5 of the Best Male Country Music Artists
Here are 5 of the best male country music artists that you need to be listening to right now!
Blake Shelton
Blake Shelton is an American country music artist who first gained prominence in the early 2000s. Since then, he has gone on to release thirteen studio albums, including his most recent, If I’m Honest, in 2016. Blake Shelton has also won numerous awards, including several Grammy Awards and Country Music Association Awards.
His early life and how he got into country music
Blake Tollison Shelton was born in Ada, Oklahoma, to Dorothy, a beauty salon owner, and Richard Shelton, a used car salesman. Shelly Newsome, his mother’s best friend growing up and now one of Shelton’s closest friends, taught him how to sing when he was four years old. When news that Shelton was going to be a father spread through his hometown of Ada when he was just 16 years old, he immediately put his high school education on hold and took a job at a meatpacking plant to help support his soon-to-be family.
Shelton began songwriting during this time and eventually caught the attention of Bobby Braddock, one of country music’s most renowned songwriters. Braddock helped Shelton get a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music and eventually introduced him to music producer Scott Hendricks. Hendricks liked what he heard and signed the young artist to Giant Records in 2001.
His musical style
American country music singer and songwriter Blake Shelton has released eleven studio albums, three extended plays, four live albums, thirty-six singles, sixteen other charted songs, and one DVD. Shelton’s first album was the self-titled Blake Shelton (2001), which was certified “gold” by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
His second and third albums were The Dreamer (2003) and Blake Shelton’s Barn & Grill (2004). The latter album was certified “platinum” by the RIAA. From 2005 to 2008, Shelton released three more studio albums: Pure BS (2007), Startin’ Fires (2008), and Red River Blue (2011). These albums all received “gold” or “platinum” certifications from the RIAA.
Shelton’s seventh studio album, Based on a True Story… (2013), became his fourth consecutive album to reach number one on the Billboard Country Albums chart and his sixth overall. It also became his third consecutive album to debut within the top ten on the latter chart. To date, it is his best-selling album, having been certified double “platinum”. His eighth studio album Bringing Back the Sunshine was released in 2014 and debuted at number one on both the Country Albums and Top Country Albums charts, giving Shelton his fifth number-one debut on the former chart and sixth overall. The album was certified platinum by the RIAA in February 2015.
Ten of Shelton’s singles have reached number one on either the US Country Airplay or Hot Country Songs charts. He has also accumulated 33 top ten hits on those two charts.
His most popular songs
“Austin”
Released in 2001, “Austin” was Blake Shelton’s breakout hit, spending five weeks at the top of the Billboard country charts. The song made Shelton the first male country artist to debut at No. 1 with his first single.
“The Baby”
Released in 2003, “The Baby” is a touching ballad about a father’s love for his child. The song peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard country charts and was one of Shelton’s most successful singles.
“Hillbilly Bone”
“Hillbilly Bone” is a duet with fellow country artist Trace Adkins. The song was released in 2010 and won a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
“God Gave Me You”
“God Gave Me You” is a sentimental ballad that was released in 2011 and became one of Shelton’s most popular songs. The song peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard country charts and has been certified Platinum by the RIAA.
“I’ll Name the Dogs”
“I’ll Name the Dogs” is a fun, upbeat love song that was released in 2017 and became one of Shelton’s biggest hits, spending four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard country charts.
Keith Urban
Keith Urban is a four-time Grammy Award winner, who has had 17 No. 1 songs on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. He is married to actress Nicole Kidman and the couple has two daughters. Urban is also a successful businessman, owning his own clothing line and record label.
His early life and how he got into country music
Urban was born on October 26, 1967, in Whangarei, New Zealand, and was raised in Caboolture, Queensland, Australia. His parents divorced when he was four years old. He is the youngest of three children with two older sisters. When he was 18 years old, he moved to the United States to attend Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. After earning a degree in business from the school in 1991, he worked as a session guitarist before being signed as a solo artist by Capitol Nashville Records in 1997.
He released his self-titled debut album that year and it produced several Top Ten singles on the Billboard country charts, including “But for the Grace of God” and “Somebody Like You”, which peaked at No. 3 and No. 1 respectively. These songs helped Urban gain widespread recognition as a country music artist and he won his first Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for “Somebody Like You” at the 44th Grammy Awards in 2002. He has since released eight more studio albums and has also ventured into television acting, with roles on the dramas Boston Legal (2005), Friday Night Lights (2007) and Dirty Sexy Money (2007-2009).
His musical style
Keith Urban is a widely successful country music artist who has been making music since the early 1990s. Throughout his career, Urban has experimented with different genres and styles of music, from country to rock to pop. He is known for his versatile songwriting and guitar playing skills.
Urban’s musical style is often described as “Contemporary Country.” This means that his music is influenced by both traditional country music and more modern pop and rock sounds. This blend of styles makes Urban’s music unique and accessible to a wide range of listeners.
If you’re a fan of Keith Urban, or if you’re just curious about his music, be sure to check out some of his best songs. Below are five of Keith Urban’s most popular songs:
“But for the Grace of God”
“Somebody Like You”
“Days Go By”
“Sweet Thing”
“Only You Can Love Me This Way”
His most popular songs
While many fans know Keith Urban for his more recent songs, some of his earlier songs are just as popular, if not more so. Here are five of Keith Urban’s most popular songs:
1) “Somebody Like You”
2) “But for the Grace of God”
3) “You’ll Think of Me”
4) “Raining on Sunday”
5) “Who Wouldn’t Wanna Be Me”
Luke Bryan
Out of all the male country music artists, Luke Bryan is one of the best. He has released six studio albums, all of which have been highly successful. He has also won numerous awards, including the Academy of Country Music Awards and the Country Music Association Awards. He is known for his catchy melodies and relatable lyrics.
His early life and how he got into country music
Luke Bryan was born in 1976 in rural Georgia. His father was a peanut farmer, and his mother was a schoolteacher. Bryan grew up working on his family’s farm, and he developed a love for country music at an early age. He would often listen to the radio while he worked, and he began to mimic the sounds of his favorite country singers.
In college, Bryan studied business administration. He also continued to pursue his passion for music, performing in various local bars and clubs. After graduation, he moved to Nashville with the hope of making it big in the country music industry.
Bryan’s hard work paid off, and he soon landed a record deal. He released his debut album in 2007, and it quickly rose to the top of the country charts. Since then, Bryan has released several more successful albums and singles, solidifying his place as one of today’s most popular country music artists.
His musical style
Luke Bryan is an American country music singer and songwriter. His musical style is defined by contemporary country with a mix of southern rock, and his songs are often about the everyday lives of rural Americans. He has released six studio albums, three of which have been certified platinum or higher by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His latest album, Kill the Lights, was released in August 2015 and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. He is currently touring in support of the album.
His most popular songs
Some of Luke Bryan’s most popular songs include “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day,” “Kick the Dust Up,” “Play It Again,” and “Strip It Down.” He has also released several successful albums, including “Crash My Party,” “Spring Break…Here to Party,” and “Kill the Lights.”
Jason Aldean
Jason Aldean is an American country music artist who has been active since 2005. He has released eight studio albums and has won numerous awards, including two Grammy Awards and six American Music Awards. Aldean’s ninth studio album, Nine, is set to be released in 2019.
His early life and how he got into country music
Jason Aldean was born in Georgia in 1977. He was raised on a family farm and developed a love of country music at a young age. After high school, he moved to Nashville to pursue his dream of becoming a country music star.
Aldean’s big break came in 2005 when he was signed to Broken Bow Records. His debut album, “My Kinda Party,” was released that year and quickly became a hit. It included the singles “Hicktown” and “Amarillo Sky,” both of which reached the top of the country charts.
Since then, Aldean has released six more studio albums, all of which have been huge commercial successes. He is now one of the biggest stars in country music, and he has won numerous awards, including four Grammy nominations.
His musical style
Jason Aldean’s musical style is characterized by his use of neotraditionalist country music elements. His songs often feature elements such as honky-tonk, backwoods, and southern rock. He has also been described as a “bro-country artist”.
His most popular songs
“Dirt Road Anthem”
“She’s Country”
“Big Green Tractor”
“The Only Way I Know”
“Take a Little Ride”
Kenny Chesney
Kenny Chesney is an American country music singer and songwriter. He has recorded twenty one albums, fourteen of which have been certified gold or higher by the RIAA. He has also produced more than forty top 10 singles on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts, thirty of which have reached number one on the charts. Chesney has received numerous awards and nominations, including 11 Academy of Country Music Awards, 14 Country Music Association Awards, and 8 Grammy Awards.
His early life and how he got into country music
Kenny Chesney was born on March 26, 1968, in Knoxville, Tennessee. His father, David Chesney, was a teacher and his mother, Karen Chandler, was an office worker. Chesney has one older sister, Jennifer. He began playing guitar at an early age and by high school he was performing in various clubs and bars around eastern Tennessee. After graduating from Gibbs High School in Corryton, he attended East Tennessee State University in Johnson City.
While attending college, Chesney played guitar and sang in various local clubs and bars. He also began writing songs and independently released his first album, In My Wildest Dreams, in 1994. The album failed to find a wide audience but did catch the attention of country music star George Strait who helped Chesney sign a recording contract with Capricorn Records in Nashville. Chesney released his second album, All I Need to Know, in 1995. The album’s lead single “Fallin’ In Love” became a top 10 hit on the country charts and helped establish Chesney as a rising star in the country music world.
His musical style
Chesney’s musical style is characterized by themes of coming of age, living in the moment, and nostalgia. His songs often feature references to beaches, drinking alcohol, parties, and small-town life in general. These themes have made him popular among young listeners. His music has been classified as country pop and alternative country. Most of his albums have been certified gold or higher by the RIAA.
His most popular songs
“Back in My Arms Again”
“Big Star”
“Better as a Memory”
“The Boys of Fall”
“Come Over”
