1. Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash was an American singer-songwriter known for his deep, distinctive voice and unique blend of country, rock and roll, and gospel music. Born in 1932, Cash grew up in Arkansas and began his music career in the 1950s, eventually achieving legendary status with hits like “I Walk the Line,” “Ring of Fire,” and “Folsom Prison Blues.” He also gained a reputation for his rebellious spirit and countercultural persona, cementing his place in the pantheon of American music. Cash died in 2003, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential and beloved figures in country music.
2. Josh Turner
Josh Turner is a contemporary country singer-songwriter hailing from South Carolina. With his rich baritone voice and traditionalist style, Turner has become one of the most recognizable voices in modern country music. He broke through in 2003 with his debut album, “Long Black Train,” and has since released numerous hit songs, including “Your Man,” “Would You Go with Me,” and “Hometown Girl.” Turner’s music is known for its heartfelt lyrics, catchy melodies, and nods to classic country sounds, making him a favorite among both traditional country fans and new listeners alike.
3. Trace Adkins
Trace Adkins is an American country music singer and actor known for his deep, distinctive voice and larger-than-life persona. Born in Louisiana in 1962, Adkins began his music career in the mid-1990s and quickly rose to fame with hits like “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” “You’re Gonna Miss This,” and “Ladies Love Country Boys.” In addition to his successful music career, Adkins has also appeared in a number of films and television shows. Known for his imposing stature and rugged, masculine image, Adkins has become a beloved figure in the world of country music.
4. Randy Travis
Randy Travis is a legendary country singer-songwriter known for his traditionalist style and distinctive baritone voice. Born in North Carolina in 1959, Travis began his music career in the mid-1980s and quickly became one of the most popular and influential figures in country music. With hits like “Forever and Ever, Amen,” “On the Other Hand,” and “I Told You So,” Travis helped usher in a new era of traditional country music in the 1980s and 1990s. Despite a series of personal setbacks in the years since, Travis remains a beloved and highly respected figure in the country music community.
5. Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard was an American country music singer-songwriter known for his gritty, honest lyrics and outlaw image. Born in California in 1937, Haggard’s troubled youth, including time spent in prison, informed much of his music, which often explored themes of hard living, heartbreak, and redemption. With hits like “Okie from Muskogee,” “The Fightin’ Side of Me,” and “Mama Tried,” Haggard became one of the most influential figures in country music, helping to define the Bakersfield sound of the 1960s and 1970s. Haggard passed away in 2016, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest country music artists of all time.
6. George Jones
Merle Haggard was an American country music singer-songwriter known for his gritty, honest lyrics and outlaw image. Born in California in 1937, Haggard’s troubled youth, including time spent in prison, informed much of his music, which often explored themes of hard living, heartbreak, and redemption. With hits like “Okie from Muskogee,” “The Fightin’ Side of Me,” and “Mama Tried,” Haggard became one of the most influential figures in country music, helping to define the Bakersfield sound of the 1960s and 1970s. Haggard passed away in 2016, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest country music artists of all time.
7. Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings was an American country music singer-songwriter known for his gritty, outlaw style and collaborations with other country music legends, including Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash. Born in Texas in 1937, Jennings began his music career in the 1950s and became a leading figure in the outlaw country movement of the 1970s. With hits like “Good Hearted Woman,” “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys,” and “Luckenbach, Texas,” Jennings’ music blended country, rock, and blues, and helped to redefine the sound of country music for a new generation.
8. Chris Stapleton
Chris Stapleton is a contemporary American country music singer-songwriter known for his soulful voice and songwriting chops. Born in Kentucky in 1978, Stapleton began his music career in the early 2000s, performing with a number of bands before striking out on his own. He gained widespread recognition in 2015 with his debut solo album, “Traveller,” which earned him numerous awards and critical acclaim. Known for his authentic, rootsy sound and honest, emotional lyrics, Stapleton has become one of the most respected and successful artists in modern country music, with hits like “Tennessee Whiskey,” “Broken Halos,” and “Fire Away.”
9. Jamey Johnson
Jamey Johnson is an American country music singer-songwriter and guitarist known for his soulful and introspective style. With a deep, rich voice and a talent for storytelling, Johnson has earned critical acclaim for his songwriting and performances. He has released several albums, including “That Lonesome Song” and “The Guitar Song,” which showcase his ability to blend traditional country sounds with more contemporary elements. Johnson has collaborated with a number of notable artists, including Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard, and has been recognized with awards from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.
10. Aaron Lewis
Aaron Lewis is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist known for his work in the rock band Staind as well as his solo country music career. With a powerful voice and raw emotion, Lewis has won over fans with his honest and introspective lyrics. He has released several albums as a solo artist, including “The Road” and “State I’m In,” which showcase his ability to blend traditional country sounds with elements of rock and blues. Lewis has collaborated with notable artists such as George Jones and Charlie Daniels and has been recognized with awards from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.
11. Blake Shelton
Blake Shelton is an American country music singer, songwriter, and television personality. With a distinctively smooth voice and a talent for writing catchy, upbeat songs, Shelton has become one of the most popular country artists of his generation. He has released several albums, including “Loaded: The Best of Blake Shelton” and “Texoma Shore,” which showcase his ability to blend traditional country sounds with more contemporary elements. Shelton is also known for his role as a coach on the hit television show “The Voice,” where he has won multiple seasons with his contestants.
12. Darius Rucker
Darius Rucker is an American singer and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Hootie & the Blowfish. In recent years, he has also found success as a country music artist, releasing several albums including “Learn to Live” and “True Believers.” With a smooth, soulful voice and a knack for storytelling, Rucker has earned critical acclaim for his country music work. He has collaborated with a number of notable artists, including Brad Paisley and Lady Antebellum, and has been recognized with awards from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.
13. Ronnie Dunn (of Brooks & Dunn)
Ronnie Dunn is an American country music singer-songwriter, best known as one half of the legendary country duo Brooks & Dunn. With his powerful, emotive voice and talent for crafting memorable songs, Dunn has become one of the most influential figures in modern country music. He has released several solo albums, including “Ronnie Dunn” and “Tattooed Heart,” which showcase his ability to blend traditional country sounds with elements of rock and pop. Dunn has also collaborated with a number of notable artists, including Reba McEntire and Kix Brooks, and has been recognized with awards from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.
14. Zac Brown
Zac Brown is an American singer, songwriter, and musician, best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the Zac Brown Band. With a distinctive voice and a unique blend of country, rock, and jam band influences, Brown has become one of the most popular artists in contemporary country music. He has released several albums, including “The Foundation” and “Welcome Home,” which showcase his ability to write catchy, upbeat songs as well as heartfelt ballads. Brown has collaborated with a number of notable artists, including Jimmy Buffett and Dave Grohl, and has been recognized with awards from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.
15. Johnny Lee
Johnny Lee is an American country music singer known for his hit song “Looking for Love,” which became a crossover success in the early 1980s. With his smooth voice and laid-back style, Lee has become a beloved figure in country music. He has released several albums, including “Country Party” and “Greatest Hits,” which showcase his ability to blend traditional country sounds with more contemporary elements. Lee has also appeared in a number of films and television shows, including the 1980 film “Urban Cowboy.”
16. Lee Brice
Lee Brice is an American country music singer-songwriter known for his emotional ballads and high-energy performances. With his soulful voice and talent for storytelling, Brice has become one of the most popular artists in contemporary country music. He has released several albums, including “Hard 2 Love” and “Hey World,” which showcase his ability to write both upbeat, anthemic songs and heartfelt ballads. Brice has collaborated with a number of notable artists, including Luke Bryan and Carly Pearce, and has been recognized with awards from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.
17. Luke Combs
Luke Combs is an American country music singer and songwriter known for his powerful voice and relatable lyrics. With his signature sound that blends traditional country with rock and pop influences, Combs has become one of the biggest names in contemporary country music. He has released several albums, including “This One’s for You” and “What You See Is What You Get,” which have spawned numerous hit singles. Combs has collaborated with a number of notable artists, including Eric Church and Brooks & Dunn, and has been recognized with awards from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.
18. Cody Jinks
Cody Jinks is an American country music singer and songwriter known for his gritty, honest lyrics and raw, emotive voice. With his outlaw country sound that draws from classic country, Southern rock, and heavy metal influences, Jinks has become a beloved figure in the genre. He has released several albums, including “Lifers” and “I’m Not the Devil,” which showcase his ability to write hard-hitting songs about life’s struggles and triumphs. Jinks has built a devoted fanbase through relentless touring and word-of-mouth, and has been recognized with awards from the Texas Regional Radio Music Awards.
19. Tim McGraw
Tim McGraw is an American country music singer and actor known for his smooth voice and relatable songs. With a career spanning several decades, McGraw has become one of the most successful and influential artists in modern country music. He has released numerous albums, including “Not a Moment Too Soon” and “Live Like You Were Dying,” which have produced multiple hit singles. McGraw has also acted in a number of films, including “The Blind Side” and “Friday Night Lights.” He has collaborated with a variety of artists from different genres, and has been recognized with awards from the Academy of Country Music, the Country Music Association, and the Grammy Awards.
20. Tyler Childers
Tyler Childers is an American country music singer and songwriter known for his authentic, heartfelt lyrics and soulful voice. With his traditional country sound that draws from Appalachian folk music, Childers has become one of the most critically acclaimed artists in the genre. He has released several albums, including “Purgatory” and “Country Squire,” which showcase his ability to write songs about love, loss, and life in rural America. Childers has built a loyal fanbase through his relentless touring and independent spirit, and has been recognized with awards from the Americana Music Honors & Awards and the International Bluegrass Music Awards.
Macey West is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
