3 Country Artists Who Brought the Genre Into the 21st Century

Country music has had its ups and downs. Country and western music found its start in the 1920s in the American South, and it has evolved countless times throughout the last 100 years. Toward the tail end of the 20th century, after a big boom in 90s country music, there was some uncertainty over where the genre would go. Thankfully, a few major country artists renewed interest in the genre in the early 21st century, and some later acts renewed interest in the genre yet again in the 2010s and 2020s. 

Let’s look at just a few musicians who deserve their props for keeping country alive!

1. Luke Combs

Luke Combs got big well into the 2010s, but one can’t deny that the music he’s produced throughout his career has renewed interest in the genre in the 2010s and 2020s. 

Specifically, Combs renewed interest in the particular 1990s brand of country music. He really embodies the essence of that time period, with songs that drip with sincerity, excellent storytelling, and the implementation of the classic fiddle and steel guitar. They don’t make ‘em like Luke Combs anymore.

2. Miranda Lambert

One wouldn’t necessarily refer to Miranda Lambert as a “traditional” country singer, though much of her music boasts elements of that classic country sound. Rather, Miranda Lambert is one of a few country artists who made it big in the early 2000s and renewed interest in the genre in the 21st century. 

Lambert’s 2005 album Kerosene proved that country can be made even better with the introduction of rock elements. She also proved that popular music in the 21st century can feature the expert, engaging storytelling that made country and western music such a hit in the early 20th century, too.

3. Shania Twain

One of the most globally memorable country artists of the 21st century, even non-fans of country know who Shania Twain is. Known as the Queen of Country Pop, Twain made waves in the music world with the release of Come On Over in 1997. 

For years, well into the 2000s, that very album became a staple addition to CD collections of country and pop fans alike. With songs like “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” and “You’re Still The One”, Twain made country music accessible to an uninitiated audience with pop elements and that killer voice.

Photo via YouTube

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