Country music has always been a staple among many Americans, and the numbers prove it. According to The Economist, about 150 million Americans listen to country songs at least once every month, equivalent to around 45% of the country’s population. Entertainment data firm Luminate also reports that country music is the fastest-growing genre in the US. 

The expansion of the genre’s sonic palette is driving its surge, with more artists blending classic country sounds with pop and rock elements that continue to broaden the demographics of country fans. Today, there are numerous musicians who have shaped and continue to influence country music. If you want to groove and jam out to classic twangs and string harmonies, here are some of the best country singers to put on your next playlist: 

Bacon James

If you’re looking for newer names in country music, you can listen to budding artists who embody the spirit of the genre to expand your list of favorites. American singer Bacon James is a country and blues artist who grew up influenced by great musicians like Robert Johnson, B.B. King, and Muddy Waters. By age 10, James had mastered key country instruments like the guitar and harmonica. He can be seen singing for environmental causes, with his song River Carry Me Home being performed at a songwriting contest dedicated to preserving the ecosystem of Santa Fe River in North Central Florida last year. 

Beyoncé

Today’s recent buzz surrounding country music is thanks in part to the queen of the Beyhive herself, Beyoncé. Her latest Cowboy Carter, also known as Renaissance Act II, garnered huge wins in this year’s Grammy Awards, taking home Best Country Album and Album of the Year. In the album, Beyoncé embraced her country era by tapping into her Texan roots while spotlighting fellow Black country artists like Shaboozey and Reyna Roberts. Beyoncé also made history by being the first Black female artist to top the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart with Texas Hold ‘Em. Outside Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé’s Daddy Lessons from her 2016 album Lemonade is another one of her notable country songs.

Charley Pride 

If you want to dig deeper into the genre’s rich history, listening to country music star Charley Pride is a good starting point. Pride became a trailblazer in country music by becoming the genre’s first Black superstar in the 1960s, breaking racial and cultural barriers. His work was so influential that an event honoring artists who promote inclusivity in music was named after Pride, called I’m Just Me: A Charley Pride Celebration of Inclusion. In 2000, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. His biggest hits, Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’ and Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone, continue to garner listeners ‘til this day.  

Dolly Parton

This list wouldn’t be complete without the Queen of Country herself. The iconic country artist Dolly Parton has cemented her legacy as one of the most successful entertainers in the genre, credited for some of the most famous country songs like 9 To 5 and Jolene. Parton also holds the distinction of garnering the most number-one hits by a female singer in Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, tying Reba McEntire with 25 in total. In 1999, Parton was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, cementing her legacy as one of the best in the genre. Despite her long list of achievements, Parton continues to release music today, the latest being Friends! in collaboration with Australian entertainment group The Wiggles.

Country music’s sustained popularity is anchored on the various artists who continuously reshaped the genre throughout the decades. Listening to these country singers can help you grasp the unique musical elements that characterize the genre. For more music and general news, check out the Black Men In America website.

Article written by Rose Henderson – Exclusively for Black Men In America.com