Favorite Country Music Star (greatest, cover)

[Mark S.]

I really can't stand 99% of what passes for country music these days. When I think country, I think Johnny Cash, Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Willie Neslon, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Clyne, Dolly Parton, Hank Williams, and Waylon Jennings.

There are a few bright spots in modern country. I really like Mindy Smith, though I'm not sure she's even considered country anymore. Same with Allison Krause.

Whenever I flip through CMT and catch a video, I can't help but think most of these folks were picked by the record company 'cause they looked good in Wranglers and a cowboy hat, 'cause the honest music ain't there.

[Badfish740]

I like and hold in high esteem a lot of country artists, but Hank Williams Jr. has to be my absolute favorite of all time.

[Hyun-Soo]

Carrie Underwood, Taylor Smith, and LeAnne Rimes!

[Jev]

Wynonna Judd
...and Naomi too.

[MusicFreak]

>>I really can't stand 99% of what passes for country music these days. When I think country, I think Johnny Cash, Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Willie Neslon, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Clyne, Dolly Parton, Hank Williams, and Waylon Jennings.

I like Johnny, and Patsy and Hank...some songs. But some of the Country singers these days are more what I like. I was never much of a country fan until I started listening to Keith Urban. From him, I branched out to Billy Currington, Trace Adkins,
Big & Rich, Sugarland, etc. I guess for whatever reason, they are more what I look for. (I did see Johnny and Hank Jr. in concert years ago btw)
I guess I need a little rock and roll in the mix. Some of the older singers, even though I probably could sit through a concert, was just a little TOO much country for me.

[square peg]

The more I hear of Little Jimmy Dickens, the more I love this guy.


YouTube - OUT BEHIND THE BARN by Little Jimmy Dickens

[sues1]

Toby Keith, Toby Keith, Toby Keith!!!!!!!!!!! Love him to death, he's the best!!!!!!!!!!

[DOUBLE H]

This is a tough one. Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys basically put Country Western on the map way back in the late '30's. Hank SR. is the biggest figure in this field. Patsy Cline and Glenn Campbell were crossover artists and were hugely successful. I give a slight nod to Johnny Cash. "I Walk The Line"(?) He walked it all right, from his beginnings in rockabilly and walked the line between country and rock, and went into both halls of fame. For 25 years he was probably the most prolific country artist going in this era. Columbia Records made a big mistake giving him the boot in '86, but he kept going. Then comes Rick Rubin. First American Records introduced Cash to the alternative fans, and his career came alive again. Some of his best work is on First American; Unchained, American IV-the Man Comes Around, American III-Solitary Man. They are terrific recordings. U-2 fans knows this guy! On Zooropa he does the lead vocal on The Wanderer. He was active until he became debilitated with nervous disorder (the exact name escapes me.) Johnny Cash-he's the Man.

[bryfry]

These are all great picks. I enjoy both old and new country, as well. But I would have to say my favorite all-time artist is Roy Clark. Mainly due to his musicianship, but he was just a great all around talent. He really knew how to envoke a feeling when he played, no matter what the subject. He could make you laugh (what he did mostly), he could send you away on a trip or he could make you cry. Just a great musician.

[jdavid93225]

I pretty much like all the choices everyone else has made, and many more, too. One of my favorite performers that is usually labeled as "Country" is the late Chris LeDoux. I can't say he's my absolute favorite, because what I want to hear really depends on my mood, but I have more CDs of his music than I do anyone else. George Strait, Toby Keith, Rhonda Vincent, Alan Jackson, Patty Loveless, Trisha Yearwood, and Dwight Yoakam also fill many spots in my CD collection. There are also lots of others that I like, which is the reason I have something like 1500 CDs in my collection, from a huge variety of artists, most of which are labeled as Country.

Since country is such a broad term, I prefer to narrow things down by using terms like Honky Tonk, Southern Country, Southern Rock, Western Rock 'N' Roll, Bluegrass, Traditional Western, Traditional Country, and Pop Country as sub-genres for "Country" music. I like music of all these types, but even then, some of what I like is very hard to define.