This ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.
.Kris Kristofferson is a popular singer-songwriter and actor. Over the years, Kris has played a major role in the success of many famous singers, having contributed to their musical albums as a songwriter. For his achievements in the field of music, Kris Kristofferson was made a Country Music Hall of Fame inductee in 2004.
.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.
.Musician Hank Williams is widely considered one of the most influential and significant American singer-songwriters of the 20th century. Hank Williams influenced several singers, such as Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, and Charley Pride to name a few. Since his untimely death at the age of 29, many artists have released tribute albums honoring Hank Williams.
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.English musician, singer, and songwriter, Ringo Starr, gained international fame as the drummer for the rock band, the Beatles. Raised by a single mother, he had a difficult childhood. He sought solace in music and it became his vocation. After finding success with the Beatles, he embarked on a solo career as well.
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.Four-time Grammy-winner Keith Urban had already tasted success in Australia, before making his American debut with a platinum-certified solo album. He knows how to play a variety of instruments, including the sitar, guitar, piano, and mandolin. His track Somebody Like You was named Billboard’s greatest country hit of the 2000s.
.Ricky Nelson was an American pop pioneer, rock & roll star, and singer-songwriter. After establishing himself as a top teen idol during the 1950s, Ricky Nelson went on to release several chartbusting songs. He achieved great popularity and was ranked 91st on Rolling Stone magazine's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time list.
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.Jason Aldean is an American singer and songwriter known for his work in the country music genre. One of the most decorated male country music singers of his generation, Aldean has many platinum-certified albums under his belt. Also a philanthropist, Aldean has raised nearly $4 million for cancer research and continues to work towards raising awareness about breast cancer research.
.Brad Douglas Paisley is an American singer-songwriter. One of the most decorated male country music singers of the current generation, Paisley has won multiple American Music Awards, Grammy Awards, Country Music Association Awards, and Academy of Country Music Awards. Brad Paisley is also known for his skills as a guitarist and one particular model of guitar is named after him.
Hank Williams Jr. is a musician and singer-songwriter. Although he initially gained fame for imitating his father Hank Williams' style, he later established his own style, winning several awards like Grammy Awards. In 2017, he was included in Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Country Artists of All Time list. In 2020, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
.Singer and songwriter Alan Jackson is famous for popularizing the “neotraditional country” genre of music that has elements of traditional honky-tonk and mainstream country-pop sounds. Having sold over 75 million records worldwide, he is one of the best-selling music artists of all-time. In 2017, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
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.
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.
George Jones was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. Renowned for his distinctive voice and phrasing, George Jones was widely regarded as the greatest living country singer during the last 20 years of his life. Jones is also remembered for staying painstakingly loyal to country music throughout his life. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992.
Toby Keith is a record producer, country music singer, songwriter, and actor. He is credited with founding a record label named Show Dog Nashville which was renamed Show Dog-Universal Music in 2009 after merging with Universal South Records. Also a philanthropist, Keith supports many non-profit organizations like Ally's House. In 2021, he was honored with the National Medal of Arts.
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.
Marty Stuart is an American bluegrass and country music singer, musician, and songwriter. Renowned for his combination of country rock, rockabilly, and bluegrass music style, Stuart has won five Grammy Awards so far. Marty Stuart is currently among the board members of the Country Music Foundation. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2020.
.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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
