Top 10 Country Music Artists

John Anusie June 3, 2022Last Updated: January 3, 2023

Country music has been around for as long as we can remember. And from the look of things, the genre isn’t disappearing from the music orbit anytime soon.

Folk music, which comes in multiple forms, including Cajun and creole, is a form of popular music that originated in the early twentieth century with the blues. Since its emergence, it has managed to find a footing among notable genres in the universe of music.

Not surprisingly, some of the finest musicians in the world today are country artists. Country music has many devotees. And artists in the genre are just as many – some famous, some not quite.

While there are many great country musicians out there, we will bring you a list of just ten of them – the ones we consider the top in the genre.

Opinions on a subject like this will always remain subjective. Still, we’re confident you will appreciate our list of top ten country artists. The list is given in no particular order. Here you go.

1. Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift stands out as one of the finest country musicians and one of the finest artists generally. To her credit, although she’s a fine country musician, Taylor Aliso Swift is also a maestro of other genres.

Her offerings are fluid and deftly incorporate her experience through her life’s journey. Her contribution to the genre has not gone unnoticed. Besides earning an honorary doctorate from New York University for her music, she was also inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, where she’d opened the $4 million Taylor Swift Education Centre.

Taylor Swift Songs

2. Carrie Underwood

Carrie sounds so like carry, and oh, can the songstress carry your soul out of the bit of boredom with her songs!

Carrie Marie Underwood found fame pretty early – in 2005 – when she won American Idol. That win thrust her before Uncle Sam and before the world, printing her name in the consciousness of millions. And she’s remained in the spotlight since.

The 39-year-old Oklahoma native has charmed the world with several soul-stirring numbers, including “Before He Cheats,” “How Great Thou Art,” and “If I didn’t Love You.” Notable albums from her kitty are “My Saviour,” “Cry Pretty,” and “Storyteller.”

Carrie Underwood Songs

3. Morgan Wallen

You might think him pretty boyish at just 29 years old, but Morgan Cole Wallen is a maestro of country music – a purveyor of lyrics that empower and liberate the soul.

Born in Sneedville, Tennessee, United States, Morgan Wallen is one of those musicians whose stars rose via a reality show. The songster has competed on the platform of The Voice during its sixth season. He was initially a member of Usher’s team but later joined Adam Levine’s team.

The years may have passed, but the songster hasn’t gone cold on the bars. The “Whiskey Glasses” maestro is as “Dangerous” as they come.

Morgan Wallen Songs

4. Florida Georgia Line

Florida Georgia Line is a music collective comprising the pals Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley. The duo founded the band in 2010, and they have been wowing the country universe with their musical offerings since.

With “Lil Bit,” “This Is How We Roll,” “Cruise,” and several other splendid tunes, the group has established itself as one of the finest collectives out there. The group has been honoured several times, including as ACM Vocal Duo of the Year.

Of all the singles from the group, their debut, “Cruise,” remains the biggest to date, with over 10 million copies sold.

Florida Georgia Line Songs

5. Chris Stapleton

Easily one of the oldest on this list, Chris Stapleton is also one of the big-name country bods out there and, therefore, deserving of a mention. Born in Lexington, Kentucky, United States, Chris Stapleton is a singer, songwriter and guitarist.

His impressive oeuvre encapsulates albums like “From A Room (Vol 1),” “TO Story 4 (Mandarin Original Motion Picture Soundtrack),” and “Starting Over.” In addition, he’s known for several singles, including “Tennessee Whiskey,” which was part of his “Traveller” album (released in 2015).

Chris Stapleton Songs

6. Blake Shelton

Born in Ada, Oklahoma, Blake Shelton is one of country music’s finest voices, with an oeuvre that will appeal to tastes beyond the orbit of country music. The songster made his debut in 2001 with “Austin,” the eponymous lead track of his album.

In the years since his debut, he’s released other splendid numbers, including “Come Back As A Country Boy,” “Boys’ Round Here,” and “God’s Country.” Our favourite from his orbit, though, is “Some Beach.”

Trivia: He started singing at age 12.

Blake Shelton Songs

7. Luke Bryan

It’s near impossible to explore the vast universe of country music without your exploration somehow taking you to the orbit of Thomas Luther “Luke” Bryan.

Born in Leesburg, Georgia, the songster’s music career began not through spitting verses into the mic but by writing songs for others. He’d written songs for the likes of Billy Currington and Travis Tritt and then clinched a deal with Capitol Nashville.

Although his name might be buzzing as before, he remains one of the most successful country musicians out there.

Luke Bryan Songs

8. Luke Combs

Country ace Luke Combs started his musical journey pretty early – as a child. In the intervening years, he’s established as one of the memorable country voices.

Luke Albert Combs had auditioned for The Voice but was allegedly ejected from the popular reality show because he “wasn’t interesting enough to boost rating.” Has that rejection held him back? Well, not really. The songster has managed to plod his way into the consciousness of music lovers across the United States.

In the course of his career, he has been nominated for the Grammy twice, six Country Music Association Awards and four Academy of Country Music Awards, among others.

Luke Combs Songs

9. Kane Brown

Another young bloke on our list. Kane Brown was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States, in 1993. He’s one of the musicians who leveraged the power of social media to launch their music careers.

His career had a formal launch with the release of his first EP, titled “Closer,” and followed that up with a single on sobriety and love. Other numbers for which he’s famous include “Be Like That,” “Heaven,” and “What Ifs.”

“Heaven” and “What Ifs” were so successful that Kane Brown became the first to have simultaneous number ones on the following country charts: Country Streaming Songs, Hot Country Songs, Top Country Albums, Country Airplay, and Country Digital Song Sales.

Kane Brown Songs

10. Gabby Barrett

Okay, here comes the youngest on our list. Gabby Barrett Foehner might be taken as a splendid example of the saying that age is just a number. At just 22, she’s already established her name as a country singer of note.

The songstress competed during the sixteenth season of American Idol and came third. She may not have won the show, but she won many hearts with her soulful singing. She’s released multiple jams since, including “Pick Me Up” and “The Good Ones.”

However, one of her most successful songs remains “I Hope,” one of the hottest country songs.

Gabby Barrett Songs

Country music might not have the resonance of hip hop or even pop music, but it’s yet a genre of great appeal and power and one that will survive its detractors, as well as those pushing the letters of the genre.

Sticking to just ten country artists doesn’t do justice to the number of fine country musicians out there. Still, it should be a starting point for anyone interested in the best in that genre.

Country Music Top Songs