The 10 Best Country Albums of 2022

[@johnhughes8092]

I am so happy to hear you even mentioning Noah Kahan. Even if he isn't technically a country artist, his sound and songwriting are second to none.

[@noahc527]

I love him I think he's more pop folk but still he's incredible

[@tamberjune]

Me too!

[@DF-we4pt]

💯

[@jdnorth6269]

Same, especially since he's one of the few that represents new england

[@adamcapps9743]

Noah had my fav album of the year of any genre

[@jenniferrinaldi8808]

Thank you Grady for always bringing attention to musicians/bands that are super talented but no one really gets to hear about. You do us, and the country music world, a great service. I am a huge Miranda fan so I loved Palomino. Carousel is a beautiful song. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Merry Christmas everyone!

[@toniwolfe4333]

Just want to give you a big thank you Grady. I would have never found Zach Bryan as early as I did without you. Like you said in the video, it truly has been amazing to see him grow into the artist he is now.

[@billwilson9706]

Lots of excellent music this year My top 10 is 1 Gabe Lee - Hometown kid 2 Zac Bryan -American Heartbreak 3 Hailey Whitters - Raised 4 Julie Roberts -Ain`t in no hurry 5 Miranda Lambert - Palomino 6 Randall King - Shot glass 7 Jon Pardi -Mr saturday night 8 The wilder blue 9 Ronnie Dunn - 100 proof neon 10 Lainey Wilson - Bell bottom country

[@dylanaverill]

Zach Bryan’s live album front to back had me feeling so many emotions I can’t even explain.

[@facepalm9998]

My favorite Albums of 2022 1. Homecoming - Randy Rogers Band 2. The Wilder Blue - The Wilder Blue 3. Somewhere Between the Secret and the Truth - Wade Bowen 4. Mr. Saturday Night - Jon Pardi 5. Raised - Hailey Whitters 6. "I'll Tell You What's Gonna Happen"‐ Kimberly Kell 7. Neon Blues - Joshua Hedley 8. Dallas/Fort Worth - Drake Milligan 9. Shot Glass - Randall King 10. Long Cut - Mike Ryan 11. Keep Up With A Cowgirl - David Adam Byrnes 12. Stitches & Scars - Savanna Chestnut 13. Baker Hotel - William Clark Green 14. Boy From Anderson County To The Moon - Kolby Cooper 15. Built Different - Casey Donahew 16. Married Alone - Sunny Sweeney 17. 100 Proof Neon - Ronnie Dunn 18. SUBJECT TO CHANGE - Kelsea Ballerini 19. Western & Roll - Palmer Anthony 20. Bell Bottom Country - Lainey Wilson 21. No Apologies - Clay Hollis 22. We Were Cowboys - Kameron Marlowe

[@mrmike9803]

Hey Grady! I just want to say how much fun it is to consume your content. You have your video production down to a science and yet they are such works of art. Keep up the awesome work!

[@tylervandewater1372]

As an Iowan, I am so excited to see Hailey Whitters at number 1. That album is just gorgeous

[@eeliechick]

Hey Grady, loved this review. So glad you mention the John Anderson tribute album, having not listened to his music but stumbling on Ashley’s track I became a huge fan of his songs and these covers! My top albums include: Ashley McBryde - Lindeville Ernest - Flower Shops Nikki Lane - Denim & Diamonds Luke Combs - Growin Up

[@Nickyy64]

I get raised being 1 but I just cannot get past American Heartbreak. Zach has me completely transfixed.

[@TheOtherBradBird]

Album of the decade material, frankly.

[@Norther1y]

For me personally my #1 this year is Dispatch to 16 Ave. By Muscadine Bloodline. I love how so many of the songs flow into each other and just the cool Southern-swampiness of it's sound. Flower Shops is a close second place based on the same reasons Grady gives it. Country music is definitely in a very fun and solid state right now, compared to how it was 10 years ago

[@basedrooster]

Happy you mentioned John Anderson’s tribute album. It’s amazing, and Sierra Ferrell’s Years is remarkable. Seeing Hell Paso so high is awesome too! Love that album.

[@NormanFarms]

I love Sierra Ferrells “years” and Tyler Childers “Shoot well sheriff” that album as a whole is amazing

[@basedrooster]

That is my other favorite on the album! Great track.

[@dereksullivan703]

I was hoping Lindeville would make the list since it has made some national lists. Grady introduced me to Ashley and he's promoted the heck out of her through the years, I can't help but wonder his thoughts on her latest project. Also, with Hailey, The Neon is such an underrated song. If it was sung by a male mainstream artist it would have spent many many weeks at No. 1.

[@GradySmith]

Yeah I don't connect to it the way I do other Ashley albums tbh.

[@samlawrie965]

I had been waiting on a take on Lindeville too. I had a bit of a gut feeling Grady might not be into it because of his silence on the subject. I'm pretty obsessed with it. Ashley's acoustic version of Gospel Night at the Strip Club with just her and her guitar was so moving to me. I think I've watched that video approx 100 times 😅

[@countrymonkOSB]

@@GradySmith Must admit I'm still waiting for/hoping for a video on Lindeville. Merry Christmas, and thanks for a whole year of great videos!

[@catcook3467]

It took Lindeville about 3 listens to connect for me. Now I listen to it everyday! Sad to see it didn’t make the list! But everyone thinks differently

[@samlawrie965]

@@catcook3467 I was exactly the same! It took a couple listens for me too. Then I started connecting the dots and the characters and finding the little easter eggs. Become a bit of a game working out who's who of Lindeville 😅

[@CarharttCowboy]

Glad to see the John Anderson album get its due. Miranda Lambert is really evolving as an artist. I like it

[@ericwoodsmusic]

Can’t believe Lindeville wasn’t mentioned at all. Not only is it an incredible album on its own, the risk that Ashley and Co. took in making it just as she’s heading for the stratosphere proves that she’s here to make music on her terms. Definitely one of my top 3 albums of the year across all genres.

[@teachergirl41]

I’m solidly with you. It’s an album that gets better and better with every single listen. The talent, musicianship and clever writing is incredible. It also connects with us people who did come from small towns where literally, everyone knows everybody and all their business.

[@RaelenefromNowhere]

Agree 100% I came to watch this video to see if Lindeville was on it.

[@eeliechick]

Agree in my top 3!!

[@samlawrie965]

I love Lindeville too!!! Absolutely gets better and better with every listen as you start to pick up the connections between the people and the places. It is super smart. I love how all the songs are produced with their own individual feel and sound that represents the people and places in the song. Love love love it! So happy it was Grammy nominated. Fingers crossed for a win!

[@luke_levesseur]

Great list bro! Hailey Whitters 100% deserves the #1 spot, Midwest represent! You've been killing it lately man, keep going ❤️

[@familyaccount3040]

Couldn't have said it better...Raised is a love letter to Iowa. And we Iowans love it! So happy that Hailey is getting so many end-of-year mentions for this fantastic project. C'mon country radio! Add this girl!

[@kiwitealc5353]

In the spring of this year I didn't know a thing about country music. But something made me look into it, and I ended up getting hooked on grady's videos. Now I've learned about so much and heard so much great music this year. I haven't listened to everything you mentioned yet, but you've successfully turned me into a massive miranda fan, so Palomino is probably my album of the year. After that probably american heartbreak, but I'm still not sure I've heard the entire thing yet! This year had some ups and downs for me personally, but one of, if not the biggest, "up" has been finding grady's channel. This channel and the music that it led me too seriously helped me through some rough times. You are so good at doing what you do! I feel awkward commenting things like this, but I just wanted to say thank you for all the work you do making such great content. I hope you have happy holidays and a happy new year!

[@TheMetalCowboy1]

I finally got into country this spring as well! Not from Grady personally, but he’s been a great source and I love to see all his videos. Can’t get enough of country now, new and classic

[@imthesnakeking]

Hexie Mountains was my favorite song this year, and Sierra Ferrells Years was no.2. We've gotten some fantastic projects this year. Can't wait to see Sierra on her tour.

[@michaelbrewer2069]

I saw Gabe Lee open for American Aquarium in June of 2021. Picked up a vinyl copy of Honky Tonk Hell, and now I'm going to have give Hometown Kid a listen. Great list, Grady

[@kyliegangwish17]

YES! BRONCO IS A STAPLE! I absolutely love that album and I'm so happy you picked him for this list!

[@jonathanandre783]

love that you have hailey's album at no. 1, grady. yes, that is definitely an album that was up there for me, in terms of my own favourite country albums of 2022. here's my top 10 country albums of 2022- 1. hailey whitters - raised 2. kelsea ballerini - subject to change 3. ingrid andress - good person 4. anne wilson - my jesus 5. carrie underwood - denim & rhinestones 6. the shires - 10 year plan 7. luke combs - growin' up 8. thomas rhett - where we started 9. kiefer sutherland - bloor street 10. tenille townes - masquerades Honourable Mentions: miranda lambert (palomino), lainey wilson (bell bottom country), breland (cross country), kane brown (different man), maren morris (humble quest) keep up the good work, grady. may 2023 be your best year yet. btw, may i make a suggestion? maybe in a future video, you can check out other international country artists that aren't necessarily from the U.S.? Maybe The Shires (U.K.) or The McClymonts (australia) in a post or two in the future? loving this channel so far. hoping that people explore all things country after watching content from your channel. i know i've broadened my horizons of country music since watching your channel on the regular.

[@JD200_]

Me everytime I watch a Grady Smith video: ✍️

[@masonfiedler3183]

Grady you got this so right. American Heartbreak was amazing, but as a truly great and thoughtful project, Raised was by far my favorite album this year. Can't wait to see your list again next year!

[@SCLSUMudDogs1]

Love the list, but I'm honestly shocked What Else Can She Do from Kaitlin Butts didn't make your list or honorable mentions! Perhaps it was a short list of songs (it was still an LP), but every damn song was gorgeous. Her voice was amazing and the production was so perfectly country. Blood was the number 1 song for me this year.

[@haroldparker2068]

Hey Grady, i love all types of country music and personally never heard of Orville Peck until this video and I listened to Hexie mountains and instantly liked it so I went down the deep hole of his music and he's very talented, so wanted to say thank you for this channel! God bless you and have a Merry Christmas!

[@danag3757]

Thank you, Grady! American Heartbreak and Raised were also my favorite albums of the year! At first I was overwhelmed by American Heartbreak but you helped break it down. That became my lifeline over the summer after a dear friend killed herself and spoke to me when everything else was too painful to listen to. When I needed something more hopefully I turned to Raised. I'd also somewhat written off Kelsea Ballerini off but she had some great songs in her record too! Anyway, keep "doing what you're doing" Grady 😂

[@GradySmith]

Life is hard. Music helps. Hope you're doing well Dana!

[@danag3757]

@@GradySmith thanks. I didn't mean to burden you with that.

[@Milewski23]

Would love to get a “top 20 songs of 2022” playlist on Spotify from you, or maybe something similar! Great content as always

[@ionamic]

As an veteran Country radio, it pains me to know that most those artists never get played on the radio. But then, those of us who have toiled in the radio biz, from small markets to large to small and in the record biz know how that works. Luckily, artists don't need to depend on radio as much as they once did.

[@averywebb6960]

I actually had Hailey Whitters' 'Raised' as my number one album of the year as well. Got to see her with Lainey Wilson and Jon Pardi this past summer. She has amazing stage presence and knows how to grab the attention of the audience even if most of them don't know her and she's just the opener. Still not sure what my song of the year is.

[@lipethings]

My favorite amongst the ones that are missing is "Good Person" by Ingrid Andress, I loved that album

[@lfish21.]

Molly Tuttles crooked tree is an absolute treasure.

[@redrider4life91]

Excellent insight as always! I think a video of the honorable mentions off the cutting room floor would be fun if you have time!

[@eligaylord7938]

IM so glad that you mentioned Stick Season on this. Just discovered this song a couple of days ago ironically!!!

[@HuskerNinja]

All in all a pretty decent list, but I personally would have put Bell Bottom Country somewhere in the top 10. It doesn’t all work, but I think the writing is still interesting enough overall and stuff that does really work (see- Watermelon Moonshine, Heart Like a Truck, even Those Boots) is just so good it elevates everything else, at least for me.

[@ripgirl9000]

Your Best Album reviews introduce me to such great new music, thank you so much!

[@sethieboy12]

Charley crockett and ashley mcbryde deserve at least an honorable mention as well👏

[@Myrtlecrack]

When I came back from a 25 year hiatus on country radio, Hailey's "Everything She Ain't" was my instant favorite, and it also made me happy to hear them at least play "Something In The Orange" once in a while.

[@knutolavhalseth6761]

This year has been a busy one for me, so I haven't had the time to follow your channel as much I would have wanted. But I took time to watch this video with your 10 best liked albums, and based on that I gave Hailey Whitters a listening. WOW, what an album! And thank you for b/c of that letting me know "Pretty Boy". A song that made me instantly cry b/c it made me think about my 33 year-old son, who has autism. Man, he is that Pretty Boy! Surely, one of the overall best songs I've heard this year and definitely my #1 country song of 2022!

[@stevescountryfavorites]

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH #1🌽 So proud to see her star rise! Been a fan since The Dream at beginning of 2020 and Raised has been on current rotation this year!

[@nml2266]

I had a feeling you’d do what you did for 2 and 1. My top 10 would be: 10) Spray Painted Line- Ray Fulcher 9) Flower Shops- ERNEST 8) Moondog- Jacob Stelly 7) Tears the Size of Texas- Ben Burgess 6) Hometown Kid- Gabe Lee 5) Somewhere Between a Secret and the Truth- Wade Bowen 4) Boy From Anderson County to the Moon- Kolby Cooper 3) Raised- Hailey Whitters 2) Hell Paso- Koe Wetzel 1) American Heartbreak- ZB

[@49Winchester]

Thanks Grady 👏

[@Fenti081]

Personally my top 2 albums this year were Country coming down by Paul Cauthen and The man from waco by Charley Crockett. But great list Grady definitely can't complain about any of the albums you chose

[@ericzumpe5120]

Great video! Thanks Grady. I paused it after the 2nd place pick and tried to guess what would win 1st. I guessed it! Raised was what I picked. When I first heard the complete album I remember thinking this is going to be a contender for my best album of the year. Excellent choice!

[@rex8958]

Great to see Mr Saturday Night on here. Such a damn good country album god knows how many times I’ve played it

[@TacoBell20]

I bought the CD and played it a bunch of times in my truck lol. It's a fun country album

[@cntryniche]

here is my list: 10. “Married Alone” Sunny Sweeney 9. “Sad Yeehaw Sessions” Kaitlin Butts 8. “Bell Bottom Country” Lainey Wilson 7. “Acoustic Sessions” Morgan Wade 6. “Raised” Hailey Whitters 5. “Mr. Saturday Night” Jon Pardi 4. “American Heartbreak” Zach Bryan 3. “Summertime Blues” Zach Bryan 2. “Pistol Made of Roses” Megan Moroney 1. “What Else Can She Do” Kaitlin Butts

[@thealexracoon]

This is a solid list! It's a shame not to see Ashley McBryde's 'Lindeville' as it is my #1 of the year. A fantastic collaborative & conceptual album with fantastic storytelling. There is humour, anguish, sincerity, hopefullness and wholesomeness all throughout which I find to be super rare these days. I really feel she hit the nail on the head with this one, but then again, I am a sucker for concept and collaborative albums! 😅

[@samlawrie965]

I am 100% with you! Agree with everything you said! All the emotions.

[@MitchellDouglas4933]

I relistened to Gabe Lee's Honky Tonk Hell after listening to Hometown Kid (which I liked) and Blue Ride Goodbye is definitely one of my favorite songs on that album.

[@jennifersather4385]

Hailey is my most listened to artist in 2022 (top .001% baby!) and I lOvEd Raised! I was so lucky to be in the second row of her hometown concert this year! I just want the world to know and love her as much as we do!

[@klowe7213]

Hadn't heard of Noah until this week...we're looking at getting our niece the VIP experience to go along with her concert ticket - now I guess I have to check him out.

[@jasoneisiminger7075]

You should do a video where you pick your top 10 favorite artists/bands and have to choose their best album. Ex. Pardi and heartache medication

[@MrChriswo29]

Grady thank you, for showing me country music I have missed. I kind of went away from it for awhile. I can’t wait to listen more

[@crystalgreen1252]

Thanks Grady! Just added them all to my Spotify. I love these album reviews! 🎶

[@ibejyj]

My top 10 is a little different. 1. American Heartbreak -Zach BRYAN 2. Georgia - Jason Aldean 3. Mr. Saturday Night - Jon PARDI 4. Raised - Hailey Whitters 5. Note to Self - Randy Houser 6. Leave the light on - Bailey Zimmerman 7. Through the madness vol 1 - Maddie and Tae 8. Growin’ Up - Luke Combs 9. Wyoming - Jo Smith 10. Flower Shops (the album) -Ernest HM: dispatch to 16th ave - Muscadine Bloodline and Good Person - Ingrid Andress

[@AnonymousScout1]

Love Grady and I’ve found so much music from him. Having said that, the one thing I just can never get behind is the love of Jon Pardi. He’s got a couple I find fun or well written but his voice and sound is so grating so often imo.

[@markclaypole1573]

Charley Crockett’s Man From Waco for me. Felt so cohesive and it’s so sonically pleasing.

[@nasanoir310]

I know Low Gap was an EP, but it was one of the best darn EPs I've heard in a minute. Super promising band. Also, it would be great to hear you talk some more about indie artists like Noah Kahan. They're making huge waves in music and racking up millions of streams but still getting little to no coverage. Love the channel, Grady. Wondering which Zach song will be on best songs of the year.

[@blemons5]

Flatland’s EP was also really great

[@aidanw9378]

Ghost of Lincoln is honestly one of the most bumpin' country songs I've ever heard. Love that you mention it! Also, I love that you shout out Noah Kahan! His new album is one of the best I've ever heard. Just got my tickets to his tour today!

[@karstenkania6062]

My favorite albums: 1) Raised - Hailey Whitters 2) Mr. Sun - Little Big Town 3) Married Alone - Sunny Sweeney 4) Fortune Favors the Bold - 49 Winchester 5) High - Caitlyn Smith 6) The Hometown Kid - Gabe Lee 7) Chicamacomico - American Aquarium 8 Free - Chad Cooke Band 9) The Wilder Blue - The Wilder Blue 10) Palomino - Miranda Lambert 11) Greenbook - Jackson Dean 12) Flower Shop - Ernest 13) Note to Self - Randy Houser 14) Keep up with a Cowgirl - David Adam Byrnes 15) Bell Bottom Country - Lainey Wilson 16) Obsessed with the West - Brennen Leigh 17) Neon Blue - Joshua Hedley 18) Humble Quest - Maren Morris 19) Somewhere Between the Secret and the Truth - Wade Bowen 20) „I Tell you what‘s gonna Happen“ - Kimberly Kelly

[@GaryLloydAuthor]

Good stuff! The 2022 album that isn’t my favorite but is growing on me daily is “Greenbroke” by Jackson Dean.

[@Wdmurdoch15]

49 Whinchester definitely deserved to be up there. One of my favorites. Saw them in Greenville too. They were my highlight on Sunday. Wish you would do a video on just them because they are definitely the next big thing in my opinion

[@zbird74]

Miranda Lambert surprised me with her album. I was worried that the three songs from The Marfa Tapes would be overproduced on the album. But the production is perfect.

[@victoriamorgan163]

I think Bell Bottom Country by Lainey Wilson is one of the best this year! There is not a bad song on it and her voice is so country it adds so much character! And in my opinion this album has cemented her as the next big star!

[@gothard5]

100% agreed. Love everything about that album.

[@christopheforest3388]

I think about her as a new Tanya Tucker !

[@RidiQlouslee]

Keeping up with American Country Music is hard in Germany. I appreciate your content so much as it keeps me close to my favorite music

[@ChanceGilCopper]

Fun fact: ‘Something In The Orange’ is about a sunrise not a sunset. But all the TikToks and instagram post are sunsets. Also it’s awesome to see an Iowa county girl making waves in country music! Corn Star!

[@somerandommetalhead8982]

Solid list personally though my list would probably go as such 1. American Heartbreak (Zach Byran) 2. Self Titled (Joshua Quimby) 3. The Man From Waco (Charley Crockett) 4. River Fools And Mountain Saints (Ian Noe) 5. Songs I Swore I Never Sing (Benjamin Tod) I don’t think I could make a top ten entirely everything else would just be too close for me but I know this would be my top 5

[@madelinew1708]

Sturgill Simpson on the Anderson tribute album is absolutely outstanding. I really think it's one of the best showcases of his voice and talent.

[@spencerhaigh6166]

Really surprised you didn’t include Brad Paisley’s 5th Gear on this list. Some really memorable songs on that album! *Waits for for Grady to post this on his insta story*

[@JasonHolt11]

Cool to see Hailey Whitters at number one. I knew little to nothing about her aside from her cover collab with Ernest (which I did love however) and then when Everything She Ain’t blew up on TikTok, I saw you mention the whole album being great somewhere as well (think it was a TikTok too?). After that, knowing that I trust your opinion, I gave it a shot and you were so right. Been listening to it nonstop the past few months. Just such a fun record with some great songwriting and a great voice to go along. Don’t know if I could’ve given it to her over Zach Bryan, but still a great choice! Definitely reminds me of early Kacey Musgraves which is funny because she’s my favorite female country artist so not surprising this album did it for me. Thanks for putting me on Grady!

[@CumberlandRiverProject]

Some great choices; The Wilder Blue is the most underrated county act I know, such a great songwriting, voices, musicians - incredible! Kelsea Ballerini - no! Generic pop-country shit. Instead I would have liked Lainey Wilson with Bell Bottom Country!

[@alecnilson6530]

You hit many of the albums I'd put near the top, but the one big one that was missing imo, and my own top album of the year, was American Aquarium's "Chicamacomico."

[@JonathanMooney97]

This is a great list! I know it's way more Americana/singer-songwritery, but Amanda Shires' Take it Like A Man was one of my favorite albums of the year and I was curious if you'd heard it and what your thoughts were? I'm just obsessed with the lyricism and her vocal performance.

[@GradySmith]

Not my thing!

[@JonathanMooney97]

@@GradySmith Haha that's totally fair... I sometimes struggle to figure out where Americana stops and country begins 😅 Thanks to you I'm finally listening to American Heartbreak tho and this album's amazing. I kept putting off listening to it, because it's so freaking long lol.

[@kafka0622]

Maybe not your thing but bnetter than anything on this list.

[@JonathanMooney97]

@@kafka0622 okay that’s a bit extreme lol… could we keep it positive? No need to shit on somebody else’s opinion just because they disagree with you

[@kafka0622]

@@JonathanMooney97 I'm not trying to shit on anyone's opinion. Music is subjective but it's a little dismissive of a talent like Shires to just state "Not my thing". Amanda Shires is one of the most talented songwriters in the industry. If Grady doesn't like her that's fine but at least do her the kindness of saying why.

[@Qhix1456]

1. Zach Bryan 2. Noah Kahan 3. Flatland Cavalry (the perfect EP) 4. Miranda Lambert 5. Gabe Lee 6. Ernest 7. Tyler Childers 8. John Anderson tribute 9. Koe Wetzel 10. Jon Pardi (Shoutout Randall King, Whiskey Myers, Ashley McBride, William Beckman and Charley Crocket

[@eliza5035]

THANK YOU Grady! I just went and listened to Hailey Whitters' album. As a Midwesterner who recently moved to the southeast, the album felt like a breath of fresh air (even if it made me more homesick). I never would have listened to it if you hadn't recommended it.

[@emilygardner]

Almost to 200k, Grady! You deserve it even if you think you don't.

[@charlesbullard4604]

Another year gone & another fantastic year of covering country music I’d definitely say Zach Bryan for #1 album, again great job Grady and bless you brotha

[@jrunn93]

After hearing your review of Raised, I listened to it all the way through and LOVED it! So much so that I will be seeing Hailey at the end of March.

[@D0lph1nn]

Love the list as always! A little sad The Last Resort: Greeting From by Midland did not make the cut. I know the chunk of the songs were released in 2021 but with the album being released this year I was hoping it was going to make the cut but understand why you left it out. But regardless great list, look forward to listening to some of these I am not too familiar with!

[@GradySmith]

Yeah, I decided to not consider it b/c I put the EP on last year's list.

[@shalynrenee8970]

As a resident of Waxahachie, solid try! 😂

[@Katiedora122]

As a New Englander, I feel late to the game with Noah Kahan, but after listening to him I did start listening to a ton more country because he put me back in the mood for it. I also really liked the albums by Kelsea Ballerini and Gabe Lee.

[@mattholden5521]

As a fellow New Englander, check out Charlie Marie who is out of RI.

[@jas.1066]

Strong agree on Raised. It is as genuine as a Zach Bryan, as unpretentious as Jon Pardi and as lyrical as Brandy Clark. Honestly one of the best albums of all time for me.

[@kristopherschermerhorn998]

Loved “Raised” by Hailey Whitters! That’s the main album Nicole Gallyon’s “Firstborn” reminded me of, lol. Hopefully you’ll check it out! (Or maybe it was one of the 30 albums you *almost* mentioned in your honorable mentions?) I think you’ll like it since you liked “Raised”.

[@dgvprincess7187]

I don't have a favorite album, but as a victim of domestic abuse, Wait In the Truck has been on replay since August.

[@djywrites]

So disappointed to not see Johnny Cash's "American IV: The Man Comes Around" not on this list!!! Love your work as always G, thanks for all the recs and for doin' what you do/always done

[@GradySmith]

hahaha ha I think people are trolling me now

[@AgustusM]

Grady "I am just one dude, not someone with a whole staff that can cover every single thing..." Me "Um, yeah I have a couple dozen artists I love that I only know about from watching Grady (hello muscadine and gabe lee) while mainstream\awards adio keeps pumping out the same old thing and I am hard pressed to think of an artist in last 10 years I discovered that way" keep doing what you do - you have a great track record of finding great stuff I otherwise wouldn't

[@hannahlong1802]

I really want to hear your thoughts on Lindeville! I don’t care how late it is.

[@reclaimercube]

When I met Hailey Whitters at her show in Houston, I mentioned you to her and she said that you’re going to have to stop sharing her secrets. She also had 4/5 my top songs on Spotify for the year. So thank you for putting me onto her in the first place!

[@frankwybenga]

Thank you, Grady. I cannot stop listening to Hailey Whitters. On first listen, I enjoyed it, it was fun. Then, on every listen, I get more and more absorbed by the songwriting.

[@nicracine]

I'm aklways looking forward to your top 10, to sse what'I've missed during the year. I'll admit there were a few surprises, and much I agree with. My personal number one this year is Ashley McBryde's Lindieville. I just can't stop playing it. Hayley Whitters was actually my number 2 album, so great minds...

[@obtusehistorian8946]

Loved seeing the Wilder Blue on here. I think the one I most wish I'd seen on the list was Greenbroke, by Jackson Dean. He feels like a Stapleton/Combs combo to me.

[@SamBaker-h8l]

I ALSO ENJOY YOUR VIDEOS OF COUNTRY SONGS AND ALBUMS SO I ENJOY HOW YOU EXPLAINED WHY YOU PICK THOSE BECAUSE I ENJOY WANT YOU FEEL LIKE IT AND YEAH THANKS GRADY

[@brandonbaril4516]

I really enjoyed Muscadine Bloodline's "Dispatch to 16th Ave." album this year.

[@Bradferd333]

My favorite album of the year is Midland’s The Last Resort: Greetings From, despite really disliking its name.

[@Crashme222]

Great list! I think you should check out It’s Texas by Kerry Freeman, I think it will really reasonate with you! It’s my favourite Country album of 2022

[@Ewaddoups1227]

Good list, but I would have put Randall kings shot glass somewhere between 10-6 and then added bell bottom country somewhere in there to

[@GradySmith]

Another excellent album. There was a lot good this year!

[@bluesdjben]

It was indeed a great year in music. Love hearing your favorites of the year and having fun putting together my own.

[@seherrity]

I was very surprised with Jackson Dean's Greenbroke! LOOOOVE his voice!

[@davidbierwirth1440]

As soon as I watched your video on Raised I was hoping it would make your top 10 list, its my favorite from this year too

[@alexgoetsch38]

I am shocked that dispatch to 16th ave isn’t on here

[@sarahpaepke9860]

I was really hoping Hailey Whitter's album Raised would make the top 10! And I was disappointed it didn't make the top 9 until you said that was your number one. So exciting! It was my favorite album of the year as well and very deserving of the award.