Wynonna Judd got her start singing with her mother Naomi when they started a country music duo in the first half of the 1980s. Their first album had 14 singles chart at number one, ensuring the ladies a lasting legacy in country music history. Though the group disbanded only a decade later, Judd managed to parlay their popularity into a successful solo career. In 2013, she appeared on Dancing With the Stars though she was one of the first couples eliminated, and she released a new album in 2016.
Keith Urban
Keith Urban may look like your all American country boy, but he’s really rocking some Kiwi roots. Following his relocation from New Zealand to America, he hit the big time on the country circuit. More recently, he appeared as a judge on the hit reality shows, The Voice and Amerian Idol. His most recent tour, Rhythm and Roots began in 2016, which was timed in order to accompany the release of his latest single, the heartbreaking ballad “Blue Ain’t Your Color.”
LeAnn Rimes
LeAnn Rimes was only 14 when she was awarded her first two Grammys in 1997, making her the youngest country star since Tanya Tucker in the 1970s. Her first album, Blue, had been released only the year before, but that didn’t stop it from hitting the number one spot on the Top Country Albums chart and becoming certified multi-platinum. Though LeAnn Rimes is still a successful musician, she’s also been writing books recently, releasing two novels and two children’s books.
Brad Paisley
Brad Paisley’s 1999 album, Who Needs Pictures, turned the country world upside down. Since his debut, he has released 10 albums, each achieving a certification of at least gold, if not higher. It only took him two years to be inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, an honor that takes many stars a lifetime to achieve. Paisley was the muse behind several songs in the Pixar film, Cars, and he shows no sign of slowing down, as his latest album, Love and War, was released in April.
Luke Bryan
Like many other artists on our list, Luke Bryan is another whose musicianship is far better than his fashion sense. He has the voice of an angel plus an unparalleled knack for songwriting, so it’s no wonder that he got his start writing music for more famous artists before getting signed himself. Since then he’s sold more than 7 million albums internationally. In 2017, Bryan was chosen to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl in Houston, Texas and is a guest judge on The Voice.
Hank Williams Jr.
Country music runs in Hank Williams Jr.’s blood. Not one to settle with being overshadowed by his famous father, Hank Williams, Jr.’s career was almost entirely derailed in 1975 when he suffered a serious mountain climbing accident. Luckily, for his career, Williams Jr. recovered, and he became a veritable country star in his own right as his music climbed the charts in the 1980s. He’s still releasing music more than 40 years after his debut, having released his most recent album, It’s About Time, in 2016.
Blake Shelton
Blake Shelton’s personal life may be what’s been making the headlines lately, following his split from Miranda Lambert and subsequent engagement to the blonde bombshell, Gwen Stefani. But before he was the focus of celebrity gossip, he was just a young country boy trying to make it in the big time when he released his first album in 2001. Even more recently, he’s been a judge on the hit show, The Voice, since the show began its run in 2011.
Sara Evans
Sara Evans may be a Missouri native, but when she arrived in Nashville in 1991, she fit right in, landing a record deal with RCA Nashville. She didn’t stay with the label for long, having eventually signed with Sony Music Nashville, before leaving them in August 2016 for Concord Music Group. In the interim, Evans took some time away from music to focus on raising her family with husband, Jay Barker. In 2016, she also made an appearance on Chrisley Knows Best, where she performed a duet with Todd Chrisley.
Trace Adkins
Rarely seen without his signature cowboy hat, Trace Adkins has always managed to make it look chic. Adkins began his career in 1995 when he signed with Capitol Records Nashville and subsequently released his debut album, Dreaming Out Loud. Adkins has continued to release albums since his start 22 years ago, with over 10 studio albums now under his belt. In addition to music, Adkins also wrote an autobiography, A Personal Stand: Observations and Opinions from a Free-Thinking Roughneck in 2007. 2017 saw the release of his latest album, Something’s Going On.
Billy Ray Cirus
Often considered a one-hit wonder to those not in the know, Billy Ray Cyrus has been churning out albums since his early success in the 90s, when “Achy Breaky Heart” shot to the top of the charts. But Cyrus wasn’t content to just stick to music and has appeared in numerous television shows, particularly as Hannah Montana’s father, which starred his more famous daughter, Miley in the title role. Billy Ray is still acting and was recently seen at the 2017 VMAs with his signature mullet.
Gary Allan
Gary Allan burst onto the country music scene after he signed with Decca Records in 1996. His album, Used Heart for Sale, went certified gold with the single “Her Man” turning Allen into a bonafide star overnight. Allen has released eight more albums with 26 singles that made the Billboard charts, including four number one singles, including “Man to Man.” His last album was released in 2013, with a new one scheduled to come out this year, though the title is as yet unknown.
