5 Iconic Singers That Defined Country Music in the 1990s

Today, many genre fans look back on the 1990s as one of the best decades for country music. The era marked the end of the Urban Cowboy sound and the pop-influenced music of the previous decade. Artists who embraced traditional country music began to dominate the charts as well as the airwaves. Some three decades later, the sound of the era is influencing some of the genre’s favorite up-and-comers.

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The pendulum swung back to traditional country music in the 1990s due to the early success of a handful of artists. Those artists helped to define the sound of the decade and, over the years, have gone from successful performers to country legends. Country music wouldn’t be the same without the singers listed below.

1. Reba McEntire

Reba McEntire is widely remembered as one of the biggest country stars of the 1990s. However, she didn’t just burst onto the scene at the beginning of the decade. She had already been working for nearly 15 years to make a name for herself after releasing her self-titled debut album in 1977. She landed her first No. 1 in 1982 with “How Blue.” However, McEntire wouldn’t step into superstardom until 1986 with the release of her first No. 1 album, Whoever’s in New England.

After years of fighting for creative control of her music and finding her stride as an artist, she entered the 1990s poised to dominate country music. Songs like “Fancy,” “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” and “Does He Love You” are enduring hits from the era. More importantly, McEntire helped to make the 1990s one of the best decades for women in country music.

2. Alan Jackson

Alan Jackson is hailed as one of the artists who helped revive traditional country music in the 1990s. He released his debut album, New Traditional, in 1987. Then, in 1990, he dropped his major label debut, Here in the Real World, to acclaim from fans and critics alike. The album contained timeless hits, including the title track, “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” and “I’d Love You All Over Again.” The latter was his first No. 1 single.

Jackson wasn’t just a singer with an ear for classic country. He was also a talented songwriter, holding writing credits on many of his biggest hits. More importantly, his success proved that there was a major market for music inspired by classic country.

3. Randy Travis

Randy Travis began making waves in 1986 with his debut album, Storms of Life, which topped the country albums chart. He went on to release three more albums that topped the country album chart before the 1990s. As a result, he was already one of the most successful artists in country music when the new decade dawned. He was also a major influence on the younger artists who made a name for themselves in the 1990s.

4. Clint Black

Clint Black, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, and Travis Tritt are collectively referred to as the Class of ’89. They all released their debut singles or albums in 1989 and went on to have major impacts on the country music world throughout the 1990s.

Black showcased his Texas roots on his debut album, Killin’ Time. The triple-Platinum LP produced five No. 1 singles, a feat never achieved by a country artist before. His songwriting and signature twang set the standard for countless artists who came after him.

5. Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks is one of the best-selling country artists of all time. He was also one of the most talked-about country stars of the 1990s. His blend of country and rock and roll and his over-the-top live performance styles made him a dominant force in the genre early in his career. His self-titled debut album peaked at No. 2 on the country chart and produced four hit singles, two of which went to No. 1. The impact he had on every aspect of country music in the 1990s is incredibly hard to overstate.

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