The 10 Best Country Albums of 2019

[@GradySmith]

Merry Christmas folks! Here are my top albums in a great year for country music.

[@incufish23]

Merry Christmas Grady! Discovered your channel this year and your love of great music and intelligence has really increased my appreciation of country music. Looking forward to a great new decade ahead.

[@brianmenard7565]

If country is in a good spot right now, you may have influenced it more than you think.

[@Mstl1099]

Good stuff happy new year. Damn this is going to hit my bank account...so many more albums I now gotta buy

[@aspennvv548]

Merry Christmas Grady!

[@josephwalters6430]

you should listen to Jamestown Ferry by Charley Crockett and his I saw the light cover is very good as well

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

Merry Christmas to everyone in this comments section.

[@kellroseseicke1242]

Well- deserved for Jon Pardi's album to be #1 on your list. I haven't stopped listening to it since it came out. Tequila little time makes me smile every time I hear it. The fiddle playing throughout the album is very refreshing to hear and just beautiful. Ain't Always the Cowboy got some top notch fiddle playing 😊 The entire album is refreshing, and Not a skippable track on it. 💙😍

[@RandyBadour]

Good work Grady. Merry Christmas! Jon Pardi has to get some love from anyone who claims to like country music. He is at the table with all the usual suspects for the pop country world. He is at the table with the legends of the 90s and beyond...EVERYONE respects what he is doing and is getting a seat at the radio kids table as well! That is something NO ONE is doing. I love the Houser record as well but he is not getting traction at radio. Jon Pardi is doing the recent impossible and deserves all the love for 2019!

[@davehilton1613]

Glad you were able to move past Jon's 'Up All Night'! The sound and feel behind Heartache Medication was what originally got me back into country. Jenee Fleenor is brilliant on this album, and really deserved her CMA award. Love from Australia

[@TheStevenstatzer]

I am actually great full for Up All Night. That song introduced me to Jon Pardi, who led me down the path of 90’s country exceptionalism.

[@JakePridgeon]

Up all night wasn't a bad song in my opinion. Just kinda broish

[@zigzags3320]

I wish Country Squire was higher!! It is what it is though, I love your videos. They got me more into country and got me to really start delving into it!

[@AleksandarIvanov69]

New Randy Houser fan here and all because of Grady! Same thing happened earlier this year with Dierks Bentley and Emily Scott Robinson! I love this channel :) Thank you Grady, Merry Christmas yall!

[@JoePokorny]

Fantastic list. I love coming to Grady’s channel to learn about new artists I may have missed on The Highway. Looking forward to 2020 in country music.

[@LukeMtech55]

I love Emily Scott Robinson, her album definitely deserves to be in the top 5. Great list, Grady. Merry Christmas my friend.

[@duckhodges2465]

My top 5 would probably be 1. Heartache Medication 2. Let it Roll 3. Cheap Silver and Solid Country Gold 4. Magnolia 5. Greetings from Jake (guilty pleasure lol) Merry Christmas everyone 🎸🎄

[@sonetyp7916]

Let's just post our Top 5s under that comment, OK? My Top 5: 1. Jon Pardi Heartache Medication 2. Justin Moore Late Nights and Longnecks 3. Luke Combs What you see is what you get 4. Buddy Brown Deep South 5. Jason Aldean 9

[@Noah1997callahan]

No what you see is what you get? L

[@dianaraabarca5576]

Good list

[@ashlzne4500]

@@sonetyp7916 what you see is what you get tops all.

[@blaineangleberger6493]

I love John pardi and midland

[@sarafield6697]

As an Australian who loves country music, i can’t thank you enough for introducing me to so much new music that just doesn’t make its way here!

[@cavana.341]

Thank you so much for including king George! I know you didn't listen to him much growing up, but thank you for tipping your hat to him!

[@kevinbuback]

Cody Johnson’s Album is called Ain’t Nothing to it

[@jklogan1969]

Oh. My. God. I thought I was gonna have to staple a copy of Heartache Medication to that wolf picture and smack ya up'side the head. The closer we got to #1 and you hadn't mentioned it I was literally screaming at you "what about John Frickin Pardi, Gradyyyyy?" And lo and behold you did not let me down. I love you and your reviews (especially since you agree with me lmao)! Merry Christmas @Grady - I hope you have a fabulous New Year!!

[@Jackmerius_Tacktheritrix5733]

Simmer

[@connorpeck4851]

I feel like you and I would be good friends Grady. I have a very similar taste in music and learned a lot from your channel. I was hoping Riley Green's album would be up here as well. Definitely loved albums such as Jon Pardi's, George, Cody Johnson, Reba, Aaron Watson, Luke Combs etc. Great video!

[@zachcarson6377]

When Jon Pardi dropped "Heartache Medicaiton," I think I listened to it for like 2 weeks straight before finally thinking about any other albums. An absolute gem. If you have ever had a chance to see him live, he is just as fun on stage as he is in his songs.

[@sox1544]

You seem like one of the most genuine, coolest humans. Every time I watch a new video it makes me just want to have a beer with you and chat even more. I am so happy I came across this channel so long ago!! Hope you and your family had the best Christmas 💗💗

[@GradySmith]

Well way to make my day, Stephanie! Thanks!

[@Princesspossum1313]

Cheap Silver and Solid Country Gold and Homeland Insecurity are probably two of my absolute favorites. In general, I think there were too many good albums to count this year. There was definitely a change of tides in country music this year.

[@kittykittyrawr11]

Good video Grady, but you did Childers dirty by putting him at 11

[@beardoggin8963]

2019 was the year I found your channel and 2019 was the year you introduced me to such great music. Thanks for all you do for Country Music and I looked forward to what 2020 holds for you and music in general!

[@alexskowronski8497]

I must say, I saw Randy Houser in person this March and he was incredible to watch in real life. He has definitely made a huge jump backwards, to the roots of country music that I truly enjoy!

[@pamelaparker7032]

Saw him at a private event last year. Loved it.

[@dawndavenport1279]

Thank you, Grady! I've been a fan of country music since childhood and had pretty much stopped listening because the whole bro country thing drove me away. I just didn't find the music relatable anymore. I stumbled onto your channel a few weeks ago, and I feel like I've rediscovered an old love. I've gotten reacquainted with some old friends -- Dierks Bentley, Brooks and Dunn, Vince Gill, Reba -- but best of all, I have some new favorites: Emily Scott Robinson, Jon Pardi, Charles Wesley Godwin. And what a revelation Randy Houser's Magnolia turned out to be. Thanks for bringing me back into the fold.

[@redphantom2670]

Great Review dude, from a middle eastern guy who loves country music i'll check these out for sure

[@outdoordinsmore]

Holy cow, thank you so much for the introduction to Charles Wesley Godwin! I am just now digging into Seneca and it is so powerful and rich.

[@stenzlergreen9507]

Watching this made me realize just how many GREAT albums this year

[@aef6259]

I've been away from Country music since the early 2000s. I recently discovered your channel. This will help me get back into it. Thanks!

[@Michelle-ij4yv]

Randy houser’s magnolia was the best album I’ve heard this year. I was never a Randy Houser fan, but I am now

[@Lisa-ld1mn]

Thank you for introducing me (us) to so many deserving and great artists that, unfortunately, today's main means of communications would never have let me (us) hear! Kudos!!

[@ScaryC71]

You have a great ear for what makes good country music. Oh and thanks for mentioning Robert Ellis. I just put Texas Piano Man in my Spotify. He is a country Ben Folds and we all need that in our lives!!

[@miascott]

Jon Pardi is everything!! 😍

[@SuperLovebug8]

thank you for mentioning Runaway june, they are so talented and i saw them live last year... incredible band

[@nickr1297]

So many artists I hadn’t even heard of on this list and soooo good. Thank you. Flatland Calvary - blown away.

[@BeckyLStoutWriter]

I only recently found your channel and I've been going through your videos. I'm very glad I watched this one because of the shout out for Charles Wesley Godwin. And I'm not just saying that because Seneca was recorded very close to where I live in a studio that I'll be working in myself soon. It is, indeed, one of the best albums I've heard in years. 👍

[@grantgeppert6066]

Awesome list! I have a lot of albums in my top 10 that you have in your 20-11 and honorable mentions! Amazingly, I don’t know if I’ve ever gone back to an album as much as Hixtape! I can’t get enough of that album.

[@cameronmcmillan1427]

I watched this whole video hoping you'd put Jon Pardi at #1... And I wasn't disappointed

[@Crashme222]

Love the list, glad Heartache Medication is #1

[@camilawoodmansee4073]

Love that you’ve made a quality channel focused on country music! So many music channels out there but this was definitely a hole that needed to be filled. Keep it up!

[@jquinn4302]

Charles Wesley Godwin was easily my favorite album that I discovered this year. Awesome to see that recognition!

[@JadenDecker]

Left Out The Owl? How Could You?!! lmao i’m kidding

[@markynsaibasandarsondiengd2298]

You mean ZBB? Are they even country?

[@JadenDecker]

Markynsai Diengdoh they were

[@thetowerfantasymusic]

Colter Wall is the epitome of Country, a working cowboy who sings from experience. Great lyricism and storytelling from the 'plain the see plainsman'

[@PGTRegard]

He is? I love his music but I'm pretty sure he went to university and his dad is a politician. Also he didn't have an album in 2019.

[@codyenright6310]

You had me so worried you were gonna snub Jon Pardi. Love that album, best of the year!

[@AgustusM]

I missed the Reba album and thanks to this I found it and loved it. Thanks Grady!

[@jocelynwilson6500]

Grady thanks once again for sharing your opinion!!! I completely agree that John Party's album is pure genius and just pure pleasure

[@sperminator3014]

So happy to see you put Heartache Medication on #1 !!! It‘s a really outstanding album and definitly the best one of the year. I hope Jon Pardi keeps making songs and albums like that 😎

[@tylerbaker8245]

I sent out a tweet a few weeks before this video that said luke is the garth of this generation, fired me up to hear you say that too. Personally i think i enjoy this ones for you a little bit more. i would’ve had jon pardi, luke combs, cody johnson, morgan wallen, and jake owen in my top 5. Also really into riley green and hardy

[@sammytravis4788]

Merry Christmas!!!🎁🎄

[@EzyoMusic]

Thanks for this video. I've grown a little tired of keeping up with country over the years and it's nice to have a starting point to get back into it a little bit. I started with Emily Scott Robinson because it stood out to me and really loving that album.

[@knutolavhalseth6761]

Merry Christmas Grady! And thanks for a very interesting review! I'm so glad you had James Wesley Godwin 2nd, his album is a super one and I'm so looking forward to see him in concert on 11th Feb, as he's having a tour here in Norway with 5 or 6 shows! It's at a tiny bar in Trondheim that accomodates only 100 or so ppl, but it's just such a amazing concert stage there and I can't wait for that show. He's in my Top 10 of country albums this year along with both Cody Jinks' albums, The Highwomen, Flatland Cavalry, Tyler Childers, The Hollering Pines and Norways own Ida Jenshus. Her album "From This Day On" is one of the very best country albums I've heard this year. But my #1 is Michaela Anne and "Desert Dove". That is such a beautiful album, on some songs her sound can seem a bit like Chris Isaak going country, but it's so mesmerizing. I love, love, love that album and have three of her songs on my Top 20 songs for 2019. Give her music a try, you won't be disappointed!

[@nope8620]

Hey Grady love the list! Have you ever listened to Orville Peck? His album this year is an interesting one and worth a few listens!

[@jyo3419]

Thanks for mentioning Robert Ellis. Never heard him before and holy smokes, thats some good stuff! Now searching for the vinyl.

[@dans1601]

Good job Grady,,, you exposed some names I've never heard of, that i'll check out.. and I agree, Jon Pardi is the BEST CD out there right now and of the year. He's fast approaching as being the NEW King of Country Music,, he's stepping in George Straits boots very nicely.

[@daniellepeterson6147]

What you see is what you get is my number 1!! I genuinely loved every single one

[@briannamorris8143]

Danielle Peterson I totally agree!!!!

[@jerrymcdall]

So glad Mike and the Moonpies made the list! They've been my favorite find this year.

[@Sunahvagun]

100% why haven't I found these guys before last week is beyond me. I clicked on this video just to make sure it was there.

[@rachelsmith9039]

You introduced me to Ian Noe and I can't stop listening to that album.

[@hatandcaneproductions4877]

Wished you checked out Benjamin Tod's "A heart of gold is hard to find" or Matt heckler's "After the Flood" or even The Hill Country Devil's "nicotine and china white". All indie darlings in my eyes but great list all throughout. I hope you get the chance to show these future stars off to your audience, have a happy holiday.

[@zachqualls8864]

Loved that you put Heartache Medication at No. 1. Would have liked to have seen Hardy’s Hixtape in that 11-20 range. I also would’ve ranked Country Squire a little higher. But over all I loved that list!

[@gavinjohnson5888]

Wasn't sure if Mike and the Moonpies were on your radar. Was SO HAPPY to see them at #5. My favorite album of the year for sure!

[@joshnagy2049]

I thanks Grady, merry Christmas! I love the list, agreed with a lot of it, and plan to check out a lot of the stuff on this list that I haven’t gotten to yet, but I have to say, Zach Bryan should’ve been way higher then honorable mention in my opinion, I just can’t stop listening to him, he needs to become a star one day!

[@evanwarren4083]

Cody and Tyler should have been top 10

[@unodosntres]

Evan Warren which Cody lol

[@mackenziewhite7569]

Merry Christmas from the land down under mate. Great list found a lot of new artists I didn’t even know. You should really give some Aussie country a listen. Wish you all the best in the new year. Love your work

[@bensys2rollevans]

So glad you got cody Jinks album in this list cause that album is outstanding 👌

[@julieking9364]

Let it roll by Midland should have been top ten for sure!

[@Ryansk2003]

I agree 100%

[@Shambleland]

Number 1 in my book!

[@blpitts11]

It’s really good

[@kingbracksvisuals6757]

yes yes yes agreee 100%

[@jarrodheffron6349]

Top 10 seems good. Its also Gradys opinion. Doesn't mean that album won't be a top 10 2019 show 20 years from now

[@landonhogue9760]

Charles Wesley Godwin and Jon Pardi at 2 and 1!!! I cannot agree more. The future of country music has so much in store if we keep hearing from honest artists like these two. Thank you Grady for turning me on to Charles. What a vulnerable, powerful voice he has.

[@willardmurphy5510]

Definitely gonna have to listen to Magnolia from Randy Houser. You have turned me onto him Grady!

[@TheRealBrentRasmussen]

Holy crap - Jason Hawk Harris is a revelation! Thanks for the tip Grady!

[@eloramaxwell7020]

Mine (in no particular order) are: Magnolia, Let It Roll, Heartache Medication, Highwomen, Country Squire, Walk through Fire, Wildcard, Traveling Mercies, Seneca, and Red Bandana!

[@danag3757]

I wouldn't have found Jon Pardi's new album without your channel, Grady. I just knew it'd be in your #1 spot! Now I need to check out some of these indie folks :)

[@jamesborg3554]

Anyone else notices the tattoo at 08:07 ? Great video buddy

[@futmilnur1]

Thank you for this! Thanks to this list I've found some great new music to listen to

[@Kai-jy2nn]

Happy holidays!

[@jamesray6646]

I loved Hail Mary by Shane Smith & the Saints. Other than that, can't argue with most of what made this list and discovered a few more I need to listen to. Thanks for the great content

[@bugrescue1]

Well, my “to-listen” list just grew quite a bit. Great video.

[@danelewis1998]

Great Video! These are some of my favorite albums too! And I have some other ones to check out ASAP

[@katiegurksnis160]

Great list! I agree with most of your choices, the only thing I’d change is to put Cody Jinks and Tyler Childers a little higher on the list (but then again, I freaking love Cody’s music) and maybe add After the Fire to the honorable mentions. Other than that, awesome. Especially that Charles Wesley Godwin was number 2.

[@harveyruddell3329]

First-time commenter, I took your recommendation to listen to Emily Scott Robinson. Her lyrics and delivery remind me of an Australia artist who isn't country by any means. But Paddy McHugh - Dan O'Halloran.m4a is a good song if you like to be told a story. Something familiar yet completely different.

[@stephanieneal5942]

I'm so glad Emily Scott Robinson and Charles Wesley Godwin were so high on your list! Those two plus the Highwomen were probably my top three this year. This year opened up my eyes to great new country music, and I can't wait to see what's in store for next year!

[@obi7304]

Stephanie Neal highwomen? Seriously?

[@stephanieneal5942]

Yep! I enjoyed almost every song on their album.

[@bretsutton1295]

I got 5 CDs for Christmas. I love them all. Trace Adkins Love Will, old dominion self titled, Miranda lambert wildcard, Chris Stapleton From A Room Volume 2, and Gary Allan Living Hard.

[@pamelaparker7032]

Love some Gary Allan. Wish he had some new stuff out.

[@bretsutton1295]

@@pamelaparker7032 me too. Last I knew was long year on the deluxe edition of smoke rings in the dark record.

[@pamelaparker7032]

Saw him live a few years ago. Great show.

[@pamelaparker7032]

Seeing Miranda in January. I have seen her before but excited about this time.

[@pamelaparker7032]

And Chris Stapleton? Need I say more?

[@hamburgerdan101]

As a recovering country snob I can say Jon Pardi is not a guilty pleasure but infact a good time I’d recommend him to any body who says they hate Nashville. It’s really not all that bad

[@johncarroll5197]

You always support Zach and shout him out and I love it. Merry Christmas, Grady!!

[@darrenballweg2771]

Been waiting for this video for a couple of months now 🙌🏻

[@pamelaparker7032]

Great opinions. Appreciate your insight. Have a great holiday season.

[@MattChat56]

Agree with most of these. I still think Cody Johnson’s album is one of the best albums I have heard in a long time.

[@lmb25315]

Solid review man. I would def have thrown Country Squire in the top 10 and at least have had Desperate Man by Eric Church in the top 20, but overall I have some new music to check out 🤙🏻

[@Mudsix911]

Thanks for introducing me to Gabe Lee. ❤️

[@thewrongsideofnaplesflorid9907]

Charles Wesley Godwin's voice is so amazing!!! In a way, it's a lot like Rhett McLaughlin's voice; and yes, I know Rhett hasn't put out an album....pfft yet....but he has done covers of songs and there's just something about that voice that you can't get enough of and you just wanna chill out to it. Not to mention, they both look really similar.

[@Jekyll_Jackal]

Merry Christmas

[@berndwenserski694]

Thanks Grady, for recommending Emily Scott Robinson and CW Godwin. Do agree to most of your top-10 collection...think that Luke Combs is really crowdpleasing but not as reflective as Cody Jinks or Texas fellows like Aaron Watson or Casey Donahew... if you like Mike & The Moonpies, you need to check out “Steak night at the prairie rose”. Sounds deeper and more natural than their latest release...

[@khogg3581]

I saw the Cactus Blossoms open for Jenny Lewis at the Ryman earlier this year. I highly recommend Easy Way, as well as catching them live. Their sound and harmonies are brilliant, and the band is tight.

[@ibejyj]

My top 5 1. Riley Green - Different Round Here 2. Charles Wesley Godwin - Seneca 3. Koe Wetzel - Harold Saul High 4. Florida Georgia Line - Can’t Say I Ain’t Country 5. The Reklaws - Freshman Year

[@janessaolney1011]

Love Miranda's album Wildcard and Yola. What about HighWomen? One of my favorites

[@scotthesdon4234]

Totally agree Jon Pardi #1 he killed that album in every song Merry Christmas

[@nothotsheadempty7]

Yep, Heartache Medication was #1 for me too. I can’t get enough of that album

[@maggiemcgee8487]

I feel like in the past few years, but especially 2019, real country music fans began to demand better of the genre

[@engmentor6229]

Jon Pardi definitely had the best album, but I loved Different Round Here by Riley Green!

[@centralpafly4947]

Yeah

[@trgoohileshea2820]

I'm surprised you didn't have anything by Thomas Rhett. In my humble opinion, he is at the top of the country genre at this point in his career. A fabulous singer, songwriter and artist. 'Remember you Young' is one of my favorite songs on country radio.

[@samhouston1979]

i love Jon Pardi’s Heartache Medication! I bought it & the new Midlands album on CD recently

[@bbbhauntedbasement]

Thanks for your list I agree with a lot of it glad you put Mike & the moonpies on their Aaron Watson's is probably my number one John Wolfe came out with an EP so that doesn't meet the standards of a full album but it's really good. Whiskey Myers I would put at the very top number one it's more southern rock but it is country and whiskey Myers White album is my number one

[@treyhaddon2004]

I really can’t place some of these, so here is my list in not particular order What You See is What You Get Heartache Medication Red Bandana Ain’t Nothin To It Country Squire Hats Off to the Cowboy- Red Steagall Not the Man I Used to be- Jason Nutt and Hwy 70 Next in Line- Ned LeDoux Let it Roll

[@jakepeters6593]

I’m commenting before watching the video. I have a tie for my favorite. Reba McEntires, "Stonger Than the Truth" and Miranda Lambert’s, "Wildcard." Lets see if Grady agrees. #13 and #8. Can’t say I agree but it’s fine.

[@obscuredbythecloud1175]

Grady, this is off topic, but are you familiar with the song "Emmylou" by First Aid Kit? I think if not that you'd love it. Great video again! I have some catching up to do with these. Thanks for the recommendations. Have a safe and fun New Year, everyone! Peace and love, y'all!