Country Music first developed some time during the 1920s, with songs dedicated primarily to tales of working-class, blue-collar living. Throughout the ensuing decades, however, country music exploded in the American consciousness thanks to the consolidation of the Nashville sound and artists who either embraced or rebelled against it. Though the baby boomer generation is known for their penchant for psychedelic rock, there are many country artists from the period who remain popular among baby boomers.
Be it the sweet, unrequited love songs of Dolly Parton, the family-friendly, celebrity-conscious tunes of Glen Campbell, or the more rebellious, somber reflections of Johnny Cash, country music accounted for a wide variety of styles and intentions in the post-war period. While some baby boomers tended toward the hippie movement, others found their preferences in the diverse but cohesive output of country artists. In this article, we will explore 11 of the most popular country music artists among baby boomers.
To compile a list of the most popular country music artists among baby boomers, 24/7 Tempo first consulted the YouGov.com artist popularity metrics. Next, we selected artists that had the biggest impact and lasting popularity of any country musicians. After that, we consulted sites like Britannica and Biography to confirm aspects of each musician’s life story and career. (For country artists who made their name off of one song, discover 20 country music one-hit wonders.)
Dolly Parton
One of the most popular country artists among baby boomers is undoubtedly Dolly Parton. Since the early 1970s, Parton has been cranking out hits including “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene,” and “9 to 5.” These singles, however, hardly cover the moves Parton made over her 50-year career. Besides 25 number-one singles, Parton released over 25 top 10 country albums. Throughout her career, she has sold a whopping 100 million records.
Besides music, Parton starred in movies like “Rhinestone,” “Steel Magnolias,” and “Joyful Noise.” For her work, she earned 11 Grammy Awards and 10 Country Music Association Awards. Furthermore, Parton received an induction to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999. Considering her greatest hits were released in the 1970s and 1980s, it’s no surprise Parton is so popular among the baby boomer cohort.
Willie Nelson
Another one of the most popular country artists among baby boomers is Willie Nelson. Born in 1933, Nelson found his way into the music industry in the late 1950s. After that, he entrenched himself in country music after moving to Nashville, Tennessee in 1960. Soon, however, Nelson helped establish the outlaw country scene as a reaction to the restrictive Nashville sound.
Some of his notable albums from this period include “Shotgun Willie,” “Red Headed Stranger,” and “Honeysuckle Rose.” Considered an American icon, Nelson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1993. With his bandana-adorned hair, penchant for weed smoking, and easy-going attitude, Nelson remains a hit amongst the baby boomers.
Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline started her career in the early 1950s appearing on “Town and Country” television broadcasts. From there, Cline made the requisite country pilgrimage and moved to Nashville, Tennessee. After that, she scored several hits with songs like “I Fall to Pieces,” “Crazy,” and “When I Get Through with You.”
Cline’s career was cut short in March 1963, after dying in a plane crash along with other country artists like Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins. Since then, however, Cline’s reputation only grew. In the ensuing decades, she became considered one of the most influential country vocalists in history. Though she spoke more to the older contingent of baby boomers, her greatest hits album released in 2005 sold over 10 million copies.
Linda Ronstadt
Another one of the most popular country music artists among the baby boomers is undoubtedly Linda Ronstadt. Though she got her start as one part of the Stone Poneys, it took another decade for Ronstadt’s career to bloom fully. She released a string of successful albums and singles after she struck out on her own in the early 1970s. Twenty-one of her 40 singles reached the top 10, with 10 of those singles making it to the coveted number one spot.
Some of her best-known songs include “You’re No Good,” “Somewhere Out There,” “Don’t Know Much,” and “Blue Bayou.” For her work, Ronstadt earned a whopping 11 Grammy Awards, three American Music Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards, and an Emmy Award. Besides her solo career, Ronstadt is famous for her prolific collaborations. Throughout her career, she lent her voice to over 200 different albums, working with the likes of Frank Zappa, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, and Paul Simon. Due to her ability to seamlessly shift between country, rock, and gospel genres while remaining true to her essence, Ronstadt has always been a baby-boomer favorite.
Johnny Cash
After rising to fame in the mid-1950s as part of the Nashville Rockabilly scene, Johnny Cash transitioned to more of a rebellious, energetic yet somber style of country music. Between the 1950s and late 1970s, Cash scored several hits with now-classic songs like “Folsom Prison Blues,” “I Walk the Line,” and “Ring of Fire.”
In later years, Cash expanded his palette to include fusions of country, rock, folk, and gospel. Throughout his career, he sold over 90 million records and received the rare triple induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Gospel Hall of Fame. Due to his distinctive man-in-black swagger, somber and reflective lyrics, and enduring career, Cash is one of the favorite country artists among baby boomers.
Glen Campbell
Another one of the most popular country music artists among baby boomers is Glen Campbell. He got his start as part of the legendary “Wrecking Crew” cohort of studio musicians in Los Angeles. From there, he struck out on his own, hosting the “Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour” on CBS and releasing several hit songs. These include “Gentle on My Mind,” “Wichita Lineman,” and “Rhinestone Cowboy.”
Throughout his career, Campbell earned numerous awards including four Grammy Awards, three Grammy Hall of Fame Awards, a Country Music Association Award, and an Academy of Country Music Award. Due to his prominence on television as well as his 63-year career, Campbell is one of the most popular country artists among the baby boomer generation.
John Denver
Though armed with just an acoustic guitar and his voice, John Denver captured the hearts and inherent wanderlust of the baby boomer generation. He got his start singing in Los Angeles folk clubs in the early 1960s. From there, Denver found his focus and exploded into one of the most popular music artists of his generation. Some of his best-known songs include “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” “Rocky Mountain High,” and “Sunshine on My Shoulders.”
Throughout his career, Denver released 33 albums and singles that were certified either Gold or Platinum in sales. As for awards, he earned two Grammy Awards, three American Music Awards, an Academy of Country Music Award, and an Emmy Award. He was also named the Poet Laureate of his beloved state Colorado in 1973. Much like Patsy Cline, Denver died in a plane crash. Nevertheless, his songs reflecting on eschewing city life for life in the country captured the hearts of the baby boomer generation.
George Strait
Another one of the most popular country artists among baby boomers is George Strait. He rose in fame as a reaction to the crossover pop country that dominated the Nashville country scene at the time. Strait, instead, took a more traditional approach, embracing a cowboy image and pumping out country-roots-oriented songs. After his first hit, “Unwound” in 1981, Strait went on a tear, releasing seven albums in the 1980s that reached number one.
Some of his best-known songs include “Nobody in His Right Mind Would’ve Left Her,” “All My Ex’s Live in Texas,” and “Baby Blue.” Besides his incredible 60 number-one hits, Strait has sold over 120 million records worldwide. He speaks to baby boomers by harkening back to a different, simpler time in country music while remaining innovative enough for their changing ears.
Loretta Lynn
Loretta Lynn got her start after winning a televised talent show hosted by country legend Buck Owens. From there, Lynn found success with numerous hit singles such as “Hey Loretta,” “The Pill,” “I’m a Honky Tonk Girl,” and “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” The last song mentioned was so successful and emblematic of her career, that the musical movie “Coal Miner’s Daughter” was made and based on Lynn’s unique life.
Throughout her six-decade career, Lynn earned numerous accolades including three Grammy Awards, Country Music Association Awards, and Academy of Country Music Awards. As of 2022, Lynn remains one of the most awarded female country music artists in history. Thanks to her natural charisma, solid musicianship, and surprisingly progressive lyric content, Lynn touched the hearts of many baby boomers. (For other bluegrass state artists, meet the 10 biggest musicians from Kentucky.)
Reba McEntire
Since she is known as the “Queen of Country,” it’s no surprise that Reba McEntire is one of the most popular country artists among baby boomers. She was discovered for her voice after singing at a rodeo event. This helped her earn a recording contract, and the rest, they say, is history.
Throughout her long and storied career, McEntire has placed over 100 singles on the Billboard Hot Country charts and sold more than 75 million records worldwide. Besides music, McEntire found a full career as an actress. Besides her long-running hit television show “Reba,” she starred in movies like “Tremors” as well as appearing in numerous productions on Broadway. No matter how you slice it, McEntire remains a fixture of all forms of country music media, making her an ever-present figure in the minds of baby boomers.
The Everly Brothers
A final popular country artist among baby boomers is The Everly Brothers. Consisting of brothers Don and Phil Everly, the duo made their name in the late 1950s with hits like “Bye Bye Love,” “Wake Up Little Susie,” “All I Have to Do is Dream,” and “Cathy’s Clown.” While the brothers continued to release hits and sell out music tours, longstanding disputes with their record company and shifting music tastes caused The Everly Brothers to close up shop as a duo in 1973.
Though their career petered out, their unique two-part harmonies and steel-string acoustic songs influenced a generation of musicians including The Beach Boys, the Beatles, and Simon & Garfunkel. Due to their pioneering country rock sound, they were able to conduct the transition between old and new for the rapidly growing baby boomer generation. (For more controversial country artists, discover the most hated people in country music.)