Modern day country music first sprang up in the Southern United States in the 1920s. This music genre has its roots in Western cowboy music and southeastern American folk music. Since its early days, it has spread internationally, ascended to great popularity, and evolved in a variety of exciting ways. Below are a few of the greatest country music artists ever to take the stage.
Johnny Cash, 1932 – 2003
Johnny Cash is widely considered one of the most influential country music artists of all time, writing and performing memorable songs that spanned many other music genres as well (including gospel, blues, and folk). Some of his most popular songs include “I Walk the Line,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” and “Ring of Fire.” His music style is best known for its soulfulness, and it frequently focuses on themes of loss, redemption, and human struggle. He has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, won multiple Grammy’s, and has been decorated with both a Kennedy Center Honor and a National Medal of Arts, among many other accolades.
Hank Williams, 1923 – 1953
Hank Williams was an extremely popular singer-songwriter who continually rose to the top levels of the Billboard Country & Western Best Seller chart (with 11 of his songs ranking in the number one spot) during his short life. He is thought by many to be a major founding figure in the country music genre, setting the bar stylistically for many country music artists that later followed him. Some of his most enduring songs include “Hey, Good Lookin’,” “Why Don’t You Love Me,” and “Cold, Cold Heart". His many accomplishments include a Grammy, a special citation from the Pulitzer Prize board, and induction into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Patsy Cline, 1932 – 1963
Patsy Cline was a much-celebrated country music singer who is, today, considered one of the most influential female vocalists of the 20th century. Though she died at the very young age of 30, she made an impression on the music world with her uniquely rich and striking contralto voice. In addition, she is considered a pioneer when it comes to women appearing as headliners in the country music field. Some of her big hits were “I Fall to Pieces,” “She’s Got You,” and “Crazy". After her untimely death, millions of her records were sold around the world, and she has received multiple accolades, including the distinction of being the first woman ever inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Willie Nelson, 1933 – present
Willie Nelson is a not just a country music singer-songwriter, but also a poet, actor, and social activist. In the 1960’s, he became a leading figure in a burgeoning genre of country music known as Outlaw Country, which emphasized breaking away from the traditional restrictions of the dominant Nashville style of county music. Nelson is best known for his distinctive singing style and for writing songs that combine country music stylings with notes of jazz, pop, blues, and folk. His lifetime achievements include a Kennedy Center Honor, induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and AMA Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting.
