Are you a new fan of country music and you want to learn a little about the country greats?
Well, we’re here to help you out, with our list of the best male country singers of all time.
After making a selection of all the amazing female country singers, it’s time to take a look at the men who helped define the country genre.
So without further ado, let’s dig in!
1. Jimmie Rodgers
Known as the Father of Country Music, Jimmie Rodgers is hands down one of the most legendary male country singers in music history.
He rose to fame in the 1920s, and his innovative approach to music influenced the development of country music – he was known for his distinctive yodeling, for example.
Jimmie Rodgers’ most famous songs include “Blue Yodel No. 1” and “In The Jailhouse Now.”
Unfortunately, Rodgers’ had a rather short life and career – he died at the age of 35 because of tuberculosis.
Nevertheless, his music still inspires country musicians around the world, and his impact on the genre will never be forgotten.
2. George Strait
And George Strait is one of the best living country singers.
He rose to prominence with his first single “Unwound” in 1981, and he has been active on the country music scene ever since.
Strait is now considered one of the most successful recording artists of all time.
But it’s also his pioneering neotraditionalist country style that earned him the nickname of King of Country Music.
Unsurprisingly, Strait is also a Grammy Award winner and a Country Music Hall of Fame inductee.
All in all, his impact on country music is huge, and his Texas country sound will be familiar to many generations to come.
3. Roy Acuff
It’s time to celebrate another King of Country Music – Roy Acuff.
This country legend began his career in the 1930s, so he’s one of the early country artists.
He joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1938, and remained a leading figure of country music for some time.
Moreover, Acuff is remembered for his influence on the genre – he was one of the musicians who helped define the singer-based format of country music.
But he is also remembered for his classic country songs such as “Night Train to Memphis”, “Old Time Sunshine Song”, and “The Great Speckled Bird.”
4. Hank Williams
Hank Williams is regarded as one of the most influential country singers of the 20th century.
Throughout his career, Williams had over 55 top 10 country hits – and that’s impressive.
But one of his most memorable defining hits is “Move It on Over”, along with “Hey, Good Lookin'” and the cover of “Lovesick Blues.”
Thanks to his influence and hard work, Williams became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
His impact on the genre is undeniable, and he influenced many iconic music artists, including Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, and Chuck Berry.
5. Ernest Tubb
Nicknamed the Texas Troubadour, Ernest Tubb was one of the pioneers of country music.
He was a real country star back then, and his 1941 country hit “Walking the Floor Over You” marked the beginning of the honky tonk style.
But that was also the song that catapulted him to stardom.
And in 1943, he became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
But Tubb maintained his popularity and relevance in the upcoming decades – he had one of the leading bands in country music in the 1960s.
There’s no doubt about it – Ernest Tubb’s contribution to country music will be celebrated for many years to come.
6. Tim McGraw
When it comes to men in country music, Tim McGraw is a superstar.
He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, and he has released many country hits throughout his career.
In fact, he released 16 studio albums, 10 of which have climbed to the top of the country charts.
McGraw is without a doubt one of the top male country singers in the world, and since his debut in the 90s, he has achieved so much.
His biggest hits include “Humble And Kind”, “Don’t Take The Girl”, and “If You’re Reading This.”
7. Bill Monroe
Bill Monroe is, on the other hand, known as the Father of Bluegrass.
He was a mandolinist, singer, and songwriter, Blue Grass Boys made a lot of impact on the bluegrass, country, blues, and folk genres.
As a staple of the Grand Ole Opry, Monroe was a leading figure on the 1940s country music scene, and he continued to be relevant during the American folk music revival of the early 1960s.
He wrote the song “Blue Moon of Kentucky” (famously covered by Elvis Presley), and classics such as “Kentucky Waltz” and “Uncle Pen.”
8. Bob Wills
Known as the King of Western Swing, Bob Wills was a Western swing musician, songwriter, and bandleader.
He achieved international success in the 1940s with hits such as “Steel Guitar Rag”, “San Antonio Rose”, and “Smoke on the Water.”
And he also gained popularity with his Texas Playboys – the band was cited as inspiration by many iconic musicians, including Jimi Hendrix, Chuck Berry, and Fats Domino.
So it seems Wills’ influence reached many music genres.
9. Buck Owens
Buck Owens was best known as the lead singer for Buck Owens and the Buckaroos, an iconic country band that had 21 number one country hits.
Owens and the Buckaroos even performed at the White House for President Lyndon Johnson in 1968.
The 60s were a time of Owens’ peak success – besides doing successful shows, this was also a time when Owens made guest appearances on top TV programs.
He was a real star, and he remains one of the most iconic male country singers of all time.
Owens’ most famous songs include “Act Naturally”, “Sam’s Place”, and “Streets of Bakersfield.”
10. George Jones
Nicknamed the “The Rolls Royce of Country Music”, George Jones also made his mark on the country genre.
He has 160 singles that reached country charts, and his best-known song “He Stopped Loving Her Today” is regarded as one of the greatest country songs of all time.
Jones was mainly influenced by Bill Monroe and Roy Acuff, although Hank Williams evidently influenced his vocal style.
Either way, Jones was a country artist with his own style and delivery, and he will always be remembered for his impact on the genre and American culture in general.
11. Marty Robbins
Marty Robbins was a legendary country singer, actor, and multi-instrumentalist.
But let’s not forget he was also a NASCAR racing driver – he had six top 10 finishes in his racing career.
Robbins was surely a versatile man with many talents, but most people associate him with popular country songs such as “I’ll Go On Alone” and “Big Iron.”
Over the years, Robbins’ songs have been covered by many artists, including Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and the Grateful Dead.
And although Robbins passed away in 1982, his music still lives on, and you can often hear it in TV shows, films, and even video games.
12. Johnny Cash
It’s time to celebrate a music legend and country icon – Johnny Cash.
Cash is widely regarded as one of the best country singers of all time, even though he also worked in other music genres.
“The Man in Black” was known for his deep baritone voice and memorable music characterized by percussive guitar.
He achieved a lot with his Tennessee Three backing band, and in a way, he created a subgenre of his own.
He released many successful albums and songs throughout his long career, but his 1968 album Johnny at Folsom Prison is arguably his most popular album.
13. Garth Brooks
Garth Brooks is currently one of the most popular male country artists.
His music blends country and rock, and that’s why he achieved international fame.
With more than 170 million records sold, he is one of the best-selling artists of all-time, and 9 of his albums achieved diamond status in the US.
Brooks began his professional career in 1989, and he maintained his popularity to this day.
In 2021, he performed “Amazing Grace” at the inauguration of Joe Biden, and he is still actively performing and touring.
14. Charlie Pride
Just like Marty Robbins, Charlie Pride was also a multi-talent – he was an American singer, guitarist, and professional baseball player.
As a country star, Pride had 30 number one country hits.
He achieved peak success in the 1970s, especially with the songs “All I Have to Offer You (Is Me)” and “I’d Rather Love You.”
But he is also remembered for his songs “Just For The Love Of It” and his most recognizable hit “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’.”
As one of the most prominent black country stars, Pride is one of three African-American members of the Grand Ole Opry.
15. Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard is hands down one of the most popular names in country music history.
In 1960, Haggard was released from San Quentin State Prison, and became famous with his country songs about the working class.
Eventually, Haggard became the biggest country star – no one was big as him from the 1960s-1980s.
In the period of time, he had 38 number-one hits on the US country charts.
In the 2000s, Haggard continued to make successful albums, and he earned many awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
He passed away in 2016, and left the world a substantial musical legacy.
16. Kenny Rogers
Kenneth Ray Rogers, known simply as Kenny Rogers, was an influential American country singer.
With over sixty top 40 hit singles, he was one of the most successful singers of his generation, and tracks like “Lucille” and “The Gambler” ended up on the top of the charts.
However, Rogers wasn’t only a country superstar – his music spanned many genres, including folk, jazz, pop, and rock.
In fact, he is regarded as one of the most successful cross-over artists of all time.
Besides music, Rogers also entered the film industry – he had acting roles in movies and television shows.
17. Willie Nelson
As one of the main figures of outlaw country, Willie Nelson certainly made a huge impact on the country genre.
And with a career spanning 7 decades, he is a living legend.
He started off as a songwriter though – he wrote Patsy Cline’s “Crazy”, for example.
Nelson’s albums Shotgun Willie (1973), Redheaded Stranger (1975) and Stardust (1978) brought him commercial success, and he maintained his popularity in the following decades.
He is responsible for many iconic songs such as “Always On My Mind” and “On The Road Again.”
18. Conway Twitty
Initially a part of the rockabilly scene, Conway Twitty made an impact on several music genres.
However, he was nicknamed the High Priest of Country Music, and he is arguably one of the best male country singers in history.
Twitty got his big break with the pop-rock song “It’s Only Make Believe” – the song topped the Billboard chart.
But he also achieved great success with songs like “Hello Darlin'” and “You’ve Never Been This Far Before.”
In fact, he released 40 number one hits over the course of two decades, so it’s fair to say he was a true creative force and a country music legend.
19. Waylon Jennings
As one of the pioneers of the outlaw country, Waylon Jennings is surely one of the most influential country artists in history.
He started his music career under the guidance of Buddy Holly who arranged his first recording session.
And the rest is history – Jennings released multiple critically acclaimed albums throughout his career, including Lonesome, On’ry and Mean and Honky Tonk Heroes.
Jennings maintained his relevance well into the 90s, and he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001; a year before he died.
20. Randy Travis
As an artist with 16 number one hits, Randy Travis definitely deserves a place on this list.
Over the course of his career, Traivs has recorded 20 studio albums and won 7 Grammy Awards.
He rose to fame in the 80s, and he became an essential figure in the neotraditional country movement.
Travis is widely known for his distinctive baritone vocals, but he also ventured into film – he starred alongside Patrick Swayze and Matt Damon.
But his biggest achievement is his music legacy and songs like “Deeper Than Holler” and “I Told You So.”
21. Chris Stapleton
When thinking about the world’s most famous country singers, Chris Stapleton is one of the first names that comes to mind.
He is a singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer, and generally one of the modern country’s most influential singers.
He is best known for his huge hit “Tennessee Whiskey”, as well as country hits like “Starting Over” and “Say Something” (with Justin Timberlake.)
Stapleton’s songs have appeared on many famous musicians’ albums, including Taylor Swift, Adele, and Kelly Clarkson.
All things considered, it’s no wonder the Academy of Country Music (ACM) named him the Artist-Songwriter of the Decade.
22. Luke Bryan
Another famous modern country singer we want to mention is Luke Bryan.
Since his breakthrough in the 2000s, Bryan has written many successful country hits, and became one of the world’s best-selling music artists.
He has also been a judge on American Idol, which helped him gain more popularity.
All in all, he is definitely one of the most influential male country singers in the music industry, and he has a lot more ahead of him.
23. Blake Shelton
Speaking of modern country singers, we can’t skip Blake Shelton – after all, he is probably one of the most popular singers on our list.
Shelton made his debut in 2001, and he eventually established himself as one of the most prominent musicians in the industry.
He also became a TV personality – he is a coach on The Voice, for instance.
But Shelton’s biggest achievement is his music and tracks like “God’s Country” and “Nobody But You.”
He also received many awards throughout his career, as well as the honor to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
24. Keith Urban
With a song of a similar title as Shelton’s “Nobody But You”, “Somebody Like You”, Keith Urban climbed to the top of the Billboard chart.
But he released many other successful songs throughout his career, and he received many awards.
Urban released his self-titled debut album in 1991, and he has been active on the music scene ever since.
He was also a judge on American Idol, and in 2013, he introduced his line of guitars and accessories.
25. Luke Combs
Luke Combs started performing when he was a kid, including performing a solo at Carnegie Hall.
In 2017, Combs released his debut album This One’s For You and established himself as one of the most promising country singers in the industry.
He has been actively making music and performing since then, and in 2022, he got a special Entertainer of the Year award.
Combs’ most famous songs include “When It Rains It Pours” and “Hurricane.”
26. Brad Paisley
Brad Paisley has been active since the 90s – he released his debut album in 1999.
And he remains one of the top male country musicians.
Paisley has sold over 11 million albums and has won three Grammy Awards and earned many other accolades.
Moreover, he became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, which ultimately makes him one of the greatest country singers of all time.
27. Alan Jackson
Another country legend we want to mention is Alan Jackson.
He is a member of the Grand Ole Opry too, and generally one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
Jackson’s music is a combination of traditional honky tonk and mainstream country pop – therefore, it could be categorized as neotraditional country.
Either way, he made his mark on country music.
Jackson plans to continue his final tour in 2023 – and if that’s going to mark the end of the country star’s career, it remains to be seen.
28. Kane Brown
Kane Brown is also considered to be one of the best singers of modern country.
He first became famous through social media, and he released his first EP in 2015.
In his music, Brown blends country, country pop, and R&B, and that’s why he’s also interesting to younger generations.
His 2018 album Experiment was quite successful, and we’re looking forward to seeing how his career and style evolve.
29. Kenny Chesney
Throughout his career, Kenny Chesney has recorded more than 20 albums and multiple number-one country hits.
He is one of the most beloved country performers, and his venues are always sold out.
So it comes as no surprise that he was named the Entertainer of the Year four times.
Chesney’s biggest hits include “There Goes My Life”, “American Kids”, and “Don’t Blink.”
30. Brett Young
In short, Brett Young is a (typical) blonde male country singer that won’t leave you indifferent.
We’re talking about his music, of course – he has achieved great success since his debut in 2016.
Young’s music is very easy to listen to, and his style mostly revolves around country pop.
His best songs to date include “Sleep Without You” and “In Case You Didn’t Know.”
Best Male Country Singers – Final Thoughts
And that’s all for our best male country singers of all time!
All of the artists we mentioned today are either country music icons or promising country singers who already became an integral part of country music history.
All of them made an impact on the genre in one or another, and that’s why their music will be celebrated for many decades to come.
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