10 Of The Greatest and Most Famous Country Singers With A Deep Voice

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Written by Laura Macmillan
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There’s something about a deep voice that seems to give country songs an extra bit of soul. Maybe it’s the way the singer can express emotions in a way that feels more genuine, or maybe it’s the sound of a voice that has been weathered by life experiences. 

Whatever the reason, there are some amazing bass and baritone country singers who have achieved great success. So, if you want to take a listen and feel the soul of country music at its finest, we’ve put together a list of some of the greatest and most famous country singers with a deep voice. 

1. Johnny Cash

First we have the legendary Johnny Cash, who was one of the most influential and iconic musicians of the 20th century. He is best known for his deep, gravelly voice and his country-influenced sound.

Cash is easily one of the best-selling music artists out there, having sold over 90 million records globally. Some of his most popular songs include “Ring of Fire” and “I Walk the Line.” 

His music has crossed many genres, including folk, rockabilly, gospel, and of course, country. As such, Cash has been inducted into the Country Music, Rock and Roll, and Gospel Music halls of fame.

2. Conway Twitty

Next is Conway Twitty, an American country music singer who enjoyed a successful career in the 1950s and 1960s. He was known for his deep, resonant voice, which helped to make him one of the most distinctive vocalists in country music. 

Twitty began his career as a rockabilly singer, but he soon began experimenting with different genres and styles. This willingness to experiment helped to make him one of the most popular and successful country singers of his generation.

In addition to his work as a singer, Twitty also penned many of his own songs, including such classics as “It’s Only Make Believe” and “Linda on My Mind.” Although he passed away in 1993, Conway Twitty’s music continues to be enjoyed by fans worldwide.

3. Josh Turner

Another deep-voiced country singer is Josh Turner. His smooth, traditional style has made him one of the most iconic voices in country music. 

After high school, Turner signed a deal with MCA Nashville and released his debut album, Long Black Train, in 2003. The album’s title track became a top 10 hit, and Turner quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the country music world.

In the years since, he has released multiple successful albums and singles, including “Your Man” and “Why Don’t We Just Dance.” With his deep voice and original sound, Josh Turner is one of the most recognizable voices in country music today.

4. Randy Travis

For country music fans, the deep voice of Randy Travis is instantly recognizable. Since bursting onto the scene in the mid-1980s, he has been one of the genre’s most successful and respected singers.

Over 50 of Travis’s singles have made their way onto the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, and he has released more than 20 albums. Along the way, he has earned numerous Grammy and CMA Awards.

In addition to his successful country music career, Travis also had a love of acting, leading him to appear in various films and TV series like Texas Rangers and Rainmaker.

5. Merle Haggard

Born in Oildale, California, in 1937, Merle Haggard was an American country music singer and songwriter.

He began his musical career playing guitar in honky-tonks and bars. He developed a deep, resonant voice, which helped him stand out from other country singers.

In the 1960s, Haggard became one of the most popular artists in the country music genre. He had numerous hits, including “Okie from Muskogee” and “The Fightin’ Side of Me.” Haggard also often sang about the working class, and he occasionally released anti-Vietnam war songs.

For his contribution to the country music industry, Haggard was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters, the Country Music, and the Oklahoma Music halls of fame.

6. Waylon Jennings

Known for his deep voice, next only to his distinctive style of guitar playing, Waylon Jennings was a country music legend and one of the most influential musicians of his generation.

He began his musical career in the late 1950s when Buddy Holly set up a recording session for him. Over the next few years, Jennings became one of the world’s most popular country music performers. He recorded a string of hit albums, including Honky Tonk Heroes, Dreaming My Dreams, and Are You Ready for the Country

Jennings eventually joined The Highwaymen, a group including Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and the aforementioned Johnny Cash. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame just a year before his death in 2002.

7. Alan Jackson

Another country legend with a deep voice is Alan Jackson. He is known for his innovative country sound and distinctive gravelly voice. His first album, Here in the Real World, was released in 1990 and was a commercial success.

Jackson has since released more than 20 albums and has won numerous awards, including the Grammy Award for Best Country Album.

Jackson has released 35 number-one hits on the Billboard Country charts and has sold over 75 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time. And as such, Alan Jackson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2017.

8. Chris Stapleton

Hailing from Kentucky, Chris Stapleton is a Grammy-winning singer and songwriter known for his deep country-tinged voice. He started as a songwriter in Nashville, co-writing hits for artists like Tim McGraw and George Strait. He eventually signed a record deal of his own and has been making music ever since.

Stapleton has released several acclaimed albums throughout his career, including Traveller and the two volumes of From a Room. Both albums landed him Grammy Awards.

In addition to his solo work, Stapleton has also collaborated with other artists like Justin Timberlake and Sheryl Crow. 

9. Scotty McCreery

Our second to last singer, Scotty McCreery, might be best known for his deep voice, but there’s more to this country artist than meets the ear. McCreery first rose to fame as the winner of Season 10 of American Idol, becoming the show’s youngest male winner at age 17.

Since then, he has released three studio albums, all of which have topped the Country Albums chart. McCreery’s debut album, Clear as Day, was certified Platinum in the US, marking the beginning of his successful country music career. 

In addition, McCreery has won multiple music awards, including Best New Artist from the Academy of Country Music Awards and Artist of the Year: New Artist from the American Country Awards.

10. Trace Adkins

Lastly, ​​Trace Adkins is a country music singer and songwriter known for his deep, resonating voice. Adkins got his start performing in honky-tonks and rodeos in his native Louisiana.

He eventually moved to Nashville to pursue a music career and released his debut album in 1996 titled Dreamin’ Out Loud. Adkins has since released 12 albums, including two greatest hits compilations.

Some of his songs, like “Ladies Love Country Boys” and “You’re Gonna Miss Me,” have reached the #1 spot on the Billboard Country Music charts.

In addition to his musical career, Adkins has also appeared in a number of films and television shows, including The Lincoln Lawyer, All-Star Celebrity Apprentice, and King of the Hill

Summing Up Our List Of Country Singers With Low Voices

Deep voices complement country music well, and all the mentioned singers showcase this perfectly.

Whether we’ve reminded you of some of your old favorites or introduced you to some new ones, we hope you’ve enjoyed our list of low-pitched country singers as much as we did putting it together.

However, this list is far from complete. Who do you think we missed off? Let us know and we’ll add them in!

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Laura has over 12 years experience teaching both classical and jazz saxophone and clarinet. She now resides in California where she works as a session and live performer.