27 Best 80s Country Artists

11. Waylon Jennings

Waylon Jennings was an integral part of the “outlaw country” movement in the 1970s with Willie Nelson and other artists. He sang the theme song for the TV show The Dukes of Hazzard in the late 70s and appeared in numerous shows and movies.

He was part of The Highwaymen in the 80s and released one of his best-selling albums, Will the Wolf Survive.

The Country Music Hall of Fame inducted him in 2001, a year before he died at age 64.

12. The Oak Ridge Boys

The Oak Ridge Boys became one of the most famous 80s country artists after shifting from singing gospel to country music.

Some of their biggest hits during the decade were “Elvira” and “American Made.” The Grammy-winning song “Elvira” came from their sixth album, and “American Made” appeared on their seventh.

They became members of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015.

13. George Strait

George Strait, often acclaimed as the “King of Country,” was one of the most popular country artists of the 80s and had over 120 million album sales worldwide. His first single in 1981 was a crossover success and led to seven albums dominating the country charts.

Strait has more Country Music Association (CMA) and Academy of Country Music (ACM) nominations and wins than any other musical act.

He's had 60 number hits, more than any other musical artist. Only two artists have more gold and platinum albums than George Strait: Elvis Presley and the Beatles.

14. Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard had 12 top-ten country songs between 1980 and 1985, but he had a successful recording career long before that. His first top-ten song was in 1965, and his first number-one hit was in 1967.

His string of successful singles in the 60s and 70s fueled his success as one of the top 1980s country artists. Haggard was still performing when he fell ill in 2016 and died at age 79.

15. Clint Black

Though his first album, Killin' Time, didn't appear until 1989, it shot to the top of the charts with four number songs in a row. That made him a bonafide country star and one of the best-selling 80s country artists.

Black had over 30 songs on the Billboard country chart, including 22 chart-topping hits, and released a dozen albums.

He earned several Grammy Award nominations and won for “Hold On, Partner,” his duo with Roy Rogers in 1991.

16. Johnny Cash

Country music legend Johnny Cash, famously known as the “Man in Black,” was the youngest living person inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1980 when he was 48.

He remained one of the biggest musical artists of the 80s and hosted Christmas variety specials on television with several other musical guests each year.

As part of The Highwaymen with Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Waylon Jennings, he had several more hits during the 80s and 90s. He died in 2003 at age 73.

17. Ricky Van Shelton

Between 1986 and 2006, Van Shelton had over 20 songs on the country songs chart and ten #1 tunes across nine albums, four of which went platinum.

His first chart-topping single was in 1987 called “Somebody Lied,” followed by hit songs “Life Turned Her That Way” and “From a Jack to a King.” Van Shelton’s debut album was one of the best-selling country albums of the 1980s.

He wrote several children's books and retired from performing in 2006.

18. Alabama

Country group Alabama formed in 1969, but their breakout success came in the 1980s with 21 number one songs like “Love in the First Degree,” “The Closer You Get,” and “Mountain Music.”

Seven of their albums went multi-platinum, making them one of the best-selling bands in musical history. They've sold over 75 million albums and have won more awards than any other band in country music, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

19. Charley Pride

Country Music Hall of Fame singer Charlie Pride is one of only three Black Grand Ole Opry members and one of the few Black singers to achieve mainstream success in country.

Pride earned the CMA Entertainer of the Year award in 1971 and had several hits through 1987, including 52 top-ten songs on the country chart during his career and several number-one hits like “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'.”

20. Ronnie Milsap

Born nearly blind and abandoned by his mother, Ronnie Milsap had a rough start in life. Despite his difficult childhood, Milsap became one of the most popular 1980s country artists.

During his career, Milsap earned six Grammy Awards and had several charting hits, including 35 number one country songs. Only two country artists have had more hits than Milsap: George Strait and Conway Twitty.

The Country Music Hall of Fame inducted Milsap in 2014.