Famous American Country Musicians
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Roll out the red carpet! It is time for country music's finest musical superstars to wow us for the umpteenth time, albeit this time it is not their music, but their rich and inspiring lives that will make your jaws drop in disbelief and admiration. That is true! When it comes to mainstream success, country musicians may not be as widely popular as rock stars. Nevertheless, they seem to be fast outpacing their pop, rock, hip-hop peers in a never before way. No wonder, country music's clout in the music arena seems to be getting stronger with each new Billboard success. From Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood to Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan and from Miranda Lambert and Chris Young to Jake Owen and Justin Moore, country's contemporary musicians are taking the world by a storm. However, it is not just the current crop of country musicians to whom the genre owes its growing popularity. Country music fever has gripped America for decades now, thanks to maestros like Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Vince Gill, and Garth Brooks. Explore the inspiring lives of America's famous country musicians in the timeline, trivia, and facts mentioned in the biographies here.
Vote for Your Favourite American Country Musicians
1
Vince Gill
(Country Music Singer, Songwriter and Musician)
Birthdate: April 12, 1957
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Norman, Oklahoma, United States
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.
2
Marie Osmond
(Singer, Actor, Television actor, Songwriter)
Birthdate: October 13, 1959
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Ogden
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.
Birthdate: July 23, 1971
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Champaign, Illinois, United States
4
Jerry Reed
(Singer-songwriter, Musician)
Birthdate: March 20, 1937
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Died: September 1, 2008
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.
5
Naomi Judd
(American Actress and Singer Best Remembered as One-Half of the Country Music Duo 'The Judds')
Birthdate: January 11, 1946
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Ashland
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.
6
Michael Nesmith
(Musician, Singer, Novelist, Screenwriter, Film actor, Stage actor, Television actor, Guitarist, Songwriter)
Birthdate: December 30, 1942
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Houston
7
Tanya Tucker
(Singer-Songwriter)
Birthdate: October 10, 1958
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Seminole, Texas, United States
8
David Allan Coe
(Singer-songwriter, Musician, Singer)
Birthdate: September 6, 1939
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Akron
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.
9
Josh Kelley
(Famous for His Pop-Rock Hit Singles “Amazing” and “Only You”)
Birthdate: January 30, 1980
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Augusta, Georgia, United States
Birthdate: August 29, 1956
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Lancaster
Died: June 28, 1993
Punk rock artist and drummer GG Allin is best remembered for his controversial live performances, which involved acts like self-mutilation, and his themes of violence. He was also arrested for assaulting his audience members. He vowed to commit suicide on stage, multiple times, but eventually died of a drug overdose.
11
John Prine
(Known for an Often Humorous Style of Original Music That Has Elements of Protest and Social Commentary)
Birthdate: October 10, 1946
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Maywood, Illinois, United States
Died: April 7, 2020
Birthdate: July 1, 1955
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Bedford, Kentucky, United States
Died: May 9, 1989
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.
13
Lyle Lovett
(Singer-songwriter)
Birthdate: November 1, 1957
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Houston, Texas, United States
Birthdate: April 15, 1933
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Meherrin, Virginia, United States
Died: November 15, 2018
15
Burl Ives
(American Musician, Actor and Folk Singer Known for His Hit 'A Little Bitty Tear')
Birthdate: June 14, 1909
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Hunt City, Illinois, United States
Died: April 14, 1995
16
Gram Parsons
(Singer, Singer-songwriter, Songwriter, Musician, Guitarist, Pianist)
Birthdate: November 5, 1946
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Winter Haven, Florida, United States
Died: September 19, 1973
Birthdate: December 8, 1984
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Cedartown, Georgia, United States
18
Kellie Pickler
(Singer-Songwriter)
Birthdate: June 28, 1986
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Albemarle, North Carolina, United States
19
Randy Meisner
(Retired American musician, singer, songwriter and founding member of the Eagles)
Birthdate: March 8, 1946
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Scottsbluff, Nebraska, United States
20
Mindy McCready
(Platinum-selling country music singer who is known for albums like 1996's Ten Thousand Angels)
Birthdate: November 30, 1975
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Fort Myers, Florida, United States
Died: February 17, 2013
Birthdate: January 17, 1955
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Hampton, Virginia United States
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.
22
Dierks Bentley
(Country Music Singer and Songwriter)
Birthdate: November 20, 1975
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Dierks Bentley is a country music singer and songwriter who has won many prestigious awards, such as the Country Music Association Awards and Academy of Country Music Awards. Over the years, he has also headlined many tours, including the Riser Tour, Sounds of Summer Tour, and Somewhere on a Beach Tour.
23
Eric Church
(Singer-songwriter)
Birthdate: May 3, 1977
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Granite Falls, North Carolina, United States
24
Gene Autry
(Actor and singer known as The Singing Cowboy for his appearances in ninety-three movies and ninety-one TV productions)
Birthdate: September 29, 1907
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Tioga, Texas, United States
Died: October 2, 1998
25
Clint Black
(Country Music Singer)
Birthdate: February 4, 1962
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Long Branch, New Jersey, United States
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.
26
Martina McBride
(Singer-Songwriter)
Birthdate: July 29, 1966
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Sharon, Kansas, United States
Birthdate: August 12, 1929
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Sherman, Texas, United States
Died: March 25, 2006
28
Natalie Maines
(Singer-songwriter, Musician, Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer)
Birthdate: October 14, 1974
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Lubbock, Texas, United States
29
Jenny Lewis
(Singer-songwriter)
Birthdate: January 8, 1976
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
30
Don Williams
(Singer-Songwriter)
Birthdate: May 27, 1939
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Floydada, Texas, United States
Died: September 8, 2017
Birthdate: June 18, 1986
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Milton, Delaware, United States
Birthdate: February 27, 1960
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Birthdate: July 29, 1983
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Waldron, Arkansas, United States
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.
Birthdate: May 25, 1943
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Phoenix, Arizona, United States
35
Jim Reeves
(Singer-Songwriter)
Birthdate: August 20, 1923
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Galloway, Texas, United States
Died: July 31, 1964
36
Sara Evans
(Singer-Songwriter)
Birthdate: February 5, 1971
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Boonville, Missouri, United States
37
Chet Atkins
(Guitarist, Jazz musician, Record producer, Jazz guitarist, Classical guitarist, Songwriter)
Birthdate: June 20, 1924
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Luttrell
Died: June 30, 2001
Birthdate: February 1, 1979
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Green Hill, Alabama, United States
39
Rhett Akins
(Country singer and musician who released the 1996 #1 single "Don't Get Me Started.")
Birthdate: October 13, 1969
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Valdosta, Georgia, United States
40
Bernie Leadon
(Composer, Singer, Banjoist, Songwriter, Singer-songwriter, Surfer, Mandolinist, Guitarist)
Birthdate: July 19, 1947
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Minneapolis
41
Chris Young
(American Country Music Singer and Songwriter)
Birthdate: June 12, 1985
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States
Chris Young is an American singer and songwriter who achieved popularity after winning the fourth season of the popular reality TV singing competition show Nashville Star. In 2017, he became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Chris Young is also known for his philanthropic efforts; he has supported several non-profit organizations like Little Kids Rock and Stars For Stripes.
42
Mary Chapin Carpenter
(Singer)
Birthdate: February 21, 1958
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Princeton, New Jersey, United States
43
Mac Davis
(Musician, Singer, Actor, Songwriter, Stage actor)
Birthdate: January 21, 1942
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Lubbock, Texas, United States
44
Hillary Scott
(singer-songwriter, songwriter, singer)
Birthdate: April 1, 1986
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Nashville
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.
45
Nicolette Larson
(Best known for her work in the late 1970s)
Birthdate: July 17, 1952
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Helena, Montana, United States
Died: December 16, 1997
Birthdate: October 3, 1938
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Moss Bluff
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.
47
Freddy Fender
(Texas-based Tejano country singer who sang the 1970s singles "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" and "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights.")
Birthdate: June 4, 1937
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: San Benito, Texas, United States
Died: October 14, 2006
48
Tennessee Ernie Ford
(Singer, Television presenter, Actor, Songwriter)
Birthdate: February 13, 1919
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Bristol, Tennessee, United States
Died: October 17, 1991
49
Ryan Hurd
(American Country Music Singer and Songwriter)
Birthdate: November 2, 1986
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Birthdate: March 9, 1936
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Natchitoches, Louisiana, USA