4 Country Artists From the 1970s Who Are Still Active Today

The 1970s gave us some of the greatest artists in country music history. Artists like Guy Clark and John Prine released their debuts. Then, there were those who rose to fame during the decade including Waylon Jennings, Jerry Jeff Walker, and other Outlaw Country luminaries. Unfortunately, though, time moves swiftly and many of the biggest acts from that period have either retired or passed away. A handful, though, are still active.

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A handful of classic country artists from the 1970s are still performing on a smaller scale. However, the artists in the list below rose to prominence during the decade and continue to make music all these years later.

[RELATED: 4 Country Artists From the 1970s Who Disappeared Without a Trace]

1. Tanya Tucker

Tanya Tucker burst onto the scene at just 13 years old with “Delta Dawn” in 1972. After launching her debut single to No. 6 on the country charts, Tucker continued to consistently achieve chart success. That consistency continued throughout the ’80s and ’90s. Then, after releasing My Turn in 2009, Tucker all but disappeared from the industry.

Ten years later, with some urging from Brandi Carlile, Tucker returned with her 2019 album While I’m Livin’. She followed that release with a live album before dropping Sweet Western Sound in 2023. While her more recent releases haven’t seen the same chart success, fans old and new agree that she is still among the best in the business.

2. Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson released his first singles in the 1950s. However, the country legend didn’t find success as a recording artist until the 1970s. Singles like “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” and “Georgia on My Mind” helped to solidify his place on the charts. Iconic albums like Red Headed Stranger, Stardust, and Shotgun Willie helped ensure his larger place in country music history.

Nelson’s early involvement in the Outlaw Country movement and the popularity of the music that came from it gave his career the legs it needed to carry him into the 2020s. Today, nearly 70 years after he released his debut single “No Place for Me” in 1957, he’s still writing songs, releasing albums, and touring the world.

3. Crystal Gayle

Seemingly destined to be a country artist, Crystal Gayle released her debut single at the beginning of the 1970s. ” I’ve Cried (The Blue Right Out of My Eyes)” went to No. 23 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1970. She went on to release several country hits throughout the decade. However, her most popular song is still “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue,” a single from her 1977 album We Must Believe in Magic.

Some think of Gayle only as the younger sister of Loretta Lynn. However, the longevity of her career has proven that she’s a talented and capable artist independent from her legendary relative. She released her most recent album You Don’t Know Me: Classic Country in 2019.

4. Dolly Parton

Much like Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton released her debut single in the 1950s However, she didn’t find commercial success until 1970. She kicked off the decade with a cover of Jimmie Rodgers’ “Mule Skinner Blues” that went to No. 3 on the country chart. She followed that with her first No. 1 single “Joshua” the same year. Then, she released the classic album Jolene in 1974, making her one of the most successful country artists of the 1970s.

Hits like “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” helped launch Parton to a new level of success and acclaim. While she has slowed down some, Parton is still very active. Her most recent solo release was the 2023 rock album Rockstar. In 2024, she released Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith, and Fables which featured members of her extended family.

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