Even today’s mega music stars where once young kids with dreams of music fame and glory. For many, they prayed and wished to Santa for the fame and recognition they now have, and many have gone on to release their own Christmas songs and albums for fans. For the holidays, Snakkle takes a fun look back at these singing sensations way back before the fame, when the stars were still just in their eyes.

It’s nice to know that some of the biggest stars—musicians, politicians, comedians—were just as geeky and awkward in high school as we were. What—you don’t believe us? Before they went on to fame and fortune, these celebrities wore dorky uniforms and made music with their classmates. Who played the clarinet, the drums, the saxophone? Read on to find out…

Way before Zooey Deschanel set the gold standard in modern bangs, all we had to work with were perms and lots of hairspray. The results were not for the faint of heart. Check out these celebs who braved the blow-dryer for a party in the front—back in the day.

Were they born fabulous? It’s true that these celebrities all got plenty of attention in high school, though not always for the right reasons. Some of them had the star quality that made them super-popular. While others… well, let’s just say they were kind of bozos. See if you can tell the class clowns from the most populars.

Snakkle wants to look back on some of our favorite CMA winners, nominees and other country music hard-hitters. You might think you know your favorite singers by sight, but how about if their pictures reflect their early years, before fame and personal stylists were in their lives? Check out this hot photo gallery of country music’s elite, before they were stars!