1. Damian Lillard (Rapper, NBA All-Star)
2. Shaquille O’Neal (Rapper, NBA All-Star)
3. Bernie Williams (Guitarist, MLB All-Star)
4. Henrik Lundqvist (Guitarist, NHL Goalie)
5. John Daly (Guitarist, Pro-Golfer)
6. Jack McDowell (Guitarist, MLB Pitcher)
7. Alexi Lalas (Guitarist, World Cup Soccer Star)
8. Shaun White (Frontman, Olympic Snowboarder)
9. John McEnroe (Frontman, Pro Tennis Player)
10. Wayman Tisdale (Guitarist, NBA All-Star)
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American singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman plays her Fender acoustic guitar at a recording studio in Los Angeles, California, circa 1988. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images) -
Posed portrait of Bill Withers, 1972. (Photo by Gilles Petard/Redferns) -
CIRCA 1931: Country music pioneer Jimmie Rodgers poses for a portrait circa 1931. (Photo by Donaldson Collection/Getty Images) -
American singer-songwriter Paul Simon performing at the Palladium Theatre, London, December 1975. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) -
Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner -
American rock group The Cyrkle (American drummer Marty Fried, American singer and guitarist Don Dannemann, American singer and guitarist Tom Dawes (1944-2007), and American keyboard player Michael Losekamp), pose with Dawes having an unspecified Okeh Records seven-inch record over his mouth, location unspecified, circa 1965. (Photo by Don Paulsen/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
Canadian musician Neil Young of Crosby, Stills, Nash And Young performs on stage at Wembley Stadium, London on September 14th 1974. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)
