Most Influential Country & Folk Artists
Folk is a genre of music of stories and ballads passed down by mouth through generations and generations. Country music was, arguably, started from a branch off of folk music during the turn of the century. To me, the two genres are, along with gospel and blues, the most heartfelt and human of any music types.The Top Ten
1 Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, author, and artist who has been an influential figure in popular music and culture for more than five decades.
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, author, and artist who has been an influential figure in popular music and culture for more than five decades. He also made at least one country album of his own songs, worked with Johnny Cash, and influenced many in the genre including the expansion of songwriting themes and subjects
He brought folk to the masses' attention and pushed genre boundaries.
2 Jimmie Rodgers
Jimmie Rodgers was probably the first big country singer, and definitely the first big American yodeler. Although only living to 35, his short time on the planet helped inspire youngsters such as Hank Williams Sr. to build on the foundations of what we know as country music.
3 Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash (1932-2003) was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor, and author, who was widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century and one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 90 million records worldwide. He died of complications from diabetes in 2003. It was suggested that Cash's health worsened due to a broken heart... read more
John R. "Johnny" Cash (1932-2003) was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor, and author, who was widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century and one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 90 million records worldwide. He died of complications from diabetes in 2003. It was suggested that Cash's health worsened due to a broken heart... read more
4 Hank Williams Sr.
Hiram King "Hank" Williams, was an American singer-songwriter and musician. His band was called "The Driftin' Cowboys"
Hiram King "Hank" Williams, was an American singer-songwriter and musician. His band was called "The Driftin' Cowboys"
5 The Carter Family
6 Woody Guthrie
Woodrow Wilson "Woody" Guthrie was an American singer-songwriter and musician whose musical legacy includes hundreds of political, traditional, and children's songs, along with ballads and improvised works.
Woodrow Wilson "Woody" Guthrie was an American singer-songwriter and musician whose musical legacy includes hundreds of political, traditional, and children's songs, along with ballads and improvised works.
7 Joan Baez
Joan Chandos Baez is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and activist whose contemporary folk music often includes songs of protest or social justice.
Joan Chandos Baez is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and activist whose contemporary folk music often includes songs of protest or social justice.
8 Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American musician, singer, songwriter, author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie, combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust, made Nelson one of the most recognized artists in country music.
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American musician, singer, songwriter, author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie, combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust, made Nelson one of the most recognized artists in country music.
9 Pete Seeger
Peter "Pete" Seeger was an American folk singer and social activist. A fixture on nationwide radio in the 1940s, he also had a string of hit records during the early 1950s as a member of the Weavers, most notably their recording of Lead Belly's "Goodnight, Irene", which topped the charts for 13 weeks in 1950. Members of the Weavers were blacklisted during the McCarthy Era.
Peter "Pete" Seeger was an American folk singer and social activist. A fixture on nationwide radio in the 1940s, he also had a string of hit records during the early 1950s as a member of the Weavers, most notably their recording of Lead Belly's "Goodnight, Irene", which topped the charts for 13 weeks in 1950. Members of the Weavers were blacklisted during the McCarthy Era.
10 Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, actress, author, businesswoman, and humanitarian, known primarily for her work in country music.
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, actress, author, businesswoman, and humanitarian, known primarily for her work in country music.The Contenders
11 Waylon Jennings
12 Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline was born Virginia Patterson Hensley on September 8, 1932, in Winchester, Virginia. She became a professional country singer in the 1950s, and became one of the most important artists in American music history. Patsy died on March 5, 1963, in a plane crash in Camden, Tennessee. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973.
Patsy Cline was born Virginia Patterson Hensley on September 8, 1932, in Winchester, Virginia. She became a professional country singer in the 1950s, and became one of the most important artists in American music history. Patsy died on March 5, 1963, in a plane crash in Camden, Tennessee. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973.
13 Dock Boggs
14 Nick Drake
Nicholas Rodney "Nick" Drake (19 June 1948 – 25 November 1974) was an English singer-songwriter and musician, known for his acoustic guitar-based songs. A singular talent who passed almost unnoticed during his brief lifetime, his work has posthumously achieved wider notice and recognition.
Nicholas Rodney "Nick" Drake (19 June 1948 – 25 November 1974) was an English singer-songwriter and musician, known for his acoustic guitar-based songs. A singular talent who passed almost unnoticed during his brief lifetime, his work has posthumously achieved wider notice and recognition.
15 Tammy Wynette
16 Bill Monroe
17 Barbara Mandrell
18 George Strait
George Harvey Strait Sr. is an American country music singer, songwriter, actor, and music producer.
George Harvey Strait Sr. is an American country music singer, songwriter, actor, and music producer.
19 The Animals
The Animals are an English band of the 1960s, formed in Newcastle upon Tyne, during the early part of the decade.
The Animals are an English band of the 1960s, formed in Newcastle upon Tyne, during the early part of the decade.
20 Kitty Wells
21 Brooks & Dunn
22 Loretta Lynn
Loretta Lynn was an American country music singer-songwriter with multiple gold albums in a career spanning over 62 years.
Loretta Lynn was an American country music singer-songwriter with multiple gold albums in a career spanning over 62 years.
23 Shania Twain
Shania Twain is a Canadian singer and songwriter. She has sold over 100 million records, making her the best-selling female artist in country music history and among the best-selling music artists of all time.
Shania Twain is a Canadian singer and songwriter. She has sold over 100 million records, making her the best-selling female artist in country music history and among the best-selling music artists of all time.
24 Gretchen Wilson
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