INTRODUCTION
Country music is a popular genre of music that has enjoyed success and popularity in the world, as well as in many other countries and cultures. Being an influential genre since its early development, country music has grown to span all over the globe, bringing with it an appreciation for its history and culture. In countries where there is a large country music following, numerous albums are released each year, and radio stations play country music all around the world.
WHAT IS COUNTRY MUSIC?
Like rock and pop, country music is a popular music genre closely associated with a culture or place. Country music has a rich history in America. The name ‘country’ came from the first country musicians who performed in an American style but were from other countries. It has since grown to become one of the world’s most popular music genres. Country music is a genre that has been created by many different musicians and producers, each with its own distinct style and approach to creating country music. The style and approach vary between artists, but some general aspects make up country music as a whole.
TOP 10 FAMOUS COUNTRY MUSIC ARTISTS
1. TIM MCGRAW
Tim McGraw is a born American artist and actor. He was born in Texas on May 1, 1967, and had a lot of success while he was still in his teenage years. He auditioned for the Mickey Mouse Club but was turned down. However, he did make it on the children’s TV show “Romper Room.” McGraw began his career in Nashville and released his first album in 1992. He has since won a number of awards over the years and has worked with other country music artists, including Johnny Cash, Keith Urban, and Brad Paisley. He has also been nominated for numerous Grammy Awards and Academy of Country Music Awards throughout his career. His famous songs include “Live Like You Were Dying,” “My Little Girl,” and “Indian Outlaw.”
2. GEORGE STRAIT
George Harvey Strait Sr. (born May 18, 1952) is known as the “King of Country” and is considered among the most influential and popular recording artists. He was first discovered by fellow Texan Reba McEntire in 1984 and signed to MCA Nashville Records. Since that time, George Strait has released 55 number-one hits (according to Billboard) and sold more than 70 million albums. In addition to his many awards throughout his career, Strait was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry, and the Musicians Hall of Fame. His famous songs include “Amarillo By Morning” and “The Chair. ”
3. JOHNNY CASH
John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was a singer-songwriter, actor, and author. He is one of the best-known American musicians of the 20th century and one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 86 million records worldwide. One historian called him “the most respected and influential musician of his era.” Cash was known for his deep, gravelly voice, particularly during the 1950s and early 1960s with such hits as “Hey Porter,” “Ballad Of A Boy Named Sue,” and “I Walk The Line.”
4. GARTH BROOKS
Troyal Garth Brooks (born February 7, 1962) is a singer-songwriter and guitarist. Brooks rose to fame during the 1980s, having found success as one-half of the country music duo Brooks & Dunn. His solo career has achieved similar success, with over 70 million records sold worldwide. Some of his best-known songs include “Friends in Low Places,” “The Dance,” “The Thunder Rolls,” and “Unanswered Prayers.”
5. CARRIE UNDERWOOD
Carrie Marie Underwood (born March 10, 1983) is a singer, songwriter, and actress. Underwood began her career in pop and has since established herself as a country singer. Her biggest hits include “Jesus Take The Wheel,” “Good Girl,” “Before He Cheats,” and “More Than You Know.” Underwood has also ventured into television acting, appearing as herself on the talent show American Idol and films like Snow Angels, The Secret Life of Bees, Alpha Dog, and Just Wright.
6. BLAKE SHELTON
Blake Tollison Shelton (born June 18, 1976) is a singer, songwriter, and television personality. In 2001, he debuted with the single “Austin.” The success of “Austin” led to him being signed to Warner Bros. Records Nashville division. His first Warner album was released in 2003. It has been certified quadruple platinum in the United States and produced two more number-one singles: “Irresistible” and “Some Beach. ”
7. LUKE BRYAN
Thomas Luther “Luke” Bryan (born July 17, 1976) is a well known American singer and songwriter. The success of his first three albums, 2005’s What Makes You Country, 2006’s Doin’ My Thing, and 2009’s Play, helped revive interest in country music. As of 2010, Bryan has accumulated more than 20 million record sales in the United States alone. He has recorded six number-one singles in the U.S. His top hits include “All My Friends Say,” “Do I,” “Country Man,” “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye,” and “Rain is a Good Thing.
8. KEITH URBAN
Keith Lionel Urbahn (born October 26, 1967) is an Australian-American musician. In 1991, he released a self-titled debut album. And charted four singles in Australia before moving to the United States the following year. He found work as a session guitarist before starting a band known as The Ranch, which recorded one studio album on Capitol Nashville. However, in 1999, his career took off when he debuted on the Grand Ole Opry. In 2001, he released his second U.S. album, Golden Road, and it produced three number-one singles and became his first Platinum-Certified Album by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Some of his top hits include “Somebody Like You,” “Just Gettin’ Started,” “Weeks,” “Staying Alive,” and “Raise ‘Em Up.”
9. TAYLOR SWIFT
Taylor Alison Swift (born December 13, 1989) is a well know singer and songwriter. Raised in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, She moved to Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of fourteen to pursue a career in country music. She signed with the independent label Big Machine Records and became the youngest artist by the Sony/ATV Music publishing house. Swift was also featured on Kenny Rogers’ single “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me,” Some of her top hits include “You Belong with Me,” “Love Story,” “You Are in Love,” and “Today Was A Fairytale.
10. WILLIE NELSON
Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is a singer, songwriter, author, poet, actor, and activist. He is an American icon of country music. He was one of the founding members of The Mavericks and has been a solo artist since the band’s break-up in 1980. His famous hits include “On the Road Again,” “Hello, Walls,” “Pretty Paper,” “Crazy,” and “Always on My Mind.”
CONCLUSION
The above country music stars are the ones who have taken their talents to the world of international music and have become an inspiration for young aspiring singers. These artists have made a mark in the world of country music, and some are also making their marks in other genres as well.
