Super Popular Country Artists That Somehow Aren't Super Famous

[@Im_Ish]

"Baby lock them doors and turn the lights down low." If this song comes on, everyone knows that line by heart.

[@not___eliza]

I swear I read that sentence in the exact voice 😂

[@sharolynwells]

@@not___eliza me too

[@marleyjohnson8938]

I it’s the best with that early morning voice

[@GeneralPJ]

Its the line everyone who doesnt know country music associates to country

[@Im_Ish]

@@GeneralPJ New video idea? Most iconic lines in country music?

[@cricketcalin]

I wouldn't recognize Josh Turner's face, but his voice is probably the most iconic out of the lot (in my humble opinion)

[@berlyn3014]

Completely agree.

[@rachelhamm8141]

Exactly, same with Rodney Atkins, Randy Houser and Gary Allen.

[@awolfofchaos3211]

Saw Josh Turner in concert when he was promoting his Haywire CD. Amazing show!!

[@Biscuit450x]

Josh Turner's face is in the thumbnail

[@joemac6015]

I’ve seen him in concert twice and he sounds the exact same live, highly recommend seeing him

[@brackenschwieder9039]

Sara Evans is suuuuupeeer underrated. Born to fly gets stuck in my head weekly.

[@OfficiallyErling]

Real Fine Place is an album I really play a lot. And actually, her 2020 covers album, Copy That, is really solid. Interesting mix of song choices, too.

[@og3171995]

OfficiallyErling yeah! I’m always singing “real fine place,” “as if,” and “born to fly” in my head lol

[@berlyn3014]

I love most of her music and "No Place that far" is probably my favorite of hers.

[@dandyirishplay]

@@OfficiallyErling will have to check that out

[@JakeReehl]

Came here to say just this. I also like "I keep looking".

[@CaitieLaine]

I love Randy Houser. Anything Goes is a song I will never get tired of. I just love his voice. I feel like he belongs on this list.

[@gregbrown4182]

Randy Houser definitely belongs here!

[@TheGipper4prez]

Definitely. And he is SO IMPRESSIVE live

[@shannonlanerie173]

❤️❤️

[@sharolynwells]

Adore Randy Houser!!

[@corir1045]

Lmaoo trueee! I loved that damn song for so long.. it was my got to shower song for like 10+ years.. even those years I fell out of country.

[@CaleMoonCountry]

Gary Allan would be a perfect addition to this list! 👌 He’s never been a trend on his own, but he’s got a string of hits that most of us forgot we loved and sing along to every word.

[@sydneymitchell8822]

I came here to say Gary Allan. He is so underrated.

[@emmystump9163]

Exactly who I thought of!

[@CaleMoonCountry]

TwerkToSpec What the heck are you even talking about?? The most scandalous thing he’s ever done was get drunk and flip a golf cart 💁‍♂️ Not even sure what that crack about hillbillies is supposed to mean 😂

[@CaleMoonCountry]

@@twerktospec 🙄 Well I thought you were misinformed, but apparently you’re just dim. Bye kid.

[@dltguitar6532]

If it was a drink it would be a strong one... if it was a sad song it would be a long one..

[@MadisonJarboe]

I was literally just thinking about this the other day with Josh Turner and Billy Currington! Crazy how they’ve had such huge songs, but aren’t as “big”.

[@ellen4356]

Could not agree more about Chris Young - his voice has such a gorgeously warm tone, it could toast a marshmallow

[@jayneterry8701]

He's been on the Opry several times.

[@sumwhere08]

I hated "must be doing something right" but "good directions" and "people are crazy" always make me smile. "Born to Fly" is one of my life songs, it sums me up so perfectly and "Suds in the Bucket" was how I thought my life would be at 18. Josh Turner is one of my favorite male vocalists ever, his voice is just *chefs kiss*

[@rodneyproductions5044]

I swear “people are crazy” is so meaningful and sounds so pure

[@daydreamer415]

Jo Dee Messina, Terri Clark, Lee Ann Womack are probably my favorite female country artist.

[@AllieSierdsma]

Leanne rimes

[@KraftingChaos]

@@AllieSierdsma I totally agree with Terri Clark and Jo Dee! Lee Ann Womack is awesome too but the other two....they were huge and lost the limelight way too soon.

[@RollinBones]

One of my favorite of these under-the-radar consistent hit makers is Diamond Rio. They had big hits for a solid decade and when you consider how the band actually got together, their success is astounding. I would love to see you do a Diamond Rio video.

[@dougwarren4208]

Other possibilities; Brantley Gilbert, Kip Moore, And Gary Allan.

[@lucaswatts8496]

Love Brantley Gilbert

[@jerrysiewert2818]

Definitely second the Gary Allan

[@Mapleredo22]

Gary Allan is a bad ass

[@fugatakahashi3909]

@NATHAN DUFFY it was 19 seventy something

[@TheGipper4prez]

Brantley Gilbert for sure. When he was singing them, he was WRITING all the hits, specifically that made Jason Aldean a huge star

[@kyliepollert8341]

I have said for years that I never see Chris Young, Justin Moore, Kip Moore, Randy Houser, Lee Brice or Jake Owen get nominated at the big awards shows, and it's ridiculous!! They all have great voices and great songs... for crying out loud, give other singers a chance!

[@katereid8992]

Lee Brice is awful live 😂

[@bdonnellylaw]

@@katereid8992 I saw him about a month ago and I thought he put on a great performance. A lot has to do with the audience. A dead audience makes an awful performance.

[@melturcotte8848]

Oh you're totally right!

[@natethegr8174]

If there’s ever a part two I recommend including some of these fine artists: Gary Allan, Brett Eldridge, Mark Chesnutt, Mark Wills, Randy Houser, Brantley Gilbert, Kip Moore, Phil Vassar, Terri Clark and Jo Dee Messina. Edit: Also maybe John Michael Montgomery

[@dylanawilson7765]

Yup they were in my list too

[@danielaustin1732]

Phil Vassar is so underrated!

[@texan5055]

Brantley Gilbert fucking blows.

[@chrissmitha3668]

I went to see Mark Chestnut at the KY State Fair many years ago. He kept playing song after song . I was shocked he had all those hits.

[@evancramer77]

Rodney Atkins

[@leemitchell4663]

Justin Moore is the most underrated country artist out today!!! Dude just makes hits and probably has the most Hank Jr style of anyone on country radio. We need more Justin Moore!!

[@michaeldurazo7342]

I was gonna make this exact same post but I looked at comments 1st and your already did. his new album is also really good.

[@gulfgal98]

Justin Moore is probably one of my favorite artists out there. I have never heard a Justin Moore song that I did not like.

[@AndyGarcia-ch1ci]

I don't understand why yall think he's under rated the dude is HUGE and one of rhe best imo. I've never thought of him as over rated or low key

[@corir1045]

Justin Moore has been amazing for years but Boce’ ain’t a damn standard

[@hheenan]

of course i know his music but not sure i could pick out his picture!!

[@nathanh182]

Id like to see a video on Alison Krauss' influence on country music.

[@andrewjacobs4832]

Gary Allan is another good example. He has a back catalogue better than many top country artists - but never got the respect.

[@danieljackett4193]

Gary Allan has 4 good songs I Need to Be Chasin' Airplanes Pieces Waste of a Whiskey Drink

[@kawirider38112]

@@danieljackett4193 He's got alot more than that bud

[@emmystump9163]

@@danieljackett4193 Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain) is one of my all-tame favorite songs. Best I Ever Had Life Ain’t Always Beautiful Man To Man Get Off On The Pain Nothing On But The Radio Songs About Rain there are more, it’s just that people don’t know Gary is the one who sings these songs.

[@danieljackett4193]

@@emmystump9163 I forgot Man to Man

[@wa2k99]

@@danieljackett4193 Stupid post. He has about 100 good songs

[@zachlloyd1568]

I know they're a good bit older but Aaron Tippin, Sammy Kershaw, Lonestar and Terri Clark definitely fit in this category

[@JonathanCarone]

I saw Billy Currington back in 2014 and was surprised at how many songs he had that I knew but didn’t know was him.

[@GradySmith]

Yeah, he has a surprisingly deep bench of hits!

[@raq886]

Definitely kip moore, he's an underrated gem👌

[@gregbrown4182]

Justin Moore baffles me! Dude packs out arenas and puts out great music that people love. He and Joe Nichols are 2 of my favorites

[@hheenan]

this is about being super famous to the general public, not about being successful

[@paulschultz8011]

The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home and Yeah have been two of my favorites for a long time

[@kevinrummage5662]

I’m actually not sad that Josh Turner isn’t as famous as others Because I can still afford to go to his shows 🤣 seeing him in 1 week

[@depp5601]

Yep.

[@tylerpappas2963]

Gary Allan has to be one of the most underrated artists of all time. Hits from 1996 to 2013 and still no awards and a horizon awarfd nominee around 2003 which caused him to title his new album "See If I Care"

[@JakeReehl]

Agreed.

[@n0_0ne13]

He's got a new album out if you haven't heard it yet. It is well worth the listen.

[@WhiteKidSyndrome]

Sara Evans might be one of the finest women to ever grace this world my lordee

[@Horrorless123217]

You know whom I think fits this description that I haven’t seen mentioned in the Comment Section? Clay Walker, the guy who sang songs such as Fall, This Woman and His Man, She Won’t Be Lonely Long, Then What, and I’d Love to Be Your Last, among others.

[@gracerutledge9216]

My mom actually met Chris Young when he was first getting into the music industry. She was a nurse taking care of his dad and while making small talk asked him what he did for a living. She said she hoped the music career works out for him which is funny looking back on it now.

[@beniv9174]

God Chris young in his cowboy hat days was sooooo good

[@vistdalboy]

Loves when he have fun on things like «beer or gasolie» «aw naw» and «am». really gets me in a good mood

[@scrappy00001]

Love him so much, I follow him and his dog on Instagram.

[@nakdickson]

He sold out.

[@MBustos828]

“Suds in the Bucket” is definitely my guilty pleasure song I sing along to every…single…time.

[@logansmith9437]

It definitely made a few appearances on my 6 hour solo drive yesterday.

[@gulfgal98]

Me too. LOL

[@leannasharer8101]

I would add Kip Moore. I feel like he is not nearly recognized enough!

[@mexiguero646]

Nah let’s keep that man as far away from a microphone as possible.

[@Free_ThePeople]

@@mexiguero646 just curious why? I’m not too familiar with him

[@thecman26]

Nah

[@SBlackhart]

@@mexiguero646 I thought he was fantastic live

[@restless459]

Sara Evans is my absolute favorite, and I’ve always thought she didn’t get the hits she deserves. I’m glad to see her represented here. She and Josh Turner are my dream duet!

[@EverySongEndsStudios]

I’m obsessed with Chris Young and went to his concert with a friend who told me “I don’t really know him but I’ll go” and then she sang along to almost everything.

[@EndlessCFB]

Me just waiting for Grady to rip apart Fancy Like by Walker Hayes

[@lanehenkle6400]

So yeah, I saw this comment and decided to go check it out. Made it to 21 seconds and shut it off. Couldn't stand that shit 🤣

[@allstopblue5717]

How is that guy an actual signed artist. Just horrendous music. Who actually listens to that garbage?

[@masonautry5397]

i saw this comment and listened to the song and wow is that the worst song i’ve ever heard. walker hayes needs his vocal chords ripped out so he can never sing again

[@konamoore7800]

i was looking for this comment😂

[@lanehenkle6400]

@@masonautry5397 the worst part is all the comments on that song are so positive. It's stupid! 😂

[@trevorsmith1011]

Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle, Robert Earle Keen, Radney Foster (who actually co-wrote Sara Evan's hit: "A Real Fine Place to Start"), Mary Chapin Carpenter, Vince Gill, Junior Brown, Br5-49, David Ball, David Lee Murphey and the now late-great Hal Ketchum (Who passed away last year from Alzheimer's Disease) are all amazing artists that I've grown up listening to, that I feel could also be in this category. I would love it if you did a part 2 to this and talked about some of these guys. Honestly I could probably add plenty more. I kind of feel like most country artists are at least somewhat underrated unless their the mega-stars like: George Strait, Alan Jackson or Garth Brooks. Another great video Grady. I love your channel. You make so many interesting videos and have turned me and my family onto a lot of great artists. Keep up the great work man. : )

[@Sluhg1]

Spot on about Chris Young. Wish he stuck with the traditional sound from his first 3 albums.

[@emilydillingham2573]

Agreed! I've loved Chris' music - sound and lyrics- since I first discovered him. He has such a swoon-worthy voice, so warm and dynamic with such soul. I support him even when his music changes however I definitely appreciate and prefer his earlier albums. Neon is my favorite. And "Tomorrow" is probably one of the most beautiful and poignant country songs I've ever heard. Chris is so talented and seems like such a great guy. I met him at a meet-and-greet several years ago and he was so sweet. To this day he's still my favorite country artist. I wish him all the best. God bless!

[@DG-hm1on]

The fact I knew everyone of those songs but had no clue what the artist's looked like, just shows that you're right on all of them. Good job man

[@treyhaddon2004]

Josh turner was really my introduction to country music as I grew up in the low country of South Carolina. Backwoods Boy, Lord Have Mercy on a Country Boy, and Long Black Twain are all distinct memories from baling hay with my dad.

[@coffeeguy957]

Justin Moore is so underrated imo. He has an unreleased song from before his first album called A Long Way From Home that I absolutely love. Also that duet with Miranda Lambert "Old Habits" is amazing

[@andrewjacobs4832]

If you go back to the '90s (when country radio still played female singers,) Jo Dee Messina, Lorrie Morgan, Terri Clark, Pam Tillis and Patty Loveless would've fit this category. All had good careers in country music but never became household names outside the genre.

[@CarterMoore1020]

Discovered this channel a couple weeks ago, and it is my new favorite thing on all of KZbin. I wish the business of country music promoted actual country music like you do

[@heathgeyer439]

So right on Chris Young. His voice is right up there with some of the greats, but he absolutely is a trend chaser. Josh turner underrated hit: “never had a reason”.

[@justsean1000]

So glad you talked about Billy Currington hes seemed to disappear from the scene since his last album and he has been releasing clips of songs from the next album on his instagram but haven't seen anything in 2021 yet. His hugely underrated and never chosen for awards or to perform at award shows even though he's consistently amazing!

[@hsmfan4life901]

Spot on about Chris Young! His older albums are fantastic but he lost me at his Losin’ Sleep album and haven’t been too fond of him since. Another I would say is Brett Eldredge!

[@svesco]

The most underrated and under radar is Gary Freaking Allan! That smoke rings in the dark album🤤🤤🤤…… on vinyl!!!!🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤

[@Mark2756042]

There were quite a few artists who fit this profile in the 90s. Collin Raye, Sammy Kershaw, Tracy Byrd, and Mark Chesnutt come immediately to mind. A very successful decade-long stretch of uninterrupted hits on country radio but were never anything close to being superstars.

[@nathanriele6817]

There were also a lot more varied voices in the 90’s. John Anderson, John Berry, Bryan White, Billy Dean, Lee Roy Parnell, Tracy Lawrence, Joe Diffie….they all had their own song and sound

[@lanehenkle6400]

Chris LeDoux was very underrated. R.I.P and God Bless

[@treyhaddon2004]

Yes sir!

[@lanehenkle6400]

@@treyhaddon2004 I've been trying to get Grady to do a Chris LeDoux video but haven't gotten any responses yet LOL

[@JakePridgeon]

@@lanehenkle6400 I'm about to get attacked here. But the only reason in my opinion Chris LeDoux has any traction in the community is because was a world champion. He does have the rodeo authenticity but other than that I don't really find his music all that great.

[@lanehenkle6400]

@@JakePridgeon I get it. It's hard to appreciate something when you don't understand it. Its a rodeo cowboy thing. No harm

[@chuckhf420]

@@JakePridgeon I'm going to attack

[@brandonnewberry8694]

I feel like Jon Pardi should be on this list as well.

[@colourblind021]

I don't think he's been around long enough to be included in this group though.

[@loganmason8226]

SAME i was abt to say

[@timhurst1350]

He can't sing

[@shawnab8484]

Y’all suck balls if you think Jon can’t sing!

[@STREETDAWGHEEL1]

I’m glad someone else had this thought because I’ve always felt out of my friend group, I’m the only one to think this! I was turned on to Josh Turner when I was 4 years old because I loved trains and Long Black Train came on the radio a few times and I clicked with it. Ever since Josh has been my all time favorite artist. However, a lot of my friends always ask who that is when I play his music. Thanks to technology and music being easily accessible growing up I’ve tried to continue to listen to all of these artist alongside what is considered popular. Great video as always Grady, but this one sticks with me deep!

[@sarahbrown1295]

You missed the biggest famous/not famous person… Gary Allan, he has a long career with many hits and sells out his venues.

[@Cam-1622]

One of my personal favorite underrated artists and one I was hoping to see is, Phil Vassar. Love the guy, Carlene is such a good song, one of my favorites!

[@strikerrevolution201]

I LOVE Charlene - I never skip it when it comes on

[@mbl722]

I love Phil Vassar too, named my dog Carlene after the song. I feel like a lot of people mentioned are almost too country for current country sound

[@hheenan]

obsessed with Phil Vassar! saw him at a small club in NYC 2009. so so so so damn good!

[@timkramar9729]

About the same time frame, there was Steve Holy and Don't Make Me Beg. His bigger hit was Good Morning Beautiful.

[@georgiawoodcraft7584]

This video is fascinating as a non American. We don't get news or anything of country stars so you telling me that lee bryce and Josh Turner and Chris Young are not huge stars is nuts to me. As for me their music feels as big as other people's.

[@therealdudemitch]

They’re played on country radio as much as some of the big ones but they don’t have recognition outside of country music, unlike, say…Blake Shelton or Luke Bryan

[@emilydillingham2573]

I've loved Chris' music - sound and lyrics- since I first discovered him. He has such a swoon-worthy voice, so warm and dynamic with such soul. I support him even when his music changes however I definitely appreciate and prefer his earlier albums. Neon is my favorite. And "Tomorrow" is probably one of the most beautiful and poignant country songs I've ever heard. Chris is so talented and seems like such a great guy. I met him at a meet-and-greet several years ago and he was so sweet. To this day he's still my favorite country artist. I wish him all the best. God bless!

[@lukebailey3662]

As a fellow deep voice, southern guy. My man Josh turner needs more recognition. Also, easton corbin

[@adellemery3336]

Easton's doing a free show this July 4th weekend at a Texas Cook-Em Cookout in my neck of Texas woods. Agree with you about his voice. Turner . . . can't say in public what his voice does to most women.

[@scrappy00001]

Thought Easton would be the next George Strait but sadly that never happened.

[@adellemery3336]

@@scrappy00001 Agree. It is a mystery why some catch on fire and others don't. To this day, I can't understand Luke Bryan's success. His choice of songs; his delivery; I can't stand either one. Yet, my local country station plays one of his songs every 15 minutes, yet a Texas boy like Cody Johnson, it rarely plays.

[@emmystump9163]

I named on of my kids after Easton before it became the new popular name 🤣

[@lukebailey3662]

@@scrappy00001 he really does sound like a young George strait

[@Based_egg_consumer]

Justin Moore was my neighbor while I was in high school. Super nice dude.

[@labornotinvain]

I would say that Lee Brice has a huge catalog of songwriting credits to his name that make him seem even more overlooked as an artist.

[@angelacook6290]

I agree. But I think Lee Bruce has gained traction in last 2 years.

[@holleyjay1122]

I’ve always said Sara Evans is underrated. One of my favorite country female artist of all time!

[@ubereats3048]

She was just on mask singer and got kicked for the 1st night

[@katherinesaunders3368]

The whole time I was just thinking, "Terri Clark!" So good live too!

[@nothingiswrong8484]

Funny story, my mom bought Sara Evans' born to fly when it was released, she was living in the UK (we are from Spain) and bough it randomly. Years later that cd would be part of my entire childhood. We always asked ourselves why she wasn't that famous in the USA at least.

[@matthewjohns7864]

Kip Moore for sure. One of my favorites Craig Morgan I think would fall into this category too!

[@dnbtexas]

I’ve often wondered why Gary Allan never became a huge star. He has so much good music.

[@MaddyArwood]

Trace Adkins is another addition to this list. He's had some hits here and there over the years and won some awards. However he has mostly stayed out of the spotlight.

[@MountainGirl420]

I think he likes his privacy.

[@brideoflevi]

His hair is pretty distinctive though

[@allidrake3060]

I’m here for that sketchy award show file turning into a video. Also, thank you for praising Chris Young’s Neon album! It’s been a reliable friend through many seasons of life.

[@happycheese5135]

Between Chris Young's voice and Josh Turner's... I'm not going to stop listening to country music for a while

[@cheneethompson5756]

One of my fave male country singers is scotty mccreery!

[@timvalli8405]

I used to watch a lot of CMT. Especially the weekly top/hot 20 on sat/Sunday. But Grady Smith have filled this void since I don’t have cable any more. Thank you Grady for keeping me in the loop!

[@codypippin336]

I feel like you could have a whole 20 minute video about Chris Young, when he hit the scene with “Tomorrow” and “the man I wanna be” I thought he was going to be THE BIGGEST thing in country music I rooted pretty hard for him but here we are 11 years later with so so singles

[@ashleyjustice3008]

Oh my goodness, I was in high school and I watched the season of Nashville Star that Chris Young won. I was infatuated with him and his voice, especially when he sang "Forever and Ever, Amen" & "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off". Such a good voice! Though I do not listen to him as much now, I still really like his voice!

[@chadburtonmusic8565]

Back in the 90’s I thought Daryle Singletary was overlooked! His voice was so traditional and authentic. Once you’ve heard him sing ‘I let her lie’. You’ll never forget it.

[@berlyn3014]

I would have never thought about this. Every one you mentioned are some of my favorites. I was shocked to see you mention Lee Brice until you explained the criteria (that's because right now his album "Hey World" is my go to listen at the moment). After you explained, I was like oh yeah I see where he's coming from now. I'm not sure if he would qualify for this list or not but another one of my favorites you don't hear a lot from is Eric Paslay.

[@paulgomez8679]

One thing that Josh Turner had and other artists didn't have was a somewhat international success. From where I'm from, Josh Turner's Your Man is still being played by some random people on their personal vehicle.

[@ashlen8717]

I’m pretty sure Kip Moore came and did a concert at our high school at one point. Probably when he was really early in his career.

[@nickmeekhof]

I remember watching when Justin Moore won New Artist of the Year, about 5 years after he came on the scene. Didn’t like that he was still in that category, but I did legitimately laugh out loud when he opened his acceptance speech with “I was beginning to think there was a height requirement for this award!”

[@hheenan]

didn’t Brantley Gilbert get nominated in 3 different years for New Artist & ACMs? always thought that was so bizarre.

[@wiggi1968]

Great video! I love all of the artists you mentioned. Joe Nichols' 'Brokenheartsville' and Billy Currington's 'People are crazy' are two of my favorite songs.

[@reallyawesometitle7653]

I had such a huge crush on Sara Evans, she is so attractive and has a great voice

[@michaelmerck7576]

She is married to a famous Alabama national champion qb.gooduck with that crush

[@reallyawesometitle7653]

@@michaelmerck7576, I'm over it at this point. Still like her music, though.

[@gptanker]

You do a fantastic job of quantifying and establishing criteria for wildly subjective matters within our genre. Big ups.

[@licoreen]

I'm basically the same age as Josh Turner. I remember thinking back in the 2000s that he would be a big star one day. But, having seen him a couple of times in concert, I think he's kind of a mellow, low-key person who happens to have an amazing voice. So it makes sense to me that he's "popular," but not a "star."

[@tansjord]

I absolutely LOVE Sara Evans but she is totally underrated & is often forgotten about in the country music scene! #justiceforsaraevans

[@bstephenson86]

I've seen just about all of these people perform in the early to mid-day time slot at a festival while most people are standing around saving their spot for the FGL/Luke Bryan types to perform later, and they all have absolutely blown the roof off. It's one of those "oh shit, they sing this song too" moments for all the just here for the party country fans. They never disappoint.

[@xTheAmnestyx]

What is so intriguing about Chris Young is that if you do deep dive into his music, his last three albums in particular, there is a clear difference of vision. He is the primary songwriter on just about all of his songs, something a lot of Nashville artists can't say. But there are two distinct voices coming out of him, almost as if in conflict. There is the voice the industry wants, that gives us the majority of his love and/or lust songs, whether they be sad or uppity (a la Holiday, Losing Sleep, I'm Coming Over, etc.) and general hype songs (i.e., Famous Friends, Raised on Country, Setting the Night on Fire, and the like), which went from comprising about 50% of his music on I'm Coming Over to probably 80+% on the newest album. But then there is another side that produces songs like Underdogs, Sober Saturday Night, Blacked Out, I Know A Guy, Callin' My Name, and most recently Drowning and When You're Drinking, which are all songs that yeah, don't use any earth-shattering new subject matter or incredible lines, but at least in my opinion feel so much more genuinely written. Unfortunately even those get overshadowed a bit by the downright lazy production of Corey Crowder (the producer on the overwhelming majority of his music post 2013, as well as a lot of FGL's music), which utilizes many of the same instrumental tropes that everyone in Nashville uses ad nauseum, to the point that he repeats nearly the exact same musical chorus lead-in on multiple Chris Young songs. I'm not sure its that he doesn't HAVE a vision for himself, I think that vision was on full display in Neon, A.M. and The Man I Want To Be. I think its just that, at the end of the day, the industry always gets what it wants, and once it sinks its claws in, there comes a very clear and evident shift. Its an easy sell to tell someone "This is the music that will get the most people listening and make the most people interested." Especially when, for better or worse, the charts pretty much support that statement.

[@CyrusWaugh]

That cursed opening

[@GradySmith]

LOL I was going for royalty-free Fast & Furious vibes.

[@baseballgenius3]

Love the video idea. Interestingly your list has many of my favorite artists (turner and evans especially), so most I recognize instantly but still get what you’re talking about with them. Keep up the great work, I like some of these fun (and reminiscent) videos. Never will get tired of reliving the early 2000s country music I grew up on. Also found it interesting that Young and Turner were on the list, two of the most iconic deep voices. As a man with a deeper voice I feel the pain - so much music is tenor heavy, not a lot of solid baritone or bass voices in popular music.

[@motherstouchcl3859]

There's actually an old interview of Chris Young where he states he just wants a career like Gary Allan's. He wants to continue to put out good music and stay out of the spotlight. He has always looked up to Gary Allan.

[@AllAmericanAutomotive]

On this topic...Grady Smith is an underrated review channel. This guy puts in the work to make superb, data driven content meanwhile most videos focus on dumb drama and things that anyone could Google in 2 minutes. Great work!!!

[@dancooper27]

One could throw in Gary Allan into this list. Very consistent, quality songs, but never really got the recognition he deserved during his heyday.

[@georgiaboy9486]

one of my favorite songs from Billy Currington: Town with a Football Problem! For A Guy from Germany like me, where Football isn´t the National Sport it´s a good vibes song!

[@courtneykramer4679]

Billy Currington has some great songs in his catalog ("Walk a Little Straighter"), but I think a lot of the reason he isn't on the "A List" is because he isn't in Nashville that much and doesn't tour as much as his peers. I also really like the current Justin Moore single "We Didn't Have Much" (which is very similar to Runaway June's "We Were Rich"). Side note on Josh Turner, but "Another Try" is so underrated. And the production on that song is perfect in my eyes (thank you, Frank Rogers).

[@jackie_jrml]

Ha. Good Directions is my guilty pleasure favorite of his!! I looove that song 😂

[@misteroz]

Bought my first Josh Turner single about 15 years ago, finally got to see him live when he toured the UK in 2019.

[@sunbern3d]

I love Sara Evans, it’s crazy how underrated she is.

[@lewisgriffin9684]

Underrated is an understatement to LOL it's crazy how little respect she gets in the business of country music

[@volo1826]

Gotta love when most of my favorite singers are on this list. Especially turner, young, and moore.

[@stevelittle1039]

When I think of artists that are under the radar three names come to mind Billy Currington, Randy Houser and Gary Allan all three of them should be mega stars And it’s just mind boggling that between the three of them they’ve only had like six awards nominations Gary Allan never been up for an award

[@sealgairoshea4433]

I watched Parts 1 and 2 in backwards order. I love videos like this, kinda lets me know how rare my taste is or reminds me there are artists I listen to fairly regularly that I don't see often (couldn't recognize easily)

[@shawngroth4292]

I think Chris Young made a huge mistake losing the cowboy hat and stop singing traditional sounding country. He started off that way and seemed to drink the bro country Kool-aid and lost it all in regards to traditional country. I keep hoping that he'll go back to his roots.

[@rosegroshek1218]

Exactly. He seems to have lost his way

[@steffiparsons]

As a Brit, I had to find my own way in finding artists to listen to. A lot were through watching the CMA awards (Josh Turner was nominated for male vocalist, Billy nominated for best song) We didn’t have country radio so I wasn’t told who to listen to. If you went through all my CDs that I’ve amassed over the last 15 years, you’ll find the entire album collection of most of these artists… but none by Blake Shelton, Eric Church, Jason Aldean. If you asked Brits who they listened to most, I think you’d have a much more diverse list of artists- just because we’ve all had to find our own ways! Chris Young came here for the Country2Country festival, and now he’s a big favourite there, seems every country fan here knows exactly who he is! Extras who I’d include to the list would be: Lady A - for my friends, they know Need You Now but nothing else. They’re also not winning awards anymore like Little Big Town and Old Dominion. LeAnn Rimes - she had her two big hits, but she’s really not that well known as an artist, but more for Coyote Ugly.

[@curlysue1134]

Yes Rodney Atkins is so underrated! Has so many great songs you can't help but sing along with.

[@TheHoppersFan]

Kathy Mattea definitely comes to mind for me - although maybe as an "honorable mention" due to her early success and later low profile. Per Wikipedia: "Active since 1984 as a recording artist, she has charted more than 30 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including four that reached No. 1: "Goin' Gone", "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses", "Come from the Heart", and "Burnin' Old Memories", plus 12 more that charted within the top ten." She's won multiple CMA, ACM, and Grammy Awards, but has been out of the spotlight from much of the last two decades. However, she hasn't stopped recording music (her last studio album came out in 2018) or performing, and "Coal" is, in my opinion, one of the best country music records of the 2000s.

[@ciara6279]

I think the thing for billy currington that helps me at least recognize him is his hair: the curly perm look is a dead give away every time :)

[@jogger1987]

Your content always brings music from my high school days back to life. Thanks man!!!

[@Vol_Nathan]

Chris Young, Easton Corbin, and Dustin Lynch are the kings of wasted potential. I blame their management and producers.

[@djc1013]

Could not agree more. Easton Corbin “A little more country than that” compared to “Yep” is almost criminal what they did to his music.

[@awolfofchaos3211]

I love all of these artists and loved this video!! Great job Grady!! Fun fact, Joe Nichols did a countrified version of "Baby's Got Back" and I thought it was hilarious. One of my all time favorite Chris Young songs is "I Can Take It From There"

[@lukebradbury1395]

Grady smith is the best

[@mssarcasim]

I remember growing up listening to Chely Wright. I know she had some hits like "Single White Female," but I don't many people recognize the name

[@bethhixenbaugh]

I saw Lee Brice a few years ago at Carolina Country Music Festival and then Joe Nicols last month at Carolina Country Music Fest. I was just commenting to a friend how neither get the recognition I thought they deserve!

[@davidbravo8461]

I knew some billy Currington songs, but when I had gotten with my ex, she loved him, and I started listening to even more of his songs, and now I can't stop lol