25 Best Young Male Country Singers

Corey Kent

Very few artists can say they spent a portion of their childhood playing and traveling in a Western Swing band. Corey Kent, on the other hand, had enough experience to grapple with the question of whether to quit music before he even graduated high school. 

Despite having such experience on the road, it wasn’t until a chance encounter with Willie Nelson at one of his concerts that Kent decided to pursue music. Since then, Kent has gained quite a bit of recognition, especially with his 2022 track, Wild As Her. 

William Michael Morgan

William Michael Morgan was dominating the airwaves in 2016 with his song, I Met A Girl. Morgan may have left his major label, but he’s certainly not fallen off the map.

Fans who enjoy 90s country will enjoy In Walked You, penned by the legendary songwriter Shane McAnally. The song sounds as if it could have been sung by Alan Jackson at the height of his career. 

Morgan Wallen

Morgan Wallen is another country singer who found their way to success after appearing on the show, The Voice. Since then, Wallen (and his signature mullet) has become one of the biggest stars in country music today. 

Since 2016, all but 2 of Wallen’s singles have topped the US charts in some capacity. With unique collaborations featuring Diplo and Lil Durk, Wallen has found ways to increase his notoriety beyond the country music genre. 

Kane Brown

Kane Brown is the definition of someone who uses the internet to their advantage. After being disillusioned with the televised talent show route, Brown took it upon himself to build a following by releasing cover songs on YouTube.

Brown quickly raised eyebrows and within a short period of time, signed with one of country music’s biggest record labels. Now, Brown is a headlining act that some of the younger names in this article (including Sam Barber) have opened for.

Scotty McCreery

Many singers in this article have appeared on a televised singing/talent show, but Scotty McCreery is one of the few who has actually won. Since winning American Idol in 2011, McCreery has been releasing music since he was 18 years old.

Now at the age of 30, McCreery seems to be hitting the prime of his career with full stride. Aside from a slew of #1 hits over the last decade, McCreery has even experimented with the big screen, lending his talents as a writer for a film produced for Hallmark Television.

Travis Denning

If there’s been 1 constant in country music throughout the decades, it’s beer. Travis Denning has shown that there are still plenty of songs to be written that feature this historic beverage of choice.

His song, After A Few, invokes that lonesome feeling one can often get basking in the neon glow at closing time. The track was apparently pretty relatable, pushing it to the top of the US Country charts throughout 2019.

Parker McCollum

Parker McCollum made a small splash with his song, Highway, as a 21-year-old in 2013. Since then, Parker’s momentum has only been percolating, eventually signing to a major label following the success of his EP, Probably Wrong.

His album, Gold Chain Cowboy, helped him to win an award as 2022’s Best New Male Artist. 

Oliver Anthony

Oliver Anthony was relatively unheard of before 2023 until Rich Men North Of Richmond was released to the world. For those unaware, Oliver has become the most recent example of a country singer’s career getting kickstarted by a YouTube video going viral on the internet. 

Rich Men North Of Richmond continues to get played over and over again, racking up over 89 million plays to date, making it one of the most popular songs of 2023 by far. Many of his other songs, such as I Want To Go Home have become hits in their own right. 

Tyler Childers

Tyler Childers went from being an underground buzz to a full-on household name in the span of about 5 years. During his come-up, it was Tyler’s stripped-down solo performances that won over audiences with his potent messages and lyrics that hit to the bone.

Childers has battled and conquered demons such as alcoholism and has cleaned up his music along the way. Despite his change in sound, the heartfelt delivery that was established in songs like Nose On The Grindstone remains prevalent. 

Upchurch

Upchurch is an example of an artist who has used the entire range of their influences in creating their own brand of country music. It’s this open-mindedness that put Upchurch on the map as a country rapper, simultaneously helping to forge a new subgenre of modern country.

In recent years, Upchurch has pivoted to show that his music isn’t limited to just one sound or style. For instance, his album Creeker seems to be steeped more in rock music than rap, illustrating his willingness to switch things up and keep things interesting. 

Jon Langston

Jon Langston might be in his young 30s, but he’s done something that few (if any) other country singers have accomplished. Within the span of 4 years, Langston appeared on a metalcore album and played at the Grand Ole Opry. 

If not for appearing on the Opry in 2022, one might make the assumption that Langston’s career has been a little quiet. Considering that he only has a few EPs from 8-10 years ago, it’s safe to say Langston is overdue for releasing a full-length album.

Benjamin Tod

Another singer helping to pioneer the subgenre of songwriters approaching country music with an air of authenticity is Benjamin Tod. As an artist, Tod strives to portray realism by opting to record his music live in the studio rather than building a song through layered overdubs, which can be heard in songs like Long Gone.

Tod also has the benefit of having lived a lifestyle that has become somewhat of a lost art in the American life. When he was just 14 years old, he began to ride freight trains across the continental US, opening his eyes to experiences and a certain way of life at an impressionable age.  

Top Young Male Country Singers, Final Thoughts

The music industry is a tough landscape to endure, with country music being notorious for its difficult terrain. Singers come and go, with a select few maintaining prominence while the rest are long forgotten to the passage of time.

It will be interesting to see where the names on this list end up in the next decade. With many of them already having such an established career at a young age, there is a good chance that some will be selling records for quite a while.