American Singers, Country Music Singers, Singers and Vocalists

59 Iconic Country Singers from North Carolina You Can’t Miss

North Carolina boasts a diverse musical legacy, with country music playing a significant role.

The state has been a launching pad for numerous solo country artists who have left an indelible mark on the genre.

From bluegrass trailblazers to modern-day hitmakers, these talented musicians have crafted a rich collection of sound that reflects the heart and soul of North Carolina.

This compilation showcases 59 remarkable solo country singers connected to the state, each with a distinctive voice and style.

Whether you’re a dedicated fan or a newcomer to country music, exploring the lives and music of these artists offers a spellbinding expedition through North Carolina’s vibrant musical history.

Join us as we celebrate these gifted performers’ enduring impact and contributions to the world of country music.

Exploring North Carolina’s Top Country Music Stars

1. Randy Travis

Randy Travis, born in Marshville, North Carolina, is known for his rich baritone voice.
He is a pivotal figure in the country music scene, credited with revitalizing the genre in the mid-1980s.
Travis has won multiple Grammy Awards and is a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2. Charlie Daniels

Born in Wilmington, North Carolina, Charlie Daniels was a celebrated country music and southern rock musician.
He is best known for his hit song “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.”
Daniels was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016.

3. Luke Combs

Hailing from Asheville, North Carolina, Luke Combs has quickly risen to fame in country music.
His debut album, “This One’s for You,” reached number one on Billboard’s Top Country Albums.
Combs is known for his powerful vocals and relatable lyrics.

4. Kellie Pickler

Born in Albemarle, North Carolina, Kellie Pickler gained fame as a contestant on “American Idol.”
She has released several successful country albums and won a CMT Music Award.
Pickler is also known for her bubbly personality and work as a television host.

5. Eric Church

Eric Church is known for his rock-infused country music from Granite Falls, North Carolina.
His album “Chief” won the Album of the Year at the 2012 CMA Awards.
Church is recognized for his energetic live performances and rebellious image.

6. Scotty McCreery

Born in Garner, North Carolina, Scotty McCreery won the tenth season of “American Idol.”
His debut album, “Clear as Day,” was certified platinum in the United States.
McCreery’s deep voice and traditional country style have earned him a dedicated fan base.

7. Emmylou Harris

Although born in Birmingham, Alabama, Emmylou Harris has deep roots in North Carolina.
She is renowned for her beautiful voice and country and folk music contributions.
Harris has won multiple Grammy Awards and is a member of Country Music Hall of Fame.

8. Ronnie Milsap

Ronnie Milsap, born in Robbinsville, North Carolina, is a highly influential country music singer and pianist.
He is known for hits like “Smoky Mountain Rain” and “Stranger in My House.”
Milsap has won six Grammy Awards and numerous CMA Awards.

9. Tift Merritt

Tift Merritt, from Raleigh, North Carolina, is a singer-songwriter known for blending country, folk, and rock.
Her album “Bramble Rose” received critical acclaim and established her as a notable artist.
Merritt has been nominated for a Grammy Award and is praised for her poignant songwriting.

10. Don Gibson

Don Gibson was a pioneering country music singer and songwriter born in Shelby, North Carolina.
He wrote classic hits like “Oh Lonesome Me” and “I Can’t Stop Loving You.”
Gibson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.

11. Jim Lauderdale

Hailing from Troutman, North Carolina, Jim Lauderdale is a prolific singer-songwriter in country and Americana music.
He has released numerous albums and won two Grammy Awards.
Lauderdale is known for his collaborations with other artists and eclectic musical style.

12. Arthur Smith

Arthur Smith, born in Clinton, South Carolina, but raised in Kershaw, North Carolina, is a country music and bluegrass legend.
He is best known for his instrumental “Guitar Boogie.”
Smith was a pioneering television host and producer in addition to his music career.

13. Chase Rice

Chase Rice is a country music singer and songwriter from Asheville, North Carolina.
He gained fame with his hit single “Ready Set Roll.”
Rice co-wrote the Florida Georgia Line hit “Cruise,” one of the best-selling country songs ever.

14. Clyde Moody

Clyde Moody, born in Cherokee, North Carolina, was known as the “Hillbilly Waltz King.”
He was Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys member, contributing to the early bluegrass sound.
Moody’s song “Shenandoah Waltz” became a country classic.

15. Elizabeth Cook

Elizabeth Cook, from Wildwood, Florida, has ties to Boone, North Carolina, where she often performs.
She is known for her witty lyrics and a blend of country, rock, and folk music.
Cook hosts the popular SiriusXM radio show “Apron Strings.”

16. Earl Scruggs

From Shelby, North Carolina, Earl Scruggs he revolutionized bluegrass music with his three-finger banjo-picking style.
He was a key member of the Foggy Mountain Boys with Lester Flatt.
Scruggs received numerous awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

17. David Holt

David Holt, born in Gatesville, Texas, but closely associated with North Carolina, is a renowned musician and storyteller.
He specializes in traditional American music and has won four Grammy Awards.
Holt hosts the PBS series “David Holt’s State of Music.”

18. Mike Cross

From Lenoir, North Carolina, Mike Cross is a singer-songwriter known for his humorous and poignant songs.
He has a distinctive blend of folk, bluegrass, and country music.
Cross is a talented guitarist with a loyal folk and country music scene following.

19. Junior Brown

Junior Brown, born in Cottonwood, Arizona, but raised in Jamestown, North Carolina, is a unique country musician.
He is known for his deep voice and “guit-steel” guitar, a combination of electric and steel guitar.
Brown’s hit songs include “Highway Patrol” and “My Wife Thinks You’re Dead.”

20. Wayne Henderson

From Rugby, North Carolina, Wayne Henderson is a master luthier and musician.
He is renowned for his handmade guitars and his skill as a bluegrass guitarist.
Henderson has received the National Heritage Fellowship for his contributions to traditional arts.

21. Donna Fargo

From Mount Airy, North Carolina, Donna Fargo is a country music singer known for her upbeat and catchy songs.
Her biggest hits include “The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA” and “Funny Face.”
Fargo has won multiple awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.

22. Whispering Bill Anderson

Born in Columbia, South Carolina, but with strong ties to North Carolina, Bill Anderson is a legendary country music singer and songwriter.
He earned the nickname “Whispering Bill” for his soft vocal style.
Anderson has written many hit songs for himself and other artists, earning him a place in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

23. Doc Watson

Doc Watson was a legendary folk and bluegrass guitarist and singer from Deep Gap, North Carolina.
He is known for his flat-picking guitar style and rich baritone voice.
Watson received numerous awards, including seven Grammy Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

24. Rhiannon Giddens

Rhiannon Giddens, from Greensboro, North Carolina, is a versatile musician known for her folk, blues, and country music work.
She was a founding member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops.
Giddens has won a Grammy Award and is known for her powerful voice and advocacy for African American roots music.

25. Jimmy Capps

Jimmy Capps was a renowned session guitarist in Nashville from Fayetteville, North Carolina.
He played on countless country hits, earning him the nickname “The Man in Black’s Guitar Man.”
Capps was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2014.

26. Jim Mills

Jim Mills, from Durham, North Carolina, is a highly respected banjo player in bluegrass and country music.
He has won multiple awards, including the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Banjo Player of the Year.
Mills is also known for his collection of vintage pre-war Gibson banjos.

27. Randy Parton

Randy Parton was a country music singer and songwriter from Sevierville, Tennessee, but associated with Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina.
He was the younger brother of Dolly Parton.
Parton was known for his solo work and performances at his namesake theater in North Carolina.

28. Bucky Covington

Bucky Covington, from Rockingham, North Carolina, became famous as a contestant on the fifth season of American Idol.
His debut album produced several hit singles, including “A Different World” and “It’s Good to Be Us.”
Covington is known for his energetic stage presence and strong country vocals.

29. George Hamilton IV

George Hamilton IV, from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was a country music singer known for his smooth voice.
He is best remembered for his hit song “Abilene.”
Hamilton was a member of the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

30. Billy “Crash” Craddock

Billy “Crash” Craddock, from Greensboro, North Carolina, is a country and rockabilly singer.
He earned the nickname “Crash” for his energetic performances and string of hits.
Craddock’s popular songs include “Rub It In” and “Broken Down in Tiny Pieces.”

31. Caleb Johnson

Caleb Johnson, from Asheville, North Carolina, won the thirteenth season of “American Idol.”
He is known for his powerful rock-infused country voice.
Johnson’s debut album, “Testify,” received critical acclaim.

32. Summer Brooke McMahan

Summer Brooke McMahan is a bluegrass and country singer from Sylva, North Carolina.
She is the lead vocalist for the Mountain Faith Band.
McMahan has performed on numerous stages, including the Grand Ole Opry.

33. David Lee Murphy

Although born in Herrin, Illinois, David Lee Murphy has connections to North Carolina’s music scene.
He is known for his hit song “Dust on the Bottle.”
Murphy is also a successful songwriter, having written hits for artists like Kenny Chesney and Jason Aldean.

34. George Beverly Shea

George Beverly Shea was a gospel and country singer from Montreat, North Carolina.
He is best known for his long association with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
Shea won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.

35. Bobby Hicks

Bobby Hicks, from Newton, North Carolina, is a renowned fiddler in bluegrass and country music.
He has won multiple Grammy Awards and played with artists like Bill Monroe and Ricky Skaggs.
Hicks is known for his smooth, precise playing style.

36. Tommy Jarrell

Tommy Jarrell was a legendary old-time fiddler and banjo player from Toast, North Carolina.
He was a master of traditional Appalachian music.
Jarrell received a National Heritage Fellowship for his contributions to American folk music.

37. Seth Avett

From Concord, North Carolina, Seth Avett is a member of the Avett Brothers, a band known for blending country, folk, and rock.
He plays multiple instruments, including guitar and piano.
Avett is also known for his solo work and artistic talents.

38. Scott Avett

Scott Avett, from Concord, North Carolina, is a member of the Avett Brothers alongside his brother Seth.
He is the lead vocalist and banjo player for the band.
Avett is known for his heartfelt lyrics and dynamic stage presence.

39. Kenny Roby

Kenny Roby, from Raleigh, North Carolina, is a singer-songwriter known for blending country, rock, and Americana.
He was the lead singer of the band 6 String Drag.
Roby has released several solo albums and is praised for his storytelling abilities.

40. Ryan Adams

From Jacksonville, North Carolina, Ryan Adams is a prolific singer-songwriter and musician.
He is known for his solo work and his time with the band Whiskeytown.
Adams has released numerous albums across various genres, including country and rock.

41. Kathy Mattea

Although born in South Charleston, West Virginia, Kathy Mattea has strong ties to North Carolina.
She is known for her hit songs “Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses” and “Where’ve You Been.”
Mattea has won multiple Grammy Awards and is recognized for her rich, vibrant voice.

42. Laurelyn Dossett

Laurelyn Dossett, from Greensboro, North Carolina, is a singer-songwriter known for her folk and country music.
She has written songs for numerous theatrical productions and collaborated with the North Carolina Symphony.
Dossett is praised for her storytelling and musical talent.

43. Tom T. Hall

Tom T. Hall, born in Olive Hill, Kentucky, significantly influenced North Carolina’s music scene.
He is known as “The Storyteller” for his narrative songwriting style.
Hall’s hits include “Harper Valley PTA” and “I Love.”

44. Kaitlyn Baker

From Pound, Virginia, Kaitlyn Baker has strong musical ties to North Carolina.
She is known for her traditional country sound and powerful vocals.
Baker’s songs often reflect her Appalachian heritage.

45. Jim Shumate

From Wilkes County, North Carolina, Jim Shumate was a pioneering fiddler in bluegrass and country music.
He played with legends like Bill Monroe and Flatt & Scruggs.
Shumate is credited with developing the “long-bow” fiddle style.

46. Lee Roy Parnell

Lee Roy Parnell, from Abilene, Texas, but with strong connections to North Carolina, is a country singer and guitarist.
He is known for his slide guitar playing and hits like “What Kind of Fool Do You Think I Am.”
Parnell has had a successful career as both a performer and songwriter.

47. Don Schlitz

Don Schlitz, a celebrated songwriter from Durham, North Carolina, is known for his country music hits.
He wrote “The Gambler,” which was made famous by Kenny Rogers.
Schlitz has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

48. Jamie Dailey

Jamie Dailey is a bluegrass and country singer from Nashville, Tennessee, who is associated with North Carolina’s music scene.
He is one half of the duo Dailey & Vincent.
Dailey has won numerous awards for his powerful vocals and harmonies.

49. Jim Vandiver

Jim Vandiver is a country singer and songwriter from Marion, North Carolina.
He is known for his heartfelt lyrics and traditional country sound.
Vandiver has been active in the North Carolina music scene for many years.

50. Terry Baucom

Terry Baucom is a renowned bluegrass banjo player and singer from Monroe, North Carolina.
He has played with bands like Boone Creek and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver.
Baucom is known for his innovative playing style and contributions to bluegrass music.

51. Janette Carter

Janette Carter was a country and folk singer from Maces Spring, Virginia, but with connections to North Carolina.
She was a member of the Carter Family, one of the most influential groups in country music history.
Carter worked to preserve her family’s musical legacy through the Carter Family Fold.

52. Johnny Williams

From Siler City, North Carolina, Johnny Williams is a bluegrass and country singer-songwriter.
He has won multiple songwriting awards and is known for his rich voice and storytelling.
Williams has released several albums and is a fixture in the North Carolina music scene.

53. Marty Raybon

Marty Raybon, from Greenville, Alabama, but with ties to North Carolina, is a country and bluegrass singer.
He is best known as the lead vocalist of Shenandoah.
Raybon has a successful solo career and is known for his soulful voice.

54. Red Smiley

Red Smiley was a prominent bluegrass and country musician from Asheville, North Carolina.
He was part of the duo Reno and Smiley, known for their harmonies and traditional sound.
Smiley was inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame for his contributions to the genre.

55. Ray Whitley

Ray Whitley was a country singer and actor from Atlanta, Georgia, but associated with North Carolina.
He is known for his work in Western films and his contribution to country music.
Whitley wrote the popular song “Back in the Saddle Again,” which Gene Autry made famous.

56. Ronnie Reno

Ronnie Reno, from Nashville, Tennessee, but with connections to North Carolina, is a country and bluegrass singer.
He has performed with the Reno and Smiley bands and had a successful solo career.
Reno is known for his smooth voice and traditional country sound.

57. Etta Baker

Etta Baker was a celebrated Piedmont blues and country musician from Caldwell County, North Carolina.
She played guitar and banjo and was known for her fingerpicking style.
Baker received a National Heritage Fellowship for her contributions to American music.

58. Jim Eanes

Jim Eanes is a country and bluegrass singer from Mountain Valley, Virginia, associated with North Carolina.
He was known for his rich baritone voice and traditional country sound.
Eanes recorded numerous albums and was a beloved figure in the bluegrass community.

59. Benton Flippen

Benton Flippen was a legendary old-time fiddler from Mount Airy, North Carolina.
He was known for his unique and innovative fiddling style.
Flippen received numerous awards and was key in preserving traditional Appalachian music.

Conclusion

North Carolina’s impact on country music is undeniable, with many artists who have made a lasting impression on the genre.

From Randy Travis’s sincere words to Rhiannon Giddens’s unique sound, each singer on this list represents a piece of North Carolina’s rich musical tapestry.

These artists have not only entertained millions but have also opened doors for future generations of country musicians.

Their stories and songs continue to strike a chord, showcasing the lasting legacy of North Carolina in the world of country music.

As you explore these artists’ paths, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the state’s role in molding the melodies and narratives of country music.

Casey Monroe

Casey focuses on writing about singers and vocal performers. They've been in this field for about 8 years. Casey's articles look at both the technical side of singing and the stories behind the artists. They studied music performance in college and worked as a vocal coach for a while. This background helps Casey explain complex singing ideas in ways that are easy to grasp. Casey likes to talk with singers from different genres to get a wide view of the singing world. When not writing, they often go to concerts and music festivals to stay up-to-date with live performances.

All Posts