For decades, older artists have been complaining that the newer generation isn't keeping traditional country music alive. dating all the way back to the Outlaw era.
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But fortunately, at least for those who think traditional country music is the best era, there are several modern artists who are keeping that style alive. We picked four of our favorites
1. Zach Top
Zach Top is new, but he's already making waves, of the good kind, in country music. Ever since Top's debut single, "Sounds Like the Radio," was released in 2024, older artists have been praising Top for his traditional-sounding music, including Dierks Bentley, who invited Top to join him at this year's CMA Fest.
"Country music does not live in this town, but country music lives where you all come from," Bentley
says from stage, during his recent CMA Fest performance. "That's where the country music lives. You guys know the real deal when you see it. When this guy comes through town, make sure you come out to a Zach Top show and support real country music. The future of country music is right there with Zach Top."2. Miranda Lambert
Granted, Miranda Lambert has been making music for a long time, ever since her Kerosene album came out in 2005. But the beauty of Lambert and her career is that she is still honoring traditional country music. Fads and trends have changed, but Lambert continues to make authentic country music, as a way to honor her musical heroes.
Not only do her songs sound like they even Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash would like them sonically, but she also tackles hard topics, like infidelity, in her music. Even more proof, George Strait is a fan, and has invited her to perform with him.
3. Scotty McCreery
Even when Scotty McCreery was competing on American Idol as a teenager in 2011, he was still a fan of traditional country music. 14 years later, McCreery is perhaps an even bigger fan.
Several of McCreery's songs through the years sound like they could have been played decades ago. But on his Rise & Fall album, McCreery includes a song, "No Country For Old Men," lamenting the loss of traditional country music. The song says in part, "I sure could use a little Swinging Doors / What I wouldn't give to hear Walking The Floor / Ramblin' Man, Tight Fittin' Jeans / I'd drop a twenty in if it would play Jolene."
The Grand Ole Opry member even has a monthly show on SiriusXM's Prime Country, playing music of the '80s and '90s.
4. Cody Johnson
Cody Johnson's music definitely has sounds reminiscent of traditional country. Even better, Johnson has also vowed to honor the genre, without chasing any trends or fads. He recalls a time early in his career when a record label executive tried to convince him to be more modern. Fortunately, it didn't work.
"They were like, 'The cowboy hat doesn't work, and you need to change your sound, and you're gonna have to play the game,'" Johnson recalls to The Line of Best Fit. "Basically, you're gonna have to sign your life away if you want a record deal. And I wasn't willing to do that."
"I'd rather go to bed with my integrity than with millions of dollars," he adds.
