The Louisiana native was a talented vocalist and an actor as well. Picking out the best country singers of the 80s is no easy task. Johnny Cashs Interpretation Of If We Never Meet Again, Morgan Wallens Cover Me Up Is One Of His Most Streamed Songs, Anne Murray Finds Inner Peace In the Garden, Heres Some Great News! His style bears the outlaw imprint bordering classic country. In addition to their musical talents, these singers were also known for their great sense of humor and their down-to-earth personalities. Known as countrys Eddie Van Halen, Brad Paisley is an extremely talented guitarist and songwriter. When he and another player were traded for a team bus, he focused on his second love: singing. These women brought a different perspective to country music that helped to shape the genre. This didnt come easy though as they had to fight for their place in a very white-dominated industry. By Ollie / All About Music, Country Music / January 4, 2023 The country music scene has produced some truly incredible singers over the years. These artists combined country music with elements of pop, rock, and soul to create a new sound that appealed to a wider audience. Some of the biggest soul stars of the 70s were Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, The Temptations, and The Supremes. Some singers achieved great success in pop country and traditional country. But in the '70s, together with Willie Nelson and Hank Williams Jr., Jennings started the Outlaw Country Movement as an attempt to break away from the more traditional Nashville Sound. He was discovered by country star Mel Tillis's bandleader and bassist in the late 1970s in Las Vegas, where he worked in casinos as a blackjack dealer by day and a singer by night. So many great country singers have had careers that spanned decades, in some cases, 50 to 60 years. 13. They werent afraid to experiment with different styles, and this helped them create some truly memorable music. Frustrated at how Nashville wanted everything done to their standards and encouraged by seeing audiences mixed with younger fans, Jennings pioneered the outlaw movement. Despite his troubled past, Merle managed not just to come out of it but soar high as well, as he gained popularity with songs about the working class. She performed at a young age and started a successful career in 1966. And in this post, were going to take a look at the lives and career highlights of 13 of the greatest and most famous country singers of the 70s. Throughout her career, she sold over 30 million records. She now resides in California where she works as a session and live performer. Elektra | 1980. Jamey Johnson wrote songs for some of the heavy hitters in the country music scene before he stepped into the limelight. Others pioneered outlaw country, a new subgenre that fused older subgenres like honky-tonk and Western with contemporary subgenres like rock and blues. The 1980s were a time of patriotism, fun, family, and love, and the songs performed and sometimes written by the decades top male performers were the soundtrack of those times. The Grammy award-winning country music icon was also one of the pioneers of the Outlaw Country Movement. Coming from a folk music background, Denver would go on to have a multitude of hits that crossed over from the Hot Country Singles to Adult Contemporary to the Billboard Hot 100. (@officialchetatkins). A post shared by George Strait (@georgestrait). George Strait is known as the "King of Country" and is considered one of the .more #56 of 120 Current Singers You Most Wish You Could Sound Like #123 of 204 The Greatest Male Pop Singers Of All Time Barry Manilow in particular was one of the biggest stars of the 1970s. That said here are some of the best blonde country singers from the 80s. Luke started his career writing songs for Travis Tritt, and now he is a chart-topping country music singer with hit songslikeDrink a BeerandSomeone Else Calling You Baby. In this list, weve gathered 100 of the best country singers from that decade. One of the things that made these american country singers of 80s so special was their ability to connect with their audiences. The Man in Blacks impact was definitely extraordinary, embodying the outlaw countrys rebel spirit as he sang about criminals and performed in prisons. Country Top Hits of the 70's is a decent, single disc highlighting 20 classic singles released in that decade. His parents played music and sang in church, influencing Rich to start a career in music. Dolly Parton, another popular female country singer of the 80s, is best known for her song 9 to 5, which topped the country charts in 1981. A post shared by Travis Tritt (@realtravistritt). Not to mention their songs still hold up today, which is a testament to their talent. They were able to create songs that spoke to the everyday person, and this is what helped them become some of the most successful artists of their time. While some songs on my Playlist fall outside this time period this is my focus, what I consider real country. The 9 Best Guitar Pickups For Country Music | Mod Cheap Guitars, Top 10 Reasons Why Rock Music Is The Best, What is Metal music? He earned his status in country music through the critical and commercial success of his albumsShotgun Willie, Red Headed Stranger,andStardust. He started his career in the 50s, but he only hit his break in the 70s with a long list of Top 10 hits, includingI Aint NeverandCoca-Cola Cowboy. One of the great things about Christian music is that it has something for everyone. This was due, in part, to a group of old-school country singers who were making music that appealed to both older and younger generations. These are just a few of the many female country singers who made a name for themselves in the 1980s. He would sell more than 90 million records worldwide over his career. He achieved success as a country artist in the 50s and 60s with hit singles such as "Ring of Fire," "I Walk the Line," and "Folsom Prison Blues.". Quizzes Win Best Male Rock Singers: A Top 100 Countdown Of Legendary Vocalists From powerhouse belters to multi-octave vocalists with mind-boggling versatility, the best male rock singers have. Following his 1972 release, Ladies Love Outlaws, a new image was born. One of their biggest singles, Okie From Muskogee, represented Middle Americas conservative values during the Vietnam War. And these singers mentioned below are the masters of creating those feelings. They were out and proud, and used their music to advocate for equality and acceptance. So, in this section, we present you with some of the best male Christian singers of the 1970s. While there were many great male vocalists of the 70s, there was a select group who came to define the sound of the decade. Country singers in the 70s contributed significantly to the evolution and popularization of todays country music. Artists like George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Randy Travis dominated the country music charts, and their songs were some of the most played on country radio. The 1978 CMA Male Vocalist and 2010 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee inspired a fervent international following, performing live until his 2016 . Lets get started. As an artist and songwriter, Eric Church definitely made his impact in country music. His single releases were also numerous, and again, nearly all were #1 hits, like You Look So Good in Love, The Chair, Ocean Front Property, and All My Exes Live in Texas.. We hope you enjoyed reading it. These singers had a unique sound that was unlike anything else at the time, and they quickly became some of the most popular artists in the world. Manage Settings Kevin Winter, Getty Images. No Countrymen with a X in our database. Heres Why! A legendary country singer and songwriter, Kris Kristofferson produced certified gold records and also created chart-topping collaborations. Decades after its release, the song remains a classic. Im Dan and I run this website. Check out these Japanese male singers and see for yourself! Along with Jennings, he was one of the Outlaw Country Movement pioneers who reaped great success in the subgenre. Thanks for stopping by and if you have any questions get in touch! It is believed to have originated in the British Isles and then spread to other parts of Europe and the world. Essential Album: "Wide Open Spaces". - HMJ. Welcome to Hello Music Theory! These singers helped to define the western sound and bring it to the forefront of the country music scene. But it wasnt until the late 60s and early 70s that folk music became popular in the United States. The decade saw country music stretch its boundaries, and as a result, these country stars also had adult contemporary hits. Brooks, like many of the country stars of the 1980s and 1990s, gave his music a pop sound that made many of his hits popular with people who werent country fans. Rogers gained more popularity in the decade thanks to duets such as Dont Fall in Love with a Dreamer with Kim Carnes, Weve Got Tonight with Sheena Easton, and Islands in the Stream with Dolly Parton. There are many great male singers out there but the ones mentioned below are considered to be the best of the best. Wilf Carter, the "yodeling" cowboy, aka Montana Slim. Their songs told stories about life in rural America, and they appealed to fans of all ages. Melodyland was a short-lived country label owned by Motown Records. He released other hits, including Rollin With The Flow (1977) and a duet On My Knees with Janie Fricke. As a youth, he was incarcerated several times due to petty theft. Dolly Parton Stop Meetings So Men Could Stare At Her Boobs. And Dolly Parton embraced pop music and released a string of successful crossover hits. She partnered with George Jones and released several other hit singles. Country rock is a subgenre of popular music that combines elements of country music and rock n roll. His 1989 studio album, When I Call Your Name, peaked at #2 in the US Country charts. He also had a number of successful duets with other country artists, most notably Islands In The Stream with Dolly Parton. These singers can reach notes that most people can only dream of, and they use their voices to create music that is truly beautiful. Report it to us and we will change or remove the URL of the Country Guy in question. Randy Travis Vince Gill Earl Thomas Conley T. G. Sheppard Johnny Lee Steve Wariner 10. Country music has always been popular, but there was a specific time in the 1980s when it was especially big. A list of the top 100 male singers of the '50s, '60s and '70s that shaped music history pulls in artists known for natural talent and endlessly-cultivated craftsmanship. Fortunately, there were plenty of male singers in the 1970s who had that certain something that made them special. A post shared by Mason Winfree (@realcountrymusic). | PRIVACY POLICY | TERMS OF SERVICE, {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}, 60 Male Country Singers of All Time From A-Z, How Great Thou Art: A Hymn That Created a History, Check Out These Amy Grant Songs That Touched So Many Hearts, Lynn Andersons Rose Garden and Other Top Performing Songs. His gutsy, outlaw image set him apart from other leading country singers of the early 90s. This resulted in a fresh and exciting new genre of country music that appealed to both fans of traditional country and those who were looking for something new. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Born in Delight, Arkansas, Campbell moved to Los Angeles in his early twenties and became an in-demand session player. This was just a small sampling of all the great talent that was out there, but we hope you enjoyed it nonetheless. They might not all be everyones cup of tea, but theres no denying that they have a talent that is unique. Top 10 Reasons Why Rock Music Is The Best, What is Metal music? He was born in Sledge, Mississippi, and began as a baseball player in the 50s and played throughout the early 60s. One of the best-selling female singers of the 60s and 70s was Tammy Wynette. In 1971, she released Coat Of Many Colors, her signature song. Dubbed as a game-changer, Brooks was one of the musicians who pushed country crossovers during the 90s and was one of the biggest-selling solo artists of all time. Some were country music legends that had dominated the charts for years, while others were new faces that made a splash. Signed to record six singles, he was told he couldnt record a full-length album unless one of them became a hit. A post shared by Johnny Cash (@johnnycash). John Denvers music had always been on the soft side of things glorifying nature, just like in his hit songTake Me Home Country Roads. Country music in the 1980s was dominated by veterans like George Jones and Willie Nelson. These days, blonde country singers are a bit harder to come by. They started as a band and grew into an institution in country music. An exponent of the Honky Tonk style, Lefty was a major influence of country musics legendary musicians Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. You might recognize some of them, but hopefully, youll also discover some new artists as well. He was a man who wanted to play by his own rules. A versatile entertainer, he was regarded as country musics greatest comic genius. Dwight Yoakam first gained fame for what he called hillbilly music in the mid-1980s. Their debut Wide Open Spaces became one of the biggest-selling country albums of all time, but controversy cast a shadow on the group's later years. The western country singers of the 80s took this same approach, mixing traditional elements with a more contemporary sound. Rich joined the US Air Force in 1953 but left to concentrate on being a musician. Gill continued recording into the 1990s and beyond, earning a whopping 22 Grammys, and he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007. A post shared by American Songcatcher (@americansongcatcher). In fact, we think its some of the best music of the 1970s. If he has an official site please let us know so we can add him immediately. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. From then on, he continued performing until he suffered a stroke in 2013. He recorded over 60 albums in his career and had 16 number one country singles. And the 70s was no different as some of the biggest names in country music came out of that decade. One of the most influential pianists of the 20th century, he was a pioneer of rock n roll and rockabilly music. These artists included George Jones, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, and Dolly Parton, all of whom had been performing for many years before the 80s. He had a number one hit in America with Your Song in 1970 and continued to have success throughout the decade. Give them a listen! But there were many other greats as well, including Dwight Yoakam, George Jones, and Merle Haggard. A post shared by Chris Stapleton (@chrisstapleton). His album Wanted! The award-winning baritone was one of the most successful country music stars charting over 50 singles and 16 number ones on the charts. Webb Pierce, classic honky-tonker who dominated '50s country music. Next up, we have the popular country singer Charley Pride, who was also a professional baseball player. Laura has over 12 years experience teaching both classical and jazz saxophone and clarinet. There is something very special about American country music, and its no wonder that most of the 80s best country singers were from the United States. He was born in Friars Point, Coahoma County, in Western Mississippi, but his family later moved to Helena, Arkansas, where he started his first singing group. This made the 1980s some of the most pivotal years in country music, influencing the following decades and the country music we hear today. A post shared by Hank Williams Sr. (@sr.hankwilliams). British music of the 1970s was built on the rock and roll of the previous decade. In the early 1980s, a new sound was emerging in country music. The 1970s trio composed of Randy Owen, Jeff Cook, and Teddy Gentry were not afraid to introduce their style blending traditional fiddle with Southern roots. By the late 1980s, Travis Tritt was under contract with Warner Bros. 6. Wynettes career breakthrough as a country singer was in the late 60s and first half of the 70s. His career peak in the 70s was attributed to his first top country album Behind Closed Doors (1973) and a follow-up single The Most Beautiful Girl (1974). One of their biggest hits was the duet Were Gonna Hold On.. And singers like James Taylor, Simon and Garfunkel, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young were leading the way. You will find the most famous legends like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Jim Reeves and Kris Kristofferson but also the most popular singers from this moment like George Strait, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Hank Williams Jr., Garth Brooks, Randy Travis and Vince Gill. She released several hits in the 60s that focused on womens issues, but her success in the 70s is attributed to numerous hits like Coal Miners Daughter, Rated X, and Love Is The Foundation.. A post shared by Charley Pride (@pridecharley). With over a 1000 Western and Country music artists theres always a website that goes offline or is outdated. Lee Greenwood First on our list is Lee Greenwood. A post shared by Garth Brooks (@garthbrooks). That song spent 26 weeks on the charts, peaking at #9. Known for his signature white cowboy hat, King of Country George Strait hit the country charts in 1981 with Unwound, but he didnt stop there. Im Dan and I run this website. R&B is a genre that is all about feeling. She released several singles, including Run Woman Run (1970), He Loves Me All The Way (1970), and Kids Say The Darndest Things (1973). A post shared by Waylon Jennings (@officialwaylon). While they were no longer as popular as they once were, these singers still had a large following among country fans. That concert inspired Haggard to turn to music to turn his life around. Denver was recognizable with his blond hair and wire-rimmed glasses. These are the singers that defined an era. Freddie Mercury, Robert Plant, and Peter Gabriel were just a few of the rock legends that came out of that decade. Enjoy! Milsap would join George Strait and Conway Twitty as the top 3 country artists with the most number-one country hits, winning six Grammy Awards along the way. At a time when country music began to stray from its roots, Yoakams music had a more traditional country sound at the time, making him stand out. The chart-topping country singer was known for his hits which include songs likeLadies Love Country Boys. Though the pop music landscape has changed significantly since the 70s, these singers contributions to the genre will never be forgotten. From blues of the south to the folk music of the north, America has given birth to some of the greatest singers in the world. He sold over 100 million records globally, becoming one of the best-selling singers of all time. Rogers followed that up with the multi-Platinum album The Gambler. Those thoughts, and more, are woven into the lyrics and performances by the country kings we have listed here. In 1972, he released the album Ladies Love Outlaws, which marked his transition to outlaw country. Finally, they were able to stay popular for many years by constantly releasing new material and touring extensively.
male country singers of the 70s and 80s