3 Country Artists Who Don’t Identify as Religious

Most country music stars identify as Christian. Not all of them, of course, but most have grown up in Christian households. However, there are a few country artists out there who do not particularly identify as religious. Let’s look at just three examples, shall we?

Videos by American Songwriter

Vic Chesnutt

Vic Chesnutt’s music has outlived him, and I wish (as do many of his contemporaries and fans) that he could be around to see how much his alternative country and folk rock tunes have inspired disabled musicians around the world. He is best known for his breakthrough 1996 album Sweet Relief II: Gravity Of The Situation. He also recorded with alt-country outfit Lambchop.

Vic Chesnutt said that he became an atheist at 13 years old, and he maintained that belief (or non-belief) until his death in 2009.

“I’m an atheist and I sing about my worldview at the top of my lungs with a great amount of joy and conviction,” Chesnutt once said in an NPR interview.

Robbie Fulks

Another standout alternative country musician on this list is Robbie Fulks. You might know him for his Grammy-nominated 2016 folk-leaning record Upland Stories, as well as the song “Alabama At Night”. Fulks is also known for his bluegrass stylings.

Robbie Fulks has never directly talked about his personal religious or non-religious beliefs in interviews. However, he did write the song “God Isn’t Real” back in 1998. The following lyrics provide a pretty intimate glimpse into the singer/songwriter’s beliefs:

“Go ask the starving millions under Stalin’s cruel reign / Go ask the child with cancer who eases her pain / Then go to your churches if that’s how you feel / But don’t ask me to follow, for God isn’t real.”

William Elliott Whitmore

William Elliott Whitmore is the third on our list of alternative country artists who are not religious. He’s quite a talented country, folk, and blues musician known for his roots-folk-leaning works about his life growing up on a farm in Iowa.

Back in 2016, St. Louis Magazine interviewed Whitmore and discussed how a lot of his music has a spiritual, almost gospel-like sound to it. According to Whitmore, that was intentional, even though he identifies as not religious.

“Even us atheists need spiritual, uplifting songs,” said Whitmore. “I call it gospel music for atheists. I don’t demean religion. If it makes you a better person, good. The reward—this life right now—is the miracle.”

Photo by Paul Bergen/Redferns

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.