- Photo:
- Robby Klein / River House Artists / Sony Music Entertainment
The Best Country Singers Of 2024
Ranked By
33.8K votes
4.4K voters
7 reranks
Latest additions: Jelly Roll
Most divisive: Shania Twain
Over 4.4K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Country Singers Of 2024
In 2024, the world of country music has soared to new heights with a host of fantastic performers owning the stage. This comprehensive list pays tribute to the best country artists of 2024, ranked tirelessly by dedicated fans worldwide. Rather than solely focusing on chart-topping hits or social media follows, this ranking prioritizes the artists' overall talent, their songwriting prowess, dynamic stage presence, and their ability to emotionally connect with the audience. As it’s compiled based on fans' votes, it uncovers who truly rules the hearts of the country music lovers globally.
Stealing the spotlight is Lainey Wilson, known for her authentic storytelling that beautifully encapsulates the essence of traditional country music. People find her deep, soulful voice both soothing and catchy, making her a top contender on our list. Luke Combs follows closely with his crisp, resonant vocal tone and heart-rending songs. This list wouldn't be complete without mentioning Kacey Musgraves, whose intricate lyrics and sleek production add a contemporary edge to the country scene. Chris Stapleton stands out with his purely raw voice and introspective writing style that has redefined the genre. Morgan Wallen, despite certain controversies, remains loved by many fans for his passionate performances. The debutant Megan Moroney impresses with her vibrant vocals and emotive tracks. Jelly Roll is the wild card entry whose fusion of country, hip-hop, and rock offers a unique flavor to the music landscape. Each artist brings a distinct hue to the canvas of 2024's country music.
Each of these artists brings their own unique charm and sound to the country music landscape, proving there's more to this genre than meets the eye. Their music celebrates the honest, heartfelt storytelling that country music is known for, while also pushing its boundaries.
This definitive list needs your input to remain a true voice of country music fans. So we urge you, the listeners, who truly appreciate the soul of country music, to cast your vote. Support your beloved artists and make your voice heard. After all, it is you who ultimately decide who walks away with the title of the best country artist of 2024.
- Luke Albert Combs (born March 2, 1990) is an American country music singer and songwriter. Born and raised in North Carolina, Combs began performing as a child, most notably performing at Carnegie Hall. After dropping out of college to pursue a career in music, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he released his debut extended play, The Way She Rides, in 2014. In 2017, Combs released his debut album, This One's for You, which reached number four on the Billboard 200. Combs released his second album, What You See Is What You Get, on November 8, 2019. The album topped the charts in multiple territories, becoming his first to do so. A deluxe version of the album was released on October 23, 2020, including the song "Forever After All". Combs' music has earned him two Grammy Award nominations, two iHeart Radio music awards, four Academy of Country Music Awards and six Country Music Association Awards, including the 2021 Entertainer of the Year award, their highest honor.
- Morgan Cole Wallen (born May 13, 1993) is an American country music singer and songwriter. He competed in the sixth season of The Voice, originally as a member of Usher's team, but later as a member of Adam Levine's team. After being eliminated in the playoffs of that season, he signed to Panacea Records, releasing his debut EP, Stand Alone, in 2015. In 2016, Wallen signed to Big Loud, releasing his debut album, If I Know Me, in 2018. The album includes the singles "Up Down" (featuring Florida Georgia Line), "Whiskey Glasses", and "Chasin' You". If I Know Me reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. Wallen's second album, Dangerous: The Double Album, was released in January 2021, and in February 2021 became the only country album in the 64-year history of the Billboard 200 to spend its first seven weeks at No. 1. It went on to spend a total of ten weeks at that spot, the first album to do so since Whitney Houston's Whitney in 1987.
votes needed!NEW TO THE LIST
NEW#28Jelly Roll
- Christopher Alvin Stapleton (born April 15, 1978) is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. He was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and grew up in Staffordsville, Kentucky, until moving to Nashville, Tennessee, in 2001 to pursue a career in music writing songs. Subsequently, Stapleton signed a contract with Sea Gayle Music to write and publish his music.As of 2018, Stapleton has amassed credits writing and co-writing over 170 songs. He has co-written six number-one country songs including Kenny Chesney's five-week number-one "Never Wanted Nothing More", George Strait's "Love's Gonna Make It Alright", and Luke Bryan's "Drink a Beer". His songs have appeared on many artists albums including Adele, Brad Paisley, and Dierks Bentley. He has co-written with several artists as well including Vince Gill, Peter Frampton, Sheryl Crow and Ed Sheeran. Stapleton has been recognized with several awards including five Grammy Awards, seven Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, and ten Country Music Association (CMA) Awards. As a vocalist, Stapleton sang lead in two bands before he started recording as a solo artist including a bluegrass ensemble from 2008 to 2010 called The SteelDrivers. After that, he released his solo debut: the critically acclaimed studio album titled Traveller (2015), which reached number one on the US Billboard 200 and was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His second studio album From A Room: Volume 1 was released in May 2017, and earned him a second CMA Award for Album of the Year and also a Grammy Award for Best Country Album. From A Room: Volume 2 was released in December 2017.The Best Artists Like Chris StapletonSee all
- 1Tyler Childers37 Votes
- 2Sturgill Simpson28 Votes
- 3Zac Brown Band25 Votes
- Cody Johnson (born May 21, 1987 in Sebastopol, Texas) is an American Texas country singer-songwriter. He has self-released six albums; the sixth album Gotta Be Me debuted at number two on Billboard's Country Albums chart.
- Lainey Wilson (born May 19, 1992) is an American country music singer–songwriter. Wilson performed from an early age, before going to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue a career as a country performer. In 2014, she released her first album, followed by a second on the Lone Chief label in 2016. Wilson secured a publishing deal and later released an extended play (EP) in 2019, which included the song "Things a Man Oughta Know". In 2020, it was issued as a single through the BBR Music Group and eventually reached number one on the American country songs chart.
- Throughout his Hollywood career, George Strait had a variety of powerful musical performances. Strait worked on a variety of projects during his early entertainment career, including "Near Dark" with Adrian Pasdar (1987), "Road House" (1989) and "The 18th Annual Country Music Association Awards" (CBS, 1984-85). He also contributed to "The 19th Annual Country Music Association Awards" (CBS, 1985-86), "The River" with Mel Gibson (1984) and "The Soldier" (1982) starring Ken Wahl. In the eighties and the nineties, Strait devoted his time to various credits, such as "Super Bowl Saturday Nite" (CBS, 1989-1990), "The 23rd Annual Country Music Association Awards" (CBS, 1989-1990) and "Nova" (PBS, 1990-2013). He also worked on "Pure Country" (1992). Strait's music was also a part of the crime drama "Cold Creek Manor" (2003) with Dennis Quaid, the romantic comedy "Did You Hear About the Morgans?" (2009) with Hugh Grant and the comedy "The Guilt Trip" (2012) with Barbra Streisand. In addition to his music, Strait also appeared on-screen in the Emma Roberts children "Grand Champion" (2004) and "Pure Country 2: The Gift" (2011) with Katrina Elam. Most recently, Strait appeared on "The 50th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards" (CBS, 2014-15). Strait won a Best Country Album Grammy Award in 2008.
- Alan Eugene Jackson (born October 17, 1958) is an American country singer and songwriter. He is known for honoring a “traditional country” musical style, and for penning many of his own songs. Jackson has recorded 16 studio albums, three greatest hits albums, two Christmas albums, and two gospel albums. Jackson has sold over 80 million records, with 66 titles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. Of the 66 titles, and six featured singles, 38 have reached the top five and 35 have claimed the number one spot. Out of 15 titles to reach the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, nine have been certified multi-platinum. He is the recipient of two Grammy Awards, 16 CMA Awards, 17 ACM Awards and nominee of multiple other awards. He is a member of the Grand Ole Opry, and was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2001. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2017 by Loretta Lynn and into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018.
- Toby Keith, born Toby Keith Covel in 1961 in Clinton, Oklahoma, has emerged as one of the most prominent figures in American country music. His early exposure to the musical scene was fostered by his grandmother, who owned a supper club that featured live country music. This environment cultivated Keith's love for this genre, and he learned to play the guitar at an early age. After working in the oil industry and playing defensive end with the semi-pro Oklahoma City Drillers football team, Keith turned to music full time when the oil industry took a downturn in the early 1980s. Keith's rise to fame began with his self-titled debut album in 1993, which included the number one hit "Should've Been a Cowboy". The success of this album set the pace for his career, with his subsequent albums consistently topping country charts. His knack for writing relatable, catchy songs that resonated deeply with listeners contributed significantly to his popularity. Some of his biggest hits include "How Do You Like Me Now?!" "Beer For My Horses," and "Love This Bar." Over the course of his career, Keith has released more than 20 studio albums, several compilation albums and has charted over 60 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including 21 number one hits. Beyond his success in music, Keith has also ventured into acting, with appearances in films and television shows. He has been honored with numerous awards, including Artist of the Decade by the American Country Awards in 2011 and induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015.
- Tim McGraw, born Samuel Timothy McGraw in 1967 in Delhi, Louisiana, is a highly accomplished American country singer and songwriter. He has shaped the contemporary country music landscape with his soulful vocals and compelling storytelling. His journey to stardom began after discovering that his estranged father was Tug McGraw, a professional baseball player, which inspired him to pursue his dreams with steely determination. McGraw's music career took off in 1990 when he signed with Curb Records. In his initial years, he produced several successful singles that contributed to the growth of his fame. His breakthrough came in 1994 with the release of the album Not a Moment Too Soon, which peaked at number one on the Billboard Country charts. Throughout his career, McGraw has released more than 14 studio albums and a majority of those have reached number one on the Top Country Albums charts. He has also won multiple awards, including Grammys, over a dozen Academy of Country Music awards, and even a few People's Choice Awards, proving his mettle as a distinguished artist. Beyond music, Tim McGraw has also ventured into acting, showcasing his talent in films like Friday Night Lights and The Blind Side. His endeavors aren't limited to entertainment; he has been involved in various philanthropic activities. Together with his wife, Faith Hill, another country superstar, they have initiated several charitable projects, including Neighbor's Keeper Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at improving community services in areas such as education and health. Despite his numerous accomplishments, McGraw remains grounded, often crediting his success to his fans and maintaining a warm, down-to-earth persona that resonates with audiences worldwide.The Best Tim McGraw MoviesSee all
- 1The Blind Side46 Votes
- 2Friday Night Lights37 Votes
- 3Flicka34 Votes
- One of the most consistently popular country artists of the late 2000s and '10s, Luke Bryan became a superstar by adapting to the times as he went along, nailing the Nashville zeitgeist with startling regularity. Born on July 17, 1976 in Leesburg, Georgia, Bryan eventually made his way to Music City, where he first connected as a songwriter. His songs were cut by artists like Travis Tritt and Billy Currington before he released his first album, 2007's I'll Stay Me, on Capitol Nashville. The record went Gold and gave Bryan a No. 5 single with "All My Friends Say." As auspicious a beginning as that was, 2009's Doin' My Thing broke Bryan even bigger, going Platinum and bringing two No. 1 country hits, "Rain is a Good Thing" and "Someone Else Calling You Baby." Even that was a drop in the bucket compared to Bryan's next album, Tailgates and Tanlines, which began to add hip-hop/R&B-inflected dance grooves to his sound and eventually went Platinum six times over, generating the mega-hits "Country Girl (Shake It for Me)," "I don't Want This Night to End," and "Drunk on You." After that, No. 1 albums (on both the country and pop charts) and singles became the norm for Bryan, who remained one of country music's biggest names for many years to come. Along the way he won boatloads of awards from the Academy of Country Music and others. In 2018 Bryan's profile expanded even further when he became a regular TV presence as one of the judges on the rebooted "American Idol" (ABC 2018- ).
- Emerging at the same time as fellow Nashville hit-makers Luke Bryan and Eric Church, Jason Aldean became an integral part of the mid-2000s scene which perfectly bridged the gap between country and party-loving rock. Born in Macon, Georgia in 1977, Aldean was encouraged to play the guitar by his father; inspired by the likes of George Strait, Hank Williams Jr. and Alabama, he began performing at his local VFW hall during his early teens. At the age of 15, he moved on to various talent contests and local fairs before joining the house band at his hometown's nightspot, Nashville South. While performing there, he also started to write his own material, eventually landing a publishing deal with Warner-Chappell. However, a record contract proved to be much more elusive and after several false starts, Aldean was on the verge of abandoning his musical ambitions until indie label Broken Bow Records spotted his talent and promptly signed him in 2005. Aldean's self-titled debut album followed in the same year and spawned several Top 10 country hits including a cover of McBride & The Ride's "Amarillo Sky" and the first of many number one singles, "Why." Aldean then consolidated his status as Nashville's new golden boy with an ACM Award for Top New Male Vocalist, while both 2007 sophomore Relentless, and 2009's Wide Open peaked at No. 4 on the US charts. After appearing alongside Bryan Adams on an episode of "CMT Crossroads" (CMT, 2002-), Aldean's crossover appeal received a further boost with 2010's My Kinda Party, which featured a Grammy-nominated duet with Kelly Clarkson ("Don't You Wanna Stay") and a mainstream Top 10 hit ("Dirt Road Anthem") which he would later perform at the CMT Music Awards with rapper Ludacris. In 2012, he scored his first chart-topper on the Billboard 200 with Night Train, which would go on to produce four US Country Airplay number ones including a hook-up with Bryan and Church on "The Only Way I Know." Following in the footsteps of his one-time touring partner Tim McGraw, Aldean then ventured into Hollywood when he was cast as menacing henchman Daniel in the Western thriller "Sweetwater" (2013). Sixth album Old Boots, New Dirt (2014) followed, featuring the hit "Burnin' It Down," his biggest single since 2011's "Dirt Road Anthem." 2016's They Don't Know continued the country chart success of its predecessors, though none of its four singles crossed over to the pop charts.
- Zac Brown Band is an American country band based in Atlanta, Georgia. The lineup consists of Zachary Alexander "Zac" Brown (lead vocals, guitar), Jimmy De Martini (fiddle, vocals), John Driskell Hopkins (bass guitar, guitar, baritone guitar, banjo, ukulele, upright bass, vocals), Coy Bowles (guitar, keyboards), Chris Fryar (drums), Clay Cook (guitar, keyboards, mandolin, steel guitar, vocals), Matt Mangano (bass guitar), and Daniel de los Reyes (percussion). The band has released six studio albums along with two live albums, one greatest-hits album, and two extended plays. They have also 16 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs or Country Airplay chart, of which 13 have reached number 1. Their first album, The Foundation, is certified triple-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, while its follow-ups, You Get What You Give and Uncaged, are certified platinum. Artists with whom they have collaborated include Alan Jackson, Jimmy Buffett, Kid Rock, Jason Mraz, Dave Grohl, Chris Cornell and Avicii.The Best Zac Brown Band Albums, RankedSee all
- 1Uncaged72 Votes
- 2The Foundation84 Votes
- 3You Get What You Give83 Votes
- Carrie Underwood, a celebrated figure in the realm of country music, hails from Muskogee, Oklahoma. Born on March 10, 1983, she grew up on her parents' farm where she developed a deep passion for music at an early age. Her journey towards stardom began in earnest when she won the fourth season of American Idol in 2005, a victory that launched her into the limelight and set the stage for an illustrious career. Underwood's musical prowess has been recognized with numerous accolades. She is a seven-time Grammy Award winner, with honors that include Best New Artist and Best Female Country Vocal Performance. Additionally, she has received 14 Academy of Country Music Awards, and in 2009, was inducted into the prestigious Grand Ole Opry, a testament to her substantial impact on country music. Her discography boasts multiple multi-platinum albums, including Some Hearts, Carnival Ride, and Blown Away, each one showcasing her powerful vocals and storytelling abilities. Apart from her successful music career, Underwood is also known for her philanthropic efforts. She established the C.A.T.S Foundation (Checotah Animal, Town, and School Foundation) to aid her hometown's educational and animal-related causes. Moreover, she has supported several organizations such as the Red Cross and Save the Children, further showcasing her compassion and dedication to making a positive difference in the world. Carrie Underwood's journey from a small-town girl to an award-winning country superstar is a testament to her talent, resilience, and enduring charm.
- Blake Shelton, a household name in the American country music scene, was born on June 18, 1976, in Ada, Oklahoma. From a young age, his talent for music was evident and by the tender age of 16, he had already received a Denbo Diamond Award, Oklahoma's top award for young entertainers. His passion and talent for music would lead him to Nashville at age 17 to chase his dreams. Shelton's professional music career kicked off in 2001 when he signed with Giant Records and released his self-titled debut album, which featured the single "Austin". It became a chart-topper on the Billboard Hot Country Songs and marked the start of his successful journey in the music industry. Over the years, he has produced numerous albums, each one a testament to his musical prowess. Notable amongst them is 2011's Red River Blue, featuring the iconic song "Honey Bee" which went triple platinum. Aside from his successful music career, Shelton also became a prominent TV personality, most notably as a coach on NBC's reality TV singing competition, The Voice. His charismatic personality and sharp wit have won over the hearts of many viewers. Throughout his tenure on the show, he has mentored multiple winners, further establishing his reputation as a significant figure in the world of music.
- Kenneth Eric Church (born May 3, 1977) is an American country music singer-songwriter. He has released six studio albums through Capitol Nashville since 2005. His debut album, 2006's Sinners Like Me, produced three singles on the Billboard country charts including the top 20 hits "How 'Bout You", "Two Pink Lines", and "Guys Like Me". His second album, 2009's Carolina, produced three more singles: "Smoke a Little Smoke" and his first top 10 hits, "Love Your Love the Most" and "Hell on the Heart". 2011's Chief, his first No. 1 album, gave him his first two No. 1 singles, "Drink in My Hand" and "Springsteen", and the hits "Homeboy", "Creepin'", and "Like Jesus Does". His third No. 1 single was "The Only Way I Know", which he, Jason Aldean, and Luke Bryan recorded for Aldean's album Night Train. A fourth album, The Outsiders", was released in February 2014. It produced five new singles between 2013–15 with the title track, "Give Me Back My Hometown", "Cold One", "Talladega" and "Like a Wrecking Ball". "Talladega" and "Give Me Back My Hometown" each reached number one on the Country Airplay chart. Eric Church got his sixth No. 1 hit with Keith Urban in May 2015 with the single "Raise 'Em Up". His fifth studio album, Mr. Misunderstood, was released in November 2015 and went on to produce two number one singles with "Record Year" and "Round Here Buzz". On July 13, 2018, Church released the first single and title track of his newest album Desperate Man, which was released in October 2018.
- Thomas Rhett Akins Jr. (born March 30, 1990) is an American country music singer-songwriter. He is the son of singer Rhett Akins. Rhett has released five studio albums for Big Machine Records' Valory Music imprint: It Goes Like This (2013), Tangled Up (2015), Life Changes (2017), Center Point Road (2019) and Country Again: Side A (2021). He has received four Grammy Award nominations with two albums being nominated for Best Country Album in 2017 and 2019. His five albums have produced twenty-one singles on the Billboard Hot Country and Country Airplay charts, with seventeen reaching the No. 1 position on the latter: "It Goes Like This", "Get Me Some of That", "Make Me Wanna", "Crash and Burn", "Die a Happy Man", "T-Shirt", "Star of the Show", "Craving You", "Unforgettable", "Marry Me", "Life Changes", "Sixteen", “Remember You Young”, "Look What God Gave Her", "Beer Can't Fix", "What's Your Country Song", and "Country Again". Rhett has also written singles for Jason Aldean and Lee Brice.
- 17Michael Wilson Hardy (born September 13, 1990), known professionally as Hardy, is an American country music singer and songwriter. He has written songs for Florida Georgia Line, Chris Lane, Blake Shelton, Dallas Smith, and Morgan Wallen, and has released his own music through Big Loud Records.
- Jordan Davis is an American country music singer signed to Universal Music Group Nashville's MCA Nashville division. He secured a recording contract with Universal Music Group Nashville in 2016. Davis' debut single, "Singles You Up", came out in mid-2017. He wrote the song with Steven Dale Jones and Justin Ebach.
- Dolly Parton, born on January 19, 1946, in a one-room cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, is an iconic figure in the world of music. The fourth of twelve children, her family was impoverished, but rich in music and love. Her talent for singing and songwriting emerged at a very young age. By the age of 10, she was performing on local television and radio shows in Knoxville, Tennessee. At 13, she made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry, where country music star Johnny Cash encouraged her to follow her dreams. Parton's career took off when she paired with Porter Wagoner on his popular television show in the late 1960s. Their duets became immensely popular, leading to a successful musical partnership that lasted for seven years. In 1974, Parton decided to pursue a solo career. Her decision was met with great success as she produced numerous hits such as "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You," the latter being later covered by Whitney Houston, becoming one of the best-selling singles of all time. Beyond her musical accomplishments, Parton has made significant contributions to literacy through her non-profit organization, the Imagination Library. Founded in 1995, the program mails free books to children around the world to foster a love of reading. Never one to shy away from acting, Parton has also starred in several successful films including 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias. Despite her fame and success, Parton remains grounded, always cherishing her humble beginnings, which continue to inspire her music and philanthropy.The Best Dolly Parton Albums of All TimeSee all
- 1Coat of Many Colors159 Votes
- 2Jolene188 Votes
- 3Here You Come Again155 Votes
- Jonathan Ryan Pardi (born May 20, 1985) is an American country music singer, songwriter, and record producer, signed to Capitol Nashville. He has released two studio albums, one extended play, and eight singles that have charted on the Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts.
- Brooks & Dunn are an American country music duo consisting of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, both of whom are vocalists and songwriters. The duo was founded in 1990 through the suggestion of Tim DuBois. Before their formation, both members were solo recording artists. Both members charted two solo singles apiece in the 1980s, with Brooks also releasing an album for Capitol Records in 1989 and writing hit singles for other artists. Founded in 1990, the duo signed to Arista Nashville that year. They have recorded 11 studio albums, one Christmas album and five compilation albums for the label. They also have released 50 singles, of which 20 went to number one on the Hot Country Songs charts and 19 more reached top 10. Two of these number-one songs, "My Maria" (a cover of the B.W. Stevenson song) and "Ain't Nothing 'bout You", were the top country songs of 1996 and 2001, respectively, according to the Billboard Year-End charts.The Best Brooks & Dunn Albums, RankedSee all
- 1Hard Workin' Man37 Votes
- 2Brand New Man39 Votes
- 3Waitin' on Sundown27 Votes
- Miranda Leigh Lambert (born November 10, 1983) is an American country music singer and songwriter. In 2003, she finished in third place of the television program Nashville Star, a singing competition which aired on the USA Network. Outside her solo career, she is a member of the Pistol Annies formed in 2011 alongside Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley. Lambert has been honored by the Grammy Awards, the Academy of Country Music Awards and the Country Music Association Awards. Lambert's debut album Kerosene (2005) was certified Platinum in the United States and produced the singles "Me and Charlie Talking," "Bring Me Down," "Kerosene" and "New Strings." All four singles reached the top 40 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs. Her second album, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, was released in early 2007. Three of its singles ("Famous in a Small Town," "Gunpowder & Lead" and "More Like Her") peaked within the top 20 on the country songs chart, with "Gunpowder & Lead" becoming her first top 10 entry in July 2008. Her third album, Revolution, was released in September 2009. Two of its songs – "The House That Built Me" and "Heart Like Mine" – topped the Hot Country Songs chart.2011's Four the Record, included the singles "Baggage Claim," "Over You," "Fastest Girl in Town," "Mama's Broken Heart" and "All Kinds of Kinds." Lambert released her fifth album, Platinum, in 2014. The record won the Grammy Award for Best Country Album, and the album's lead single "Automatic" reached top 5 on the Country charts. Her sixth studio album, The Weight of These Wings, was released on November 18, 2016, and subsequently certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
- Colden Rainey Swindell (born June 30, 1983), known professionally as Cole Swindell, is an American country music singer and songwriter. He has released thirteen singles, eight of which have reached number one on the Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts. Three more singles have reached the Top 10. The lead single from Swindell's fourth studio album, "Single Saturday Night," released in 2020, spent four weeks at number one on the Country Airplay chart, and became his first Top 20 single on the Billboard Hot 100.
- Throughout his Hollywood career, Lee Brice had a variety of powerful musical performances. Brice worked on a variety of projects during his early entertainment career, including "The Late Show With David Letterman" (CBS, 1993-2015) and "Camille" (2008). Brice also appeared in "Country Strong" (2010) starring Gwyneth Paltrow, "The Voice" (NBC, 2010-) and "ACM Presents: An All-Star Salute to the Troops" (CBS, 2013-14). He also worked on "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock" (ABC, 2014-15). More recently, Brice appeared on "The 50th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards" (CBS, 2014-15).
- Tyler Childers (born June 21, 1991) is an American country music singer and songwriter. He released his breakout album titled Purgatory in August 2017. The album was produced by Sturgill Simpson and David Ferguson and recorded at The Butcher Shoppe in Nashville. Simpson also played guitar and sang backing vocals on the album, with Miles Miller on drums, Stuart Duncan on fiddle and Russ Paul on other instruments. It debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Heatseekers Albums chart, No. 17 on the Country albums chart and No. 4 on the Americana/Folk albums chart.
- Kane Allen Brown (born October 21, 1993) is an American country music singer and songwriter. He first came to the attention of the public through social media. He released his first EP, titled Closer, in June 2015. A new single "Used to Love You Sober" was released in October 2015. After Brown signed with RCA Nashville in early 2016, the actual song was included on his EP Chapter 1, which was released in March 2016. He released his first full-length album, the self-titled Kane Brown on December 2, 2016. The single "What Ifs" was released the debut album, and in October 2017 Brown became the first artist to have simultaneous number ones on all five main country charts.
- 27Sam Lowry Hunt (born December 8, 1984) is an American singer and songwriter born in Cedartown, Georgia. Prior to his successful solo career, Hunt was credited for writing singles for Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Billy Currington, and Reba McEntire. His debut studio album, Montevallo (2014), broke several chart records with five singles spawned from the record, including three consecutive Hot Country Songs chart and four Country Airplay chart number ones.
- Jason Bradley DeFord (born December 4, 1984), known professionally as Jelly Roll (often stylized as JellyRoll), is an American singer, rapper and songwriter from Antioch, Tennessee. Beginning his career in 2003, he rose to mainstream prominence following the release of his singles "Need a Favor" (2023) and "Son of a Sinner" (2021), the latter of which won three CMT Music Awards. That same year, he received a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist.
- Kelsea Nicole Ballerini (born September 12, 1993) is an American country pop singer and songwriter. She is signed to Black River Entertainment, and released her first album The First Time in 2015. Her second album Unapologetically was released in 2017. She received a nomination for Best New Artist at the 2017 Grammy Awards.
- Tyler Hubbard is a singer-songwriter.
- Carly Cristyne Pearce (born April 24, 1990) is an American country music singer based in Nashville. Her debut single, "Every Little Thing," peaked at number one on the US Country Airplay chart. In 2016, she was a featured vocalist on Josh Abbott Band's "Wasn't That Drunk", which charted in the top 40 of Country Airplay. Pearce also toured with the band to perform the song, including a performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
- Dustin Charles Lynch (born May 14, 1985) is an American country music singer and songwriter, signed to Broken Bow Records. Lynch has released three albums for the label: a self-titled album in 2012, Where It's At in 2014, and Current Mood in 2017. He has also released eight singles, of which six have reached the No. 1 position on Country Airplay.
- Scott Cooke McCreery (born October 9, 1993) is an American country music singer. He won the tenth season of American Idol on May 25, 2011. His debut studio album, Clear as Day, was released in October 2011 and was certified platinum in the United States. The album includes the top 20 country songs, "I Love You This Big" and "The Trouble with Girls". McCreery released a Christmas album, Christmas with Scotty McCreery, in October 2012 and it has been certified gold. He released his third album, See You Tonight, in October 2013. The first single from the album, also called "See You Tonight", became his first song to reach the top ten on Billboard's Country charts. Setting a new record in July 2017 with his single "Five More Minutes", McCreery became the only country music artist in Country Aircheck/Mediabase history to chart a song without the backing of a record label; it topped Billboard in February 2018. His most recent album, Seasons Change, was released in March 2018 which became McCreery's fourth US top 10 album.
- Gabby Barrett (born March 5, 2000) is an American country music singer. She finished third on the sixteenth season of American Idol. Her debut single "I Hope" was the first top ten Hot Country Songs debut by an unaccompanied woman since October 2017. It has since become a top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been certified 3x Platinum by the RIAA. Her debut album Goldmine was released on June 19, 2020.
- Charles Edgar Walker Hayes (born December 27, 1979) is an American pop country singer and songwriter. He has released three studio albums: Reason to Rhyme in 2011 on Capitol Records Nashville, and Boom and Country Stuff the Album in 2017 and 2022 on Monument Records. Hayes has charted multiple singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts; his highest-peaking is "Fancy Like", which reached the number one position on both charts between late 2021 and early 2022.
- Dylan Scott Robinson (born October 22, 1990 in Bastrop, Louisiana) is an American country music singer and songwriter, better known by his stage name Dylan Scott. Scott is signed to Curb Records. Scott released his debut studio album, self-titled Dylan Scott, in August 2016. It debuted at number five on the Top Country Albums chart, selling 9,000 copies for the week.
- Dan + Shay is an American country music duo composed of vocalists and songwriters Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney. They are signed to Warner Bros. Records Nashville and have released three albums, Where It All Began, Obsessed, and Dan + Shay. These albums have accounted for a total of nine singles, of which five have topped the Country Airplay chart and two have topped the Hot Country Songs chart. In addition to their own material, the group's members have collaborated with Rascal Flatts, Lindsey Stirling, RaeLynn, and Kelly Clarkson among others.
- Maddie & Tae are an American female country music duo composed of Madison Marlow and Taylor Dye, both of whom are singers, songwriters, and guitarists. The duo was signed to the revived Dot Records in 2014. Their debut album, Start Here, was released on August 28, 2015 and includes the singles "Girl in a Country Song", "Fly", "Shut Up and Fish", and "Sierra". Following the closure of Dot, they signed to Mercury Nashville in 2018.
- Hank Williams Jr., born on May 26, 1949, is an iconic figure in American country music. He is the son of the legendary Hank Williams Sr., who passed away when he was just three years old, leaving him a rich musical legacy to carry forward. Hank Jr.'s musical journey began early, with his first stage appearance at the age of eight. Overcoming the shadows of his father's fame and his own personal trials, he carved a unique path in the music industry, blending Southern rock, blues, and traditional country into a style all his own. Williams's career expanded over five decades, showcasing his talent as a singer-songwriter with more than 20 gold albums, six platinum albums and 13 chart-topping singles. His biggest hits include "Family Tradition" and "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight," which became the opening theme for Monday Night Football from 1989 to 2011, and again from 2017 onwards. His work earned him numerous awards including multiple Entertainer of the Year awards from the Country Music Association, and induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Despite his professional success, Williams's life was not without adversity. In 1975, he nearly lost his life in a mountain-climbing accident, which resulted in years of surgeries and recovery. This period greatly influenced his music, leading to a more personal and introspective style that further distinguished him from his father's legacy. Despite these challenges, Hank Williams Jr. continued to enthral audiences with his dynamic performances and raw lyrical honesty, establishing himself as a resilient force in American country music.
- A gifted, low-key singer-songwriter, Kacey Musgraves provided a breath of fresh air to the country music industry. Born Aug. 21, 1988 in Sulphur Springs, TX, Kacey Lee Musgraves self-released three albums before she was 20 years old: 2002's Movin' On, 2003's Wanted: One Good Cowboy and 2007's Kacey Musgraves. She finally broke through to the mainstream when she competed on "Nashville Star" (USA Network, 2003-07; NBC, 2008). Although she only took seventh place, Musgraves made a big impression on fans and critics, who showered her singing and songwriting abilities with praise. She placed her song "Undermine" in an episode of "Nashville" (ABC, 2012- ) for Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere) to sing and co-wrote "Mama's Broken Heart" for Miranda Lambert, who turned the clever and catchy tune into a massive country hit. Gaining valuable exposure opening for superstars Lady Antebellum, Musgraves earned her own major label debut with 2013's Same Trailer Different Park, whose debut single, "Merry Go 'Round," reached went country Top 20. As her media profile grew, Musgraves gained further professional momentum when she earned four nominations at the Academy of Country Music Awards, including Music Video of the Year for "Merry Go 'Round" as well as Top Female Vocalist and Top New Female Artist. Musgrave's follow-up album Pageant Material was a solid critical success but lacked the crossover hits of her major-label debut. After the holiday album A Very Kacey Christmas (206) and feeling ignored by mainstream country radio, Musgraves went into a more rock-oriented direction with her next album, Golden Hour (2018), which continued her trend of critical raves and little traction on radio.
- Lauren Alaina sang with bravado and maturity well beyond her years, which launched her music career and made her one of the most talented finalists on the 10th season of the reality singing competition "American Idol" (Fox, 2002-16). She was born Lauren Alaina Suddeth on Nov. 8, 1994 in Rossville, GA. The future music star attended Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School in Fort Oglethorpe, GA, where she was a member of the cheerleading squad. A devoted Christian, Alaina always loved to sing, but she did not pursue her passion until her cousin, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor, inspired Alaina to pursue her dreams. She began performing at community events, competing in local singing contests, and tried her hand at songwriting. In 2011, Alaina tried out for the 10th season of "American Idol" in Nashville, TN, where she impressed judges Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler with her heartwarming rendition of Faith Hill's "Like We Never Loved at All" (2005), and then advanced to the semi-finals round in Hollywood.
- Brothers Osborne is an American country music duo consisting of brothers T.J. Osborne (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and John Osborne (lead guitar, background vocals). Born in Deale, Maryland, the duo signed a recording contract with EMI Records Nashville in 2012 and began releasing music the following year. Among their first successes was the 2014 single "Rum," which received critical acclaim. It was followed by "Stay a Little Longer," which became a top five hit. Their success led to the release of their debut studio album titled Pawn Shop (2015). Since then, Brothers Osborne have released the albums Port Saint Joe (2018) and Skeletons (2020). The duo have since had further hits with "Shoot Me Straight" (2018) and as featured artists on Dierks Bentley's "Burning Man" (2019). Along with their own songwriting, their musical success is credited to producer Jay Joyce, who's produced all of their music. Artists that they've worked with include David Nail, Dierks Bentley, and Lee Ann Womack.
- Shania Twain, born as Eilleen Regina Edwards in 1965, is a Canadian singer and songwriter who has made a significant impact on the global music scene. Known widely for her contributions to country and pop music, Twain's journey from her humble beginnings to becoming an internationally recognized artist is both inspiring and captivating. Her meteoric rise to fame in the mid-1990s was marked by her second studio album, The Woman in Me, which brought her widespread industry recognition and commercial success. Twain's life has been a testament to resilience. She was raised in Timmins, Ontario, where she experienced a challenging childhood marked by poverty and domestic violence. Despite these obstacles, her passion for music was unwavering. This determination paid off when she signed with Mercury Nashville Records in the early 1990s. Twain's unique blend of country and pop, along with her dynamic stage presence and powerful vocals, quickly earned her a massive fan base. Her third album, Come On Over, became the best-selling studio album of all time by a female act in any genre and the best-selling country album, selling over 40 million copies worldwide. Throughout her career, Twain has received several accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards, solidifying her status as one of the most successful artists in music history. Beyond her musical achievements, she is also known for her philanthropic work. She established the Shania Kids Can Foundation, which aims to provide support for children in schools who are typically overlooked by social services. In the realm of music, Twain's legacy continues to inspire generations of artists. Her influence, perseverance, and talent have undeniably cemented her place as an icon in the music industry.
- 44Lady A (formerly known as Lady Antebellum) is an American country music group formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 2006. The group is composed of Hillary Scott (lead and background vocals), Charles Kelley (lead and background vocals, guitar), and Dave Haywood (background vocals, guitar, piano, mandolin). Scott is the daughter of country music singer Linda Davis, and Kelley is the brother of pop singer Josh Kelley.
- Russell Dickerson (born May 7, 1987) is an American pop country music singer-songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee. He earned a degree in music from Belmont University and signed with Creative Artists Agency in 2010. In 2011, he released an extended play, Die to Live Again, and opened for David Nail. He toured with Canaan Smith in 2015. In 2015, he released the single "Yours". The song has sold 105,000 copies as of August 15, 2016. It became the title track to his second extended play, released on January 18, 2016 by Dent Records. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic gave the EP three stars out of five, writing that "Dickerson emphasizes hooks and sweetness [ ] and while his inclinations can be corny [ ], that shamelessness is often charming because it's paired to sharp songcraft." The EP debuted at number 14 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, selling 2,700 copies in its first week of release. He made his Grand Ole Opry debut on 3 June 2016.
- Maren Larae Morris (born April 10, 1990) is an American country music singer, songwriter, and record producer. She has released four studio albums. Her 2015 extended play, Maren Morris, charted on two Billboard charts. Her major label debut album, Hero, reached number five on the Billboard 200 chart and number one on the Top Country Albums chart. Her debut single, "My Church", peaked at number one on the Country Digital Songs chart in 2016 and reached the top five on the US Hot Country Songs chart.
- Mitchell Tenpenny (born August 17, 1989) is an American country music singer and songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee. He has released one studio album and two extended plays through Riser House Records and charted in 2018 with the single "Drunk Me", released on Columbia Records Nashville.
- 48Parmalee is an American country music band consisting of brothers Matt Thomas and Scott Thomas, along with their cousin Barry Knox and Josh McSwain, who is a best friend since childhood. They are signed to the Stoney Creek division of Broken Bow Records and have charted on Country Airplay.
- James Edward Allen (born June 18, 1986) is an American country music singer and songwriter. He is signed to Broken Bow Records imprint Stoney Creek, for which he has released the two singles "Best Shot" and "Make Me Want To" and the album Mercury Lane.
- Tanya Denise Tucker (born October 10, 1958) is an American country music artist who had her first hit, "Delta Dawn", in 1972 at the age of 13. Over the succeeding decades, Tucker became one of the few child performers to mature into adulthood without losing her audience, and during the course of her career, she notched a streak of top-10 and top-40 hits. She has had several successful albums, several Country Music Association award nominations, and hit songs such as 1973's "What's Your Mama's Name?" and "Blood Red and Goin' Down", 1975's "Lizzie and the Rainman", and 1988's "Strong Enough to Bend".
- 51Daniel Gerard Breland (born July 18, 1995), known professionally as BRELAND, is an American singer, songwriter and record producer of a hybrid of country-rap, R&B, and soul music. His 2019 debut single, "My Truck", rose to prominence the following year after gaining popular attention via social media, reaching No. 26 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, and was remixed with Sam Hunt before being certified platinum for sales of one million units as of January 2021. Breland has released two EPs on Bad Realm Records/Atlantic Records, and his music been streamed on Spotify over 28 million times. He is scheduled to release his debut full-length album in 2022.
- Singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile's work incorporated the influences of alt country, folk, and rock. She plugged away for a good while, slowly building an audience, until things finally blew up for her in a big way. Born on June 1, 1981 in Ravensdale, Washington, Carlile began writing songs and singing while in her teens. After coming up on the Seattle music scene, she released her self-titled debut album on Columbia in 2005, but sales were modest. The follow-up record, 2007's T-Bone Burnett-produced The Story, gained a wider audience and higher chart placing, with the title track becoming a minor hit. A decade later, benefitting from Carlile's subsequent success, the album would achieve Gold status. 2009's Give Up the Ghost did better still, hitting No. 26 in the Top 200. Overseen by another star producer, Rick Rubin, the album featured an appearance by Elton John (an early hero of Carlile's) on "Caroline." A big breakthrough came with Carlile's next album, 2012's Bear Creek, which went all the way to No. 10 and gave the singer/songwriter a No. 4 hit on Triple A radio with the single "That Wasn't Me." Carlile earned her first Grammy nomination, for Best Americana album, with her next record, The Firewatcher's Daughter. The album, which marked her departure from Columbia and the beginning of her relationship with ATO Records, included an appearance from Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready, and charted No. 9 on the Top 200 while hitting the top spot on the rock and folk charts. But Carlile's time with ATO was to be short-lived, as she shifted over to hotshot Nashville producer Dave Cobb's Elektra-distributed imprint, Low Country Sound, for her 2018 album, By the Way, I Forgive You.
- Blanco Brown (born March 24, 1988) is an American singer, songwriter and record producer who has produced for Chris Brown and Pitbull. Brown's debut single "The Git Up" was released in April 2019 and as of July 2019 has over 50 million streams on Spotify. In June 2019, Brown debuted on the Billboard charts, appearing at No. 41 on Emerging Artists. "The Git Up" later topped the Hot Country Songs chart and reached the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100.
- Mickey Guyton (born Candace Mycale Guyton; June 17, 1983) is an American country music artist. Raised in Texas, Guyton was exposed to various types of music at a young age, and her material subsequently incorporates elements of contemporary country and R&B music. Moving to Nashville, Tennessee in 2011, she would later sign a recording contract with Capitol Records Nashville. In 2015, the label released Guyton's debut extended play (EP), Unbreakable. In 2015, Capitol released her debut single, titled "Better Than You Left Me". The song reached number 34 on the US Country Airplay chart and helped her receive a nomination from the Academy of Country Music Awards. The same year, her second self-titled EP was released. In 2020, Guyton released the single "Black Like Me", which speaks on her experiences as a Black woman in country music. It was released in the wake of the George Floyd protests and Black Lives Matter movement. Her debut album Remember Her Name followed in 2021.
- Orville Peck is a Canadian country musician. Peck, who released his debut album Pony in 2019, has been widely remarked upon for his tendency to wear a fringed “Lone Ranger” mask.
