29 Best 2010s Country Artists

The 2010s were a revolutionary period for artists in the music industry. Artists learned to capitalize on streaming services rather than CDs or downloads.

The famous names of country music faced new challenges, and they rose to the occasion.

Here are the best 2010s country artists.

Luke Bryan

Luke Bryan is one of the most decorated country artists of the 2010s. As a five-time winner of the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year Award, Bryan understands country music.

During the 2010s, Luke Bryan released four studio albums and six EPs. He embarked on multiple tours across the country and performed in front of millions.

The country music star relates to his audiences well and understands what makes an authentic country hit.

Sugarland

Country music’s most upbeat duo, Sugarland, was responsible for some of the biggest hits leading into the 2010s.

The band of two graced the airwaves with their powerhouse anthems of love and fun. The thing that made this band so enticing was watching the fun they had while performing together. They truly worked as a team in music.

While they only released two albums in the decade, Sugarland’s contagious energy never fails to ignite excitement amongst their fans.

Lady A

Lady A offers one of the most synergistically pleasing sounds from any band on this list.

The country trio typically releases relatable and lovable hits featuring various themes. Their songs focused on finding and losing love, heading out for a night with friends, and finding joy in the simplest things.

With an impressive seven albums, six tours, and a brief stint in Las Vegas, the beloved band has securely established itself in the hall of fame.

Thomas Rhett

One of the best things about many names on this list is the talent in songwriting. Thomas Rhett is no exception to this.

With a voice like butter, Rhett charms his listeners with hit after hit. Offering high-energy country hits to heartfelt ballads of love, Rhett reminds us why we fell in love with him in the first place.

Offering his support to numerous country musicians on their headlining tours, Rhett also had time to headline a few of his own and release four albums in the decade.

Shania Twain

After taking a long hiatus from the spotlight, Shania Twain made a smashing return to the spotlight in the second half of the decade.

Known for dominating the country music airwaves in the late 90s, Shania Twain was on a mission to remind us why we have loved her all the way.

Twain headlined a two-year Vegas residency, embarked on her first tour in over a decade, and released an album of new music sure to make every Shania fan swoon.

Maren Morris

One trend in the country music genre is versatility. Maren Morris offers this trait with ease.

Maren Morris proved that her powerful vocal ability could dominate country music in a short time. However, she didn’t stop there. Morris teamed up with several well-known names in electronic, pop, and rock music to release hit after hit.

Her country roots and ability to deliver a beautiful song make even the most reluctant of country listeners follow along and crave for more.

Eric Church

A man known for wearing his aviator sunglasses on stage, Eric Church has that genuine country sound to his voice.

With a low voice and a love for entertaining, Eric Church released four studio albums spawning multiple singles which reached wide ranges of success.

Despite discovering potentially life-threatening health concerns, Church stayed committed to his rock-influenced style of country music. Fans of country music continue to love and be in awe of Church.

Kacey Musgraves

Kacey Musgraves became a widely-known name in the latter portion of the decade, but she had already been making waves in the music world for years. Having self-released several albums in the late 2000s, Musgraves is a well-versed and knowledgeable musician.

Musgraves provides a country-pop fusion in her work and isn’t afraid to work with artists across all genres.

Musgraves has earned numerous awards, including six Grammy awards. This superstar is here to stay.

Dan + Shay

As with most great musical artists, Dan + Shay were on the music scene long before their music began reaching a global audience.

Working with numerous names across all genres of music for years, Dan + Shay established themselves as icons in the country music industry. Their smash hits came toward the end of the decade, but the duo had already built an impressive catalog of loveable music.

Chris Stapleton

Chris Stapleton is, without a doubt, the most talented songwriter in country music today.

Following a successful career in writing solely for fellow country artists, Stapleton decided it was time to do the same thing for himself. This decision proved successful, earning the artist major beloved hits and several awards to hang on his shelf.

Fans of Stapleton love his ability to cross traditional country-bluegrass notes with the current musical trends.

Kenny Chesney

Kenny Chesney is a name synonymous with the word longevity. Country music has long loved the beautiful notes produced by the strumming of Chesney’s guitar, accompanied by his charming vocal ability.

Chesney has been an active member of the country music industry since the 1990s. Nothing can stop him from lighting up an arena with feel-good country music.

Some artists tend to flame out after a few years in the spotlight. Chesney, instead, continues to heat up and land hit after hit.

The Band Perry

In 2010, The Band Perry jumped into the spotlight with instant hits and smashing success.

Their career in country music saw an instant rise to fame in the early years of the decade. Their beautiful melodies and easily-recognizable vocal skills made the band a household name overnight.

The band eventually transitioned to pop music and decided to release music independently. Nevertheless, the hits they spawned gave a unique segue into the new decade for country music.

Little Big Town

Let’s face it, we all developed a crush on this fun band in the early years of the decade.

Little Big Town is a small band of four members who have been active in the music industry since the late 1990s.

Through the years, their hits have ignited passion and joy due to the beautiful harmonies their vocal talents produce. They have released nine studio albums to date. They have sold out countless shows throughout their highly successful career.

Carrie Underwood

Country music’s favorite winner of American Idol, this star rose to prominence in the late 2000s. She continued her stride in the 2010s with chart-topping hits and sold-out arenas.

Underwood’s ability to belt out powerhouse vocals without missing a beat sets her apart from the competition. She hasn’t lost her touch or her ability to set the stage on fire as the years progress.

Carrie Underwood never lets professionalism escape her sight while making music. She has secured her name in the country music history books.

Jason Aldean

Jason Aldean once almost gave up on his aspirations to make country music. Thankfully, he stuck with it, and we have a hefty catalog of hits to enjoy.

Aldean has an impressive career, filled with more than 20 number-one singles on Country Music charts. He is also a key player in supporting finding a cure for breast cancer. He frequently donates to charities and holds events in support of the cause.

Aldean’s generosity and dedication to his art is a masterclass for all who come after him.

Miranda Lambert

Miranda Lambert started small, but she didn’t stay there for long.

After self-releasing an album, she won a singing competition in the early 2000s, giving her the boost she needed. Since then, she has teamed up with mega names in the music industry and released chart-topping hits of her own.

Lambert’s heartfelt, relatable music has made her an icon for the country music fandom. Her voice is lovely, and her music begs for repeated listens.

Taylor Swift

Life is too short to pretend you don’t know the lyrics to at least one Taylor Swift song.

Despite shifting to pop music mid-decade, Swift was one of the biggest household names representing country music in the early 2010s. Her music was everywhere, and fans of all ages packed arenas and stadiums to scream-sing the songs they knew and loved.

Swift’s songwriting skills made her a relatable figure to many, particularly young girls who found empowerment and visibility in her music.

Sam Hunt

Sam Hunt is one of those 2010s country musicians everybody wants to know.

His music either incites a party or induces love. One way or the other, his fun-loving, down-to-earth style of music is simple for music-lovers to put on repeat. Hunt regularly dedicates his lyrics to his wife, which adds a layer of vulnerability to his art.

Hunt’s abilities vocally and on the guitar give him a leg up in the industry, producing hit music perfect for singalongs and house parties.

Hunter Hayes

In the 2010s, Hunter Hayes proved that age and experience don’t matter. Despite being young, he was more than capable of producing hit country music that made girls swoon and guys jealous of his talent.

Able to play music on a wide variety of instruments, his talents gave him a unique approach to music-making. Performing in some of the most well-known public spaces, Hayes will stay in the industry for decades.

Tim McGraw

Tim McGraw is one of those names that, regardless of fandom, everyone recognizes immediately.

McGraw’s impressive career has spanned multiple decades and countless hits. No matter how much time has gone by, fans continue to pack arenas and stadiums to experience the masterpiece that is the talent of Tim McGraw.

In the 2010s, McGraw continued to release hits and albums. With an impressive 16 studio albums released, Tim McGraw will forever be known as a country music legend.

Luke Combs

Luke Combs’ natural country voice gives his music a unique edge. He sings freely about his love for women and his adoration for beer. Combs’ melodies are relatable to all listeners, making him one of the best country artists of the 2010s.

Luke Combs has paved the way for success well into the future by earning number one singles with his first handful of releases.

Combs keeps his music simple and realistic, which speaks to his audience. He is a master of his art and is sure to continue to climb the charts.

Rascal Flatts

Rascal Flatts jumped onto the country scene in the mid-2000s and stayed in plain sight for years.

The lead singer, Gary LeVox, has one of the most easily-recognized voices in country music. Joe Don Rooney and Jay DeMarcus provided the background music that meshed beautifully with the vocals.

Together, the band members were a dominating force in country music that will continue to inspire musicians.

Toby Keith

Another name to achieve legendary status in country music is Toby Keith.

Keith primarily saw fame in the 1990s and 2000s, but he continues to give back to the music industry. Providing several hits that many have sung in groups at the local bar, Toby Keith is a master songwriter and performer.

Aspiring country musicians will forever desire to achieve success like Toby Keith.

Reba McEntire

By just hearing the name Reba, all country music fans bow down.

Reba McEntire is another legend with an iconic career background. With a career spanning multiple decades and several dips into acting and philanthropy, Reba has established herself as a name in the history books.

The 2010s saw a few new music releases from the country icon. Reba continues to prove that she hasn’t lost her touch.

Zac Brown Band

Zac Brown Band lit up the airwaves for all avid music lovers in the early years of the decade.

The band’s musical offerings offer a relaxed vibe and invite listeners to look at life on the simple side. The band has partnered with some of the biggest music names and has earned the number one spot on multiple top country lists over the years.

Zac Brown Band’s easy-going themes and commitment to producing quality country music set them apart and bolster their success.

Keith Urban

This country superstar was born in New Zealand. He made his way to the United States to write and record country music hits and found instant success.

With an impressive career, Keith Urban continues to rock the country music scene with megahits.

Taking turns working with fellow artists and judging reality singing competitions, Keith continues to pump hit after hit.

Cole Swindell

As country music icons tend to do, Cole Swindell spent several years writing music for other artists. Eventually, the microphone turned around, and Cole began to sing instead.

In the mid-years of the decade, Swindell eventually found success as his music reached large audiences. He has released three studio albums and embarked on a few headlining tours.

Most of the singles Swindell has released have made it to the top five spots on multiple music charts. Cole Swindell has paved the way for a successful music career.

Florida Georgia Line

Florida Georgia Line has established itself as the most party-forward duo to hit country music. Hit after hit, the pair of country boys light crowds on fire with their onstage charisma and unique approach to country music.

With a single song, the duo found instant success in the early 2010s. Sometimes this flair only lasts a short while before the musicians fade to the background. However, Florida Georgia Line established themselves as one of the highest performing groups of all 2010s country artists.

If they had released their music a few years earlier, they would have potentially qualified for our list of best rock bands of the 2000s.

Blake Shelton

Blake Shelton has lit the country music world on fire since the early years of the 2000s.

In the past two decades, Blake Shelton has released chart-topping hits beloved by country fans across the nation. He has also hosted reality shows, sold out concerts, and launched and engaged in multiple acts of charity.

Along with being an easily-recognized face of country music, Shelton is a lovable human from all walks of life. Blake Shelton is another artist to remember.

Fans of Shelton can access details of his career on his webpage.

Top 2010s Country Artists, Final Thoughts

2010s country artists evolved the genre and broadened the horizons of hopeful superstars.

The country artists of the 2010s offered impressive contributions to the genre. They all have set the stage for the future of country music.

While none of the artists showcased here appear on our list of the best male and female singers, we still believe they hold an important place in history for their talent.