27 Best 2000s Country Artists

Willie Nelson, A Country Singer

Willie Nelson is a man of many hats. Whether you enjoy his country, blues, or rock music, everyone has a Willie Nelson song they can put on and enjoy. And that’s one of the biggest reasons he remained a star in the 2000s.

Nelson is one of the most prolific 2000s country singers of all time. Throughout his career, he released more than 72 solo albums, including 16 in the 2000s.

Nelson has been a hero in the country music community for a long time, but his charity efforts in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake made his selflessness widely known.

Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks is an enigma. Many thought his 2000-2015 hiatus from touring would have killed his career, but it only strengthened it. Even though he wasn’t touring, Brooks still released one studio album, Scarecrow.

Although Brooks wouldn’t return to touring for another 14 years, Scarecrow proved to be a huge success, allowing him to focus on his family. After his family had grown up, he returned to music, allowing him to capitalize on the fame and success of his albums from the 2000s.

Shania Twain

Shania Twain is the unchallenged queen of country music in Canada. Although she transitioned into a country-pop singer by the 2000s, that didn’t change her appeal among country music fans.

In 2002, Twain released her most popular album to date, Up! The album debuted at number one on the Billboard charts. The album was a masterpiece that had separate discs for each type of music—country, rock, and dance music. 

Miranda Lambert

Miranda Lambert had her start on the reality singing show Nashville Star. Although she didn’t win the competition, she and her music were discovered. After that, she continued to rise. One thing she has on many country stars is she writes or co-writes all of her music.

Lambert is also one of the most widely decorated artists of her generation. She’s won the ACM Female Vocalist of the Year on eight occasions, as well as two Grammys and a total of 13 ACM awards.

Dixie Chicks

Dixie Chicks is arguably the best all-female band of all time, and they’re surely the best all-female country band. Currently consisting of Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire, and Emily Strayer, Dixie Chicks came together in 1989 in Texas.

With their classic Texas drawl, the Chicks rose to fame in the last 90s. Their 1999, 2002, and 2006 albums ranked at number one on the U.S. charts. Each of these albums sold more than 10 million copies, solidifying their place among the best 2000s country artists.

Hank Williams, Jr.

Following in the footsteps of his father, Hank Williams, Jr. reached the pinnacle of his fame in the 80s, but he continued recording for the next 40 years. Although he’s still touring, his most recent popular albums came out in the late 2000s.

Whether you enjoy his older songs like “Good Friends, Good Whiskey, Good Lovin’,” or you prefer his newer tracks, Williams Jr.’s silky smooth voice will make you a fan. His influence is also all over modern country stars such as Kid Rock and Justin Moore.

Taylor Swift

If Taylor Swift had stuck to country music, she may have ranked higher on this list. The mid-2000s country scene was dominated by Swift. With her sweet, angelic voice, she was able to attract thousands of new fans to join the country bandwagon.

By 2009, she began experimenting with pop music, eventually embracing that genre as her own. But as a 2000s country musician, she captured the attention of millions. Who knows, maybe Swift’s future holds more country tunes!

Jamey Johnson

Jamey Johnson has one of the most recognizable voices in modern country music. His baritone-like voice, paired with his talented guitar playing, makes him appealing to both younger and older country fans.

Johnson began his rise to fame in the 2000s, with the most lucrative portion of his career occurring in the 2010s. His album from 2008, That Lonesome Song, peaked at number 6 on the U.S. country charts. His hit song, “In Color,” came from the album, too.

Brooks & Dunn

Ronnie Dunn and Keith Brooks came together in 1990 to form one of the most formidable duos in country music. Their fame peaked in the mid-2000s when they released their most famous music, such as “Believe” and “Play Something Country.”

Brooks and Dunn are the best-selling country duo of all time. They had over 40 top 10 hits in their career, with 20 of those being number one. They have two Grammy awards and 19 country music awards to their names!

Luke Bryan

Luke Bryan may have hit the peak of his fame in the 2010s, but he started his ride in the 2000s. In the 2000s, he released two albums, both of which reached number two on the country charts in the U.S.

Bryan’s fans enjoy his music because of his relatable lyrics and positive attitude. According to people who’ve known him forever, Bryan always thinks the best of people. Maybe that’s why he wrote his hit song, “Most People Are Good.”