My Top 8 Favorite Country Bands

Music is very important to me. I have already written a couple of hubs about songs that are important to me and why they are important. But since this is the next suggestion in my 30 in 30 challenge, I will do another with different artists and bands I love.

I really love country music. There are many bands that have been successful and that I admire for different reasons. Here is my list of great country bands – in no particular order.

Zac Brown Band (Zac Brown, Lead vocal, guitar; Chris Fryar, drums; Clay Cook, guitar, organ, mandolin, pedal steel and vocals; Coy Bowles, guitar, organ; Daniel de los Reyes, percussion; Jimmy de Martini, violin, vocals; John Driskell Hopkins, bass, vocals)

Zac Brown Band is amazing. I love the way Zac sings – country to the bone. It’s almost a perfect match of “classic” country and modern country. I love the style and the songs. It seems that Zac Brown could be your neighbor next door – if you lived out in the country near a lake. There are songs for everyone. I think my favorite has to be “Chicken Fried.”

The Band Perry (Kimberly Perry, Neil Perry and Reid Perry)

When I first heard “If I Die Young” I just cried. It is such a sad, haunting song that is just quiet enough to grab your attention. It’s wonderful. This song is what brought my attention to the Band Perry – and I’m so glad that it did. They have other songs that are just as haunting, and others that are upbeat and lively. All in all, they are quite the group, with a great deal of that classic country sound that I love so much.

Lonestar (Richie McDonald, lead vocal; Dean Sams, keyboard; Keech Rainwater, drums; Michael Britt, guitar)

I have loved Lonestar for many years. When my girls were young, we listened to Lonestar quite a bit on our trips down county roads. My daughters, who were much younger back then, loved the song “Amazed” – but were confused by the lyrics “I don't know how you do what you do-
I'm so in love with you-It just keeps getting better” They thought the lyrics ended with “your chest keeps getting bigger” and they asked why the man was amazed because the girls chest kept growing…There are many great songs to choose from, but I think one of my favorites is “From The Front Porch Looking In.” I think I loved it so much because it showed how men should feel about their families – the love and pride of the family the singer sees from his front porch looking into his home melts my heart every time I hear it.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (Jeff Hanna, Jimmie Fadden, Bob Carpenter, John McEuen)

I just love all of the music from these guys! “Fishin’ In The Dark” and their version of “Mr. Bojangles” are two of my favorites. I would love to see these guys live – would love to see the energy in person. This is a band I could listen to all day and night.

Little Texas (Duane Propes, bassist, vocalist; Porter Howell, lead vocals, lead guitar; Dwayne O’Brien, vocals, lead guitars; Del Gray, drums)

Little Texas is another band with high energy. I have been lucky enough to see them in person and they are just as energetic on stage as they are in their videos. I have a few favorite songs from them. “God Blessed Texas” and “Kick a Little” are at the top of the list.

Rascal Flatts (Jay Demarcus, Gary Levox, Joe Don Rooney)

Who doesn’t love Rascal Flatts? They have songs for everyone! Are you in the mood for slow and romantic – they have a song for that. How about fast and energetic? They have that, too. Anything in between – yep, they have that, too. No matter what mood you are in, Rascal Flatts has a song for it. It’s hard to pick a favorite from these guys, but I really like “My Wish” “Bless the Broken Road” and “Ellsworth.” “Ellsworth” has special meaning to my husband – it’s almost the life story of his grandparents, and “Bless the Broken Road” was one of the songs that helped me through my divorce and was special to both my new husband and I as we dated and married.

Sugarland (Jennifer Nettles, vocals; Kristian Bush, guitar, vocals)

I have loved Sugarland since I first heard “Baby Girl” on the radio. Jennifer Nettles has an amazing voice and I love just about everything from Sugarland. I never thought I would love anything more than “Baby Girl” but then I heard Jennifer sing “Stay” on an awards show. It made me cry like a baby and I had a new favorite Sugarland song.

Montgomery Gentry (Eddie Montgomery, Troy Gentry)

I love this duo. I love their classic country feel and the modern twist they have, as well. I love their songs about small towns and country living. I think my favorite from them has to be the one written about my husband’s younger years – at least that’s what I say! That song is “There’s One in Every Crowd.” My husband gets a huge kick out of that one, too.

Well, that’s some of the country bands I like. There are more – many, many more. Maybe I’ll add to the list one day – or write another hub!