The obvious answer is Hank “Hiram” Williams, but he was heavily influenced by Mississippi’s own Jimmie Rodgers. So is Jimmie Rodgers more influential than Hank Sr? Or is it Rufus “Tee Tot” Payne, since he was probably Hank Sr’s biggest influence?
OT: most influential country artist ever
- Thread starter hoopsdreamer
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Technically he is Hiram “Hank” Williams but I think you gotta put him at the top. He influenced the 60’s and 70’s stars along with many of the 80’s stars.
I agree. Just wanted to see what others thought. Just saw this as well. He had a huge rock influence. 
Have to consider Ray Price. He changed Country music from the early Honky Tonk, mostly by being willing to do things nobody else was doing, including the "walking bass-line" with a 4/4 beat, and having 2 fiddles that he brought to the front, making them far more prominent than before when they were primarily a secondary instrument, more subtle and in the background. Was called The Ray Price Shuffle, though some call it the Texas Shuffle. Ray Price was from Texas.
Here are a few examples. Check out how the bass plays a note on every beat. BTW, when Willie Nelson was asked who his favorite or greatest singers of all time were, he responded, ""People asked me who my favorite singers are, and I'd say, well there's Ray Price and Frank Sinatra""
Here are a few examples. Check out how the bass plays a note on every beat. BTW, when Willie Nelson was asked who his favorite or greatest singers of all time were, he responded, ""People asked me who my favorite singers are, and I'd say, well there's Ray Price and Frank Sinatra""
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Here's one more song that's probably my favorite of his, though it's a little different from the first ones I listed. It's a good example of just how good his control over his vocal range really was. You have to watch to the end.
ETA - This is another that showcases his range and control:
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you beat me to it, next time I will read the board before making my coffee
Uhhh….the answer is Taylor Swift. Most records sold and led a team to the Super Bowl.
Hank Williams? Never heard of him.
- Nashville (Probably)
- Nashville (Probably)
Do a man on the street inverview and just ask them who Jimmy Rodgers or Rufus Payne were and you will mostly hear crickets chirping and get blank stares
Bit of a hijack.
I watched this interview of Billy Strings by Rick Beato last week. It was really interesting and I have never listened to Billy Strings music or much of a Bluegrass fan. But the interview really hits on the idea of this post about influence and history of a form of music. Plus I would think those Bluegrass guys he talks about had huge influence on country music.
I watched this interview of Billy Strings by Rick Beato last week. It was really interesting and I have never listened to Billy Strings music or much of a Bluegrass fan. But the interview really hits on the idea of this post about influence and history of a form of music. Plus I would think those Bluegrass guys he talks about had huge influence on country music.
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I don't disagree with most of them. Hank Williams should be top.
Any of the highway men.
George Strait
George Jones
Reba McIntyre
Alan Jackson
Toby Keith - I read once that I should of been a cowboy was the most played country song of all-time. Now, this could have changed but it once was.
Any of the highway men.
George Strait
George Jones
Reba McIntyre
Alan Jackson
Toby Keith - I read once that I should of been a cowboy was the most played country song of all-time. Now, this could have changed but it once was.
GREAT THREAD. I would give the initial nod to Hank and Lefty in terms of influence in the early years.
Then you go with those who fought against industry and the "Nashville Sound" to the bitter end - Johnny, Kris, Waylon, and Willie. And Merle to some extent.
I love about every song George Jones ever sung, but he was an industry tool for most all of his career. Everyone after the 1970s stands on the shoulders of these giants and the artistry ain't nowhere close.
As for the women - Patsy, Kitty, and Loretta early on. Then Dolly, Linda, Emmylou, and Waylon's woman, Jesse.
The women after the 1980's are like the male artists - songs are unoriginal, over produced, sterile; not just formulaic, but downright cornball.
Now get your cybertruck off my lawn.
Then you go with those who fought against industry and the "Nashville Sound" to the bitter end - Johnny, Kris, Waylon, and Willie. And Merle to some extent.
I love about every song George Jones ever sung, but he was an industry tool for most all of his career. Everyone after the 1970s stands on the shoulders of these giants and the artistry ain't nowhere close.
As for the women - Patsy, Kitty, and Loretta early on. Then Dolly, Linda, Emmylou, and Waylon's woman, Jesse.
The women after the 1980's are like the male artists - songs are unoriginal, over produced, sterile; not just formulaic, but downright cornball.
Now get your cybertruck off my lawn.
The guy that ISN'T the serial killer.
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Not sure about influence, but George Strait has to hold the record for length of active, meaningful tenure in country music. I'd say his influence is pretty strong.
If we are counting Super Bowls, Bocephus led every team to the Super Bowl for two decades.
Very true, especially Rufus Payne. I suppose a lot of folks from Mississippi and Skynyrd fans know who Jimmy Rodgers is though.
Argue all you want, but the real answer here is Garth Brooks. Love him or hate him, he made country music mainstream.
Looks like a shorted good ole Ray on his accomplishments and contributions to Country music.
Here's what AI turned up:
Yes, Ray Price was a pivotal pioneer in country music, renowned for transforming the genre's sound in the 1950s by introducing a 4/4 "shuffle" beat, adding drums to his band (the Cherokee Cowboys), and later adopting lush orchestral, string-heavy arrangements (the "Nashville Sound" or "Countrypolitan").
Key innovations and contributions included:
- The "Ray Price Beat" (1950s): He moved country from a 2/4 rhythm to a 4/4 walking bassline, creating a danceable "shuffle" that became a standard, notes the Facebook page of 20th Century Country Music.
- Drums in Country: Price was one of the first artists to consistently use drums on stage and in the studio, particularly at the Grand Ole Opry, which was initially met with resistance, notes the Texas State Historical Association.
- Orchestral Strings (1960s): He pioneered the "Countrypolitan" style, incorporating lush strings and backing vocals into traditional country, exemplified by hits like "Danny Boy" and "For The Good Times".
- Developing Talent: His band, the Cherokee Cowboys, served as a training ground for future legends, including Willie Nelson, Roger Miller, and Johnny Paycheck.
I've read that Willie Nelson was devastated upon learning of Ray's death. Ray gave Willie a shot when nobody else seemed interested in the songs Willie was writing.