Tim McGraw Says Downsides to Fame Are “Better Than” His Old Job

People might say the grass is always greener on the other side, but country icon Tim McGraw knows a good thing when he sees it—which is why he’s so quick to say that any downsides to fame are exponentially better than the jobs he had before his big break.

The frequent comeback McGraw uses to diminish the potential pitfalls of stardom has kept the multi-hyphenate performer humble, ensuring he doesn’t forget his roots as a blue-collar worker in Louisiana.

Tim McGraw Uses His Old Job As a Go-To Comeback

Throughout his decades-long career, Tim McGraw has certainly enjoyed tremendous success in the music and film industries. He’s a chart-topping country star and leading actor in the Yellowstone spin-off 1883. Indeed, McGraw’s star shines bright, and with that comes potential downsides—namely, having people pay attention to you no matter where you go.

In an interview with Country 103.7, McGraw said he didn’t really mind the recognition. “When you’re having dinner or something, and somebody comes up for an autograph, they always say, ‘Well, I bet you’re tired of doing this,’ or, ‘I bet you hate doing this,’ or, ‘This gets old.’ And I’m like, ‘Look, it’s better than roofing.’ That’s usually my comeback,” the country star explained.

“Growing up in Louisiana, I roofed a lot,” McGraw continued. “I’ve had a lot of side jobs, a lot of construction work. I did the old calling bank thing. I did that quite a bit. Gosh, I worked at restaurants. I worked as a line cook during my time. I roofed a lot.” With so many blue-collar jobs under his big-buckled belt, it’s no wonder that McGraw doesn’t mind the occasional autograph request—even if it happens to interrupt his meal.

Translating His Work Ethic To The Big Stage

Tim McGraw’s lengthy pre-fame resumé is a testament not only to the accolades he’s achieved since becoming a star but also a tribute to the woman who raised him. In a 2013 interview with M Music & Musicians Magazine, McGraw credited his mother, Betty D’Agostino, for his tremendous work ethic. “She was a dreamer,” he said. “My drive came from her. No matter how bad our circumstances were growing up, she always dreamed big and talked about the things you could accomplish in life.”

Translated to his artistic career, McGraw said, “I’m always looking for something that propels me forward and makes me want to work harder. I don’t want to get complacent or start thinking I can just relax. That’s been the main impetus for all the changes I’ve made over the last four or five years. It’s a matter of looking for ways to move forward and not get stagnant.”

And indeed, McGraw has been anything but stagnant. From his dedication to physical fitness (McGraw’s go-to pre-show ritual involves ample time at the gym) to his charity work to his career on- and off-screen, McGraw has proven that while he might not be climbing up on roofs with a bundle of shingles and a nail gun, he’s putting effort in just the same.

Photo by John Salangsang/Shutterstock