Entertainment Music The Top 100 Country Singers of All Time Share PINTEREST Email Print CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images Music Country Music Top Picks Top Artists Rock Music Pop Music Alternative Music Classical Music Folk Music Rap & Hip Hop Rhythm & Blues World Music Punk Music Heavy Metal Jazz Latin Music Oldies Learn More By Shelly Fabian Updated September 24, 2018 Country has always been a cornerstone of American music, but in recent years it has undergone quite a transformation. What was once brushed off as "hick music" is now being enjoyed by more people than ever before. Its audience has grown exponentially, and its songs are dominating the radio waves. While the rest of the music industry continues to struggle, country seems to be stronger than ever. If one thing is for certain, country music isn't going anywhere anytime soon. While country music's more recent success can be attributed to a batch of talented, young artists, the real credit should go to the country music mainstays on this list. These top 100 country singers of all time, even those who have died, continue to be instrumental in defining the genre, and their influence can still be felt today. Creating this list was a hefty undertaking that required significant input on where to place an artist and which artists belong on the list. The rankings are based on several factors: each artist's album sales; the number of Top 40 hits, No. 1 records, and No. 1 albums; awards and recognition; influence on other artists; and legacy. Some of the artists on this list are also considered to be the top country-to-pop crossover successes. They include, of course, Elvis Presley, along with Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Shania Twain, The Dixie Chicks and Glen Campbell. The Top 100 Country Singers of All Time Johnny CashHank Williams Merle Haggard Patsy ClineJimmie RodgersBill MonroeCarter FamilyWillie NelsonWaylon JenningsGeorge JonesConway TwittyBob WillsTammy WynetteLoretta LynnBuck OwensKitty WellsDolly PartonLefty FrizzellRay PriceEddy ArnoldErnest TubbWebb PierceRonnie MilsapJim ReevesCharley PrideThe Stanley BrothersGeorge StraitFlatt & ScruggsMarty RobbinsGarth BrooksElvis PresleyHank SnowDon GibsonHank Williams Jr.Roger MillerJohnny HortonCharlie RichRed FoleyLouvin BrothersStatler BrothersRoy AcuffGene AutryHank ThompsonBobby BareChet AtkinsGeorge MorganPorter WagonerTennessee Ernie FordVern GosdinSonny JamesReba McEntireTom T. HallRoy RogersTanya TuckerBill AndersonThe Oak Ridge BoysFaron YoungEarl Thomas ConleyAlabamaBarbara MandrellGene WatsonCrystal GayleKenny RogersShania TwainGlen CampbellRodney CrowellKeith WhitleyDwight YoakamMarty StuartPatsy MontanaDon WilliamsSteve WarinerThe JuddsJean ShepardRoy ClarkEmmylou HarrisMel TillisJohn ConleeRicky SkaggsDottie WestT.G. SheppardJohnny PaycheckBellamy BrothersRandy TravisLynn AndersonCarl SmithDave DudleyJohn DenverVince GillPatty LovelessAlan JacksonClint BlackThe Dixie ChicksBrooks & DunnTim McGrawToby KeithAnne MurrayDiamond RioMark ChesnuttAlison Krauss + Union Station Watch Now: The Highest Paid Country Music Stars?