The Best of 1970s Country Music

Looking for some great country music from the 1970s? Look no further than this blog post, which highlights some of the best tunes from that decade. From classics like Willie Nelson’s “Good Hearted Woman” to more modern hits like Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” there’s something for everyone on this list. So sit back, relax, and enjoy some of the best country music the 1970s had to offer!

Introduction

It was a decade of change for country music. The 1970s saw the genre move away from its traditional sound and subject matter, and become more reflective of the issues faced by its audience. At the same time, country music began to enjoy increasing popularity with mainstream audiences.

The following list features some of the best country songs of the 1970s. From heartbreak to celebration, these songs capture the feeling of a decade that was both turbulent and optimistic.

1. “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers
2. “I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton
3. “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver
4. “Lucille” by Kenny Rogers
5. “Mama Told Me (Not to Come)” by Three Dog Night
6. “One Piece at a Time” by Johnny Cash
7. “Delta Dawn” by Tanya Tucker
8. “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” by The Charlie Daniels Band
9. “He’ll Have to Go” by Jim Reeves
10. “(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden” by Lynn Anderson

The Outlaws

The Outlaws were an American country rock band formed in Tampa, Florida, in 1972 by singer, guitarist, and songwriter Hughie Thomasson, lead guitarist Billy Jones, and bassist Frank O’Keefe. The band’s lineup fluctuated throughout its history but always included Thomasson and keyboardist/singer David Dix. The Outlaws are best known for their hit singles “There Goes Another Love Song” and “Green Grass and High Tides”, which are considered classics of the southern rock genre.

The Outlaws were founded in Tampa in 1972 by Hughie Thomasson (vocals, guitars), Frank O’Keefe (bass), and Billy Jones (guitars). The three musicians had all grown up together in the Tampa Bay area and had played in various local bands before deciding to form their own group. They took their name from the 1967 film The Ballad of Jesse James, which was about the famous outlaw gang led by Jesse James.

The Outlaws released their self-titled debut album in 1975. The album was a success, reaching the top 20 on the Billboard 200 chart and selling over a million copies. It featured the singles “There Goes Another Love Song” and “Green Grass and High Tides”, both of which became classics of the southern rock genre.

The band’s follow-up album, Playin’ to Win, was released in 1977. The album failed to match the commercial success of its predecessor, but it still reached the top 40 on the Billboard 200 chart. The Outlaws then went on hiatus for several years asThomasson embarked on a solo career.

The band reunited in 1980 with a new lineup that included former Lynyrd Skynyrd members Gary Rossington (guitars) and Artimus Pyle (drums). This lineup recorded two albums together: In the Eye of the Storm (1981) and Holidays in Hell (1982). Both albums were commercially successful, but tensions within the band soon led to Rossington and Pyle leaving to focus on Skynyrd’s reunion tour.

The Outlaws continued to record and tour throughout the 1980s with various lineup changes. The group disbanded briefly in 1987 but reformed a year later with Thomasson as the only original member remaining. The band has continued to tour and record sporadically since then with Thomasson as the only constant member.

The Outlaws have been cited as an influence by numerous subsequent country rock and southern rock artists, including Zac Brown Band, Florida Georgia Line, Kid Rock, Eric Church, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hank Williams Jr., Charlie Daniels Band, Marshall Tucker Band, .38 Special

Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson is an American singer-songwriter, musician, guitarist, actor, and producer. He was born on April 30, 1933, in Abbott, Texas. Nelson is one of the most successful country music artists of all time. His career began in the 1950s with his song “Crazy” which became a hit for him in 1961. In the 1970s, Nelson became a member of the country music supergroup The Highwaymen with Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, and Waylon Jennings. HisOutput has included over 200 albums and 150 singles. He has received numerous awards throughout his career including 10 Grammy Awards and 8 CMA Awards.

Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton is one of the most successful American singer-songwriters of all time. She is best known for country hits such as “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “I Will Always Love You.” Parton has also had success as an actress, businesswoman, and humanitarian.

Emmylou Harris

Emmylou Harris is one of the most influential and respected country music artists of all time. She first came to prominence in the 1970s with her groundbreaking album, “Pieces of the Sky,” which featured her signature song, “Boulder to Birmingham.” Harris has continued to make great music throughout her career, winning multiple Grammy Awards and being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash was one of the most iconic country artists of the 1970s. He was known for his deep, baritone voice and his simple, yet poetic lyrics. His songs often dealt with themes of love, loss, and heartbreak, and his music was infused with a sense of hope and resilience. Some of his most popular songs from the 1970s include “I Walk the Line,” “Ring of Fire,” and “Folsom Prison Blues.” Cash was a true country legend, and his music continues to inspire and entertain audiences today.

Kris Kristofferson

Kris Kristofferson was born in Texas in 1936, and his family has a long history in country music. His grandfather, Kristoffer Kristofferson Sr., was a country musician who played with the likes of Hank Williams and Ernest Tubb. His father, Lars Kristofferson, was also a country musician. Kris Kristofferson began writing songs when he was 14 years old, and he attended Pomona College in California on a sports scholarship. He graduated with a degree in literature, and then he joined the Army as an helicopter pilot. He served in West Germany for three years, and after his discharge he moved to Nashville to pursue a career in country music.

Kristofferson’s first big break came when Johnny Cash recorded his song ” Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down.” The song became a hit, and it helped to launch Kristofferson’s career. He went on to write or co-write such hits as “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” “Me and Bobby McGee,” and “For the Good Times.” In the 1970s, Kristofferson became one of the most popular singers in country music, thanks to his rugged good looks and his outlaw image. He starred in several movies during this period, including “Cisco Pike,” “Blume in Love,” and “A Star is Born.”

In recent years, Kristofferson has continued to act and sing, but he has also become involved in social causes. He is an outspoken advocate for environmentalism and human rights.

Conclusion

There are many great country artists from the 1970s, but these are some of the best. If you’re a fan of country music, then you’ll definitely want to check out these artists.