The same strange point system used on the pop artists was used here.

25 Lee Greenwood
24 Emmylou Harris
23 The Statler Brothers
22 Mickey Gilley
21 Jane Frickie
20 Ricky Skaggs
19 T.G. Sheppard
18 Steve Wariner
17 George Jones
16 Bellamy Brothers
15 Waylon Jennings
14 Crystal Gayle
13 Don Williams
12 Reba McEntire
11 George Strait
10 Dolly Parton
9 Earl Thomas Conley
8 Hank Williams Jr
7 Oak Ridge Boys
6 Ronnie Milsap
5 Alabama
4 Kenny Rogers
3 Merle Haggard
2 Conway Twitty
1 Willie Nelson

I was a bit surprised to see Willie Nelson at No. 1. I never particularly cared for his nasally vocals. I thought that Alabama would be No. 1, as they had soooo many hits in the 80s! :)

I was even more suprised to see Conway Twitty at #2. I thought Alabama would have been higher as well.

Eddie Rabbit had some huge hits in the 80s. I'm surprised he's not on here.

I know Emmylou Harris has a few hits, but how did she surpass Loretta Lynn? If Conway was big, so was Loretta, since most of their stuff was duets....

There are very few artist I absolutely refuse to listen to, but Willie Nelson grates my last nerve. I only dislike Hank Jr. more than him....

I was just wondering why T.G.'s song, "War Is Hell (On The Homefront Too)" hadn't made a comeback the other day. It's darn catchy. ;)

Sing it with me, peeps:
She said
War is hell on the homefront, too
God only knows what a woman goes through
She still needs what a man that's gone can't do
I can't fight this fire alone
Stay with me until it's gone
Oooooh, war is hell on the homefront, too....

Yeah, it's sick, but I remember a lotta stuff....:lol:

I really thought Alabama would be in at least the top 3. They are probably my favorite 80's country act.

I'm surprised at Conway Twitty as well. The Bellamy Brothers surprised me as well. My favorites are Alabama, Reba McIntire, George Strait, Ronnie Milsap, Oak Ridge Boys and Lee Greenwood. I'll buck the trend and also declare myself a Willie Nelson fan. I also would have liked to have seen Dan Seals and Randy Travis on this list also.

I don't know country, but I would have thought Randy Travis and Dwight Youkum would have made the list

Yay for Reba!

I guess it isn't a surprise, since she's considered the Queen Of The Country Videos, according to an article in Redbook from 1994.

I, too, was suprised about Alabama! I saw them in concert several times during the 80's and they always had sold out shows......seems like they won a lot of awards then, too.

I'm a little surprised at the ranking, but not at the list overall. I agree that Randy Travis, Eddie Rabbit, and even Dwight Yokam are indeed glaring ommisions.

The same strange point system used on the pop artists was used here.

25 Lee Greenwood
24 Emmylou Harris
23 The Statler Brothers
22 Mickey Gilley
21 Jane Frickie
20 Ricky Skaggs
19 T.G. Sheppard
18 Steve Wariner
17 George Jones
16 Bellamy Brothers
15 Waylon Jennings
14 Crystal Gayle
13 Don Williams
12 Reba McEntire
11 George Strait
10 Dolly Parton
9 Earl Thomas Conley
8 Hank Williams Jr
7 Oak Ridge Boys
6 Ronnie Milsap
5 Alabama
4 Kenny Rogers
3 Merle Haggard
2 Conway Twitty
1 Willie Nelson

In 1985 I started listening to Country music & was hooked. After the 70's, Rock in the eighties (synth & metal) left me wanting. Country in the eighties had some new roots in Southern Rock (Skynyrd, 38, Outlaws, Allmans...) & Country Rock (Eagles, Poco, Firefall, Pure Prairie League...) & Singer/Songwriters (J Browne, D Fogelberg, J Taylor, K Bonoff...) and it reminded me more of 70's Rock than current (80's) rock. My favorites: Steve Wariner, Vince Gill, Restless Heart, Desert Rose Band, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Foster & Lloyd, Steve Earle, Ronnie Milsap, Rodney Crowell & Roseanne Cash (btw, she had more than 1 hit). A lot of good vocals & harmonies & some guitar. Growing up I wasn't a fan of Classic twangy Country, but now I was listening to twangy, too. Keith Whitley, George Strait, Earl Thomas Conley, Don Williams (even early Garth). Now knowing some of my background here is my opinion of the Top 25 country artists of the late 80's (not necessarily my favorites):

25 Ricky Scaggs
24 John Conlee
23 T. Graham Brown
22 Waylon Jennings
21 Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
20 Vince Gill
19 Don Williams
18 Earl Thomas Conley
17 Restless Heart
16 Steve Wariner
15 Oak Ridge Boys
14 Keith Whitley
13 Bellamy Bros
12 Randy Travis
11 Hank Williams Jr
10 George Jones
9 Willie Nelson
8 Reba McEntire
7 Ronnie Milsap
6 Conway Twitty
5 Dolly Parton
4 Merle Haggard
3 George Strait
2 Kenny Rogers
1 Alabama :clap:

remember, this is from 1985-1989. Thanks for humoring me. ;)
--steve

Eddie Rabbit had some huge hits in the 80s. I'm surprised he's not on here.

Me too,he would have been on my list along with Johnny Lee.

Just so you know, this isn't my personal favorite top 25 artists. The original list is based on actual chart activity in the 80's and compiled by Joel Whitburn , the leading authority in charted music ;)

I cant believe George Strait is only #11!!! Come on..... Surfy is finally getting into country music. :p Just today he was playing his guitar to Alabama instead of The Cult! :p :lol: :tease: