27 Best 2000s Country Artists

Country music is one of the great achievements of American culture. Grown from the roots of bluegrass, folk, and blues music, country music stars have created a unique genre of music the whole world has embraced.

The 2000s were a prominent time for country music. So, let’s go through the best 2000s country artists! We’ll include stars who peaked in the 2000s as well as musicians who just started or ended their careers.

Kenny Chesney

Kenny Chesney is the definition of a 2000s country musician. Everyone who wanted to join the country music scene wanted to be just like him—cool and energetic but still true to the music he loves. His over-the-top productions and likable nature endeared him to fans worldwide.

But his album sales prove he was the most successful country music artist of the 2000s. Aside from his Christmas album, all six of his 2000s albums debuted on top of the country charts. None of those albums sold less than a million units each, with some selling more than four million.

Toby Keith

Toby Keith grew up living a real blue-collared life. Born in Oklahoma, Keith would become an oil rig worker before his singing was discovered. Keith got his first shot in the industry in the 90s when his hit song “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” became the most played country song of the decade.

After that, the rest was history. Through the 2000s, Keith became one of the most popular country stars. His 2000s albums all debuted in the top 10 on the country charts, and many peaked at number one on the overall charts, as well.

Rascal Flatts

Made up of Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus, and Joe Don Rooney, Rascal Flatts has been rocking the country scene since 1999. Since then, they’ve become one of the biggest 2000s country musicians.

Rascal Flatts’ unique sound, influenced by Christian rock and the classic Nashville country sound, is what made their group famous. Too bad they broke up in 2021, but according to group members, they’ll still put on a few shows a year. Hopefully, that’s true!

Tim McGraw

Beginning his career in the 1990s, Tim McGraw blew up in the late 90s and early 2000s. All five of his albums released in the 2000s reached the top three on the U.S. charts, including two that peaked at number one.

Tim McGraw is best known for his deep lyrics that he sings with a melodic southern pitch. He married Faith Hill, another one of the best 2000s country artists, in 1996. She sings on some of McGraw’s biggest songs, including “Angry All the Time” and “It’s Your Love.”

Keith Urban, A Country Music Musician

Keith Urban is the Australian country musician par excellence. Beginning his career in the 1990s, Urban gained prominence during the 2000s for his album Golden Road, which reached number two on the U.S. country charts.

After that, the rest was history. He’s released eight more studio albums since then, all of which reached at least number two on the country charts. Urban’s music is best known for incorporating Australian pop and rock influences, as well as his simple but honest lyrics. 

Faith Hill

Faith Hill reached her pinnacle of fame in the mid-2000s. By then, she already had three albums that reached number one on the U.S. music charts, including her hit album, Breathe, in late 1999. Breathe has sold more than eight million copies worldwide since its release.

Hill married Tim McGraw in 1996, and the couple has been a musical force ever since. Hill’s melodic voice has many layers. She has a sweet drawl but also an amazing range she uses to hit beautiful notes.

George Strait

George Strait is arguably the most successful country artist of any period, let alone the 2000s. When he released his album Strait World in 1981, everyone knew he would become a star. Currently, he has 60 number one singles, the most for any individual artist. 

All five of Strait’s 2000s albums reached number one on the U.S. country charts, and four of them sold enough albums to go platinum. His 2001 song “Murder on Music Row” critiqued what he saw as flaws in the country music industry, especially greed.

Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood first became a household name after winning season four of American Idol in 2005. Since then, Underwood has grown into the biggest female star in 2000s country music.

In the 2000s, she released three albums, all of which topped the U.S. country charts. Two of her albums, Carnival Rides and Play On, also reached number one on the overall charts. Her debut album, Some Hearts, was the fastest-selling country album to that point.

Brad Paisley

Brad Paisley has been rocking the country scene since the late 90s, but he became a star in the early 2000s. After the release of his album, Part II, in 2001, Paisley would release six more albums, all of which ranked in the top 10 on the country music charts.

Paisley’s singing is best known for its dry but witty lyrics. His guitar-playing skills are also up to snuff, with his songwriting prowess not far behind. Paisley grew to become one of the biggest country artists of the 2000s because of his relatable lyrics and smooth voice.

Alan Jackson

Country music fans consider Alan Jackson to be a quiet, bright star. He’s never been one to brag about his accomplishments, even if they’re numerous. Jackson has over 30 number one singles in his career, selling over 80 million albums in that time.

By the 2000s, Jackson was still a household name in country music. All five of his 2000s albums reached number one on U.S. charts. One of his most famous songs of the period was “Where Were You,” which focused on the stunned reaction to the 9/11 attacks.