whether they’re traditional or millennial or just doing their own thing
millennial or just doing their own thing
millennial or just doing their own thing all of these country musicians have
all of these country musicians have
all of these country musicians have become 21st century icons
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’ll
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the top
be counting down our picks for the top
be counting down our picks for the top ten modern country artists for this list
ten modern country artists for this list
ten modern country artists for this list it’s all about that sweet sweet country
it’s all about that sweet sweet country
it’s all about that sweet sweet country music so even though Taylor Swift
music so even though Taylor Swift
music so even though Taylor Swift originally emerged in the genre we’re
originally emerged in the genre we’re
originally emerged in the genre we’re excluding her based on her notable
excluding her based on her notable
excluding her based on her notable crossover to pop music
we’ll be focusing on acts that have
we’ll be focusing on acts that have released their most notable releases in
released their most notable releases in
released their most notable releases in the 2000 now let’s get this hoedown
the 2000 now let’s get this hoedown
the 2000 now let’s get this hoedown started will be Grady number 10 Luke
started will be Grady number 10 Luke
started will be Grady number 10 Luke Bryan
emerging on the scene with a 2007 debut
emerging on the scene with a 2007 debut all Stamey this Georgia native later one
all Stamey this Georgia native later one
all Stamey this Georgia native later one top new artists at the Academy of
top new artists at the Academy of
top new artists at the Academy of Country Music Awards while Luke Bryan’s
Country Music Awards while Luke Bryan’s
Country Music Awards while Luke Bryan’s Commercial Appeal and baritone vocals
Commercial Appeal and baritone vocals
Commercial Appeal and baritone vocals have made him a beloved figure within
have made him a beloved figure within
have made him a beloved figure within the genre his third album tailgates &
the genre his third album tailgates &
the genre his third album tailgates & tanlines made him a star when it managed
tanlines made him a star when it managed
tanlines made him a star when it managed to reach number two on the Billboard 200
to reach number two on the Billboard 200
to reach number two on the Billboard 200 thus introducing him to a wider audience
thus introducing him to a wider audience
thus introducing him to a wider audience got a little boom in my big truck don’t
got a little boom in my big truck don’t
got a little boom in my big truck don’t open up the doors and turn it up sure
open up the doors and turn it up sure
open up the doors and turn it up sure that down-home country vibe and soulful
that down-home country vibe and soulful
that down-home country vibe and soulful vocals complement each other quite well
vocals complement each other quite well
vocals complement each other quite well but it’s the performance style of Bryan
but it’s the performance style of Bryan
but it’s the performance style of Bryan that really gets audiences fired up fun
that really gets audiences fired up fun
that really gets audiences fired up fun fishing lovin every day that’s the
fishing lovin every day that’s the
fishing lovin every day that’s the prayer that a country boy friends
prayer that a country boy friends
prayer that a country boy friends incidentally he was named the ACM
incidentally he was named the ACM
incidentally he was named the ACM Entertainer of the Year in 2015
Entertainer of the Year in 2015
Entertainer of the Year in 2015 establishing a legacy in country music
establishing a legacy in country music
establishing a legacy in country music when it seems like he’s only just
when it seems like he’s only just
when it seems like he’s only just getting started
number nine Jason Aldean
number nine Jason Aldean you’re cracking down money morning Co
you’re cracking down money morning Co
you’re cracking down money morning Co strong board everything it got into a
strong board everything it got into a
strong board everything it got into a jig Brandner in 2005 Jason Aldean’s
jig Brandner in 2005 Jason Aldean’s
jig Brandner in 2005 Jason Aldean’s self-titled debut not only led to a top
self-titled debut not only led to a top
self-titled debut not only led to a top new Male Vocalist win at the ACM Awards
new Male Vocalist win at the ACM Awards
new Male Vocalist win at the ACM Awards but the album sold over 1.5 million
but the album sold over 1.5 million
but the album sold over 1.5 million copies
copies
copies perhaps it’s the radio friendly hits
perhaps it’s the radio friendly hits
perhaps it’s the radio friendly hits that has led to crossover success but
that has led to crossover success but
that has led to crossover success but it’s all Dean’s remarkable vocals and
it’s all Dean’s remarkable vocals and
it’s all Dean’s remarkable vocals and traditional themes that make him one of
traditional themes that make him one of
traditional themes that make him one of the more stands out artists of his
the more stands out artists of his
the more stands out artists of his generation
you just don’t tell mom
you just don’t tell mom while for now he seems to have peaked
while for now he seems to have peaked
while for now he seems to have peaked chart wise with the massive success of
chart wise with the massive success of
chart wise with the massive success of 2010’s my kind of party
2010’s my kind of party
2010’s my kind of party Aladin continues to rack up the
Aladin continues to rack up the
Aladin continues to rack up the accolades on a yearly basis while
accolades on a yearly basis while
accolades on a yearly basis while demonstrating his durability as the
demonstrating his durability as the
demonstrating his durability as the genre continues to evolve
[Music]
[Music] number eight Lady Antebellum ain’t you
number eight Lady Antebellum ain’t you
number eight Lady Antebellum ain’t you perfect memories scattered all around
perfect memories scattered all around
perfect memories scattered all around six albums into their career
six albums into their career
six albums into their career nashville-based man Lady Antebellum
nashville-based man Lady Antebellum
nashville-based man Lady Antebellum continuously remain atop the country
continuously remain atop the country
continuously remain atop the country charts
winning five Grammys in 2011 led by the
winning five Grammys in 2011 led by the mega hit needs you now Lady Antebellum
mega hit needs you now Lady Antebellum
mega hit needs you now Lady Antebellum became an unmistakable part of a larger
became an unmistakable part of a larger
became an unmistakable part of a larger narrative in pop culture she can
narrative in pop culture she can
narrative in pop culture she can it’s our existential love songs that
it’s our existential love songs that
it’s our existential love songs that often leave fans breathless at live
often leave fans breathless at live
often leave fans breathless at live shows and only time will tell how the
shows and only time will tell how the
shows and only time will tell how the band will hold up down the road
but given the success of their first
but given the success of their first three number-one albums Lady Antebellum
three number-one albums Lady Antebellum
three number-one albums Lady Antebellum has undoubtedly touched many in the
has undoubtedly touched many in the
has undoubtedly touched many in the country music community and beyond
country music community and beyond
country music community and beyond making them one of the most important
making them one of the most important
making them one of the most important groups of their time
number seven Miranda Lambert love me for
number seven Miranda Lambert love me for my big sunglasses born and raised in
my big sunglasses born and raised in
my big sunglasses born and raised in Texas this charismatic country gal
Texas this charismatic country gal
Texas this charismatic country gal earned a following while competing in
earned a following while competing in
earned a following while competing in the reality series Nashville star back
the reality series Nashville star back
the reality series Nashville star back in 2003 although she finished in third
in 2003 although she finished in third
in 2003 although she finished in third place she gained enough clout to land a
place she gained enough clout to land a
place she gained enough clout to land a record deal culminating with a modern
record deal culminating with a modern
record deal culminating with a modern country classic in kerosene since then
country classic in kerosene since then
country classic in kerosene since then she’s maintained a consistent presence
she’s maintained a consistent presence
she’s maintained a consistent presence on the charts sparked by her enriching
on the charts sparked by her enriching
on the charts sparked by her enriching country twang and magnetic stage
country twang and magnetic stage
country twang and magnetic stage presence and with 2014’s platinum
presence and with 2014’s platinum
presence and with 2014’s platinum debuting at number one on the Billboard
debuting at number one on the Billboard
debuting at number one on the Billboard charts Miranda Lambert’s edgy yet
charts Miranda Lambert’s edgy yet
charts Miranda Lambert’s edgy yet evocative brand extended beyond her
evocative brand extended beyond her
evocative brand extended beyond her cores on
[Music]
[Music] number six Kenny Chesney summertime is
number six Kenny Chesney summertime is
number six Kenny Chesney summertime is finally here dough ball cock man is back
finally here dough ball cock man is back
finally here dough ball cock man is back in gear out on board
in gear out on board
in gear out on board country music it’s not uncommon for
country music it’s not uncommon for
country music it’s not uncommon for artists to release new material every
artists to release new material every
artists to release new material every couple of years but this man has really
couple of years but this man has really
couple of years but this man has really been putting in the work you can say
been putting in the work you can say
been putting in the work you can say we’ve done the way you always do
to yourself
to yourself four-time winner of the ACM Entertainer
four-time winner of the ACM Entertainer
four-time winner of the ACM Entertainer of the Year award and four-time winner
of the Year award and four-time winner
of the Year award and four-time winner of the CMA Entertainer of the Year award
of the CMA Entertainer of the Year award
of the CMA Entertainer of the Year award Kenny Chesney was essentially the last
Kenny Chesney was essentially the last
Kenny Chesney was essentially the last great country icon before the digital
great country icon before the digital
great country icon before the digital age had arrived there’s the first long
age had arrived there’s the first long
age had arrived there’s the first long kiss on a second day
kiss on a second day
kiss on a second day Mama’s all worried when you get home
Mama’s all worried when you get home
Mama’s all worried when you get home play of course it’s that unmistakable
play of course it’s that unmistakable
play of course it’s that unmistakable kenny chesney tone that makes him
kenny chesney tone that makes him
kenny chesney tone that makes him perhaps the most bankable country artist
perhaps the most bankable country artist
perhaps the most bankable country artist of his time
of his time
of his time moreover he’s a unique talent in that he
moreover he’s a unique talent in that he
moreover he’s a unique talent in that he retains a youthful presence on stage
retains a youthful presence on stage
retains a youthful presence on stage while conveying a sense of maturity
while conveying a sense of maturity
while conveying a sense of maturity through his words Katie knows to have a
through his words Katie knows to have a
through his words Katie knows to have a good time but his experience within the
good time but his experience within the
good time but his experience within the industry lends weight to every line
industry lends weight to every line
industry lends weight to every line don’t just learn back six years old
don’t just learn back six years old
don’t just learn back six years old you take a nap wake up in your 25
you take a nap wake up in your 25
you take a nap wake up in your 25 high school sweetheart become true I
high school sweetheart become true I
high school sweetheart become true I figured she’d gone back to Austin cuz
figured she’d gone back to Austin cuz
figured she’d gone back to Austin cuz she talked about it all that number five
she talked about it all that number five
she talked about it all that number five Blake Shelton it was almost a year
Blake Shelton it was almost a year
Blake Shelton it was almost a year before she called in MO certainly a man
before she called in MO certainly a man
before she called in MO certainly a man that has evolved from his early mullet
that has evolved from his early mullet
that has evolved from his early mullet ears Blake Shelton is also known for his
ears Blake Shelton is also known for his
ears Blake Shelton is also known for his brash personality where the paws around
brash personality where the paws around
brash personality where the paws around here they’re keeping it country ain’t a
here they’re keeping it country ain’t a
here they’re keeping it country ain’t a damn wall know how to do the dougie
damn wall know how to do the dougie
damn wall know how to do the dougie while his popularity grew immensely as a
while his popularity grew immensely as a
while his popularity grew immensely as a judge on NBC’s The Voice he’s long been
judge on NBC’s The Voice he’s long been
judge on NBC’s The Voice he’s long been a legit country star dating back to his
a legit country star dating back to his
a legit country star dating back to his 2001 self-titled debut in comparison to
2001 self-titled debut in comparison to
2001 self-titled debut in comparison to musicians that balance a line between
musicians that balance a line between
musicians that balance a line between country and pop Blake tends to lean
country and pop Blake tends to lean
country and pop Blake tends to lean heavily towards country since you left
heavily towards country since you left
heavily towards country since you left me I’ve been riding around cranking up a
me I’ve been riding around cranking up a
me I’ve been riding around cranking up a little captured gold heartbreak but in
little captured gold heartbreak but in
little captured gold heartbreak but in terms of performance and the arts of
terms of performance and the arts of
terms of performance and the arts of vocal delivery he’s a true Pro given his
vocal delivery he’s a true Pro given his
vocal delivery he’s a true Pro given his excellence within his particular genre
excellence within his particular genre
excellence within his particular genre aspiring country musicians take note of
aspiring country musicians take note of
aspiring country musicians take note of Blake’s advice along with young artists
Blake’s advice along with young artists
Blake’s advice along with young artists from outside the country industry as
from outside the country industry as
from outside the country industry as well put a big
number four tim mcgraw said i was in my
number four tim mcgraw said i was in my early forties with a lot of life before
early forties with a lot of life before
early forties with a lot of life before me already a country icon by the turn of
me already a country icon by the turn of
me already a country icon by the turn of the 21st century
the 21st century
the 21st century this Louisiana native remains a major
this Louisiana native remains a major
this Louisiana native remains a major force in the music industry I know you
force in the music industry I know you
force in the music industry I know you know tickle and so always do
know tickle and so always do
know tickle and so always do lyrically tim mcgraw often touches on
lyrically tim mcgraw often touches on
lyrically tim mcgraw often touches on traditional country thieves with his
traditional country thieves with his
traditional country thieves with his poignant tone bringing weight to his
poignant tone bringing weight to his
poignant tone bringing weight to his lyrics
lyrics
lyrics [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] he’s an artist that loses authenticity
he’s an artist that loses authenticity
he’s an artist that loses authenticity and his resume exemplifies a man able to
and his resume exemplifies a man able to
and his resume exemplifies a man able to keep up with some of the younger and
keep up with some of the younger and
keep up with some of the younger and more pop-oriented artists as the husband
more pop-oriented artists as the husband
more pop-oriented artists as the husband of fellow country artist Faith Hill
of fellow country artist Faith Hill
of fellow country artist Faith Hill McGraw’s love songs connect on a deeper
McGraw’s love songs connect on a deeper
McGraw’s love songs connect on a deeper level with diehard fans as he conveys
level with diehard fans as he conveys
level with diehard fans as he conveys the natural demeanor of a guy conveying
the natural demeanor of a guy conveying
the natural demeanor of a guy conveying a sense of truth furthermore his work
a sense of truth furthermore his work
a sense of truth furthermore his work ethic and reputation set the bar for
ethic and reputation set the bar for
ethic and reputation set the bar for emerging artists
don’t you gather
don’t you gather the most beautiful set of ways number
the most beautiful set of ways number
the most beautiful set of ways number three Carrie Underwood as the 2005
three Carrie Underwood as the 2005
three Carrie Underwood as the 2005 winner of American Idol this singer
winner of American Idol this singer
winner of American Idol this singer transformed from a wide-eyed Oklahoma
transformed from a wide-eyed Oklahoma
transformed from a wide-eyed Oklahoma girl into one of the first reality TV
girl into one of the first reality TV
girl into one of the first reality TV stars of the century with the release of
stars of the century with the release of
stars of the century with the release of her first single jesus take the wheel it
her first single jesus take the wheel it
her first single jesus take the wheel it became more than evident that Carrie
became more than evident that Carrie
became more than evident that Carrie Underwood had the chops to become a
Underwood had the chops to become a
Underwood had the chops to become a country legend
country legend
country legend [Music]
[Music]
[Music] year after year she’s at the top of the
year after year she’s at the top of the
year after year she’s at the top of the charts racking up a multitude of
charts racking up a multitude of
charts racking up a multitude of number-one hits while establishing
number-one hits while establishing
number-one hits while establishing herself as a beloved awards host
herself as a beloved awards host
herself as a beloved awards host alongside Brad Paisley considering the
alongside Brad Paisley considering the
alongside Brad Paisley considering the backstory of Carrie Underwood fans
backstory of Carrie Underwood fans
backstory of Carrie Underwood fans understand her journey on a fundamental
understand her journey on a fundamental
understand her journey on a fundamental level yet she continues to find new ways
level yet she continues to find new ways
level yet she continues to find new ways to show her audience something brand new
to show her audience something brand new
to show her audience something brand new and perhaps most importantly she stayed
and perhaps most importantly she stayed
and perhaps most importantly she stayed true to her country roots
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] number two Keith Urban
lack of never known born in New Zealand
lack of never known born in New Zealand this australia-based crooner doesn’t
this australia-based crooner doesn’t
this australia-based crooner doesn’t exactly represent the traditional career
exactly represent the traditional career
exactly represent the traditional career arc of a typical country music artist
arc of a typical country music artist
arc of a typical country music artist but with the release of 2002 somebody
but with the release of 2002 somebody
but with the release of 2002 somebody like you Keith Urban infused and
like you Keith Urban infused and
like you Keith Urban infused and invigorating you sound into American
invigorating you sound into American
invigorating you sound into American country music
country music
country music about a love some
about a love some
about a love some image is certainly part of the equation
image is certainly part of the equation
image is certainly part of the equation for Keith Urban and like Blake Shelton
for Keith Urban and like Blake Shelton
for Keith Urban and like Blake Shelton he’s also developed new talent on
he’s also developed new talent on
he’s also developed new talent on reality TV but at the core of Urban’s
reality TV but at the core of Urban’s
reality TV but at the core of Urban’s music is a lively energy that moved
music is a lively energy that moved
music is a lively energy that moved country in a new direction
Simo
Simo incidentally Keith’s ethereal vocals are
incidentally Keith’s ethereal vocals are
incidentally Keith’s ethereal vocals are only enhanced by his masterful artistry
only enhanced by his masterful artistry
only enhanced by his masterful artistry on the guitar he’s a transformative
on the guitar he’s a transformative
on the guitar he’s a transformative musician one that respects the
musician one that respects the
musician one that respects the traditions of the genre while
traditions of the genre while
traditions of the genre while maintaining a fresh aesthetic all his
maintaining a fresh aesthetic all his
maintaining a fresh aesthetic all his own
[Music]
[Music] before we unveil our number one pick
before we unveil our number one pick
before we unveil our number one pick here are a few honorable mentions
mr. misunderstood
mr. misunderstood shouting with
shouting with
shouting with [Music]
Peter jumbo pressure shot ain’t no
Peter jumbo pressure shot ain’t no mother’s love
[Music]
[Music] number one Brad Paisley cheesy a pair of
number one Brad Paisley cheesy a pair of
number one Brad Paisley cheesy a pair of running shoes
running shoes
running shoes holy pair of jeans with his typical
holy pair of jeans with his typical
holy pair of jeans with his typical sense of humor Brad Paisley’s iconic
sense of humor Brad Paisley’s iconic
sense of humor Brad Paisley’s iconic 2002 single I’m gonna miss her launched
2002 single I’m gonna miss her launched
2002 single I’m gonna miss her launched him into the public eye and showcased
him into the public eye and showcased
him into the public eye and showcased both his artistry and endearing
both his artistry and endearing
both his artistry and endearing personality yeah
another five
another five incidentally it’s as easygoing vibe and
incidentally it’s as easygoing vibe and
incidentally it’s as easygoing vibe and traditional getup that harkens back to
traditional getup that harkens back to
traditional getup that harkens back to the older days of the genre but while
the older days of the genre but while
the older days of the genre but while Paisley’s natural charisma has played a
Paisley’s natural charisma has played a
Paisley’s natural charisma has played a role in his success he’s managed to keep
role in his success he’s managed to keep
role in his success he’s managed to keep up with the times adapting to the scene
up with the times adapting to the scene
up with the times adapting to the scene and evolving his craft she looked just
and evolving his craft she looked just
and evolving his craft she looked just as deep she knows when she’s down
have one with them in turn he’s
have one with them in turn he’s inexplicably reached number one time and
inexplicably reached number one time and
inexplicably reached number one time and time again with each new release and as
time again with each new release and as
time again with each new release and as the trends of the genre continue to
the trends of the genre continue to
the trends of the genre continue to change paisley remains the central
change paisley remains the central
change paisley remains the central figure of modern country music just
figure of modern country music just
figure of modern country music just can’t believe
[Music]
[Music] so do you agree with our selections
so do you agree with our selections
so do you agree with our selections which country artist do you think has
which country artist do you think has
which country artist do you think has the most durability for more twangy top
the most durability for more twangy top
the most durability for more twangy top 10s published every day be sure to
10s published every day be sure to
10s published every day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com Red Solo Cup
subscribe to watchmojo.com Red Solo Cup
subscribe to watchmojo.com Red Solo Cup I fill you up let’s have a party let’s
I fill you up let’s have a party let’s
I fill you up let’s have a party let’s have a party
have a party
have a party [Music]
[Music]
[Music] you
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