Famous 20th Century Country Musicians

Marie Osmond is an American singer, talk show host, author, actress, and philanthropist. A multi-talented individual, Osmond has been equally successful as a singer and actress. She is also credited with co-founding a non-profit organization called Children's Miracle Network which aims at improving the lives of children by raising money for children's hospitals across North America.

Vince Gill is an American multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter. He currently holds the record for the most number of Grammy Awards won by a male country music artist with 22 awards under his belt. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007. Vince Gill also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

Keith Richards is a musician and songwriter. He is credited with co-founding one of the most popular rock bands ever, The Rolling Stones. Also a guitarist, he was ranked fourth on Rolling Stone magazine's 100 best guitarists list in 2011. Richards' look and characterization inspired the character of Captain Teague who appears in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series.

Jerry Reed was an American guitarist, country music singer, songwriter, composer, and actor. He won three Grammy Awards and two Country Music Association awards during his illustrious career. In 2017, he was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Jerry Reed was also inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.

Naomi Judd was an American actress and singer. She is best remembered as one-half of the country music duo, The Judds, which won nine Country Music Association awards and five Grammy Awards between 1980 and 1991. Naomi Judd stopped performing in 1991 due to health reasons. In 2022, she was made an inductee of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Keith Whitley was an American singer whose career was cut short by his sudden death at the age of 34. Before his death, due to alcohol intoxication, Whitley recorded two albums, which spawned 12 chart-busting singles. His third and final studio album was released posthumously.

David Allan Coe is a singer-songwriter who played a major role in the prosperity of the '1970s' outlaw country scene. Coe, who initially gained prominence for busking, had spent his early life in prisons and reform schools. He then came up with hit songs like Take This Job and Shove It, which inspired the 1981 film of the same name.

Rock, country, and folk singer-songwriter, Steve Earle, developed an early interest in music and started his career when he was a teenager. Rebellious as a young man, he went through his share of struggles before he was able to establish himself successfully as a singer. Also a political activist, he is a vocal opponent of capital punishment. 

Clint Black is an American record producer, multi-instrumentalist, musician, country music singer, songwriter, and actor. He is credited with founding a record label named Equity Music Group in 2003. Over the years, he has won many awards, including five Academy of Country Music awards and two Country Music Association awards.

Ashley McBryde is an American singer-songwriter who was adjudged New Artist of the Year at the 2019 Country Music Association Awards. The same year, she was also named New Female Vocalist of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards.

Known for her music that showcases the issues of Native Americans, Canadian-American singer Buffy Sainte-Marie became the first person from any indigenous community to win an Oscar, with the song Up Where We Belong. She had also been blacklisted by many radio stations earlier due to her activism.

Hillary Scott is a singer and songwriter. She is credited with co-founding the popular American country music group Lady A for which she currently serves as the co-lead singer. Over the years, Scott has played a major role in the success of the group, which has won many awards like the Academy of Country Music Awards and American Country Awards. 

Johnny Rebel was an American singer and songwriter who promoted white supremacy through his music. He claimed that he came up with racist songs only for money. Despite his claims, his music inspired the formation of several hate rock bands. According to Anti-Defamation League, over 500 such bands have been formed since the release of his song Nigger Hatin' Me.

Jimmy Nail is an English singer, songwriter, actor, and TV writer. He is best known for playing the role of Leonard "Oz" Osborne in the TV show Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. As a singer, he recorded the single, Ain't No Doubt, which became a  successful hit worldwide. He is also active in theater and has performed in many musicals. 

Morgan Evans is an Australian country music singer-songwriter. Interested in music from a young age, he performed his first gig when he was just 13. As a teenager, he was part of a local rock trio that also featured his brother, Tom. He released his self-titled debut album in 2014 and has since released several albums, EPs, and singles.