There's No Mistaking Country's Signature Voices
When a new song comes on the radio, do you ever get the artist wrong? Like when you thought for sure it was Tim McGraw but then you realize it's Rodney Atkins? Or when you start singing along with what you think is a Trisha Yearwood single and the DJ announces it is the latest from Martina McBride? Same with the soundalikes of Tracy Lawrence and Tracy Byrd, Craig Morgan and Billy Currington, Trace Adkins and Josh Turner and Kellie Pickler and newcomer Whitney Duncan. Not to take away from any of those voices. They are all brilliant and powerful and wonderful. But then there are those signature voices in country music that are undeniably unique.
Like Jennifer Nettles. There is just no way you'd ever not know it was her singing. You'd never hear a twangy Sugarland song and think, "Is that Faith Hill?" I am starting to feel that way about a handful of other voices, too. Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley comes to mind, with the way he can sound soulful and deep even when he's singing about a one-night stand like he does on "Lookin' for a Good Time."
Or someone like Dierks Bentley. He has that gritty, gravely voice that you rarely hear on country radio anymore. One or two words into a song is all it takes before I know exactly who is behind the mic. Miranda Lambert falls into this category as well. For me, anyway. Her voice is so affected by her Texas raising that no one else can make things rhyme the way she does.
Then there's Garth. No one will ever sound as country as Garth Brooks. I cannot put into words what it is/was that makes his voice so distinctive. The growls? The Oklahoma roots? The sincerity? Probably yes, yes and yes.
Those are just the ones that sound distinctive to me. But I know that beauty is in the ear of beholder and all that. So what I want to know is, which country artists have the voices that stand out to you?
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mark says:
that is something that makes music special when you find an artist with a distinct sound all their own. as for these sound alike/copycat style music i find boring and a total tun off.there needs to be a better effort to not only find unique vocals,but also unique atists/songwriters.
janetgijoenurse says:
Sorry would never mistake Rodney’s voice for Tim. Tim has a one of kind voice and Rodney’s is nowhere near the quality of Tim’s. Sometimes I think Curb is trying to make him sound like Tim because his first album didn’t, it was only his 2006 album that he made such an effort to sound like Tim. Maybe that is why his current album is selling so bad, only about 100,000. He is trying so hard to get that Tim sound(NO ONE CAN RODNEY, he is one of a kind. Just be you, you can’t be Tim so just be you
janetgijoenurse says:
Garth never been a fan and his voice is awful IMO>
scott says:
Not putting Reba on the list is off putting to say the least. Reba has the most unique voice in country music history.
merlefan49 says:
Lets see Vern Gosdin had very distinctive voice as did Lefty Frizzell, Patsy Cline and last but not least Hank Williams Sr.
Of today
Wayne Hancock
Dale Watson
Miss Leslie
Elizabeth Cook
Sunny Sweeny
rodney says:
lol the heck with garth lol. i am a young guy i am 19 and there really are only maybe 16 as far as male artists that you really could tell there voices from other artists and there the legends and older artists such as George Strait, George Jones, Maerle Haggard,Conway Twiitty, Vern Gosidn, Waylon Jennings,Willie nelson,Johnny Cash, Travis tritt,Vince Gill, Keith Whitley,John conley, tobey keith, alan jackson, keith urban only cause he sounds like a girl lol and both of the hanks other wise all other male artists sound alike too me. and as far as the women go you have loretta, patsy,dolly,martina,miranda,reba,and faith other wise they all sound alike.
Redmaz says:
I’ll have to agree with merlefan49, and not anyone else’s suggestions so far. I would also add from today’s country music artists with unique and unmistaken voices are..
Amber Digby
Holly Williams
Tres Womack
Jason Boland
Slaid Cleaves
Curtis Grimes
Red Dvorak
David Fenley
Dan Poltrictzky says:
I agree totally with your comment Rodney. The list you presented is much true but i don’t know about Keith sounding like a girl?
Redmaz says:
To Rodney and Dan,, you can’t tell when John Howie Jr. is singing? Or Mark Stuart?.
fluffy says:
AS FAR AS THE FEMALE SINGERS GO leeann womack should be on the list , leeann is these days the most country singer ,when you hear a song by Leeann you know who it is because of her sound
Big AJ fan says:
i’ve always thought Rodney sounded like Tim. I also think Joe Nichols sounds alot like George Strait.
D says:
Johnny Cash
Kate says:
To be clear, identifiable and/or distinctive does not mean the voice is good, actually it could be quite the opposite, i.e. the voice is really bad…I can think of a few who would fit into this latter category of distinctive bad voices but I don’t need to mention them.
But in the category of distinctive great voices there’s one that stands out by a mile, Carrie Underwood..
CMTfan says:
JEN NETTLES ALL THE WAY
D says:
Cant forget Waylon
Michelle R says:
I totally agree with some of the names in this article. Charles Kelley has such an amazing voice. another one I ALWAYS recognize is Keith Urban. I love the sound of both Charles’ and Keiths voices. I was really hoping when I went to Keith’s concert that Lady A would be opening, but unfortunately they werent. but Alison is almost completely right with her article. these artists all have distinct voices. Although I disagree that Rodney Atkins sounds just like Tim McGraw. I have always been able to tell those two apart.
Dylan says:
I personally think that Kellie Pickler’s voice is unique and i could tell you that it was her when she was on the radio. I also agree with Jennifer Nettles because i think that her and Kirstian Bush are both VERY unique singers!
JW says:
I don’t think Josh Turner and Trace Adkins are sound-alikes. IMO Josh has a unique voice that I can recognize every time I hear him.
drdjwu says:
Dolly Parton not on anyone’s list? As for the men, sometimes they all sound alike to me, ha-ha. I prefer unique voices, like Johnny Cash. Don’t care if they’re the best singers, I just want them to sound REAL, like Willie Nelson. Too often, singers who sound the most rustic and authentic, like they could be hanging out on the porch pickin’ with Doc Watson, just get shuffled off to “folk music” and never get Country airplay. I was surprised to see CMT have a news item on the very distinctive Lucinda Williams, not surprised she had no comments. Has anyone heard Buddy and Julie Miller? Levon Helms’ “Electric Dirt” and “Dirt Farmer”? Talk about Americana roots music!
Chad says:
Well all of the above is interesting but what about the names that you have never heard of that stand out? There is a voice that stands out like a blast from the past. He sounds like George Strait did in the 80’s. It’s Easton Corbin. He is going to be big and you should check him out.
mark says:
JENNIFER NETTLES VOCALS IS ONE OF THE BEST.
GoCubsGo says:
Trisha and Martina sound alike? Hardly. Both are amazing, and I wish their newer stuff was played on the radio more often.
A few distinct voices that come to mind:
Ronnie Dunn
Reba
Johnny Cash
Vince Gill
Of course, I grew up listening to them, so that’s what makes them distinctive to me. Although, when you think about it, if anyone ever came around and sounded like Reba or The Man in Black, you know they’d be criticized for it. There’s a video of Reba on YouTube where she discusses entering the music business and how had to go find her own voice, rather than sound like Loretta or Barbara. And find her own voice, she did.
Katie says:
Jennifer Nettles voice is fake she strains it to sound more country that’s why she has all these problems with her voice.
If you listen to her talk it’s totally not the same.
Katie says:
Jennifer Nettles voice is fake she strains it to sound more country that’s why she has all these problems with her voice.
If you listen to her talk it’s totally not the same.
As for Rodney & Tim they do sound the same on some songs.
Diane says:
Carrie is wonderful..but not distinct..Reba..she is a voice of her own the way she rolls her vowels as only she can do..And Garth..My God how can anyone say he was awful..That man is unbelievable and there is no one like him..Group? Rascal Flatts..no other like them either..We are talking “distinct” one of a kind style, right??
D says:
I agree Katie
Donna says:
Josh Turner has a unique,deep voice that is instantly recognizable. When his songs come on the radio you don’t wonder who is that singing. You know right away it is Josh.
Redmaz says:
Still waiting for a reply from Rodney and Dan, because I have several more question for them(about the female country singers this time) To GoCubsGo, you don’t think if Dunn ever sang any Roots Country he wouldn’t sound like Wylie Gustafson? Also, about the Man in Black…did you know there are tribute bands out there who sound quite a bit like Cash? What about Johnny Counterfit? Also Dale Watson often sounds quite a bit like Cash. Is he being criticized for it? All I here is praise for him carrying on his legacy. Also Jon Randall sounds alot like Gill. To Donna…don’t you think Turner sounds somewhat like Duncan Earl Walters or Jason Caraway? As far as when Pop radio plays Turner, most people know it’s him because they play the same songs over and over. Do they even play him on Pop radio anymore?
Allanah says:
Trisha Yearwood and Martina Mcbride have totally differnt voices. They do not sound anything like one another.
KITSA says:
I think Alison is dead wrong on at least five of her six “soundalikes.”
I don’t listen to either of the Tracys enough to make a distinction.
What I’m really wondering about is why she felt the need to insult so many artists and fans.
Sue says:
I’ve never mistaken any of those pairings for the other. I have, however, mistaken Jeff Carson for Garth Brooks.
Kate says:
For many people the voice that stands out or is distinctive and easily recognizable is the voice they listen to the most…it’s familiar and they can pick out even the little nuances or pronunciations in the words..
On the other hand, I can’t listen to Jen from sugarland, and the over-the-top draaaawl is a pretty easy clue to turn the station quick..
Jordan says:
I am very suprised to see that Reba isn’t on the list. I think her and Garth are about as distinct as it gets. And I 100% agree with Sugarland.
Fun blog.
Jamie says:
Josh Turner has a unique voice which is easily recognizable. How anyone could mistake him for any of the others is beyond me.
jen says:
I agree Jamie. It doesn’t matter if he is talking or singing Josh’s voice is easily recognizable.
Joy says:
I agree with both Jamie and jen. I’m not sure how anyone could not recognize Josh Turner’s voice - speaking or singing - it is real! Also, in his case, recognizable also means quality.
Mandy Lynn says:
Did you see the video of Kenny Chesney on the Curtis Grimes myspace page? After Curtis and Kenny finish singing she thinks my tractors sexy together, Kenny signs a guitar and tries to give it to this little boy in the crowd, but the boy doesn’t want anything to do with it! It’s so funny! So Kenny has to pick out someone else to give it to. I guess the first boy was there for Curtis Grimes lol. And on the other video of just Curtis and his band doesn’t the other guitar player look like Jack Black? Curtis has a unique voice for sure.
crymany;)
mark says:
JENNIFER NETTLES VOICE IS REAL,THERE AIN’T NOTHING FAKE ABOUT HER VOICE.there are several artist out there with their own distinct sound,JENNIFER NETTLES,REBA,TRACE,JOHNNY CASH,HANK JR, and the the list can go on and on of artist with distinct sounds.
patrick says:
2 words, john anderson
jmang61 says:
Carrie underwood has a very distinctive voice and anyoone can pick her voice out anyone . Her voice is perfect and fabulous she has the one of the best vocals out there.
rodney says:
Redmaz i am sorry i dont understand your question i never said anything about John Howie Jr Or Mark Stuart?. and partrick i forgot about john anderson no one can ever say he tired to sound like anyone else good choice.
amy says:
umm how about gary levox from rascal flatts..cant get more unique sounding then that! Yet again Rascal flatts are left out of a blog…why am I not surprised??
kathy says:
Faith
Miranda
Reba(fan of her earlier songs)
Kenny
Keith
Tim (no one can copy that sweet sound)
Willie
there are so many others that will leave their mark on Country Music because of their unique styles
Jennifer Nettles is not one of them (sorry but I just don’t see how someone with her annoying voice has made it this far in music)
Mark says:
I don’t recognize Carrie’s songs because of her distinctive voice, I just recognize her songs because they all sound the same.
Mandy Lynn says:
To rodney, my question was based on your first post. You basically said other than the handful of acts you listed everyone else sounds the same. John and Mark happened to be the first two I thought of I could’ve said dozens of other artists. My point is you don’t seem to know enough about music to make such a statement. Apparently neither does Dan. As far as the “both of the hanks” comment, I assume you are talking about Hank Williams? There are three Hanks.
drdjwu, you say that people like Buddy and Julie Miller and Levon Helm get no country airplay? Buddy and Julie are consistanly on the radio airplay charts and Levon Helm is at #1 on the AMA charts(based on airplay). You’re not saying there is no country music in AMERICANA Music are you?
To Kitsa, Alison frequently insults and disrespects Country music as she has done in this blog. It’s really nothing new. Personally I can tell the difference between all the artists or acts I’ve listened to. Pop or Roots. Which stands to reason. With the exception of maybe solosolong, and merlefan, I’ve listened to more artists than anyone on this blog site.
Redmaz says:
A correction…the previous post was by Redmaz, not Mandy Lynn. Mandy(my niece) sometimes uses the same e-mail account. Which apparently she did last night, and didn’t tell me. My apologies.
Diana says:
For me, Patsy Cline, Loretta, Dolly, Reba, Kitty Wells, Kellie Pickler, Jennifer Nettles all have unique voices. First time I heard Pickler’s Red High Heels, I was on my pc and sirius radio came on with no intro and I immediately recognized her voice. Jennifer is distinct, but I must say that I can only listen to her sing once and then it becomes annoying. I really can’t stand her song Joey. For the guys, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Sr, Willie, Waylon, Merle. I can’t think of anyone today in males really unique.
Diana says:
Add Allison Krauss to my list.
Lucky Girl Fan says:
I agree Diana. There’s no way I’d get any of those great unique voices mixed up. Alison Krauss, Carrie, Taylor, and Miranda too. I can always tell who’s who on radio. Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, and George Strait have unique voices. One reason radio decides to play artists is because they have great unique voices. It separates most of the the bar, lounge, wedding, and karaoke singers from the stars.
rodney says:
ok well i am a musican and i do know music and sure there are some other voices that are diffrent from the others but those ones i mentioned where the main ones that i could think of and the ones that are the most unquie to me and i meant hank jr and hank sr.
peppersprout says:
I listen to very little mainstream country radio singers these days, but I would never confuse Ms. McBride and Ms. Yearwood’s singin’ nor would I ever think that Josh Turner or Trace Adkins could be mistaken for another singer … Billy Currington’s voice, on the other hand sounds strikin’ly similar to that of Clay Walker and has since Mr. Currington’s first release.
As for no one soundin’ more “country” than Mr. Brooks, your city slicker slip is showin’ once again in this blog! … while I genuinely like him as a person, actually own a bit of his music and believe he is a true - but imperfect - country gentleman with some fairly decent book learnin’/business acumen, I do believe even the man, himself, would argue with you about his voice bein’ the most country soundin’ ever to exist, modesty not bein’ his reason for doin’ so … Garth Brooks is a showman when he performs and definitely knows how to “work” a twangy soundin’ tune - but it’s not natural soundin’ … there is little to no evidence of his “countriness” on the many ballads he has recorded as his natural voice & diction shine through … REAL country music/voices were present long before Garth Brooks came along … just ask him.
As for present-day distinctive country voices, merlefan, solosowrong and redmaz did a good job coverin’ the bases, although, I would add Junior Brown to ANY list of distinctive voices - country or not!
D says:
Cant forget a blast from the past, Charly McClain
Linsey says:
These people do not sound like anyone I have ever heard: Kid Rock, Jamey Johnson, Darius Rucker, Taylor Swift, Alison Kraus, Miley Cyrus (not in a good way), Jessica Harp (not in a good way), Big Kenny, John Rich…the list could go on and on….and no one is going to agree. Miranda Lambert, Cowboy Troy, Gloriana, John Mellencamp, Jon Bon Jovi, Reba, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Steel Magnolia,
Annabella says:
Thank God they didn’t mention Taylor Swift! I’m so tired of hearing her on country radio and on CMT! She is pop! She only has fans because a bunch of people who listen to pop music think she is country….
Annie says:
I think the people responding to this blog are answering based on their favorites and the ones they do not like. I don’t think this is a question of favorites. There are a lot of different sounding singers out there. Many are very distinctive, not only by their voice(s) but also by the sound of their music, which is always consistent. The problem today is that a lot of new artist sound the same, the voice, the style, the look. And the thing is that if you get hooked on a song and then buy the album and discover the artist, you WILL recognize that artist on the radio. But on the other hand, if you hear someone new and do not care too much about the song, you will not make a big deal and not get to know the artist. Then whenever such and such come on the radio, just by the voice, you will remember the song (probably) but will fail to know who sings because you think it’s all the same…
Sadly, with the top 40 played on today’s radio, it’s hard not to know who sings because the songs are played way too much. A little variety would be nice!!!
Thanks for reading my point of view.
Redmaz says:
From my observations, anyone who still listens to commercial radio is way behind the times, and completely out of touch with todays music scene. That’s why so many people know so little about music. It’s virtually obsolete. Top 40 radio is not designed for variety. To Annabella, Pop is not an individual genre of music. Pop is an industry consisting of many genres, including country. Anyone you hear on your “country’ radio along side Swift is Pop too. So your post makes no sense..
Annie says:
Hey Redmaz,
I agree partially with you. I don’t really listen to commercial radio stations (except on holidays out of town) and in Québec, there are not country stations. I host a weekly radio show of 2 hours of country music. Sure I put a lot of commercial artists on, but mostly, I play what is NOT played on commercial radio stations and songs I like and artists who are not played on the radio today. Do you think you would hear “Brown Liquor” by John Anderson on the radio…??? Well, I play it all the time!!! Same with Circus Leaving Town by Travis Tritt… and many more!
D says:
as far as the ones that call themselves country nowdays cant sing to save their lives. We have to go back to the 70-90s for the true greats, todays junk doesnt compare
Redmaz says:
Hi Annie, it’s good you have your own 2 hour radio show where you can play basically anything you want. That almost sounds like Americana radio. No, I don’t think you would usually hear Anderson or Tritt on the radio anymore, but like I said Commercial Pop radio to me is obsolete. I don’t listen to it. Do you play any of today’s Americana/Roots Country artists on your radio show?
To “D”, I obviously disagree with you. “D”, do you listen to any Americana/Roots Country, or just Pop Country?
Annie says:
Redmaz, to be really franc, I cannot categorize what Americana music is. Here in the francophone world, country music is not like in the south or anywhere in the States. It’s a different world of music up here. I got into country very young, starting radio at 12 (now 30), so the definition of it is blanc to me!
I play older artists (not meaning in age) but like Tritt, Gill, Crowell, Oslin, Mandy Barnett, Diffie, Lawrence, Walker, Foster, Womack, Chely Wright, Blaine Larsen, Brady Seals, Lee Roy Parnell, Tracy Byrd, many more and the “nobodies” who had a couple hits…along with some more older stuff (like All the Gold in California, Satin Sheets, Help Me make it through the night…)
Anyways, we are on vacation right now, supposed to start back on Sept. 10. All the talk is in French, but the music is good, if you feel like listening. Thursdays from 6 to 8pm, (www.cflx.qc.ca) and go on the “Ecoutez CFLX en direct” link and you’ll here me and Jessie!
D says:
Redmaz you can disagree all you want we are all entitled to our own opinions. As far as AMERICAN MUSIC etc it is NOT country and needs to be in a different category than COUNTRY MUSIC. And as i said the stuff they are tryin to push down our throats nowdays is no more country than a man in the moon, just because guys were cowboys hats they call themselves country and they are far from it. I myself am into the REAL COUNTRY when it WAS MUSIC and not screaming etc like it is nowdays. And one of the most Country Signature Voices i can think of now is DON WILLIAMS, the stuff nowdays being put out doesnt even come close to comparing
Annie says:
YEs! D, Don Williams is great….I don’t believe in super stars, organic food and foreign cars…:)
That is amazing music!!!
Redmaz says:
Annie and D, Americana Music is Roots music based on the traditions of Country, Rock, Blues, Bluegrass, and Folk. Annie several of the artists you named are Americana artists. Crowell, Barnett, Foster, Gill, Wright and Parnell. I take it by the term “world of music up here” you mean Canada? There are many Americana/Roots artists in Canada too. Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Corb Lund come to mind. Americana Music is international. No boundries. I will check out you site too. Thanks for the info.
To “D”, I was wondering if you could list the last 10 Americana artists you’ve listened to who you consider not Country? Then I’ll list 10 who I consider are. Also directly from the Americana Music Association album chart(based on airplay) here’s a list of names…
Charlie Robison
Sarah Jarosz
Houston Marchman
Lovell Sisters
Hot Club of Cowtown
Red Stick Ramblers
Radney Foster
Are you seriously trying to tell me none of these artists play any Country Music?
Annie says:
Thanks Redmaz! I know Corb Lund, he’s great! And by “Up Here”, I mean Québec. Here we speak French and the culture is wonderful, I love it and I am proud of it, but it’s a different world. You know how Texas has its own “music industry”, it’s the same here. We are 7 million people and we have many different cultures. A lot of people only listen to Québec music. It can be and some of it is amazing, but personnaly, I love country and apparently americana music! Here, people sing country music in French, and truly, I must say I cannot stand it. There is no great French country music in my mind. Nothing is polished and it’s seriously unbearable!!! For me at least!!!
Charlie Robison we play him too (The Wedding Song is great). The problem is a vast part of these artists are not with major labels and for us at the radio, it’s so hard to get cd’s. It’s hard to get Sugarland (can you imagine the rest). They don’t promote the smaller artists. There are a lot of Cd’s we got before, when everything was promoted and no digital was available. Now, when I like something, I buy it and play it on the radio. I am anxious to hear Radney Foster’s new Revival cd, I pre-ordered it!
Thanks again!
Andrew says:
On what planet does Tracy Lawrence’s voice sound the same as, well, anybody?
D says:
Redmaz to tell ya the truth the only one you listed i recognize is Radney Foster(ie: Foster and Lloyd) I know he had a few minor hits and then no more, Grant you there are probably so great ones out there like you listed but i think the thing is they dont get played my many stations because they really arent considered mainstream country, lol some of them are probably better than the ones than we do hear on radio. I know Kevin Welch and Kelly Willis,Doug Supernaw,Lari White,Lisa Brokop(the list goes on and on) were great in the early 90s, but you do have to admit they really werent mainstream country. Another Distinctive Voice from the 80s NO ONE BUT NO ONE can confuse with other artists is the Late Great Conway Twitty, no one can touch him either and he was REAL COUNTRY
Chris D. says:
Redmaz, did you get Sarah Jarosz’s album? It’s truly spectacular semi-bluegrass. She’s very very talented…
I have to say Neko Case has a very distinctive voice, I would never mistake her for anyone else ever.
EVE DELL says:
I can vividly recognize FAITH HILL’s voice in a heart beat
.. so are my friends.. One can play THIS KISS,BREATHE,
STRONGER, A BABBY CHANGES EVERYTHING. . I NEED YOU AND
RECOGNIZE THE EMOTION FILLED VOICES THAT ALSO CAN BE
POWERFUL.. NEXT TIME WE WILL ALWAYS upport her . The
countless awards speak for us…5 GRAMMYS. ETA.
Blindfold me and us .. we surley recognise her…SO ARE
the countless fans who gave her ten minute standing ovation in the CANADA CONCERT…SO WELL DESRVING.
IN ALL ARTISTS NICE TO HAVE POSITIVE POSTERS.!!!
EVE DELL says:
THANKS FOR THE NICE TOPIC… CORRECTIONS THOUFH
..A BABY CHANGES EVERYTHING..
EMOTION FILLED VOICES OF FAITH THAT CAN BE POWERFUL NEXT
TIME. WE WILL ALWAYS SUPPORT HER…
FAITH’S CANADA TEN MINUTE SATNDING OVATION IS SO WELL
DESERVING!!!
Mattias says:
Unmistaken voices:
Willie Nelson
Alan Jackson
Tanya Tucker
Dwight Yoakam..and more
CHROMEfan says:
You think Trace Adkins’s voice sounds like everyone elses??? You need a hearing test ASAP.
Shannon says:
A)The only person josh turner even sounds kind of like is randy travis and only because of the deepness.
B)Jennifer Nettles CAN NOT SING!!! I don’t understand the love affair people have with her. I’d rather listen to Fran Drescher for the rest of my like than listen to Jennifer for 30 seconds!!
Shannon says:
*life
Nick says:
For me I will always be able to pick out Emmylou Harris voice anywhere…its soft and subtle and slightly nasal but sends chills up my spine in its beauty. Listen to the song Hard Bargain on her new albumn and tell me that is not a distinctive and haunting voice that can never be replicated by anyone.