Earlier this week, the staff writers over at Billboard released their “100 Greatest Country Artists of All Time” list, and as you probably could’ve guessed – it’s a complete joke.
First, let me preface this article by saying that music is obviously subjective and there’s no way to please country fans and prevent them from being pissed off about something on the internet regardless (can’t say I blame them with what we’ve been forced to endure over the last decade). With that said, it’s clear that bias and politics played a role in determining whom and in what order certain artists were featured. That, or this list was created by people who don’t religiously listen to country music.
Let’s also not forget that one of the main reasons lists like these are compiled together in the first place is to generate buzz and conversation for clicks…and boy did it work.
One of the biggest concerns I’ve personally seen on the internet thus far is the placement of country-turned-pop star, Taylor Swift, being ranked inside the top half at No. 41, ahead of the likes of Toby Keith and Hank Williams Jr. (For what it’s worth, she’s also ranked ahead of Luke Bryan, Travis Tritt, Patty Loveless, Morgan Wallen, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Charlie Daniels, Kenny Chesney and well…you get the point).
And look, I don’t live under a rock, so whether I agree with it or not, I can understand a case being made for Taylor to be included on this list. I mean, she did start her career in country music, which helped catapult her into becoming arguably the biggest star in the world. Still, she left behind the genre long ago, and it’s evident she wouldn’t have been even half as successful had she not ditched her twang and dove head-first into pop music after the release of her 2012 Big Machine album, “Red.”
I could discuss the order of Billboard’s list for hours, with whom I think should be placed where based on personal preference or sales and impact, but hey…the list is already out and I don’t have that kind of time. So I’ll jump right into the biggest snub – Jason Aldean.
Love him or hate him, Jason Aldean has been one of the biggest artists in all of country music since the release of his 2010 record, “My Kinda Party.” With over 20 million albums sold to date, nearly 30 No. 1 singles, 3 consecutive ACM Entertainer of the Year Awards from 2016-2018, as well as taking home the ACM Artist of the Decade award in 2019, Aldean has been a pioneer and household name in the genre for the better half of two decades.
With Maren Morris and Brothers Osbourne rounding out the list at No. 99 and 100 respectively, it’s gotta make you wonder how two artists without half of Aldean’s impact or popularity could be featured above him (or instead of him, I should say), but we all know the reason.
Aldean and his wife, Brittany, have been vocal supporters of President Trump throughout the last four years or so, being seen with him on numerous occasions, most notably spotted at the Republican National Convention this past August and spending New Year’s Eve together at Mar-a-Lago in 2022.
Trump was also notably an active supporter of the 47-year-old singer/songwriter’s highly controversial #1 hit, “Try That In a Small Town,” (which would eventually become his first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart), back in 2023. He defended the song during the peak of its controversy, saying, “Jason Aldean is a fantastic guy who just came out with a great new song. Support Jason all the way. MAGA!!!”
While Brothers Osbourne (led by openly gay singer, T.J. Osbourne), are extremely talented and in my opinion, criminally underrated, them, as well as Maren Morris (who attacked Brittany Aldean on social media for posting, “I’d really like to thank my parents for not changing my gender when I went through my tomboy phase.”), rounding out the final two spots on a list that doesn’t include the 65x Grammy-nominated singer, tells you all you need to know – politics got the best of the staff writers responsible for creating this list.
And just yesterday, Aldean’s band-mate and “Try That In A Small Town” co-writer, Kurt Allison, shared an Instagram post calling the Billboard article a “joke,” adding that it’s “not surprising considering the source.”
Aldean responded with a comment himself, saying “This shouldn’t come as a shock. And people ask if we still have a chip on our shoulder and feel like we have something to prove??? Hell yea we do and this is a prime example why!! We’ll just keep hammerin and do what we do. Same as we always have.”
The “Dirt Road Anthem” singer currently has no plans of slowing down any time soon, as he recently shared a video of his first day back in the studio to social media last month. With his last record, “Highway Desperado,” dropping last fall and his tour of the same name wrapping up a few months ago, it looks like he’s right on schedule for another new album soon. Judging by the previous timing and release dates throughout his 20-year career, I’d expect a new album from Aldean next fall.