by CEU Editor, Roy Skropits |
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 The 20th century was filled with
extraordinary talented artists including
Hank Williams, Sr., Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash,
Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and many
others. These artists made country music fun and
enjoyable; with great songs and exceptional
talent. Some of the artists told stories while
others actually lived it. And each artist had
their own individual style, image and persona;
Elvis Presley was known as "the King of Rock
and Roll" or simply "the King,"
Johnny Cash the "Man In Black," Willie
Nelson the "Red Head Stranger," Kris
Kristofferson who landed a helicopter in Johnny
Cash's yard, and Waylon Jennings known as
"The Outlaw." Together, these four
incredible artists - Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson,
Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson formed the
incredible band, The Highwaymen.
There were many great country artists like George
Jones "No Show Jones" and Tammy Wynette
"First Lady of Country Music" who were
also known as one of the most successful duets.
There were quite a few duet partners including
Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty, Dolly Parton
and Porter Wagoner and Johnny Cash & June
Carter.
Some other great artists include Jack Greene
"Jolly Greene Giant," Vern Gosdin
"The Voice," Don Williams "The
Gentle Giant," Merle Haggard "The
Hag," Buck Owens "Bakersfield
Sound," and Buck Owens and Roy Clark in
"Hee Haw." Other great artists that
come to mind are Roger Miller, Reba McEntire
"Reba", Mel Tillis, Marty Robbins,
Little Jimmy Dickens, Kitty Wells, Faron Young,
Johnny Paycheck "Take This Job and Shove
It", John Denver "Take Me Home, Country
Roads", Mac Davis, Hank Williams, Jr.,
Travis Tritt, Marty Stuart, Garth Brooks, Tracy
Byrd, Tracy Lawrence, Alan Jackson and George
Strait "Murder On Music Row".
There are so many great country artists from the
20th century, but it is also important to give
recognition to the record labels who believed in
them, the songwriters who wrote the hit songs and
the radio DJ's that helped the truly talented
artists get a break by playing their music. In
closing, I think George Jones said it best when
he said, "Who's Gonna Fill Their
Shoes." |
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