Music lovers today I am going to share the 10 Most Popular Country Singers of All Time in the world. Please note that this list is prepared based on various sources so it might include some of your favorites or it may not. So, if you want to give any suggestions in this list, leave your opinion in the comment box below.
The popular music style can be traced back to the 20th century in rural parts of America. The immigrants from England, Ireland, and Scotland settled in the Appalachian Mountains in the Eastern United States and these people used to sing songs that told stories. That’s how country music started.
The rich culture of these people passed on from generation to generation and now it’s popularly known as country music. The music style has evolved, but it still has its charm. Country music artists have unique voices because their voices are suitable for narrating stories.
The music style holds a special place in the music industry. They have a vocal standard and that’s why many people think country music artists have the same voices. Country singers use twangy or nasal tones, which makes their voices sound similar.
It makes them unique and easily recognizable as country singers. They have to focus on narrative storytelling, so vocal clarity and emotional expression are important for this style. Here are the top 10 most popular country singers in the world.
The 10 Most Popular Country Singers of All Time in the World
1. Johnny R. Cash
Johnny Cash was an American country singer. As a child, he was fond of gospel music and played on a local radio station when he was in high school. His debut songs “Hey Porter” and “Cry Cry Cry” were popular, but it was his song “Folsom Prison Blue” that made him rise in popularity in his singing career. His empathetic songs touch the audience’s hearts and connect them very well. His songs usually carry deep meaningful messages and stir up emotions.
2. John Denver
The American songwriter, performer, actor, and environmentalist was one of the most loved performers in the world. When it comes to country music, no one can forget the legend, of John Denver. His clear voice and meaningful lyrics make his fans want to listen to his songs again and again. His song “Leaving on a Jet Plane” won the hearts of millions. His debut album “Rhymes and Reasons” was released in 1969
3. Kenny Rogers
The American singer performed under the name Kenneth Rogers and his first solo debut song “That Crazy Feeling” did not do well, but it laid the foundation for his music career. With the release of “Lucille” his popularity soared into the sky. At the 1978 Grammy Awards, Kenny got his first golden gramophone for that song. Kenny Rogers successfully sold more than 100 million records making him one of the most Popular Country Singers in the world.
4. Willie Nelson
The American singer, guitarist, and songwriter is one of the most versatile and influential country music singers of all time. He started writing songs at the age of seven and joined his first band at ten. His songs “Crazy,” “Nightlife,” and “Hello Wall were superhits”.
The lyrics of the songs made those songs popular because the audience related to the songs. In the late 1970s and 1980s, Nelson reached the height of his popularity and released many successful albums during this time.
5. George Strait
The American singer, also known as King of The King Country Music, had a remarkable and outstanding career in the country music world. He released his debut single “Unwound” in 1981, which became a big hit. The song earned its place in the top ten hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart.
In the 1990s and 2000s Strait dominated country music and songs like “Love Without End, Amen,” “Check Yes or NO,” and “The Best Day” came out during the era of his dominance. In the 2014 concert, Strait drew 104,793 people to his concert and smashed the previous record.
6. Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton, the iconic American singer with a vibrant personality and beautiful voice, dived into the world of music at a very young age. Her first song “Puppy Love” came out and she performed at the Grand Ole Opry. Her songs are known for their melody and heartfelt lyrics. She became popular in 1960 after joining the “The Porter Wagoner Show.”
Her song “Jolene” was a milestone in her career as a solo artist. In 1977, her song “Here You Come Again” remained at the top of the U.S. Billboard country charts for five weeks. Dolly Parton was honored with the award for “Best Female Country Vocal Performance” at the Grammy Awards.
7. Keith Urban
Keith Urban is an Australian singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Since he was a child, he showed his interest in music and participated in many talent shows. He released his first solo album “Keith Urban” in 1999 and his song “But for the Grace of God” held 1st spot on the Billboard country single charts.
His album, “Be Here”, which featured “Days Go By,” “Making Memories of Us,” and “Better Life” was critically and commercially successful. Urban received many awards, including Grammy Awards for Best Male Country Vocal Performance (2005, 2007, 2009, and 2010).
8. Shania Twain
The Canadian singer and songwriter rose to fame with her album “The Woman in Me.” In 1997, she released her album “Come On Over” which featured hits like “That don’t impress me much” and “You’re Still the One.”
The album successfully sold more than 10 million copies in 1999 and she became the best-selling female country music singer. In 2002, she released her much-awaited album “Up!” which featured both country and pop songs.
9. Tim McGraw
The American, singer, songwriter, and actor is one of the most popular country musicians. His melodious voice and meaningful lyrics make him one of the most unique artists of all time. In 1993, Tim released his debut album, but it didn’t do well.
He rose to stardom with the release of his second album, “Not a Moment Too Soon,” which became a smashing hit. The three-time Grammy award-winning singer has sold more than 80 million records worldwide. His soul2soul tour holds the record highest-grossing music tour to this day.
10. Taylor Swift
The American singer-songwriter is a multi-Grammy award-winning artist. She started writing songs when she was 14. In 2006, she released her first album, featuring her hits “Tim Mcgraw” and “Teardrops on My Guitar.” At the age of 20, she became the youngest Grammy Award winner in 2011.
Taylor Swift is the most-awarded artist American Music Awards and the Billboard Music Award. Her narrative songwriting and her ability to connect with her fans gained her immense popularity. In 2006, she released her first album, featuring her hits “Tim Mcgraw” and “Teardrops on My Guitar.”
Country music lovers love this style of music because of its meaningful songs. The style connects well with the audience. The storytelling element draws the attention of millions of people to country music.