List of country performers by era

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Below is a list of notable country performers alphabetically by period, with each listing followed by a description of the artists' work.

Contents 1 Early innovators 2 The Golden Age & Country Pop In the 60s, 70s & 80s 3 Country Rock 4 Early 80's Country Stars 5 Late 80's Country Stars 6 Early 90's Country Stars 7 Late 90's Country Stars 8 Modern country stars 2000-2008 9 Country stars outside North America

[edit] Early innovators

• Vernon Dalhart recorded hundreds of songs until 1931.
• Jimmie Rodgers, first country superstar, the "Father of Country Music".
• The Carter Family, rural country-folk, known for hits like "Wildwood Flower".
• Roy Acuff Grand Ole Opry star for 50 years, "King of Country Music".
• Jenny Lou Carson, the first female to write a #1 Country Hit - 1945 - You Two-Timed Me Once Too Often.
• Patsy Montana, the first female Country singer to sell 1 million records.
• Girls of the Golden West, one of the first Country music duo groups.
• Ernest Tubb Beloved Texas troubadour who helped scores become stars.
• Hank Snow Canadian-born Grand Ole Opry star famous for his traveling songs.
• Hank Williams Sr, honky-tonk pioneer, singer, and songwriter, known for hits like "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry", "Your Cheatin' Heart" and "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)".
• Bill Monroe, father of bluegrass music.
• The Davis Sisters, best-known for the hit "I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know"
• Grand Ole Opry, one of the oldest radio programs.
• Louvin Brothers, inspired the Everly Brothers.
• Little Jimmy Dickens 4-foot 11 inch star of the Grand Ole Opry.
• Goldie Hill, the "golden hillbilly", best known for the hit song "I Let the Stars Get in My Eyes".
• Wilf Carter, the "yodeling" cowboy, aka Montana Slim.
• Jean Shepard, one of Country's leading female vocalists in the 1950s.
• Webb Pierce, classic honky-tonker who dominated '50s country music.
• Kitty Wells, country's first female superstar, called the "Queen of Country Music".
• Johnny Cash created the boom-chicka-boom sound and recorded music from 1954 to 2003.
• Ray Price, created the 4/4 shuffle which transformed traditional country music.

[edit] The Golden Age & Country Pop In the 60s, 70s & 80s

[edit] Country Rock

• The Band
• Blackfoot
• The Byrds
• Charlie Daniels Band
• Gene Clark
• Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen
• Desert Rose Band
• The Eagles, a very popular country rock band
• The Everly Brothers, predated others in this category but important figures in the transition from rockabilly to country rock
• Firefall
• Flying Burrito Brothers
• Kinky Friedman
• Gram Parsons, critical favorite of the country rock movement
• Grateful Dead, extremely long-lived bluegrass and psychedelic band
• Heartsfield
• Rick Nelson, in the latter stage of his career, particularly on songs such as "Garden Party"
• Marshall Tucker Band
• Michael Nesmith
• New Riders of the Purple Sage
• Juice Newton, the top-selling female country rocker of the 1980s
• Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
• Ozark Mountain Daredevils
• Poco
• Pure Prairie League (Vince Gill was the lead singer of this group on their biggest pop hit, 1980's "Let Me Love You Tonight.")
• Southern Pacific
• John Rich
• Linda Ronstadt, in 1978 Country Music Magazine put her on the cover with the title "Queen Of Country Rock".
• KANE
• Steve Young
• Brad Clark of DoubleDown (Lead Vocalist of DoubleDown, Solo Artist) Mixes southern roots with gospel, rock and blues, most notably w/ "Let The Eagle$ Fly", "The Day"

[edit] Early 80's Country Stars

[edit] Late 80's Country Stars

[edit] Early 90's Country Stars

[edit] Late 90's Country Stars

[edit] Modern country stars 2000-2008

[edit] Country stars outside North America

• Truck Stop, Germany
• Tom Astor, Germany
• Texas Lightning, Germany
• Slim Dusty, Australia
• Troy Cassar-Daley, Australia