If there's a favorite era of rock music, it's likely the '80s. But when it comes to country music, the '90s seem to be the era when the genre is most revered. It's a decade that happened thanks to several trendsetting artists who weren't afraid to break out of the mold of country music.
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We picked four of the artists from the '90s who were definitely ahead of their time, and we are better for it.
1. Shania Twain
People didn't know what to do with Shania Twain when she burst onto the scene in 1993 with "What Made You Say That." The song, along with "Dance With The One That Brought You" and "You Lay A Whole Lot Of Love On Me," all came from her eponymous debut album. None of the singles had any success at radio, likely due to her pop-inspired production, not to mention her daring wardrobe choices.
But by her sophomore, The Woman In Me album, released two years later, country music was ready to embrace Twain and her music. The Canadian had a No. 1 song with "Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?," the debut single from the record, and the first of many for Twain.
2. Tim McGraw
Tim McGraw's self-titled debut album came out in 1993, but it's almost a wonder that it came out at all. McGraw released four singles from that project, including "What Room Was The Holiday In," his first single. Like Twain, none of the four singles from the record charted, an immediate death sentence for plenty of careers.
But McGraw's record label at the time, Curb Records, saw something in McGraw that seemed promising, and they let him release another project, Not a Moment Too Soon in 1994. That record included his first Top 10 hit with "Indian Outlaw." His next single, "Don't Take the Girl," became his first of many songs that would top the charts over the next three decades.
3. Toby Keith
Toby Keith's self-titled album came out in 1993. The record included "Should've Been A Cowboy," which also became his first No. 1 hit. Unlike Twain or McGraw, Keith had plenty of hits right away, even though his music didn't sound like anyone else. His success can likely be at least partly attributed to the fact that Keith didn't really care what people thought of him or his music.
With tongue-in-cheek lyrics, songs that were meant to be sung live, and a clear apathy towards anyone who criticized him, Keith helped transform an entire decade, just by being who he was. His legacy is what allowed him to be posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2024.
4. Chely Wright
Chely Wright released two albums, Woman in the Moon in 1994 and Right in the Middle of It in 1996 before she had any hits. In fact, Wright released a total of six singles before having any success at radio. In 1997, she released "Shut Up And Drive," from her third album, Let Me In, in 1997. Wright followed that with several hits, including "Single White Female," out in 1999, which became her first No. 1 hit
Wright might be more tenacious than most, but she is also braver than most. In 2010, Wright came out as a lesbian. At the time, Wright knew it was likely a death knell on her career in country music. Fortunately, Wright's bravery paved the way for artists coming after her.
Although Wright continues to make music, she has found a new calling, working a corporate job to help promote inclusivity.
