The best country singer . . .

[HootOwlDude]

This is a childish post, but listening through my country LPs lately I am pretty sure that either Lefty Frizzell or George Jones, who have stylistically overlapping skill-sets for sure, deserve the informal accolade of best country singer. I am leaning toward Frizzel just a tad. But, god, the subtleties of Jones’ delivery! It is a conundrum. Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty are also hefty contenders, but the two aforementioned stalwarts are the real rivals, IMO. Whadda you guys think?

 

[Dan R]

The Possum all the way. Nobody else is even close. Sinatra called him the 2nd best singer in the World.

 

[Burn Yesterday]

Not counting Johnny Cash, of course

 

[suthol]

Merle, Don Williams ??

And so many more greats

 

[Vibroluxer]

George to be sure. Oddly enough he didn't sing the greatest country song:

 

[HootOwlDude]

This is a childish post, but listening through my country LPs lately I am pretty sure that either Lefty Frizzell or George Jones, who have stylistically overlapping skill-sets for sure, deserve the informal accolade of best country singer. I am leaning toward Frizzel just a tad. But, god, the subtleties of Jones’ delivery! It is a conundrum. Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty are also hefty contenders, but the two aforementioned stalwarts are the real rivals, IMO. Whadda you guys think?

Okay, I just threw on an Anne Murray record. Um. Maybe I am wrong completely. I might need some time to digest.

 

[Short on cash]

Merle
Merle
Merle
Then
George
Conway
Marty
Cash
Hank
Glen
Coe
On and on......but in my book it's Merle

 

[telekaster1999]

The best country singer? Jones. My favorite? Haggard.

 

[HootOwlDude]

The best country singer? Jones. My favorite? Haggard.

Merle is good. There is no doubt that he is nearly the best.

 

[telekaster1999]

Merle is good. There is no doubt that he is nearly the best.

Hag was a master at impersonations, their's a reason he never did Jones.

 

[Whoa Tele]

Patsy Cline . But I’d rather listen to Merle. I also dig Waylon’s voice and Charlie Rich as well

 

[Esquire Jones]

Don’t hate, but I remember hearing an old time country producer (can’t remember who) say that Dwight Yoakam was the best he ever heard since Elvis.

And I love me some Possum.

 

[HootOwlDude]

Hag was a master at impersonations, their's a reason he never did Jones.

Well, some might possibly say that after his first years Jones was doing a Lefty Frizzell impersonation. That chewy delivery—Frizzell did it from the very start. Jones seems to have acquired it after a while, though possibly perfected it.

 

[Short on cash]

I always thought George was a master at country.....

For some reason I saw Merle in a different light after I finally
woke up to him around the time of the "Big City" hit. Of course I was aware
of him but when I took the time to study his work back to his
beginnings he always struck me as a rocker. He was a genius
at country but when he would do up tempo stuff he rocked.

I am aware that many people would argue my point, and I respect that,
but in his history he spent the first part of his career doing some great
tunes. By the early 70's he headed in a different direction and set a
standard that everyone wanted to achive. By the late 70's through the mid
80's he was at the top of his game and everything he did was gold. Not
just the music but the way it was produced and recorded. I believe, in that
respect, the industry was trying to catch up with what Merle was doing.

Now as far as voices go David A. Coe would have to come in second for me.
He, like Merle, could do many other voices...just about anyone.

Now for something completely different : Dean Martin
Don't get me started on that.

 

[richiek65]

Didn't Steve Earle say that Buddy Miller is "the best country music singer, period"?

 

[Killing Floor]

Pretty subjective.
Merle? Willie? Personally I love Ray Wylie Hubbard.

And don’t count out Trace Adkins. Be honest, you know you cried the first time you heard Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.

 

[ahiddentableau]

I'm partial to Patsy Cline. Beautiful voice.

But I tend to like the old school singers, many of whom had pretty understated voices. Like Hank Williams, Sr. Or Sonny James, who apparently was really famous yet nobody ever seems to talk about him. I only came across him because one of his songs is featured in the movie Slap Shot.

 

[blowtorch]

These days it would be Dwight Yoakam or possibly Steve Earle. Of course Steve doesn't really sing per se, but he makes up for it with attitude and character in his voice.

For dead guys it's Johnny and Hank all the way

 

[radtz]

My favorite is Dwight Yokam.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

Old school: George, Merle & Conway. Pasty for the gals.

I love Marty Robbins, but like Glen, he could be considered more " pop ".

More modern: Gosden, Dwight & my personal favorite, Keith Whitley.