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 on 09/24/18 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 Cash Hank Williams Merle Haggard Patsy Cline Jimmie Rodgers Bill Monroe Carter Family Willie Nelson Waylon Jennings George Jones Conway Twitty Bob Wills Tammy Wynette Loretta Lynn Buck Owens Kitty Wells Dolly Parton Lefty Frizzell Ray Price Eddy Arnold Ernest Tubb Webb Pierce Ronnie Milsap Jim Reeves Charley Pride The Stanley Brothers George Strait Flatt & Scruggs Marty Robbins Garth Brooks Elvis Presley Hank Snow Don Gibson Hank Williams Jr. Roger Miller Johnny Horton Charlie Rich Red Foley Louvin Brothers Statler Brothers Roy Acuff Gene Autry Hank Thompson Bobby Bare Chet Atkins George Morgan Porter Wagoner Tennessee Ernie Ford Vern Gosdin Sonny James Reba McEntire Tom T. Hall Roy Rogers Tanya Tucker Bill Anderson The Oak Ridge Boys Faron Young Earl Thomas Conley Alabama Barbara Mandrell Gene Watson Crystal Gayle Kenny Rogers Shania Twain Glen Campbell Rodney Crowell Keith Whitley Dwight Yoakam Marty Stuart Patsy Montana Don Williams Steve Wariner The Judds Jean Shepard Roy Clark Emmylou Harris Mel Tillis John Conlee Ricky Skaggs Dottie West T.G. Sheppard Johnny Paycheck Bellamy Brothers Randy Travis Lynn Anderson Carl Smith Dave Dudley John Denver Vince Gill Patty Loveless Alan Jackson Clint Black The Dixie Chicks Brooks & Dunn Tim McGraw Toby Keith Anne Murray Diamond Rio Mark Chesnutt Alison Krauss + Union Station