In a recent podcast episode, I talked about the top male country singers of all time. There are so many to choose from but based on voices alone I have narrowed it down to these ten. Here is my count down of the top male country singers of all time.
#10: Kenny Chesney
Starting off our list at number Ten Kenny Chesney is one of the most unique voices in country music, Kenny Chesney’s voice fits his brand perfectly. It just embodies summertime and the beach in a way no other artist does. His voice is unlike anyone else’s in music and stands out on playlists and radio. Making him one of the greatest male country singers of all time.
#9 Alan Jackson
My list wouldn’t be complete without Country Music Hall Of Famer Alan Jackson. Alan is a true Georiga boy through and through and you can tell that when he sings. The honesty in his voice and truth to his singing makes him second to none is true country style.
#8 Garth Brooks
Although not the greatest country vocalist of all time Garth is certainly a GREAT singer. He adds traditional country vocal breaks or half yodels into his style many call it “twang” whatever it is. It works, there is only ONE Garth Brooks.
#7 Vince Gill
Vince is a real deal country singer, he has backed George Strait on his hit song Troubadour, The Eagles as their new frontman, he’s sung with Amy Grant, Pure Prarie League, Eric Clapton, John Fogerty, Dolly Parton, just to name a few. Vince has a lonesome sounding tenor voice he sings with feeling and emotion that no other artist can match.
#6 Blanco Brown
When you think of Country Music, chances are the first thing that comes to your mind isn’t Blanco Brown. However you’d be sadly mistaken, this guy can sing. I mean he can really sing, powerful soulful, and deep, he can hit whistle notes that make Mariah Carey and Kelly Clarkson jealous. Accompanied by a strong, powerful chest voice.
#5 Shay Mooney
Shay Mooney of Dan and Shay has a great high tenor voice with vibrato, soulfulness, and feeling. One of the very few vocalists on this list that combines all three of those characteristics.
#4 John Denver
If I had to describe John Denver’s voice I’d say smooth mellow and warm. With a touch of vibrato, he has that soft open tone and style, that makes a great artist, while also being able to belt the high notes. The “Rocky Mountain High” and “Country Roads” singer isn’t really showy nor does he boast a bunch of impressive scoops or clever pop runs or trills. But his classic folk-country voice speaks volumes for being down-to-earth, homegrown, and blue-collar.
#3 Gary Levox
When it comes to singing with power and feeling Gary Levox of Rascal Flatts has it in spades. Gary’s impressive high tenor vocal range, feeling and unique style made him one of country music’s top male vocalists.
#2 Chris Young
Chris Young, second to none? How bout second to only the great Johnny Cash. Now in my opinion Chris is the best male vocalist in country music of all time. He goes from Baritone to Tenor in one song with vibrato and deep throaty baritone voice that drives all the girls crazy. But he can also hit tenor high notes that even I, a tenor struggle to sing. He has more range than Johnny Cash, Randy Travis and Josh Turner with vocal scoops and a well-perfected quality. Johnny Cash only ranking at #1 because of the amount of flexibility in his voice. For a perfect country voice, CY is about as good as it gets.
#1 Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash coming in at #1 as the greatest male country singer of all time. What makes him so great is the amount of music he recorded. Almost 2,000 songs in his career he had one of the lowest voices of anyone on this list, but he sang everything and he did it without autotune, pitch correction or very many effects besides a little slap echo and some plate reverb. When you cut that many songs with one voice and no tuning and sound that good, that makes you a LEGEND. Although he doesn’t have the range and power of some of these other artists, his versatility and distinct qualities put him at number one.