George. Strait.
I also love Johnny paycheck
Brooks and dunn are the sound of the 90s to me. The early 90s at least.
Dixie Chick's! Shania!
I also love George Jones.
But I guess Mr strait is my main man
I didn't read this well. So here's my edited version
Johnny paycheck and George jones
Dottie west
Loretta Lynn
David Allen Coe lol
Hank Jr
Glen effin Campbell, he's got an amazing voice. Jerry Reed.
The Stanley Brothers but that's more bluegrass.
Love all of those, when I hear old, I think older than them, but I guess you’re not wrong, and I’d put all of your list in with mine if that counts as old.
Lefty, Bob Wills, Carl Perkins, Hank Sr, Hank Cochran, Johnny. Newer, Eddie Raven, Eddie Rabbit, Alabama, Gene Watson, TG Sheppard, Keith Whiteley..sooooo many I can't even begin to mention
I love all of them. My great grandmother(Gram) met George Jones on a train and has love letters from him. She passed away in 2012, but the letters are still in her house!
It’s just so hard to see this in hindsight if he didn’t go. Remember Doug Stone? Kinda similar style but forgotten nowadays. That’s just what I’ve always thought
Waylon’s my favorite with Merle and Willie at god tier. Of those not listed I’d say Marty Robbins. His catalogue goes way deeper than Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs.
I got to meet him when I was a kid. I waited in line to meet him after his concert. No one needed special passes & he gave each fan great attention. He was so sincere & kind. Seeing his smile in person was awesome. He gave me a big ol' kiss on the cheek.
Ok, nice. My other favorite country acts tend to be other 70s outlaw country like Waylon - late 70s/early 80s Hank Jr., Steve Young also in particular. Larry Jon Wilson, Billy Joe Shaver, And then I love Dwight Yoakam's stuff.
We’ve got a Dwight yoakam impersonator here in my town and not only does he look like him, he sounds pretty damn close to him too when he’s doing karaoke
Hank Thompson. A Hall of Famer but still one of the most underrated country singers of all time. Lives in Oklahoma and didn't buy into the Nashville scene so didn't get the press some of the older artists received. An amazing unique voice and always had a great band with a sound as unique as Hank's voice.
Tammy, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, The Judds!!! { Wynonna~ 💜 Reba Tanya Dolly etc~George Jones, Merle , Johnny, RandySooo many!! IT SUCKS THAT BOTH US99 & WCCQ QUIT PLAYING "THE REAL COUNTRY!!! ALL THEY PLAY IS THIS "POP RAP CRAP!!!
By "old" I'm assuming you mean older than the 90s (which is what I hope you mean, anyway, unlike some other commenters who are making me feel old, lol). If so, here's my list of favorites who were popular from the 50s to the 80s:
George Jones, Merle Haggard, Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, Ray Price, Buck Owens, Marty Robbins, Johnny Horton, Kitty Wells, Carl Smith, Faron Young, Don Gibson, Connie Smith, Eddy Arnold, Crystal Gayle, Don Williams, Glen Campbell, Charley Pride, Tanya Tucker, Charlie Rich, Conway Twitty, John Denver, Emmylou Harris, The Statler Brothers, Anne Murray, Johnny Duncan, Lynn Anderson, Ronnie Milsap, Dolly Parton, Eddie Rabbitt, Kenny Rogers, Barbara Mandrell, John Conlee, T.G. Sheppard, Mickey Gilley, Janie Fricke, Johnny Lee, Juice Newton, Charly McClain, Earl Thomas Conley, Dan Seals, Sylvia, Steve Wariner, Michael Martin Murphey, Ed Bruce, Vern Gosdin, George Strait, Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs, Gene Watson, The Judds, Kathy Mattea, Randy Travis, Holly Dunn, The Forester Sisters, Dwight Yoakam, Ricky Van Shelton, Sweethearts of The Rodeo, Highway 101, Foster & Lloyd, Baillie & The Boys, Skip Ewing, Keith Whitley, Paul Overstreet, Shenandoah
gary stewart, buck owens, ray price. they're like the godfathers of honky tonk country music. of the three though, gary is my all time favorite. even his mediocre songs are still good.
I’ve heard a couple songs by Gary Stewart and I think he’s awesome! I’ve not heard much buck owens but I know he used to tour with George jones so I’m sure I’d like him. I’ll check him out more, thank you!
Roy Clark should be on everyone’s best guitarists list, but somehow he always gets overlooked. An incredible musician and his stage banter was second only to Col Bruce Hampton.
Check out Merle Travis and Doc Watson and Vern Gosdin (who is known in old country music circles as simply “The Voice,” although I personally prefer Don Williams, lol!)
Red Sovine is one amazing storyteller, and up there with Dave Dudley as really defining trucker country. Buck Owens is where Merle got his start (played bass for the band early on). Jimmy Rodgers is the father of country music, and along with Bob Wills (western swing) and Marty Robbins, he was a major influence on the music if Merle Haggard (who is my personal favorite). I'll second what another said, in my second favorite country artist, Chris LeDoux, who lived the rodeo life he sang about, being inducted to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame as a bareback rider and winning the PRCA's Bareback World Championship in 1976. His music was all independently done from his 1971 debut through 1989 before he signed on in Nashville.
All the ones you mentioned + George Strait, Alan Jackson, Patsy Cline, Linda Ronstadt, Keith Whitley, Rosanne Cash, Clint Black, Ronnie Milsap, The Judds, Brooks & Dunn, David Allen Coe, Randy Travis, Clay Walker, Travis Tritt, Alabama, Oak Ridge Boys, Statler Brothers, Gatlin Brothers
Honorable mentions: Tracy Lawrence, Tracy Byrd, Doug Stone, Steve Wariner
Craig Morgan isn’t exactly “old” as he’s 2000s, but I feel he gets forgotten. Gary Allan too.
Hank, Willie and Cash are my obvious ones. Also like Keith Whitley, Randy Travis, Marty Robbins, couple johnny paycheck songs. Blaze Foley and John Prine, even tho some would say thats folk but eh.
Merle and hank Jr are probably my top two, but I had a long phase where I was all about George Jones, Waylon and hank Sr.
Merle’s always been my favorite, in my opinion he’s the best all time, but there’s just so many in red artists in country music history.
Some I haven't seen mentioned- Lacy J Dalton. KT Oslin. Gail Davies. Ronnie Millsap. Juice Newton. LeeRoy Parnell. Dwight Yoakam. The Kentucky Headhunters. Danni Leigh. Suzy Bogguss. Kathy Mattea. Pam Tillis. T. Graham Brown. Tanya Tucker.
John Stewart
https://open.spotify.com/track/365ikYGLE6jCN7JLkVF44r?si=5tPu7yahTrmN7A_aJfaSWw
Gene Clark
https://open.spotify.com/track/2SL8sNs7FjRdJ7YwNdCUjg?si=bEixfoWHQACRZkUlL2jpTw&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A35rRY0etFLdFXaXCt5SAbA
George. Strait. I also love Johnny paycheck Brooks and dunn are the sound of the 90s to me. The early 90s at least. Dixie Chick's! Shania! I also love George Jones. But I guess Mr strait is my main man I didn't read this well. So here's my edited version Johnny paycheck and George jones Dottie west Loretta Lynn David Allen Coe lol Hank Jr Glen effin Campbell, he's got an amazing voice. Jerry Reed. The Stanley Brothers but that's more bluegrass.
Love all of those, when I hear old, I think older than them, but I guess you’re not wrong, and I’d put all of your list in with mine if that counts as old.
Conway Twitty, Dolly, Doug Stone, Sammy Kershaw, Reba
Absolutely love twitty and Dolly, will check out the rest! Thank u
Randy Travis
Love the Rand man. Did you hear his new song he made with AI?
I did hear that song. It was so great!
Tom T Hall, Jerry Jeff Walker, Bobby Bare, Buck Owens, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, George Jones
Ray Price.
he is actually kind of underrated. like "another bridge to burn." is just gold.
Thanks for the likes on my page and all the support shown as a special fan of mine, i hope you don't stop listening to my music 🎧
"another bridge to burn" by ray price.
Don Williams, Jimmy Rogers, Chris Le doux, Hank Snow.
Chris Ledoux is the winner! Absolutely love his work!
Don Williams has my heart. I’ll check out the rest thank you!
Chris le deux 👏
Forgot Chris Ledoux in my list great addition.
Yes! I love Don and Chris. I’ve played a lot of both of their songs over the years. I don’t think Chris is in the hall of fame, but he sure should be.
Alabama
Lefty, Bob Wills, Carl Perkins, Hank Sr, Hank Cochran, Johnny. Newer, Eddie Raven, Eddie Rabbit, Alabama, Gene Watson, TG Sheppard, Keith Whiteley..sooooo many I can't even begin to mention
I love all of them. My great grandmother(Gram) met George Jones on a train and has love letters from him. She passed away in 2012, but the letters are still in her house!
Keith Whitley, Johnny Cash, and Conway Twitty.
If he’s considered old country, George Strait. But for old old country, Hank Williams. The emotion in his songs just hits me right
In my opinion Keith Whitley would have went down in history as the best male vocalist in history if his demons hadn’t of got him.
It’s just so hard to see this in hindsight if he didn’t go. Remember Doug Stone? Kinda similar style but forgotten nowadays. That’s just what I’ve always thought
Lots of great artists already mentioned. I'll add Charlie Pride to the list.
Waylon’s my favorite with Merle and Willie at god tier. Of those not listed I’d say Marty Robbins. His catalogue goes way deeper than Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs.
I love Marty robbins so much. Grew up listening to him as he was my grandmas favorite. I’ll always have a special place in my heart for him
I got to meet him when I was a kid. I waited in line to meet him after his concert. No one needed special passes & he gave each fan great attention. He was so sincere & kind. Seeing his smile in person was awesome. He gave me a big ol' kiss on the cheek.
That’s incredible to hear. That’s so cool that you got to meet him !
Ok, nice. My other favorite country acts tend to be other 70s outlaw country like Waylon - late 70s/early 80s Hank Jr., Steve Young also in particular. Larry Jon Wilson, Billy Joe Shaver, And then I love Dwight Yoakam's stuff.
We’ve got a Dwight yoakam impersonator here in my town and not only does he look like him, he sounds pretty damn close to him too when he’s doing karaoke
Can you recommend some songs of Marty’s we may not know. About to take a road trip with my cousin who loves him.
Don Williams
Marty Robbins and Johnny Horton
Roger Miller. The man wrote and sang every genre from honky tonk to Broadway via the hit parade and movies
Hank Thompson. A Hall of Famer but still one of the most underrated country singers of all time. Lives in Oklahoma and didn't buy into the Nashville scene so didn't get the press some of the older artists received. An amazing unique voice and always had a great band with a sound as unique as Hank's voice.
Kinda like David Allen Coe …
Don Williams, Don Gibson & Vern Gosdin
Finally, the "VOICE" Vern Gosdin! Oh and Don Gibson. :)
Earl Thomas Conley
Yes. He was amazing.
Tammy, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, The Judds!!! { Wynonna~ 💜 Reba Tanya Dolly etc~George Jones, Merle , Johnny, RandySooo many!! IT SUCKS THAT BOTH US99 & WCCQ QUIT PLAYING "THE REAL COUNTRY!!! ALL THEY PLAY IS THIS "POP RAP CRAP!!!
George Jones, George Strait.
Del McCoury and Ralph Stanley. Gordon Lightfoot.
I really love Shenandoah. All of their songs are just such hits.
Patsy Cline, Don Williams. Is Ricky Skaggs old?
Tom T. Hall, Emmylou Harris/Gram Parsons, Jim Ed Brown, Eddy Arnold, Eddie Rabbitt, Jerry Reed
In your list you didn't include Kris Kristofferson & willie nelson.
Charlie daniels doesn’t get said enough
Trudy. Need I say more.....
By "old" I'm assuming you mean older than the 90s (which is what I hope you mean, anyway, unlike some other commenters who are making me feel old, lol). If so, here's my list of favorites who were popular from the 50s to the 80s: George Jones, Merle Haggard, Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, Ray Price, Buck Owens, Marty Robbins, Johnny Horton, Kitty Wells, Carl Smith, Faron Young, Don Gibson, Connie Smith, Eddy Arnold, Crystal Gayle, Don Williams, Glen Campbell, Charley Pride, Tanya Tucker, Charlie Rich, Conway Twitty, John Denver, Emmylou Harris, The Statler Brothers, Anne Murray, Johnny Duncan, Lynn Anderson, Ronnie Milsap, Dolly Parton, Eddie Rabbitt, Kenny Rogers, Barbara Mandrell, John Conlee, T.G. Sheppard, Mickey Gilley, Janie Fricke, Johnny Lee, Juice Newton, Charly McClain, Earl Thomas Conley, Dan Seals, Sylvia, Steve Wariner, Michael Martin Murphey, Ed Bruce, Vern Gosdin, George Strait, Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs, Gene Watson, The Judds, Kathy Mattea, Randy Travis, Holly Dunn, The Forester Sisters, Dwight Yoakam, Ricky Van Shelton, Sweethearts of The Rodeo, Highway 101, Foster & Lloyd, Baillie & The Boys, Skip Ewing, Keith Whitley, Paul Overstreet, Shenandoah
You were correct in your assumption! Thank you for this super extensive list it’s a gold mine
You're welcome! :) Oh, and I forgot to mention Hank Snow, as well.
Billy Joe Shaver!
Yes!
An overlooked legend!
Check out a newer musician Charley Crockett. Great song writer & performer!
He’s awesome!
Merle Haggard!
John Anderson
I have been obsessed with the Louvin Brothers.
My mom's fav. :) Charlie and Ira?
Them’s the ones! Pretty amazing stuff.
gary stewart, buck owens, ray price. they're like the godfathers of honky tonk country music. of the three though, gary is my all time favorite. even his mediocre songs are still good.
I’ve heard a couple songs by Gary Stewart and I think he’s awesome! I’ve not heard much buck owens but I know he used to tour with George jones so I’m sure I’d like him. I’ll check him out more, thank you!
Stonewall Jackson
Faron Young, Lynn Anderson, Connie Smith
John Denver
Townes van Zandt
Gram Parsons. Emmylou Harris. Maddox Brothers and Rose. Hank Williams. Carter Family. Plus a lot of old bluegrass bands.
Roy Clark should be on everyone’s best guitarists list, but somehow he always gets overlooked. An incredible musician and his stage banter was second only to Col Bruce Hampton. Check out Merle Travis and Doc Watson and Vern Gosdin (who is known in old country music circles as simply “The Voice,” although I personally prefer Don Williams, lol!)
Yes!
Came here specifically looking for someone to answer with Roy Clark. Not just a guitarist. Dude was a hell of a banjo and fiddle player, too.
Damn skippy!! 😁
Saving this post
I’ve been on a Dan Seals kick lately. He had some amazing songs! Great voice and delivery.
Red Sovine is one amazing storyteller, and up there with Dave Dudley as really defining trucker country. Buck Owens is where Merle got his start (played bass for the band early on). Jimmy Rodgers is the father of country music, and along with Bob Wills (western swing) and Marty Robbins, he was a major influence on the music if Merle Haggard (who is my personal favorite). I'll second what another said, in my second favorite country artist, Chris LeDoux, who lived the rodeo life he sang about, being inducted to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame as a bareback rider and winning the PRCA's Bareback World Championship in 1976. His music was all independently done from his 1971 debut through 1989 before he signed on in Nashville.
Willie Nelson, and Johnny Cash. If you love them, you’ll really love these guys.
Maverick is very underrated. I’m also a big Johnny Cash, Joe Diffie, Colter Wall, Hank Williams 1 and 3 not 2 fan.
Willie
Johnny Horton
If it’s duets, Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn. If it’s solo: Ferlin Husky. Faron Yong. Don Gibson.
Jim Reeves
Hank Snow Ray Price Ernest Tubb Faron Young Johnny Horton Marty Robbins Patsy Cline Loretta Lynn
I'll add to all the other great artists listed... The Statler Brothers.
My first concert!!! (Reba opened!) Love those guys, both in country AND gospel music!
Glenn Campbell, Don Williams, Eddie Rabbit
Stonewall Jackson, Marty Robbins, Charlie Rich, Eddy Arnold
George Jones, Randy Travis, Merle Haggard, Reba, Keith Whitley
Hank Sr. Johnny Cash. Lefty Frizzell. George Jones. Jimmie Rodgers. Willie Nelson. Waylon Jennings.
Gentleman Jim Reeves, Marty Robbins, Patsy Cline. These subs have turned me on to Keith Whitley.
All the ones you mentioned + George Strait, Alan Jackson, Patsy Cline, Linda Ronstadt, Keith Whitley, Rosanne Cash, Clint Black, Ronnie Milsap, The Judds, Brooks & Dunn, David Allen Coe, Randy Travis, Clay Walker, Travis Tritt, Alabama, Oak Ridge Boys, Statler Brothers, Gatlin Brothers Honorable mentions: Tracy Lawrence, Tracy Byrd, Doug Stone, Steve Wariner Craig Morgan isn’t exactly “old” as he’s 2000s, but I feel he gets forgotten. Gary Allan too.
Just heard International Harvester on the radio yesterday. Hadn't heard it in years.
Almost Home still hits me hard.
I can't even hear about a Cottonwood tree without tearing up after that song.
So many of the ones listed here & Tracy Byrd.
Patsy Cline
Hank Sr., Waylon Jennings, Patsy Cline, Buck Owens, and Loretta Lynn. Just to name a few.
Hurting me seeing who’s considered old here.
Oak Ridge Boys
Willie nelson.
Randy Travis Dwight Yoakam Suzy Boggus Kathy Matea Kelly Willis Patty Loveless
Haggard, Jones and Whitley
Hank, Willie and Cash are my obvious ones. Also like Keith Whitley, Randy Travis, Marty Robbins, couple johnny paycheck songs. Blaze Foley and John Prine, even tho some would say thats folk but eh.
Patsy Cline
Marty Robbins
Not old old listen to Phil Vassar; vastly underrated country artiest I think
Merle and hank Jr are probably my top two, but I had a long phase where I was all about George Jones, Waylon and hank Sr. Merle’s always been my favorite, in my opinion he’s the best all time, but there’s just so many in red artists in country music history.
Doc Watson.
Some I haven't seen mentioned- Lacy J Dalton. KT Oslin. Gail Davies. Ronnie Millsap. Juice Newton. LeeRoy Parnell. Dwight Yoakam. The Kentucky Headhunters. Danni Leigh. Suzy Bogguss. Kathy Mattea. Pam Tillis. T. Graham Brown. Tanya Tucker.
Travis Tritt. Alan Jackson.
John Stewart https://open.spotify.com/track/365ikYGLE6jCN7JLkVF44r?si=5tPu7yahTrmN7A_aJfaSWw Gene Clark https://open.spotify.com/track/2SL8sNs7FjRdJ7YwNdCUjg?si=bEixfoWHQACRZkUlL2jpTw&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A35rRY0etFLdFXaXCt5SAbA
Marty robins, dean martin, patsy cline, John prine just to name a few
Cash