In order to stand out amongst the sea of new voices that pop up every day, a musician must be distinctive. It’s not an easy thing to do. Though you might have a little wiggle room to experiment, you can’t do much to change the voice you’ve been given. Lucky for the four artists below, their innate talent is/was enough to put them leagues above the rest. Revisit four of the most distinctive male voices in country music, below.
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Johnny Cash
We’re starting our list of distinctive male voices in country with an undisputed legend: Johnny Cash. Cash’s voice sparked endless inspiration for future country artists–though none have been able to replicate his unique musicality. Cash’s dark tone is unmissable when it comes through your speakers. It’s emblematic of country’s golden age: Timeless and endlessly replayable.
Love is a burning thing
And it makes a fiery ring
Bound by wild desire
I fell into a ring of fire
Vince Gill
Moving forward a few generations, we’re going to talk about one of the youngest “elder statesmen” in country music: Vince Gill. Gill is one of the best male vocalists of the last several decades–regardless of genre. His smooth timbre is guaranteed to cause swooning and his affinity for an impossibly catchy melody makes the listener come back for more. He’s earned legend status fairly early in his career. One listen to his vocal chops and it’s not hard to see why.
We’ve been up all night long
Trying to solve a problem, well, it’s almost dawn
Ain’t no time for sleeping if our love is wearing thin
‘Cause I ain’t giving up, you ain’t giving in
Don’t let our love start slipping, love start slipping away
‘Cause the life we’ve been living gets harder every day
Don’t let our love start slipping, love start slipping away
Chris Stapleton
Chris Stapleton’s voice is far gruffer than Gill’s, but that doesn’t make it any less enticing to listen to. Stapleton’s growl has been era-defining. There is no mistaking the trend of rough-around-the-edges vocalists that have popped up in country music following Stapleton’s success. While many have tried to replicate his magic, few have succeeded. If you’ve ever had the privilege of hearing Stapleton perform live, you’ll know just how moving he can be behind the microphone.
I see the sunrise creepin’ in
Everything changes like the desert wind
Here she comes and then she’s gone again
And I’m just a traveler on this earth
Sure as my heart’s behind the pocket of my shirt
I’ll just keep rollin’ ’til I’m in the dirt
Gary LeVox
Lastly on our list of distinctive male vocalists in country, we have the Rascal Flatts frontman, Gary LeVox. LeVox’s vocal agility has yet to be usurped by any male country artist. His runs will leave you gobsmacked. Moreover, his straight tone is stunningly clear and precise. In terms of pure vocal talent, LeVox might have every one of his peers beat.
Hey baby, is that you?
Wow, your hair got so long
Yeah, yeah, I love it, I really do
“Norma Jean”, ain’t that the song we’d sing in the car?
Driving downtown, top down, making the rounds
Checking out the bands on Doheeney Avenue
Yeah, life throws you curves
But you learned to swerve
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