If you had to choose the Most Important Modern Country Artist, who would you pick?
Well, wonder no more. The Boot.com has ranked their Top 25 of the most important modern country artists who are making a difference in the genre. And their selection criteria primarily focused on people who are actively dominating on radio, in the streaming charts, at award shows, and in filling up concerts.
Here are their picks. See if you agree…because I clearly don’t with a few of them…
1. Cody Johnson
2. Luke Combs
3. Lainey Wilson
4. Morgan Wallen
5. Zach Bryan
6. Chris Stapleton
7. Ella Langley
8. Jelly Roll
9. Shaboozey
10. Kacey Musgraves
11. Miranda Lambert
12. Zach Top
13. Carrie Underwood
14. Tyler Childers
15. Megan Moroney
16. Jason Aldean
17. Dan + Shay
18. Keith Urban
19. Kenny Chesney
20. Jason Isbell (seriously?)
21. Eric Church
22. Blake Shelton
23. Tim McGraw
24. Kelsea Ballerini
25. Riley Green
If Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney are on this list, where’s King George Strait, Alan Jackson, Casey Donahew, Aaron Watson, and the Turnpike Troubadours to name a few others? Hell some of the artists on this list are considered to be pretend country in most conversations with real country music fans.
And why is Riley Green in last place here? I should probably shut up now.