27 Best 2000s Country Artists

Jason Aldean

Although he only released three albums in the 2000s, everyone with a good ear for country music could tell Jason Aldean would become a star. His career began taking off in the 2000s, but he became famous in the 2010s.

So, although many would say Aldean is more of a 2010s star, he never would’ve made it there if not for his 2000s success. His final album in the 2000s, Wide Open, went double platinum. It was a glimpse of all the future success Aldean would have in country music.

Blake Shelton

Blake Shelton is like one of those football players who never seem to leave the NFL. And although he’s been around forever, you can always count on Shelton to release some great tunes. The 2000s were the years when he perfected his sound.

Shelton began releasing albums in 2001 with his self-entitled album. Every single album Shelton released in the 2000s ranked in the top 10 on the country music charts.

Darius Rucker

Before becoming a household name in country music, Darius Rucker was the lead singer of Hootie & the Blowfish, a pop-rock band known for their use of the blues.

Rucker must’ve learned a lot during his time singing for them, as he introduced a lot of those concepts into his country music.

Rucker only released two studio country albums in the 2000s, with another coming in late 2010. Two of those albums reached number one on the country charts, with Learn to Live going platinum in the process.

Big & Rich

Big and Rich are most well known for their party song “Save a Horse.” Although the song is a great tune, it doesn’t do the duo justice. Made up of Big Kenny and John Rich, the two country stars teamed up in the late 90s to produce some awesome tunes.

Aside from their most famous song, Big and  Rich also put out other great songs such as “Lost in This Moment” and “Holy Water.” When they’re not creating tunes for their band, both singers have successful solo acts.

Travis Tritt

Travis Tritt is a country music star who’s been around forever. He started releasing music in the late 1980s but found his most consistent string of success in the early 2000s.

From 2000 to 2007, Tritt released four albums, all of which ended up top 10 on the country charts. Most fans like Tritt because of his great songwriting skills. He’s worked with Tim McGraw writing songs on many occasions.

Zac Brown Band

In recent years, Zac Brown Band has blown up to become one of country music’s hottest commodities. So, although their fame is currently peaking, anyone with an ear for country music knew they were rocking it in the 2000s.

The band released two albums in the 2000s with another album in late 2010. Their 2008 album, The Foundation, sold over five million copies. Zac Brown Band may have a modern sound, but they utilize instruments and techniques more common in older music.

Kid Rock

Kid Rock has had a controversial career, so why not give him a controversial position on this list? As the country-rock king, Kid Rock has used his genre-bending style to create some of the most recognizable songs from the 2000s.

Whether you like his storytelling in “All Summer Long” or you prefer his twangy voice in the song “Born Free,” Kid Rock has a mega-diverse music catalog. You’ll always be able to find a summer song if you have a Kid Rock album.

Top 2000s Country Artists, Final Thoughts

So, these are the best 2000s country musicians. The 2000s were among the best times for country music, so there are countless artists to choose from. Do you think we missed any of the best country stars?