Some of the best entertainers of all time hail from the country genre. There are honky-tonk heroes, bluegrass belters, and rhythmic rockers. There are banjos, guitars, fiddles, and harmonicas. Country music can be a breath of fresh air, an escape to another world, or a righteous anthem. On this list, we celebrate the 40 best country singers of all time.
40. Tim McGraw
Many contemporary country music fans first heard of country crooner Tim McGraw from Taylor Swift, in her debut single named after the artist. However, Louisiana-born Tim McGraw has been topping charts since 1994, with his debut single, “It’s Your Love.”
Since then, McGraw has released 15 studio albums, ten of which have hit the number one spot on the Top Country Albums chart. McGraw is a versatile country artist, and collaborated with rapper and singer Nelly for 2004 hit “Over and Over.”
39. John Denver
John Denver is a polarizing country singer, with many finding him just too peppy and pleasant to tolerate. Denver has numerous iconic tunes, including “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” “Thank God I’m a Country Boy,” and “Rocky Mountain High.”
John Denver was one of the most popular acoustic artists of the ’70s, and performed mainly with his acoustic guitar and a big smile. He had over 300 songs and composed around 200 of those himself. Tragically, Denver passed away aged 53 while piloting his own plane.
38. Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood is a country artist that came to prominence on the popular talent show — American Idol — in 2005. Underwood’s first single, “Inside Your Heaven,” debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, which is the first time a country single had done so. Underwood has some massive crossover hits, including “Jesus Take the Wheel,” and single girl anthem “Before He Cheats.”
Underwood hails from Oklahoma and is a seven-time Grammy Award winner. Rolling Stone called her “the female vocalist of her generation of any genre.”
37. Brad Paisley
Born and raised in West Virginia, country star Brad Paisley has been making waves in the country music world since 1999 with his debut album, Who Needs Pictures.
Since then, not only has Paisley released tons of studio albums but he’s also brought home three Grammy Awards, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards, 14 Country Music Association Awards, and two American Music Awards. Now 49 years old, Paisley shows no signs of slowing down his music career anytime soon.
27. Kathy Bates
Academy Award winning actress Kathy Bates has a trustworthy aura, despite the dark characters she often plays. Indeed, the American Horror Story actress participated in the Human Rights Campaign video tribute that honored those killed in the Orlando nightclub shooting.
Kathy Bates is also a warrior, having battled against ovarian cancer. The Misery actress revealed on Twitter that she’d undergone a double mastectomy, and then in 2014 announced that the procedure led to lymphedema. She now raises awareness about the illness.
26. Robin Williams
Actor Robin Williams is a celebrity with a trustworthy aura that’s sadly no longer with us. Despite the difficulties he faced in life, the Aladdin actor always brought joy to people’s lives. Whether via the outlandish Mrs. Doubtfire or the beloved blue Genie, audiences of all ages embraced Robin Williams.
Known as one of the best comedians of all time, Robin Williams cofounded Comic Relief USA along with Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal. The performer also made regular benefit appearances in support of various causes.
25. Alan Rickman
Known for his roles in Die Hard, Love Actually and Sense & Sensibility, Alan Rickman is perhaps most associated with his role as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter franchise. Unlike the potions professor, Rickman was a compassionate and kind man, and an inspiration for the actors that worked with him.
Following Rickman’s tragic passing in 2016, Daniel Radcliffe recalled, “I’m pretty sure he came and saw everything I ever did on stage both in Britain and America. He didn’t have to do that.”
24. Helen Mirren
We’ll admit that some people on this list might just remind us of our grandparents, and have won our trust through age alone. However, Dame Helen Mirren also has a twinkle in her eye that convinces us of her trustworthiness. The English actress is delightfully unusual compared with other ladies her age.
Helen Mirren never had any children, and has commented that she has “no maternal instinct whatsoever.” The Gosford Park star is also an atheist.
23. Chrissy Teigen
Chrissy Teigen has amassed a huge following on Twitter, thanks to her down to earth personality. The model, along with husband John Legend, is a supporter of Planned Parenthood, and donated to the March for Our Lives rally against armed violence. Teigen also supports immigrant’s rights, and donated $200,000 following the George Floyd protests.
As well as her outspoken nature, Chrissy Teigen also has a softer side. She shares her parenting journey online, and recently raised awareness about miscarriage.
22. Paul Rudd
OK, with this one, we’ll admit that Paul Rudd just has an incredibly trustworthy face. Has the man aged at all since he starred in Clueless? Of course, Paul Rudd has stolen our hearts in numerous roles, leading us to believe he’s the nice guy he often portrays on screen. We want to hang out with Mike from Friends in real life!
After Rudd played a character with a stutter, he started supporting the Stuttering Association for the Young.
21. Sally Field
Forrest Gump actress Sally Field has played a host of roles across TV and film. As well as her extremely successful career, the actress also has an impressive resume when it comes to activism and philanthropy. The Mrs. Doubtfire star pioneered the early diagnosis of osteoporosis after setting up a campaign when she was diagnosed with the illness.
