The top artists who influenced country music
Discover the country trailblazers who changed the genre
Last updated 15th Jun 2022
Country music often gets a bad rep from those who don’t look beneath the surface. Everyone has an opinion on what is and isn’t country, and while the traditionalists out there believe we should return to the genre’s roots, part of what makes country music so enduring is its ability to evolve with the times.
No matter your musical preference, rock, pop, soul, even rap, there’s a place in country music for you. It’s hard to pin down a handful of figures who made country music what it is today, but we’ve managed to pull together a list of 20 artists who changed the genre. Love them or hate them, they each had their own spin on three chords and the truth.
First Generation (1920s)
The Carter Family
Country music was from a fusion of different genres, influences and immigrants to the United States. But the origins of what we know today is all thanks to The Carter Family. Originally a trio composed of A.P., Sara and Maybelle Carter, were one of the first country music stars in the 1920s. Modern country music can trace its roots back to the folk songs, harmonies and revolutionary guitar playing (the Carter Scratch technique is Maybelle’s namesake). Maybelle later carried on the group’s tradition with her daughters.
Jimmie Rodgers
Known by his moniker ‘The Singing Brakeman’ and dubbed the Father of Country Music, Jimmie Rodgers was the first singer inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. A prominent figure in the early days of country music, he blended traditional folk melodies with African-American blues, jazz, yodelling and early railroad work chants. Yes, that’s right, country music has a long standing tradition of blending other genres, even a hundred years ago. Although his career only lasted six years, his output was extensive and he has been cited as a major influence by Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton.
Second generation 1930s-1940s
Roy Acuff
Roy Acuff was country music for nearly 40 years. The face of the Grand Ole Opry until his death in 1992, he was instrumental in bridging the gap between old time country music and the modern sound it evolved into. Acuff began his music career in the 1930s and gained regional fame as the singer and fiddler for his group, the Smoky Mountain Boys. Not only was he an influential performer, alongside Fred Rose, he formed one of the first Nashville publishing companies. Acuff-Rose Music later signed Hank Williams, Roy Orbison and the Everly Brothers. The ripple effects of Acuff’s legacy spread far and wide.
Hank Williams
Born in a log cabin in Alabama, Hank Williams was a leading pioneer in the honky-tonk movement of the 1940s. His charismatic performances mesmerised audiences, as evidenced by his Grand Ole Opry debut in 1949 when his performance of 'Love Sick Blues' resulted in six consecutive encores. Williams’ groundbreaking songwriting remains his biggest legacy that has influenced almost every country artist to follow him.
Third generation 1950s-1960s
Johnny Cash
If you ask people the world over to tell them a country artist, the first name that comes to mind is probably Johnny Cash. Cash gigged in prisons (his At Folsom Prison and At San Quentin live LPs), overcame drug addiction and was half of the iconic couple, with his wife June Carter Cash. He enjoyed continued success well into his old age, and won just about every award and honour there was.
Patsy Cline
When Patsy Cline died in a plane crash at 30 years old, it cut short what promised to be a lengthy, great career. Nevertheless, she achieved crossover success and posthumously became a country music icon. A haunting vocalist, her hits such as 'I Fall to Pieces' and 'Crazy', have stood the test of time. Her polished vocal style characterised a new Nashville.
Tammy Wynette
Tammy Wynette’s voice, sweet, emotional but oh so powerful, alone would have solidified her place in country music history. But the Mississippi native spawned multiple hits in the 60s and 70s that redefined what it meant to be a woman, such as 'I Don’t Want to Play House', 'D-I-V-O-R-C-E,' and of course, 'Stand By Your Man'. Alongside Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn, she paved the way for the next generation of women.
Loretta Lynn
Many country artists were known for embellishing the truth in their songwriting. Not Loretta Lynn. Her rags-to-riches story from the Kentucky coal-mining hills to being one of the most important country music figures is legendary. Lynn is the most awarded female country artist of all time and the only female ACM Artist of the Decade (1970s). With 24 No. 1 singles to her name, she’s enjoyed continued success, and only ended her 50 years of touring in 2017 after suffering a stroke, but her impact on the genre will continue for many years to come.
Fourth generation 1970s-1980s
Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton is one of the greatest singer-songwriters of all time, regardless of genre. 'Jolene,' 'Coat of Many Colours' and 'I Will Always Love You' are among the genre’s defining classics. With over 20 Number One hits and having turned down the Presidential Medal of Freedom (twice), Parton is an icon, not that she’d let you put her on a pedestal. Her down to earth nature is half her charm.
Dolly's impressive career has hardly wavered since the 1960s. She is the female counterpart to Johnny Cash in terms of country recognition. While the Man in Black and the brightly coloured and bedazzled Parton were opposites in terms of their look, their harrowing songwriting and impact on the genre is unparalleled.
Willie Nelson
One of country’s greatest crossover artists and a global household name, Willie Nelson, racked up numerous hits like 'Always on My Mind,' 'On the Road Again' and 'Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain'. Nelson has also penned some of country’s all-time greatest hits, including Patsy Cline’s 'Crazy' well before he was a country star.
A true embodiment of the Outlaw Country life, he left Nashville behind for Texas, smokes cannabis, infamously dodged the I.R.S. and still tours frequently, showing no sign of slowing down. Widely recognised as an American icon, Nelson’s honours include being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, receiving Kennedy Centre Honours and the Gershwin Prize, (a lifetime award of the Library of Congress).
George Strait
Since the 1980s, George Strait has had a steady ascent to country music stardom, which is why many consider him the ‘King of Country’. From Amarillo By Morning, to 'Check Yes or No', love ballad, 'Carrying Your Love With Me', to his duet with Alan Jackson, 'Murder on Music Row', Strait never misses. With 60 number one singles under his belt, more than any other artist in music history and a place in the Country Music Hall of Fame, it’s easy to see why George Strait is as revered as he is. Strait set the standard for neo-traditional country's emergence into the 1980s and 1990s.
Reba McEntire
They don’t call Reba McEntire the Queen of Country Music for nothing. One of the most successful female recording artists in history, Reba has sold over 56 million albums worldwide, is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and won more awards than we could list here. Reba dominated in the 80s and 90s, with hits such as ‘Fancy’ and ‘The Night The Lights Went Out in Georgia’. In a similar vein to Dolly Parton, Reba succeeded at multiple endeavours and created a format of country music star slash actress slash entrepreneur that others such as Carrie Underwood later followed suit. A colossal influence of the next generation of artists, Reba uplifts and breaks ground for her fellow ladies. A true Queen, indeed.
Fifth generation 1990s
Garth Brooks
Garth Brooks is another name in a long line of country artists who many turned their noses up at, claiming they weren’t country, then went on to become some of the best-selling artists in country music history. Perfectly blended pop country led Brooks to become a global superstar. His 2015 return to touring after a 15-year hiatus proves he’s still one of country’s most bankable entertainers.
Shania Twain
Shania Twain should be included on this list for the empowering energy that listeners feel when she says "Let's go, girls" - alone. From writing songs in the woods of North Ontario to becoming one of the best-selling country artists in history with three diamond albums, Twain is universally beloved and was the leading lady in 90s country. Her crossover success was akin to that of Dolly Parton, and paved the way for Taylor Swift a decade later. 90s country helped the genre have a resurgence, and much of that is owed to Twain. Who else has produced songs that are line-dancing anthems and pop-club hits?
The Chicks
If you peruse the biographies of country music's newest stars, and find their influences, almost all of them mention The Chicks. They reigned supreme for a short time before and after the millennium, before being ostracised for their 'political' comments regarding the Iraq War. Despite being blackballed, they continue to sell out stadiums and are the best-selling female band and best-selling country group of the Nielsen SoundScan era. With Natalie Maines' distinctive voice, and the exquisite musicianship of sisters Emily Strayer and Martie Maguire, they are the best and biggest bluegrass country girl group. Period.
Sixth generation 2000-present
Carrie Underwood
When Carrie Underwood was crowned the winner of American Idol, she ran the risk of becoming just another talented reality show star fading into obscurity. But she took her once in a generation voice, expert songwriting and carried (excuse the pun) a genre on her shoulders for over a decade. From 'Jesus Take The Wheel' to 'Before She Cheats', Broadway stages to Las Vegas residency, there really is nothing she can’t do - or sing. To the doubters out there, watch her live performance of 'How Great Thou Art' - then enjoy a nice slice of humble pie.
Miranda Lambert
Although Miranda Lambert did not in fact write her critically acclaimed song, 'The House That Built Me', her place in country music history would be solidified if she had been just a songwriter. The fiery Texan may have played into the rebel role (where Carrie was the clean cut opposite), Lambert has admitted if she had it her way, she’d only write sad country songs. Armed with an impressive catalogue, now including her latest endeavour, 'The Marfa Tapes' with Jack Ingram and Jon Randall, the most awarded artists in ACM history is continuing to burn a path to legend status.
Taylor Swift
Teen stars are a dime a dozen, but when Taylor Swift came along, it was unlike anything country music had ever seen. A bonafide songwriter fresh out of high school, she shot to fame. Now one of the most famous artists in the world, after become the pop sensation of the last decade, her latest albums, 'Folklore' and 'Evermore', are folk/rock masterpieces that see Swift return to her roots. Swift not only changed the game in that we should take young artists seriously, but that she truly has impacted an entire generation.
Luke Bryan
The pure country crowd and staunch traditionalists may have a thing or two to say about this inclusion. But the facts speak for themselves. When Luke Bryan began blowing up in the late 2000s, there was a seismic shift in country music. Behold the birth of bro country. Like it or lump it, Bryan is one of the most successful artists of all time. Alongside Blake Shelton and Jason Aldean, his music was a gateway for artists like Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett and others to emerge. Bro country held a tight hold over Nashville for almost a decade. But where some other artists fell short, Luke Bryan is unapologetic, versatile and a bonafide star who isn't going anywhere.
Kacey Musgraves
Someone once referred to Kacey Musgraves' discography as "country music for people who don't like country music". To those who say she isn't country, ought to look a little deeper. Capturing a millennial country energy, of those who left their small towns and rigid rules behind for liberal cities, have found solace in her music.
Anything goes with Musgraves, whether that's her fans or her ever evolving sound. It might be a little premature to consider her a game changer, but we're in the midst of her revolutionary music. Watch this space, the next generation are sure to cite Musgraves as an influence, much like Taylor Swift.
Self-proclaimed as "galactic country", Musgraves dances to the beat of her own drum. Her single 'Follow You Arrow' talked about LGBTQ+ relationships - a community that she has drawn a huge following.
Her sophomore album, 'Pageant Material' told the Good Old Boys Club to stick it, and fit into the cookie cutter mould she does not. Perhaps the gatekeepers thought they were being clever by giving Musgraves a hard time in her career, but she swept the Grammy's for her album 'Golden Hour'. Who's laughing now?
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