Todd’s Top Ten Country Music Singers of All Time [VIDEOS]

A few days ago, Brian Gary came up with a list of the "10 Greatest Country Singers of All Time". I was inspired to come with my own list. My top ten is much different than Brian's, although we do share a few of the same favorites. This is "Todd's Top Ten Country Music Singers of All Time":

10. Eddie Rabbitt

Eddie Rabbitt left us much too early.  He died of lung cancer in 1998 at age 56. Before he went Eddie left us with some country classics like:  "I Love a Rainy Night", "Drivin' My Life Away", and "Every Which Way But Loose", but my favorite will always be "American Boy". It was a song that became popular during the Gulf War. To this day, I believe Eddie Rabbitt is one of the most underrated artists of all-time and definitely deserves a spot in my top 10.

9. Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks is my no-brainer. Of course he is in my top ten. he is the best-selling solo artist ever in America, even ahead of Elvis, and is second only to The Beatles in total album sales overall. He is probably on everyone's list and I was reminded why he is on mine when I saw one of his 9 sold-shows in Denver in 2015. I loved every song he sang. My favorite, to this day, is still "The Dance".

8. Tim McGraw

Tim McGraw has won three Grammy Awards, 14 ACM awards, 11 CMA awards, 10 American Music Awards, and three People's Choice Awards in his career. However, for some reason, he has been overlooked by the Awards shows the past few years. In my opinion, there has been no better artist over the past 5 years than Tim McGraw. His last two albums have been among the best of his career. The fact that he didn't didn't win any awards for "Sundown Heaven Town" or "Meanwhile Back at Mamma's" just baffles me. We were there for the CD release party in Franklin, Tennessee. "Humble and Kind", from his latest album, might put an end to the snubs. Don't be surprised if that song wins an ACM Award.

7. Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash is an iconic figure in any genre of music and should be on the Mount Rushmore for country music, gospel music and for rock and roll as well. He is another no-brainer on my list. I have loved Johnny Cash music since the first day I started listening to music. He is one of the artists who I share a love for with my Mom. Please don't hate me for not putting him higher on my list, he probably should be.

6. Shania Twain

My happy music is anything from Shania Twain. She is my favorite female artist ever. When my wife wife and I do chores, we put on "Up", "Come on Over", or "The Woman in Me" and dance around the house. I can't listen to a Shania album without smiling. She is the best-selling female country artist of all time, so I can't be the only person that feels this way.

5. John Denver

One of my favorite musical moments in my life was hearing John Denver sing "Rocky Mountain High" at Red Rocks while nearly 10 thousand fans, with lighters in the air, swayed and sang along to every word. It still sends chills up my spine when I think about it. He was another artist that my Mom introduced to me. I think "Annie's Song" is the greatest love song ever and I still "Thank God I'm a Country Boy". "John Denver's Greatest Hits" is probably the most played album of all time in my 3-CD changer.

4. Ronnie Milsap

When most people mention the greatest country singers of all time, they rarely mention Ronnie Milsap. Why?  Is 40 number one songs not enough for everyone? I was so glad when the Greeley Stampede brought in Ronnie Ronnie with Kenny Rogers a couple of years ago. What a treat to see them both on stage and get a chance to talk to them as well. Ronnie sounded just as good as he always has. One of the most beautiful voices in country music has never gone away. Many of the songs that have had the biggest impact in my life are Ronnie Milsap songs. I shared my favorite in the YouTube video above.

3. Dan Seals

I have loved Dan Seals since he was "England Dan" with John Ford Coley in the 1970s. I was so pleased when he embraced Country music in the early 1990s. That's when he had nine consecutive number one songs on the country charts. Dan Seals was one of the 1st concerts ever put on by K99 at the Union Colony Civic Center. I can't remember the year, but it was way back when and I loved it. He was the 1st big country star I ever met. On any given day I will tell you "Addicted" by Dan Seals is my favorite song of all time. "One Friend" and "All That Glitters is Not Gold" are both not far behind.

2. Collin Raye

Collin Ray is perhaps the most underrated artist of all time.  According to Wikipedia he had 30 hit on the country charts in his career, yet I don't feel he ever got the credit he deserved. He was always one of those "Oh Yeah" artists. Remember "Love Me", "One Boy One Girl", "Little Rock", "In This Life", "My Kind of Girl", or "I Can Still Feel You"? "Oh Yeah, now I remember". He was always one of my favorite entertainers and when my wife and I go on a road trip, the 1st album we grab is "The Best of Collin Raye: Direct Hits". Collin could easily have topped my list.

1. Kenny Rogers

You never for forget your first love. That is Kenny Rogers. "The Gambler" was the 1st album I ever bought. I bought the 8-track at Kmart and listened to to it until the tape literally snapped. The Gambler was the first song on the radio that ever learned all of the words to. When I finally got a chance to meet Kenny Rogers it was the highlight of my career up to that point and still makes my top 5 moments of all time in the music business. I will never forget when Kenny asked if he could share my microphone in our trailer at the Greeley Stampede. I have had the opportunity to meet Kenny many times since, interview him, introduce him on stage and have always been in awe. He has been a part of the 28 Hours of Hope many times and has given more money to our cause over the years than any other artist. He is truly my hero and #1 on my list of "Top Ten Country Singers of All Time.