Rodney Atkins

Rodney Atkins may not be a well known artist but his presence in the country music is significant. He has an amazing ability to really connect with his fans because his songs can reflect the lives of his listeners. In Atkins' songs he really keeps close to a simple minded lifestyle, mainly because that's the way that he grew up. Throughout his infancy he was adopted by two different families both of which returned him because he was ill. Finally he was adopted by the Atkins family which raised him into the healthy country star he is today. In 2003 he put out his first album, "Honesty" followed by "If You're Going Through Hell" in 2006. Also, in 2006 four of his songs from the album, "If You're Going Through Hell", became number one hits, something that had not been done since 2002.

Easton Corbin

Easton Corbin is a breakthrough artist who already has two number one hits, "A Little More Country Than That" and "Roll With It". Corbin grew up in Florida listening to country singers like Mel McDaniel.  His self titled album, "Easton Corbin", was released in March of this year. Corbin also was lucky enough to get some of the songs he actually co-wrote on his first album. Just this year alone he has had seven nominations for the American Country Awards, only Lady Antebellum had as many nominations. Most of his songs speak of relaxing and having fun throughout life but they can also speak about the trials and tough times of life. All Easton Corbin wants is to make it as a country superstar and most country fans would agree that he is already on his way to stardom.

Brooks and Dunn

 

Even though Brooks and Dunn aren't technically working together as a duo anymore, I still think that they are still worth mentioning. The duo is made up of the singers Leon Eric "Kix" Brooks and Ronnie Dunn. The two singers grew up singing seperately until 1990 when Tim DuBois put them together, leading up to their first number 1 single, "Brand New Man" in 1991. Just six years after Brooks and Dunn hit the country scene, they won CMA's entertainer of the year award. Together the two of them have 37 CMA awards; Dunn leads all the CMA award winners with 19 of his own awards and Brooks is tied for second with Vince Gill with 18 awards. The duo aren't afraid to sing songs about issues in America and tell how they really feel about the experiences they've had. Brooks and Dunn just finished their last tour this year and they will be seriously missed by country music fans.

Lady Antebellum

Lady Antebellum is a group made up of Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, and Dave Haywood. The trio has two albums currently out, "Need You Now" (2010) and "Lady Antebellum"(2008). Lady Antebellum's three consecutive chart-topping singles are "I Run to You", "Need You Now", and "American Honey" and they had a stay at the top eight weeks out of eight months. Over the past two years, Lady Antebellum has won numerous awards, including a couple of CMA awards, a Grammy, 5 ACM awards, and 2 teen choice awards. This group has such a great future together and should continue to put out spectacular albums and songs. The three of them have wonderful chemistry together, being that they're such good friends, that take their performances to the next level.

Trace Adkins

Trace Adkins is one of the most recognizable male voices in all of country music. Other than just being a country singer, over the past decade Adkins has been an actor, author, voiceover artist, a social commentator, and a reality show participant. His most recent album, "Cowboy's Back In Town", was released this August. While he may seem like a tough guy on the outside, his songs can range from tender and sweet to rowdy and rough. His new album, "Cowboy's Back In Town", leans more to the rowdy and rough side of things. Adkins has a way of bringing believability into all of the songs he sings. He has won several awards for all the years he has spent as a singer such as, Grammys, ACM awards, and CMT awards.

Luke Bryan

Luke Bryan is another up and coming country star. His debut album, "I'll Stay Me", was released in 2007 and has become a huge hit. From that album both "Country Man" and "All My Friends Say" became top ten hits and made Bryan an artist to watch by Billboard and Country Weekly standards. Bryan is not just a typical singer, he is also a songwriter who has written most of his songs. Early in his career he won Music Row's Breakthrough Songwriter Award. Touring with some of the top country artists like Kenny Chesney and Trace Adkins, has made Bryan an even better vocalist and entertainer. His songs are inspired by all the tough and moving times in his life like losing a brother and sister which deterred him for wanting to continue to his dream. With friends and family realizing his talent and pushing back towards his dream, Bryan eventually would go on to become an amazing artist.