Singers & Steel

Ben Lawson · Post by **Ben Lawson** » 19 Mar 2008 3:39 pm

I have to say that Mike Siler is one of my favorite "real country" singers. I'm not picking a winner in this group but Johnny Bush, Curtis Potter, Jake Hooker , Justin Trevino, Mike Siler and Tommy Hooker are pretty much all I listen to anymore. I'm fortunate to have a local disc jockey that plays all these artists as well as Gene Watson, Tony Booth and many others on independent labels. Check out wdvrfm.org on Monday 9am-12noon eastern time. He's also on on Wed eves from 7-10pm. Tom Wardle is his name and the phone # for the station is 609-397-1620 ext 5 for on air DJ. Give him a call if you have a request, he's a great guy.

Joel Meredith · Post by **Joel Meredith** » 19 Mar 2008 3:43 pm

George Jones is the best "real country" singer.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 19 Mar 2008 3:46 pm

no he's not....vern gosden...

heh, heh...here we go!

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 19 Mar 2008 5:29 pm

My vote goes to Tony Bennett. Johnny Paycheck second.

John Roche · Post by **John Roche** » 19 Mar 2008 5:36 pm

Yes I will never forget Tony Bennett's version of farewell party....and johnny paycheck's version of He stopped loving her today. priceless

Joe Drivdahl · Post by **Joe Drivdahl** » 19 Mar 2008 5:56 pm

George Jones was the best male country singer, then Merle, then Ray Price. Tammy was the best female country singer, then Loretta, then Reba. Reba would have scored higher if she hadn't gone pop.

IMOP of course.

Joe

Dennis Graves · Post by **Dennis Graves** » 19 Mar 2008 6:30 pm

It's difficult for me to say which is the best: George or Vern...When I hear ole George crank down on "He Stopped Loving Her Today", I think it can't get any better. Then when Vern takes off on "Chiseled In Stone"....then I start arguing with myself..

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 19 Mar 2008 6:35 pm

My vote goes for DALE WATSON,Just my opinion .DYKBC.

Roual Ranes · Post by **Roual Ranes** » 20 Mar 2008 2:40 am

Actually the best "country" singer was Lefty!

Ricky Thibodeaux · Post by **Ricky Thibodeaux** » 20 Mar 2008 3:10 am

Buck Owens...George Jones...Merle Haggard

Mack Quinney · Post by **Mack Quinney** » 20 Mar 2008 3:48 am

I didn't know that country music had words until my girlfriend who is a singer pointed it out to me. I always just heard the steel and fiddle!

My favorate quote: " the words in a song are just a way to pass time until you get to the instrumental lead!"

Mack

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 20 Mar 2008 5:46 am

My vote goes to Gene watson. He can still outsing 99% of these so called country singers of today.

Mack, I'm sorta like you, I really don't listen to the words, just the fiddle and steel. My wife says I'm very narrow minded when it comes to music, one reason being, I won't listen to anything that doesn't have steel or fiddle, LOL.

Scott Hiestand · Post by **Scott Hiestand** » 20 Mar 2008 6:05 am

I too go "back and forth" between George Jones and Vern Gosdin. George is such a giant, is so instantly recognizable, and has that classic "dip" that no one can (or should) imitate. But....they don't call Vern "The Voice" for nothing. So if someone put a gun to my head and made me choose, for me I'd say Mr. Gosdin has the better voice with more emotional impact.

For "Outlaw" Country, nobody does it like early Johhny Paycheck. Rumor has it George actually tried to sound like him in the early days (before he developed his own style and "lowered" hsi voice), and you can certainly hear it in their recordings.

John McGuire · Post by **John McGuire** » 20 Mar 2008 6:35 am

I think George, Vern, Buck and Merle in no particular order, and all of the others mentioned have on their worst performance,sounded better than any of the so-called country artist of today. jmho

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 20 Mar 2008 7:06 am

I'd have to go with Vern over George...as much as I love George sometimes he gets a tiny bit pitchy.Merle is my all time favorite.

Scott Hiestand · Post by **Scott Hiestand** » 20 Mar 2008 7:11 am

I forgot one. If it wasn't for his tragic and untimely death, I think Keith Whitley had one of the best "made for Country" voices ever.

Tom Harris · Post by **Tom Harris** » 20 Mar 2008 7:22 am

my 2 cents worth.........It's hard to listen to Ole Possum crank up on,"Once you'ev had the Best",and not pick him,,but then when Ole Merle cranks up on,,"Some Day When Things Are Good",and not pick him,,then Ole Buck cranks up on,,"Together Again",and not pick him,,but then I feel the same about ,,Vern,,Jim Reeves,,Ray Price,,and all the others mentioned,,but If someone held a knife to my throat and said,"Pick one",,I would have to say,,"The main most man,,"Hank Thompson and The brazos Valley Boys,,consisting of,,Bob White,,and PeeWee Whitewing" on the steels,,they'er like an Old Milwaukee,,it just dont get any better than that..nuff said.. RIP Hank..I miss you....
Tom Harris

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 20 Mar 2008 7:22 pm

I listen to Curtis Potter & Carl Vaughn during my 12 hour, day long drives. Both have that great BIG Texas voice and the songs they do are really tops!

Why no mention of Carl Vaughn here in this post?

David Wren · Post by **David Wren** » 20 Mar 2008 7:54 pm

'nether vote for Hag!!

but all mentioned before are great.

Differences I guess, is Hag controled his sound , and I'm not sure that can be said of the Nashville guys. Buck falls in-between, depending on when you listen, pre or post "Hee Haw".

Just my $00.02 worth

Roger Shackelton · Post by **Roger Shackelton** » 21 Mar 2008 12:09 am

I really do like Keith Whitley's singing very much.

My favorite singer would be the one I'm listening to at any given moment.

Roger

Robert Colaninno · Post by **Robert Colaninno** » 21 Mar 2008 3:08 am

Junior Brown plays steel and sings!!

Alan Tanner · Post by **Alan Tanner** » 21 Mar 2008 8:25 am

I think my vote would also be Hank Thompson.....

Don Discher · Post by **Don Discher** » 21 Mar 2008 8:30 am

I put Jim Reeves at # 1 and then Charlie Pride,Merle,The Possum,Ray Price,Keith Whitley,Alan Jackson and so on.

Antolina · Post by **Antolina** » 21 Mar 2008 9:35 am

Scott Hiestand wrote: If it wasn't for his tragic and untimely death, I think Keith Whitley had one of the best "made for Country" voices ever.

Agreed, followed by Merle, George, Gene and Vern in no particular order.

The current crop of "stars" aren't fit to polish the boots of those that made the country sound.

Johnny Thomasson · Post by **Johnny Thomasson** » 21 Mar 2008 10:19 am

Add Faron Young and Bobby Flores to this list, and just about all my favorites will be covered. Bobby also makes my top 5 list for fiddle players. I really need to hear him live... can't believe I haven't already done that.

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