Some country listeners have been bewildered by the presence of Kid Rock on their radios lately. But the flashy, foul-mouthed Detroit rap-rocker is not the first unlikely candidate to try for country stardom. Here are some even stranger examples:

• Actor Robert Mitchum had two country hits: the Top 10 "Little Old Wine Drinker Me" in 1967, and "You Deserve Each Other" later that same year.

• "Tip-Toe Thru' The Tulips With Me" singer Tiny Tim hit the charts in 1988 with "Leave Me Satisfied." It stalled at No. 70.

• U.S. Senator Everett Dirksen reached No. 58 with "Gallant Men" in 1967.

• Oscar winner and Real McCoys star Walter Brennan went all the way to No. 3 with "Old Rivers" in 1962.

• Bonanza patriarch Lorne Greene scaled the chart twice, with 1964's "Ringo" (No. 21) and 1966's "Waco" (No. 50).

• Game show host Wink Martindale reached No. 11 with 1959's "Deck of Cards."

• Actor Michael Parks of Then Came Bronson fame hit No. 41 with in 1970 with "Long Lonesome Highway."