Favorite country artists

[Ed62]

I'm not much into country music any more, but I was sitting here thinking about my favorite country artists from years past. Here's a list of my favorites.

Gene Watson
Willie Nelson
Ray Clark
Waylon Jennings
Merle Haggard
Charlie Rich (IMHO, the best voice)
Crystal Gayle
Eddie Rabbit
Dolly Parton
Tom T. Hall

These were mostly from the 70s and 80s. Of course I can't forget Patsy Cline. Do you have a list of favorites?

Ed

[Tom Slick]

I have a short list:

Chris Ledoux
Clint Black
George Straight

I don't care for many artists in the last decade.

I like cowboy music but wouldn't consider it the genera of "country" but still sung by guys in big hats.
Examples:
Sons of The Pioneers
New West
Dave Stamey

[RAFlorida]

What about:

John Denver
Lynn Aderson
Loretta Lynn
Bobby Bare
Roger Miller
Johnny Horton
Flatt & Scruggs
Mel Tillis
George Jones
Buck Owens
Johnny Cash
Tammy Wynett
Anne Murray
Bellamy Brothers
Dolly Parton
That's a few that I know of. And I'm a rockin roller!
But I have to admit, there were many great C&W artists, present and past.
And I listen when I have the time to them still.

I've got to agree with Tom, the newer artist feel lacking in their songs. Not all, just some. That also applies to the rock and rollers.

[dbhost]

While I disagree with y'all on modern country, I can kid of see why you may feel that way. Country music nowadays is more like Rock & Roll of the 1950s... Lots of hot guitar licks, and attitude...

My favorite oldster list would be

Willie Nelson
Waylon Jennings
Merle Haggard
Charlie Pride
Eddie Rabbit
Dolly Parton
Chris Ledoux
Clint Black
George Straight
George Jones
Reba Mcentire

As far as current country artists go, the list is shorter, but no less influential.

Toby Keith. (He's got that Willie Nelson attitiude going on!)
Brad Paisley
Rascall Flatts (The first dance song for my wedding was Bless The Broken Road).
Allan Jackson
Trace Adkins
Keith Urban
And a little known crooner I found on mp3.com about 10 years ago... I would love to find full albums from this guy... Kent Gray....

[Ed62]

Sons of The Pioneers

Cool! (Water, of course)
How could I forget about Johnny Cash?

Ed

[Richard in Smithville]

I saw Martina Mcbride last year. She puts on a really good show. Not much in the flashy stage show but the visuals really add to her show. Plus she is beautiful.

Martina had a Scotish/Canadian open for her. A singer by the name of Johnny Reed. When he sang Thank you, there was hardly a dry eye in the house.

[germdoc]

You all know the great ones--Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson and so on.

Recent greats would be Gram Parson, Townes van Zandt, Doc Watson, Norman Blake, Robert Earl Keen, Lyle Lovett, Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams, Alison Krauss. You might check out some up-and-comers from Minneapolis The Whiskey Roses. I guess you can tell I like my country a little "alt".

[gsmittle]

Bering Strait is an interesting new "country" group: four Russians who moved to Nashville to make American country music. At last look they had two albums out...

Interesting thing is they have no trace of Russian accent.

I'm a fan of the really old school guys: Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Buddy Holly, Patsy Cline, and early Dolly Parton.

In the early 80's I worked at a radio station that played both kinds of music: country and western!

g.

[Ed62]

Bering Strait is an interesting new "country" group: four Russians who moved to Nashville to make American country music. At last look they had two albums out...

Interesting thing is they have no trace of Russian accent.

We have one of their albums. I think it's the first one. You'd never know they weren't from somewhere around here. They have a unique sound. These kids all come from professional families, including scientists, doctors, etc. It seems their parents weren't too supportive of their ambitions.

Ed

[Tom Slick]

Some consider Wilco "alt country" I'll add them to my list.

[RAFlorida]

Forgot one Ed. Not you, me.

Gogi Grant. I think she was a one hit wonder, but still had a great tune with "A Wayward Wind". Me thinks that was around '59, so most of the youngster will not have heard of her.

[Black wallnut]

of those not already mentioned:
Marty Robbins
The Oak Ridge Boys
Mel McDaniel
John Schnider
Conway Twitty
Shedaisy
Nickel Creek
Garth; only his first two LP's
Alabama
CDB
Patty Loveless
Sylvia
Kenny Rodgers
Sawyer Brown
Dwight Yoakam
David Allen Coe
Jerry Jeff Walker- Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother!

too many others if I'd just take more time!

[newood2]

Jim Reeves
Skeeter Davis
Johnny Paycheck
Freddie Fender

[FL Buckeye]

As a teenager, I liked many of those mentioned plus Jim Reeves and "Whispering" Bill Anderson. Today I enjoy Allan Jackson and Josh Turner.

[Stan]

On the entry side of the scene.

Joey and Rory.