Since the list is All Time I will focus mostly on the 'movers and shakers' in the past. While there may be some more talented singers, these are the ones who shaped the music, had the most hits, and have the most recognizable voices.
This one is a homerun right? Well the guy who really pushed the genre forward in the early 1950s deserves to be number one. Probably no one has been imitated more or more influential.
Willie has to be number two because of his longevity. He has been around for 50 years and has some amazing recordings. Like Hank, he might not be the most talented singer in country music, but hardly anyone's voice is more recognizable.
Perhaps no one has embodied country music like Loretta Lynn. From CMT.com:
Alison Krauss on Loretta Lynn:
"I think of Loretta Lynn like the female Hank Williams. She was a real pioneer. When I see Loretta, that's country. That's country music when I hear her singing. She's kind of the landmark."
She has the most number one hits of any woman, and changed the course of country music for women during the 1970s. She's a force in the industry.
I had to put one modern singer on the list and with Chesney's slew of hits and smooth voice, he had to be the one.
select one here...