Most people associate country music with repetitive songs about beer, nationalism and blue jeans – but that wasn’t always the case.
Radio brought country music to wider audiences during the 1920s via barn dance-style broadcasts such as Grand Ole Opry. One of its early stars, Jimmie Rodgers, blended blues, old-time folk and work chants into his style of singing known as yodelling.
1. Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash became an icon long after his passing. A popular writer, musician and actor who sold millions of records over time. A man of great contradictions who lived a legendary life.
As a member of the Country, Rock and Roll and Gospel Halls of Fame, his unrefined baritone voice resonated with timeless power songs of rebellion and redemption, love and loss, fast trains and fistfights.
In 2005, the biographical film Walk the Line starring Joaquin Phoenix as Cash and Reese Witherspoon as his wife June received both critical and commercial success, helping cement Cash’s image as an enigmatic folk singer with part rural preacher-part outlaw Robin Hood traits who cared deeply for his fellow man – performing prison performances to show solidarity for those deemed social outcasts he was one of country music history’s most acclaimed performers.
2. Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings fought against Nashville establishment and became the embodiment of outlaw country in the ’70s, thanks to his distinctive gravelly voice and cowboy persona – becoming an instant legend with songs such as Mama Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys still being popular today.
Jennings rose from hardscrabble poverty in West Texas to become Buddy Holly’s bassist before moving to Nashville and signing with RCA Records in 1965 – where he experienced success with numerous hits.
He soon grew disillusioned with life at his label and refused to record with any writers who did not approve him; this move eventually killed his career and caused him to leave Nashville in the early ’70s – rightly so as Miranda Lambert credits Waylon’s distinctive stylings while Chayce Beckham’s song, “Waylon in ’75”, captures some of those wild-and-woolly days.
3. George Strait
George Strait has earned the acclaim of many as “King of Country Music.” Not only has he enjoyed sixty-one chart-topping singles over three decades, he also holds the record for most CMA awards won across all decades.
He was raised on his family’s 2,000-acre ranch near Pearsall. While at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University-San Marcos), he studied agriculture. Later, he married his high school sweetheart and joined the military service.
After leaving the army, Strait joined Stoney Ridge and played clubs before his debut single Unwound made him famous in 1981. Since then, both Twang (2009) and Troubadour (2011) have won CMA Album of the Year awards; his songs cover both traditional country as well as more contemporary forms like western swing and honky-tonk.
4. Garth Brooks
Garth Brooks has become one of the most iconic country music artists ever. His genre-defying style and electrifying live performances propelled him into global superstar status; selling over 160 million albums. While his 1989 eponymous debut was well received, Ropin’ the Wind became his breakthrough release – the first country album ever to top Billboard 200 chart!
Garth’s follow up release, No Fences, was another smash success that earned him multiple Entertainer of the Year awards. Singles like “Friends in Low Places” and “The Dance” helped cement his crossover success and cement Garth as one of music’s leading figures.
Brooks divorced Sandy in the early 2000s and began a two-decade long relationship with Trisha Yearwood. Their union lasted 20 years and produced three daughters: Taylor, August and Allie. Both partners have become known for their charitable endeavors such as Teammates for Kids; an organization which recruits professional athletes to make donations in their name.
5. Jason Aldean
Jason Aldean remains an unassuming country musician despite all his success and accolades. Born in Macon, Georgia and raised by his mother after their father abandoned them as a family unit. His career started by entering talent contests and performing at local bars.
Aldean’s fans have rallied behind him despite “Hicktown,” even coming forward to defend it as not racist or violent.
Aldean recently spoke in depth about his music and its current and emerging artists that he admires, his relationship with wife Brittany and Memphis as well as their eight year anniversary celebration with a sweet social media post where they both expressed their joy at being “lions not sheep,” before thanking their supporters and offering best wishes for happy holidays and thanking everyone involved with promoting their message: “We love y’all – free thinkers not sheep”.
6. Kenny Chesney
Kenny Chesney has amassed more than 60 top-10 singles on country airplay charts and sold more than 30 million albums since 1985. Additionally, he is one of the most active touring artists within his genre and has sold out stadiums on his solo tours.
Chesney first achieved number one with his 2002 album No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem and has released albums regularly since then. 2005 saw two such releases; Be As You Are and The Road and Radio were both toured for. Chesney even won CMA’s Entertainer of the Year award!
Since 2012, Chesney has released new music almost annually, such as Welcome to the Fishbowl (2012), Life on a Rock (2013), The Big Revival (2014), Cosmic Hallelujah (2016) and No Shoes Nation (2017). He has also collaborated with Tim McGraw on two tours.
7. Taylor Swift
Since releasing her self-titled debut album in 2006, Taylor Swift has reigned supreme over music charts, transformed herself artistically, garnered numerous awards and defied public critics alike. Her Fearless Tour grossed over $123 Million while in 2023 Time named Swift Person of the Year.
Swift has earned widespread praise for her autobiographical songwriting and artistic innovations, and for understanding what her fans want from her. From writing about heartbreak to teenage alienation, her songs have touched upon themes that resonate across a broad range of listeners.
Since 2013 and her 2013 album RED, she has collaborated with Max Martin and Shellback as producers and songwriters, adding new genres into her musical style. folklore was released in 2020 and spent an incredible eight weeks at #1 on Billboard 200; additionally she is an established fashion designer and actress.
8. Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood is one of the most decorated country music artists, boasting numerous accolades from Grammys to Academy of Country Music awards and Country Music Association honors. Furthermore, she is renowned as an actress and host.
She’s also an active philanthropist who has raised money for MusiCares while founding the C.A.T.S Foundation in Oklahoma to provide funds for projects related to music education and updated technology in schools.
Since winning season 4 of American Idol, Underwood has cemented her place as a country superstar. Her debut album Some Hearts and singles “Jesus Take the Wheel” and “Before He Cheats” topped charts and her Play On Tour played to over 1 Million fans; more recently in 2022 she released her fifth studio album Storyteller.
9. Keith Urban
Keith Urban first found success in Australia before moving to Nashville, Tennessee–known for its rich country music history–in 1992. There he formed The Ranch band and released his self-titled album with some modest commercial success.
Urban found success through appearances at talent shows and his own tours, writing songs for other albums – most notably for artists like Dixie Chicks. He began writing and playing guitar on various records as well.
Urban made his American debut with his second eponymous album in 1999 and quickly scored a number-one hit on Billboard country singles chart with “But for the Grace of God.” Subsequent albums followed such as Golden Road (2002) and Be Here (2004); Urban has received numerous accolades since such as 20 award show nominations as well as coaching duties on Australian edition of “The Voice”. Most recently released studio albums are FUSE (2015) and Ripcord (2016).
10. Luke Bryan
In the 1970s, country music artists emerged in large numbers. Charley Pride became one of the first Black country stars with his distinctive baritone voice breaking racial barriers and continues to tour today.
Bryan has won five consecutive Entertainer of the Year awards and has had over thirty Top 10 hits and more RIAA-certified digital singles than any other country artist. Additionally, he has hosted various television programs as well as headlined stadium concerts.
Corey Kent delivers the classic girl group sass and honky tonk swagger of 70s outlaw country music through simple truths and scorching riffs. Born in Texas, Corey studied microbiology at Middle Tennessee State University before creating the indie rock band AutoVaughn post-degree.