Top 100 Country Artists: 76-100

It’s an all-new countdown!  This time I’m counting the top 100 country music artists, according only to me.  Amazingly, I could only think of 110, so just about anyone I could think of made the cut, even some that I really don’t care for.

100. Faith Hill — She may not be bad looking, but she’s my least favorite popular country singer of our time. Not to be sexist, but there aren’t many female country singers I like to begin with. And I can’t think of a single song of hers where I wouldn’t turn the station if it came on. If I had to pick, best song would probably be “Mississippi Girl.”

99. Lee Greenwood — Everybody knows Lee for one song and one song only, but it’s so damn popular and every time they played that during the seventh inning stretch at the Metrodome and I swayed back and forth with friends screaming it, I always got chills. I am referring, of course, to “God Bless the USA.”

98. Reba McEntire — Probably the most prominent female country singer of the last twenty years, and I still don’t care for her music. Like Faith, she just doesn’t do it for me. But as you will see later, it is possible for a couple female acts to rank high. One tolerable Reba song is “I’d Rather Ride Around with You.” Her music is probably still better than her sitcom, though.

97. Kellie Pickler — Kellie played the crowds watching American Idol with her dumb blonde act. At the time I thought she was really that innocent, but now I think it was all an elaborate act that landed her fame and fortune as a real country singer. Can’t say I’ve heard many of her songs, but there was that tear-jerker “I Wonder.”

96. Radney Foster — Who??, you’re probably asking. I don’t remember much about Radney (not Randy) Foster other than he looked suspiciously like Eric Clapton and he only had one big hit that I can remember. That song was “Nobody Wins,” which I distinctly remember hearing over and over again on the bus in 1993.

95. Shania Twain — Notice a trend here? All of country’s biggest female acts are already out of the running! Actually, I think I dislike Shania more than Reba or Faith Hill, especially her many annoying songs about not being in it for love. She does have one song that I like, though, called “No One Needs to Know.”

94. Ronnie Milsap — Bonus points for Ronnie because he’s blind. Again, I can only think of a couple songs he sings, but I like them both. “Smoky Mountain Rain” is probably the most popular, followed by “Stranger in My House.”

93. Van Zant — At one time a few years ago, it appeared Van Zant was going to be the equivalent of Big & Rich, but after their one big hit “Help Somebody,” but I haven’t heard much of them since. Maybe somebody should help them resurrect their career.

92. George Jones — Considered a legend by many, Old George is a bit before my time. I made fun of his 90s video for “I Don’t Need No Rockin’ Chair,” but eventually came to like his rendition of “Finally Friday.”

91. Waylon Jennings — Like George Jones, many country purists would be apalled to see Waylon at #91, but I don’t know a lot of his music. Everyone should know his famous “Good Ole Boys,” used as the theme song to Dukes of Hazard.

90. Oak Ridge Boys — Again, I spent more time making fun of the Oak Ridge Boys than I did enjoying their music, but you have to admit their ability to harmonize is pretty catchy. “Elvira” and “My Baby Is American Made” are classics!

89. Sheryl Crow — I think technically Sheryl Crow counts as a country artist because I saw her perform at WeFest. Well, we at least know she’s a person and not a real crow. I wouldn’t say I’m a big fan, but some of her stuff is catchy, like the new “Love Is Free.” It’s that damned overplayed “Picture” duet that takes her down a few notches.

88. Leann Rimes — Boy was America crazy about little 15-year-old Leann Rimes back in the 90s, but boy did her act get old fast! She gets some points for teaming up with Bon Jovi recently, otherwise her best song was “Can’t Fight the Moonlight.”

87. LeeRoy Parnell — All it takes for LeeRoy to get revved up is a tender moment. And just to make sure no one cuts the “e” sound short on his first name, he added a second “e.” And capitalized the “R.” Okay, got it LeeRoy.

86. Shenandoah — Church on Cumberland Road, Next to You Next to Me. I guess two semi-hit songs is good enough for 86th.

85. Lady Antebellum — Much like the Barenaked Ladies, here’s a group that’s put out some great singles in their first half-year on the radio, including the popular “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore,” despite not actually being ladies. I predict we’ll be hearing plenty more of them in the future, male or female.

84. Dixie Chicks — Ugh.. The Dixie Chicks also really annoy me, but are leaps and bounds above Faith, Shania, etc. The pudgy lead singing girl is funny looking, but if you look closely, so are the two taller, plain girls.

83. Gretchen Wilson — Gotta respect Gretchen Wilson, working so hard to get to the top. She’s one hard-drinkin’ tough-fightin’ broad I wouldn’t mess with, but I haven’t been a huge fan of her music. Her recent song “One of the Guys” was pretty listenable.

82. Chad Brock — Chad said “Yes!” I said “Wow.” He said “When?” I said “When are you going to come out with another good song?” Chad was left speechless.

81. Wade Hayes — Wade was making a name for himself back in the late 90s with hits like “Old Enough to Know Better.” Maybe he’s old enough to stop wasting his time in mediocrity.

80. Dolly Parton — Aside from a couple big songs like “9 to 5” and “Islands in the Stream,” I didn’t know much Dolly until her recent week on American Idol. She still looks very fake, but probably better than she would at her current age if she wasn’t fake.

79. Jack Ingram — Jack’s hit it big recently with a couple #1 hits like “Wherever You Are” and “Maybe She’ll Get Lonely.” Will probably never make it much higher on my list but he’s good for a solid hit every couple years. Is it just me or to people whose last names start with vowels get forgotten easily?

78. Eddie Rabbit — Eddie definitely moves up a few spots thanks to Weezer mentioning him in their new song “Heart Songs.” That Eddie really does love a rainy night, and probably Easter too.

77. Trent Tomlinson — Possibly the younger brother of Chargers running back Ladainian Tomlinson, Trent sings about how he doesn’t want a woman he’s dating to get drunken than him. Excellent song.

76. Mark Wills — Back in 2000-something, Mark Wills hit it big with “Nineteen Something,” in which he recalled random events from the 70s, 80s, and 90s but couldn’t remember what year they happened in exactly. Check out the old RG.com Year in Reviews, Mark! I know what happened when!