Hey Y'all,

I'm glad this forum was green-lighted! :thumb:

My question to y'all is, who would you consider to be the most influential country artist of the 80's?


For me, it's a tie between Reba McEntire and George Strait. Reba and George have both received several 'Entertainer of the Year' awards from the 'Country Music Association'. I think they have both helped lead the 90's artist into a more pop/country sound. They've even had a cross-over sound to their music. Both have had, and still continue to have, success! They are the 80's queeen and king of country music, in my book!!
What do y'all think?

I know absolutely nothing about country music, but I always thought the resurgence of country music in the 80's was creditted to Randy Travis and other fresh faces like Dwight Youkum

Yes Cal, you're right. Randy Travis and Dwight Yoakum both played their part in the resurgence of country music.

Randy Travis had a good run of it in the 80's to the early 90's, but somewhere his voice was lost among the tons of new talent. That's a shame too, because Randy Travis has such a unique voice and a stylized
delivery, that hearkens back to the old days of country, but with an updated, somewhat modern sound.

Dwight Yoakum's contribution to the world of country music helped change the direction it was going in, that can't be denied. His trademark slashed jeans and low-setting hat, helped to create a new, rockin' country look. Dwight's sound was pure rock-a-billy! His sound was fresh for the 80's and a welcomed change. Mr. Yoakum is still making music, as well as Mr. Travis, but Dwight also won acclaim for his role in "Sling Blade". He's also done commercials for the 'Gap'. Mr. Yoakum attracted a younger and newer audience for his efforts.

I would definitely have to say George Strait!

Let's not forget Alabama or Willie Nelson or Waylon Jennings!

Alabama was 'IT' in the 80s! You couldn't watch an awards show without watching them win! lol

I would agree with George Strait, because he started things off, but I couldn't get 100% behind Reba McEntire. I mean, yes, she was highly influential, but personally, I'm not a huge fan. I only really like maybe 5 of her songs, and I think they're all from the early to mid 90s.

Randy Travis, to me, is an acquired taste. I haven't acquired it yet. The same with Dwight Yoakum. I think I shifted to more of the 'mix' in the 80s, where some country could also be a little poppy. Like Crystal Gayle, Charly McClain, The Oak Ridge Boys, Alabama, and George Straight. Heck, I could even get behind the Mandrells. ;) lol

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to take away from the impact these artists have had on country music. I'm merely tossing my 2 pennies in the ring to see if I get any money back. lol

I think one of the most influential country artists is Kenny Rogers. He was the artist that I feel took country music from the twang sound, I got drunk and went to jail, and she done me wrong songs, and gave country a new direction.
He started out in rock and went country in the 70's and has been there since.
Alabama was a force to be reckoned with in the 80's. There was no other country group that could touch them at that time.
Female country artist is the tough one for me, because I would have to go with either Dolly Parton or Barbara Mandrell.

Originally posted by majorfan11
I would definitely have to say George Strait!

I am so with you there. George Straight was just awesome.

"Excuse me, but I think you got my chair......"

Hmmmm, I would have to agree with most of you, 'cause I don't feel that there was a "single" Country Artist that was most influential during the 80's, I believe that it was a combination of all these following Artists:

Alabama
George Strait
Kenny Rogers
Randy Travis
Willie Nelson
and I'd like to add The Judds for my female pick, sorry Reba :p

Well I'm not a big follower of Country music, but I'm sure there are very few people around who don't know a few songs by Kenny Rogers. So I'm gonna have to go with him.

All though I think that Therrall has a good point when she says that there is no "single" country artist that defined the 80s. (A lot of the Kenny Rogers songs I know are 70s ones)

I know some of Kenny Rogers stuff. I liked it when he sang with Dolly. "Islands in the Stream" It was Dolly that sang with him right? Also "Lady" is a classic.

Originally posted by txgirl
I know some of Kenny Rogers stuff. I liked it when he sang with Dolly. "Islands in the Stream" It was Dolly that sang with him right? Also "Lady" is a classic.

Yes, that was Dolly Parton that sang with Kenny on "Islands In The Stream" a great song, Lady is my all time favorite song by Kenny Rogers.

Where is my Midnight Serenader at?:)

Originally posted by Therrall
Hmmmm, I would have to agree with most of you, 'cause I don't feel that there was a "single" Country Artist that was most influential during the 80's, I believe that it was a combination of all these following Artists:

Alabama
George Strait
Kenny Rogers
Randy Travis
Willie Nelson
and I'd like to add The Judds for my female pick, sorry Reba :p

I'd have to agree, Therrall, and I forgot all about the Judds, they were huge in the 80's.

I'm not a country fan what-so-ever, but Kenny Rogers...*gulp* he's alright in my book :eek: According to my mother, I used to love his music when I was a wee lad...:lol::p I can still handle his tunes...doesn't have that twang thing going on...that just makes me wanna tear my hair out...don't ask me why, just one of those things :lol:

Originally posted by Therrall


Where is my Midnight Serenader at?:)

Lady, I'm your knight in shining armor and I love you..........
You have made me what I am and I am yours...........

;)

I'd like to say George Strait.
I have to admit though that Willie, Waylon, Johnny, Hank... really had a huge influence in the early 80s. They were just so huge to country music!

I'd have to add George Jones, the original king of country tear and beer songs! "The Grand Tour" and "He Stopped Loving Her Today" are two of the best!!! :thumb: