‘Y’ Is for Dwight Yoakam – Top Country Artists A to Z

Why: Dwight Yoakam never compromised his sound to fit in with the hot flavors of Nashville, something his fans appreciate just as much as his dozens of hit songs and albums. The late '80s and early '90s were his peak as a commercial artist, but each one of the albums he's released since has succeeded on a smaller scale. Trisha Yearwood gives Yoakam a run for this letter with a resume that includes multiple No. 1 hits and several Grammys. But she was not as influential as Yoakam.

Honorable Mentions: Trisha Yearwood, Faron Young and Chris Young.