Male country singers definitely dominated the genre for years, and the impact and influence of these men on country music are undeniable. Not only are they great musicians and performers, but they are also distinguished pioneers and songwriters.
So we compiled 60 all-time male country music singers – from the architects of the genre to game-changers to new promising names. We also have a dedicated list for the female country singers, so go ahead and check it out!
1. Alabama
The 1970s trio composed of Randy Owen, Jeff Cook, and Teddy Gentry were not afraid to introduce their style blending traditional fiddle with Southern roots. With 43 number one singles, they went on to be one of the greatest bands of all time.
2. Alan Jackson
Alan Jackson is one of the most popular male country singers in the ’90s known for his songs that feature mainstream country pop sounds blended with traditional honky-tonk.
3. Bill Anderson
He was the man behind many country hits, including George Strait’s Give It Away. He also had seven chart-topping hits under his belt.
4. Bill Monroe
This Kentucky native was best remembered as the ‘Father of Bluegrass’, introducing an entirely new style of country – hard-edged with emphasis on instrumental virtuosity and vocal harmonies.
5. Billy Joe Shaver
Shaver defined the ’70s outlaw country era, writing the most memorable songs from Waylon Jennings’ Honky Tonk Heroes to his own Old Five and Dimers Like Me.
6. Blake Shelton
He debuted in 2001 and since then had 28 number one singles and is the record holder for most consecutive number ones in Country Airplay charts.
7. Brad Paisley
Known as country’s Eddie Van Halen, Brad Paisley is an extremely talented guitarist and songwriter. He is also known for his forward-thinking song concepts.
8. Brooks & Dunn
A perfect match made in the early ’90s, the duo went on to write incredible singles that swept the CMA Awards. Their ’90s country songs were raucous, sweet, and definitely boot-scootin’.
9. Buck Owens
Alongside fellow country legends like Merle Haggard, Buck Owens helped popularize honky-tonk with rock influence and infused with electric instrumentation.
10. Charley Pride
Charley was one of the three African-American members of the Grand Ole Opry with 52 Top 10 Hits, including Just Between You and Me.
11. Chet Atkins
With unparalleled guitar and songwriting skills, Chet Atkins was the architect of the Nashville sound. His impact and influence in country music are unquestionable.
12. Chris LeDoux
The Wyoming native lived the cowboy cliché, and his ranch songs were definitely the real deal. He was a man who wanted to play by his own rules.
13. Chris Stapleton
The man has written over 150 songs for different artists and has also achieved milestones after his hit debut solo album Traveller.
14. Cole Swindell
The country crooner has written songs for artists like Luke Bryan, with an impressive seven out of nine songs charting within the Top 5.
15. Conway Twitty
Conway’s success across charts was undeniable with 55 number one singles which later on cemented his spot as one of the most successful artists of the 20th century.
16. David Allan Coe
David Allan Coe was one of the faces of the 1970s outlaw country scene. His unconventional style and controversial songs set him apart from most artists but earned him success in the genre.
17. Dwight Yoakam
One of the male country singers from the ’80s, Yoakam was known for his south-of-the-border ballads and stage moves that never failed to make the ladies scream.
18. Eddy Arnold
In the late 1950s, Nashville sound innovator Eddy Arnold scored over 140 songs on the country music charts with 28 number one hits and sold over 85 million records.
19. Eric Church
As an artist and songwriter, Eric Church definitely made his impact in country music. He had chart-topping songs and was also consistently praised for his vocals.
20. Faron Young
The 1955 number one Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young was one of Faron Young’s most memorable (and badass) hits. The Louisiana native was a talented vocalist and an actor as well.
21. Garth Brooks
Dubbed as a game-changer, Brooks was one of the musicians who pushed country crossovers during the ’90s and was one of the biggest-selling solo artists of all time.
22. George Jones
Known for his moniker ‘No Show Jones’, George Jones was country’s greatest vocalist, and no country’s all-time list is ever complete without him.
23. George Strait
Another George that should never be left out of the list, George Strait, is the ‘King of Country’ and is regarded as one of the most influential recording artists of all time.
24. Glen Campbell
Glen expanded the country audience by scoring crossover hits combining pop, country, and rock. The Oklahoma-bred songwriter earned success throughout the ’70s.
25. Guy Clark
Guy Clark was an archetype of country musician that many young and seasoned artists and writers study. His works transcended sales and genres, and his catalogue was filled with timeless gems.
26. Hank Williams
Hank’s career may have only been for a few years, but his impact was long-lasting. His songs became a blueprint for many country music artists, and he remains to be one of the most influential singers of the 20th century.
27. Hank Williams Jr.
Son of the legendary Hank Williams, he had a long string of success in the ’80s and produced many of the ’80s country songs that became hits.
28. Jamey Johnson
Jamey Johnson wrote songs for some of the heavy hitters in the country music scene before he stepped into the limelight. His style bears the outlaw imprint bordering classic country.
29. Jerry Jeff Walker
The man behind the 1968 hit song Mr. Bojangles, Jerry Jeff Walker, was one of the leading figures in the outlaw country music movement.
30. Jerry Lee Lewis
One of the most influential pianists of the 20th century, he was a pioneer of rock n’ roll and rockabilly music. When he shifted to country music, he reshaped it with his swagger and piano skills.
For You
31. Jim Reeves
From the 1950s until the 1980s, his records which featured the Nashville sound, consistently hit the charts and this continued even after his death.
32. Jimmie Rodgers
If George Strait was the King, Rodgers was widely regarded as the ‘Father of Country Music.’ He was best known for his distinctive rhythmic yodeling and an inspiration to new artists.
33. John Denver
John Denver’s music had always been on the soft side of things glorifying nature, just like in his hit song Take Me Home Country Roads. Decades after its release, the song remains a classic.
34. Johnny Cash
Country music will not be complete without Johnny Cash. The Man in Black’s impact was definitely extraordinary, embodying the outlaw country’s rebel spirit as he sang about criminals and performed in prisons.
35. Keith Urban
Starting his career as a session guitarist, Keith Urban is now a successful country music artist with 18 number ones and 37 charting singles.
36. Kenny Chesney
Kenny Chesney has recorded over 20 albums, produced more than 40 Top 10 singles wherein 32 of which reached number one.
37. Kenny Rogers
One of the legendary country singers, he was also popular across genres charting over 420 singles and topping both country and pop charts for more than 200 weeks in total.
38. Kris Kristofferson
A legendary country singer and songwriter, Kris Kristofferson produced certified gold records and also created chart-topping collaborations.
39. Lefty Frizzell
An exponent of the Honky Tonk style, Lefty was a major influence of country music’s legendary musicians Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson.
40. Luke Bryan
Luke started his career writing songs for Travis Tritt, and now he is a chart-topping country music singer with hit songs like Drink a Beer and Someone Else Calling You Baby.
41. Luke Combs
Dubbed by The New York Times as the most promising and influential new country star of the last five years, Luke has won back-to-back awards and also charted songs every release.
42. Marty Robbins
With his voice that anyone could recognize, Marty Robbins scored hits after hits in both pop and country, one of which was his most memorable murder ballad El Paso.
43. Marty Stuart
The multiple Grammy award-winning artist was known for his traditional style, which earned him a string of hits during the ’90s.
44. Mel Tillis
He started his career in the ’50s, but he only hit his break in the ’70s with a long list of Top 10 hits, including I Ain’t Never and Coca-Cola Cowboy.
45. Merle Haggard
Despite his troubled past, Merle managed not just to come out of it but soar high as well, as he gained popularity with songs about the working class. He is now regarded as one of the genre’s legends.
46. Merle Travis
Travis was another unparalleled guitarist and songwriter of his time, and he often talked about the lives and exploitation of American coal miners.
47. Porter Wagoner
Known for his flashy suits, Wagoner was an artist ahead of his time. He was also one of the most recognizable figures in the genre.
48. Randy Travis
The award-winning baritone was one of the most successful country music stars charting over 50 singles and 16 number ones on the charts.
49. Rascal Flatts
They started as a band and grew into an institution in country music. The trio achieved its success through its crossover sound, which appealed to the pop market.
50. Ray Price
His wide-ranging baritone was regarded as one of the best male vocals in country music. His innovation on the country beat, now known as the ‘Ray Price beat,’ propelled country music to new heights.
51. Roger Miller
A versatile entertainer, he was regarded as country music’s greatest comic genius. His hits include Chug-a-Lug, an underaged drinking classic.
52. Roy Acuff
The champion of traditional country, he was the Grand Master of the Grand Ole Opry for 50 over years. He was credited for the shift of country music from early string band to singer format, making the genre more successful.
53. Steve Earle
The country crooner began his career as a songwriter and had his breakthrough album in 1986 with Guitar Town.
54. Tim McGraw
The country music superstar is a three-time Grammy award-winning musician. Throughout his career, he has sold over 40 million albums and 21 number one singles.
55. Toby Keith
The singer-songwriter was most popularly known for his debut single Should’ve Been a Cowboy, which topped the country charts. It was also the most-played country song of the ’90s.
56. Trace Adkins
The chart-topping country singer was known for his hits which include songs like Ladies Love Country Boys.
57. Travis Tritt
His gutsy, outlaw image set him apart from other leading country singers of the early ’90s. He also had success with a string of platinum albums and top ten singles.
58. Vince Gill
A vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Vince Gill was dubbed as ‘reluctant superstar’ and was an in-demand guest vocalist and duet partner.
59. Waylon Jennings
The country music icon was best known as one of the pioneers of the Outlaw Country Movement. He recorded over 60 albums in his career and had 16 number one country singles.
60. Willie Nelson
The Grammy award-winning country music icon was also one of the pioneers of the Outlaw Country Movement. He earned his status in country music through the critical and commercial success of his albums Shotgun Willie, Red Headed Stranger, and Stardust.
These male country singers not only helped define country music but also pioneered different styles that made the genre more successful.
