Top 10 Best Country Singers of All Time

Cash played a unique genre. It was not just country. I've heard it described like this: the honesty of folk, the attitude of rock, and the writing and twang of country. In no way was John like any other in the industry. He wore no rhinestones and didn't even play guitar normally!

From his minimal recordings in the mid-fifties to his deeper later songs, he wasn't just a country and western balladeer but an Americana icon. Even sunk in drug addiction, Cash managed to put out amazing songs. Though he died nearly 15 years ago, Cash's effect lingers in American music.

Number one. Period. The king. He IS country music. Johnny Cash is the blues. While one could argue that Johnny Cash is the most influential, perhaps the best artist of all time, I just can't say he is the best country artist of all time. George Strait is the standard that all true country fans hold the new generation of country musicians to.

The only reason country music is so out of shape now is because of teenage girls. When someone asks, What is country music? the best answer is George Strait. Besides The King, I see a lot of people on this list like George Jones and Merle Haggard and think, Wow, that's the definition of country. I see Johnny Cash and think, Wow, what a legend. Call me ignorant, but I consider him a huge influence and an important staple in the history of music, but not the definition of country. That goes to the King himself.

George Jones was the best pure singer. Every note and word felt authentic, and he had a beautiful voice. His singing was as smooth as silk, and his phrasing was innovative and captivating.

I bet if you asked most of the singers on this list who was the best singer, they'd pick George Jones. Many of them did. Johnny Cash had a stock answer to that often-asked question, "Who is your favorite singer?" "You mean," he teased, "apart from George Jones?" George Jones was also highly respected outside of country music. Frank Sinatra said that Jones was the second-best singer in the world (Sinatra thought Tony Bennett was the best).

The Hag is the poet laureate of country music. His writing is superb and transports you to his world of song with each verse and chorus. An example is Silver Wings, where Hag wrote a song that has no verse. It consists of chorus, bridge, solo, chorus, end. Nobody can pull that off but The Hag. No writer in Nashville would dare even try that. Country music is where it is today because of the gift The Hag brings to the world.

One of the most overlooked artists of all time. He has an amazing and large library of songs about prison and many more themes from Merle's life.

His voice may not be the most conventionally beautiful or polished, but Willie Nelson's voice is the greatest in music. It is raw and natural. George Jones once mentioned that he tried to evoke memories that made him feel as his narrator felt.

While Willie doesn't use this technique, he achieves the same result: a voice that portrays all the emotion his song intends to convey. Add to that some of the most perfect lyrics in music (like in You Were Always on My Mind), and there is no beating it.

There is no debating. Carrie Underwood is an amazing singer, along with all the most presented songs. In my opinion, I think she should be higher than she is. She won the 2005 version of "American Idol." She surely deserved every award she received. To consider her anything less than a great musician, in my mind, is wrong.

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Carrie Underwood has such a powerhouse of a voice within her. Though people always try to sing just like her, no one can sing the way she does. She turns ordinary songs into incredible vocal masterpieces. She is such a real person, too - her faith and her values shine through her music.

Garth Brooks is without a doubt in the top three.

You have to put George Jones at number one in my book. A true pioneer.

Then you have to give George Strait the number two spot - not just for all the number one hits, but for the fact that he's stayed relevant for so long.

Finally, Garth Brooks at number three. He came onto the scene in 1989, and by 1991 was the biggest star country music had ever seen. In 12 short years before his retirement in 2001, he outsold Elvis Presley with more than 135 million records. His performances were unlike any other country artist, or anyone else for that matter, across any genre.

Many people say he came around at the "right time" or that the stage was set for him. But think of his competition in the '90s: George Strait, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, John Michael Montgomery, Joe Diffie, Travis Tritt, Brooks & Dunn, Tim McGraw, Vince Gill, and so many more. They were all at the top of their game. While some, like Joe Diffie or John Michael Montgomery, fell off later, Garth stayed on top throughout all of the '90s. Absolutely remarkable.

If it weren't for George Jones being the pioneer he is, and George Strait's undying popularity for the last 30 years, I would have no problem putting Garth at the top of the list.

Thank you.

Ole Hank poured his heart into every single song he did, with the solemn urgency of a country preacher. He delivered every line as if your soul depended on it. He could write, play, and sing his own music, and he did a mighty fine job of it. He is regarded as the "Hillbilly Shakespeare" by many today.

Hank could write a rollicking song such as "Move it on Over," filled with wit and humor, and just as easily write country standards of heartbreak and sorrow such as "I'm so Lonesome I Could Cry." His songwriting aptitude was only matched by his electrifying stage performances that made him a rockstar before rockstars existed. Hank also recorded a number of recitations under the name of "Luke the Drifter," with grandfatherly intonations and a moralist style that seemed far advanced beyond Hank's years.

Whether it was going "Honky Tonkin'" or yodeling out the "Long Gone Lonesome Blues," or proclaiming "I Saw the Light," Hank and his stellar band, The Drifting Cowboys, played it all. In this way, they gave all of America a snapshot into the life of the rural South in a way that few, if any, have been able to equal.

Alan Jackson is one of the most respected country music singers today, yet he might also be the most underrated. Garth Brooks has always been in the limelight, winning Entertainer of the Year in 2016 after a 13-year absence, with just one album release. Meanwhile, other artists have risen to fame by packaging a different product under the title of country music.

Alan Jackson has been the purest country singer in the past 30 years. Even George Strait's last couple of albums have adopted a more mainstream sound. While Strait makes it work, Alan Jackson has never wavered from his country roots, despite pressure from Nashville. He has been touring and releasing albums nonstop. Many of his songs are worthy of top hits but have failed to receive radio play simply because they are purely country.

Jackson has had more number one hits than Garth Brooks and has written more of his own hits than George Strait. Additionally, he does not use auto-tune for his voice. Alan Jackson is, without a doubt, the modern George Jones. This is evident in the words of the songs he writes, the way he sings, and his unwavering loyalty to country music. He's also a good man to his fans.

Conway doesn't get nearly the credit for his solo career as he should. His style of music at that time was "not cool"! I say this as a man who grew up in the 70's, and I remember him well, more for his duets with Loretta than for his solos. The love songs he sang weren't considered "macho" then, unlike Cash, Merle, etc., at that time. Just my opinion.

Conway's songs were all unique from each other, unlike the generic same old sound of today's so-called country singers without talent. Conway was a master in performance, having voice variety, classic personality, and a gift in music communication. He was and is unbeatable!

Unlike any other country artist, this King has had number ones across all the different lanes of country music. He is the best country music vocalist in terms of vocal craft. His ability to play with vocal delivery techniques in a way complementary to the message of the songs he sings sets him apart from the rest. Blake's songs are very diverse, not only in terms of theme but also style.

I think he is on the top list because he sings from the heart and always will. Other artists may be above him because he isn't the best of all time, but he is one of the best. There will always be someone better than you, even if you don't think so.

This man is not number 25, he should be in the top 3. He invented modern country music in 1956 and had the biggest voice of any singer in the genre. He has been around since the time of Hank and is still going. This position in the list reflects great ignorance.

Ray Price had respect for country music and, most of all, his fans. Not like some of the so-called new country singers. I sure hope we keep real country alive. It was in my life growing up and still is every day.

The purity of his voice is really not matched by anyone above.

The amazing scope of topics covered in his emotive songs, peppered with witticism and backed by his strong and sweet vocals, absolutely brings him into the discussion of the GOAT! Let's not romanticize the old greats for old time's sake. Brad has dominated country music for the past 20 years, and long may that continue!

He's not the best country artist of all time, but you could definitely argue he's one of the best guitarists in all of country music.

He's an absolute icon. Every song is crisp and is straight vibes. Probably not top ten, but you could make a solid case for it.

Seriously, Dolly Parton at 27th with Alan Jackson, Carrie Underwood, and some of the newer country singers in front of her? She is one of the reasons there is a Carrie Underwood and Alan Jackson. Don't get me wrong, Carrie and Alan are pretty awesome, but Dolly at 27?

I'm not even going to read the rest of this article. It's too stupid. But, I do think you got number 1 correctly with Mr. Cash. After that, this list is crap. Dolly and Garth should be in the top 5.

This is the most ridiculous list I have ever seen. Dolly should at least be in the top 5. Her voice and songwriting are legendary, as is her longevity. Not to mention what a smart businesswoman she is.

Today's singers don't have the unique style or voice that Dolly, Loretta, Tammy, and others have. Today, the singers all sound the same - men included.

A great example of a continued legacy of the Williams name. Hank Jr. did end up filling his dad's shoes with the music he shared.

Simply put, the greatest. He did it his way. Not only a great singer but also a great writer of music. There will never be another like Hank Jr.

After drinking and nearly dying after falling off Ajax Mountain, he made his own music, which in my opinion is the best, and he is my number one favorite singer.

Saying Kenny Chesney isn't in the top 10 is blasphemy, but saying he isn't as good as Brad Paisley is just dumb. Not only should Kenny be in the top 10, but he should also be number 1 on the list. There's no way in any world that Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson, and Garth Brooks are even on Kenny's level.

He is the best! He has no bad songs. He sings from the heart and has never changed. He is still that same old country boy he used to be. In my opinion, he almost has what it takes to keep up with Cash, Hank, Willie, and Strait. Keep it up! He is the best.

Pleased to see that DAC made the list. My favorite artist by far due to his outlaw attitude. Coe doesn't give a damn.

He is one of the original outlaw country singers and an amazing songwriter.

David Allan Coe, in my opinion, is one of the top five songwriters of all time. He sings all genres of music and sings them well. His influence on country music has no bounds, and he has helped to achieve the careers of many young artists. He never took no for an answer.

I think you should be in the top three and probably the top one of the outlaws. He is one of my true heroes. Thank you, David. You're what makes America great. If you ain't country, they can kiss my ASS.

D.R.S.

The only reason Taylor Swift is ranked lower is because she doesn't do country anymore. She makes pop music, which is also extremely awesome and worth listening to. But let's be honest, her country music was also amazing.

Anyone could relate to them, and they had a beautiful meaning behind them. Taylor Swift is too underrated. Even though she changed from country to pop, she still has the same beautiful personality inside. Maybe she changed for the better?

Although she's a pop singer, these youngsters have missed the early days of Taylor Swift. She may have had a short-lived country career, but boy, she could sing the best country I've heard from a woman. If she had pursued country her whole life, she could have been better than Carrie. Call me crazy.

I think Miranda Lambert is an amazing singer and just blows me away. If you agree with me on this, like this comment. Her song "Our Way" brings me to tears now that my grandfather has cancer and has three months. Amazing.

She will be a legend when her career is over. Not many today have the drive that artists of the past had, like Tammy, Loretta, Patsy, and so many more. Awesome.

The top three females should be:
Dolly Parton
Miranda Lambert
Carrie Underwood

I voted for Miranda because she's the one who introduced me to the country genre, and because she takes on crazy styles and lyrics. She's brave to put those words into songs. An awesome woman.