Country Musics A-List, B-List, C-List, etc.

[Markus Meyer]

So I was thinking about this the other day, which artists are part of of country musics A-list, B-list, C-list, etc. so I decided to start a thread to see who you guys think would fit on each ranking. I'll start and you guys can add to the lists or add further rankings such as D-List, etc. (Note that these are not my complete lists but just a start).


Pulse Country Music Rankings:

A-List:

Florida Georgia Line
Luke Bryan
Blake Shelton
Jason Aldean
Carrie Underwood
Zac Brown Band
Eric Church 
Miranda Lambert
Keith Urban
Tim McGraw
Taylor Swift
Kenny Chesney


B-List:

Justin Moore
Jake Owen
Eli Young Band
Brantley Gilbert
Dierks Bentley
Kip Moore
Lee Brice

C-List:

Cole Swindell
Frankie Ballard
Eric Paslay
Jon Pardi
Thompson Square

[Deleted]

May 16, 2014 17:05:20 GMT -5 Markus Meyer said:

A-List:

Florida Georgia Line
Luke Bryan
Blake Shelton
Jason Aldean
Carrie Underwood
Zac Brown Band

+ Miranda Lambert

[carriekins]

Definitely Miranda for A. And also Eric Church.

Dierks for B. Rascal Flatts? Maybe? Band Perry. I feel like Brad Paisley was A but is currently closer to B.

I personally would probably move Thompson Square to C.

[jdbowman]

My A-list is a bit longer. B and C I didn't go because they seem interchangeable based on their releases. They could be C list for awhile before hitting B with a strong release. Then follow with a weak release and fall back to C.

The fun thing to do would be the establish the B, C, and even D list, and then predict who eventually moves up to A. Of the original post, I think Jake Owen (closest), Brantley Gilbert (next closest), and then Cole Swindell (furthest) are the three that could make the leap.

A
- FGL
- Luke Bryan
- Jason Aldean
- Blake Shelton
- Carrie Underwood
- Miranda Lambert
- Kenny Chesney
- Tim McGraw
- Keith Urban
- Eric Church
- Taylor Swift

[Markus Meyer]

May 16, 2014 22:28:05 GMT -5 carriekins said:

Definitely Miranda for A. And also Eric Church.

Dierks for B. Rascal Flatts? Maybe? Band Perry. I feel like Brad Paisley was A but is currently closer to B.

I personally would probably move Thompson Square to C.

Really? 4 top 10 hits, 2 of which are #1's. IMO qualifies as B-lister.

Edit: sounds better if I say 4/5 singles were top 10.

[Deleted]

If we're classifying by A's and B's and C's, Thompson Square is definitely a C in my book. Sure, they've had a few big radio hits, but their sales have been, well, not very good at all. Almost all new artists albums released last year have out-sold Thompson Square's sophomore album, which didn't sell nearly as well as their debut album, which didn't sell all that good in the first place (it sold decent, just not amazingly well). "Testing The Water" is going nowhere and I wouldn't be surprised to see it be a really big flop for them, with the way things are looking now.

[onebuffalo]

May 16, 2014 22:28:05 GMT -5 carriekins said:

Definitely Miranda for A. And also Eric Church.

Dierks for B. Rascal Flatts? Maybe? Band Perry. I feel like Brad Paisley was A but is currently closer to B.

I personally would probably move Thompson Square to C.

You're supposed to be the president of the Dierks Bentley International Fan Club. I'm telling on you!

[carriekins]

May 17, 2014 7:44:24 GMT -5 onebuffalo said:

May 16, 2014 22:28:05 GMT -5 carriekins said:

Definitely Miranda for A. And also Eric Church.

Dierks for B. Rascal Flatts? Maybe? Band Perry. I feel like Brad Paisley was A but is currently closer to B.b

I personally would probably move Thompson Square to C.

You're supposed to be the president of the Dierks Bentley International Fan Club. I'm telling on you!

Ha! Doesn't mean I should be unrealistic. ;) He's A+ in my book.

[Markus Meyer]

May 16, 2014 22:59:09 GMT -5 jdbowman said:

My A-list is a bit longer. B and C I didn't go because they seem interchangeable based on their releases. They could be C list for awhile before hitting B with a strong release. Then follow with a weak release and fall back to C.

The fun thing to do would be the establish the B, C, and even D list, and then predict who eventually moves up to A. Of the original post, I think Jake Owen (closest), Brantley Gilbert (next closest), and then Cole Swindell (furthest) are the three that could make the leap.

A
- FGL
- Luke Bryan
- Jason Aldean
- Blake Shelton
- Carrie Underwood
- Miranda Lambert
- Kenny Chesney
- Tim McGraw
- Keith Urban
- Eric Church
- Taylor Swift

I actually like this guys idea. Let's make an official list and track who falls/rises.

Here's some names to throw around:

George Strait
Rascal Flatts
Little Big Town
Big & Rich
Jerrod Niemann
Thomas Rhett
Gary Allan
Cassadee Pope
Hunter Hayes

[zjames]

I'd throw Kip Moore and Lee Brice on the B-List.

[Deleted]

A:
Carrie
Taylor
Miranda
FGL
Luke
Blake Shelton
Jason Aldean
George Strait..based on his overall incredible career, I still consider him A list
B:
Rascal Flatts
Lady A
The Band Perry
Hunter Hayes
Reba
Tim McGraw
Keith Urban
Eric Church

C:
Gary Allan
LBT
Thompson Square

D:
Big And Rich

[.indulgecountry]

I agree with jhomes87 about Thompson Square for the reasons she gave. I'm a big fan and own both of their albums, but realistically, despite their pretty decent chart stats, they haven't had a whole lot of monumental success in sales or anything. They've gotten a bit of a boost in visibility due to the lack of prominent country duos in the past couple years between the hiatus of Sugarland and before Florida Georgia Line broke out, that probably has more to do with thinking they're bigger than they are, despite the hits not really supporting it.

May 17, 2014 17:11:34 GMT -5 zjames said:

I'd throw Kip Moore and Lee Brice on the B-List.

I'd put Kip Moore in the C-list for now. Let's see how his sophomore era shapes up before moving him up, because it's far too soon to put him up there imo. Lee Brice can go under the B-list though, because he's gotten quite a few hits now across a few different albums.

[ryanroberts]

I would put Jerrod Niemann and Randy Houser on the B-List.

[Kat5Kind]

I think this album era will give Hunter the boost he needs to ascend to the A-list.
If Show Dog would get their act together, I have no doubt Joel Crouse would be B-list by now.
Randy could be one of the next in line.

[sabre14]

Jun 2, 2014 17:08:32 GMT -5 Kat5Kind said:

If Show Dog would get their act together, I have no doubt Joel Crouse would be B-list by now.

Joel really should be celebrating his first top 20 single right now with "Why God Made Love Songs". 

I think they have two great artists with Joel Crouse and JT Hodges but Show-Dog Universal is really struggling in the promotion department right now, and I don't see it getting better anytime soon.

[Deleted]

Well this thread hasn't been visited in half a year so i thought i'd make my list and see if any of yours change now that the years over

A+
Luke Bryan (duh...)
Blake Shelton
Carrie Underwood
Florida Georgia Line
Jason Aldean

A
Dierks Bentley
Kenny Chesney
Miranda Lambert
Tim McGraw
Keith Urban

A-
Brad Paisley
Eric Church
Brantley Gilbert

B+
Lee Brice
Garth Brooks (until "Mom" settles i say he belongs here right now)
Jake Owen
Zac Brown Band
Eric Paslay
Thomas Rhett
Cole Swindell
Sam Hunt
Maddie and Tae
Chris Young
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
(obviously the newer names can change drastically at any time)

B
Billy Currington
Randy Houser
Justin Moore
Brett Eldredge
Joe Nichols
Frankie Ballard
The Band Perry

B-
David Nail
Eli Young Band
Rascal Flatts

C+
Gary Allan :'(
Dustin Lynch
Parmalee

C
Kip Moore
Craig Morgan
Kacey Musgraves (i balance out the radio play and acclaim)
Josh Turner

D (artists who are KIND OF done)
Toby Keith
Jerrod Niemann
Montgomery Gentry
Thompson Square
Rodney Atkins

[Markus Meyer]

zack97

While Kip did have a dreadful year, I wouldn't say he's C-List. I'd still have him at C+ (I'd also argue Parmalee is a C-list act, and Eric Paslay is C/C+).

I'd also say we wait and see with Thomspson Square. They might just be done at radio already, but I'll hold off till their next album to say for sure.

[Deleted]

Dec 28, 2014 1:35:26 GMT -5 Markus Meyer said:

zack97

While Kip did have a dreadful year, I wouldn't say he's C-List. I'd still have him at C+ (I'd also argue Parmalee is a C-list act, and Eric Paslay is C/C+).

I'd also say we wait and see with Thomspson Square. They might just be done at radio already, but I'll hold off till their next album to say for sure.

Well obviously none of these are set in stone, this is just what i'd say at this CURRENT moment. As sort of a "end of 2014" list. I guess Paslay could move down to B but thats as far as i'd put him. Sure he hasn't had the greatest track record but he somehow is friendly with radio and has great acclaim going for him. Like i said none of these are final. Even with Thompson Square they might have a decent track record but their sales are horrible and their last singles bombed

[gonecountry]

Below are my thoughts about A-lists, etc with a bit of a somewhat heavy focus on radio fortunes. I've tried to be objective, as most of my favorites currently fall in the B to D+ zone,

A+ (material doesn’t always matter, they’re getting a hit)
Florida Georgia Line
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Miranda Lambert
Blake Shelton
Carrie Underwood

A (as long as the material stays good, they’ll do fine)
Tim McGraw
Keith Urban
Kenny Chesney (I see him declining airplay-wise before Tim and Keith)

A- (one going up, one hanging on)
Dierks Bentley
Brad Paisley

B+ (prospects looking good)
Lee Brice
Eric Church
Brantley Gilbert
Jake Owen
Thomas Rhett

B (partially depends on the material IMO)
Little Big Town
Billy Currington
Randy Houser
Justin Moore
Joe Nichols
Darius Rucker
Chris Young

B- (declining, strength of future material determines how quickly they’ll decline)
The Band Perry
Lady Antebellum
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band

C+ (radio wants to like them, the artists just need to deliver IMO)
Eli Young Band
Hunter Hayes
Dustin Lynch
Scotty McCreery
Kacey Musgraves
David Nail
Jon Pardi


C- (too inconsistent; not strongly on the radar of the general public or industry)
Big and Rich
Love and Theft
Gary Allan
Easton Corbin
Gloriana
Kip Moore
Craig Morgan
Jerrod Niemann
Josh Turner

D+ (producing good music, industry just doesn’t know what to do with them. Crossing my fingers)
Josh Abbott Band
Aaron Lewis

D (radio careers are waning)
Garth Brooks Montgomery Gentry
Thompson Square
Rodney Atkins
Garth Brooks
Sarah Evans
Alan Jackson
Toby Keith
Reba McEntire
Kellie Pickler
George Strait

Too Soon to Say (next album will tell)
Dan and Shay
Maddie and Tae
Parmalee
Frankie Ballard
Brett Eldredge
Tyler Farr
Sam Hunt
Eric Paslay
Cole Swindell

[Markus Meyer]

Garth at D list? Definitely don't agree there. Sure his radio success has been minimal for his comeback, but his tour has been absolutely enormous. Everything else I mostly agree with, outside of the fact that I'd put ZBB and Eric Church at A-list, and maybe Lady A at B+ or B.

[gonecountry]

Agree, Garth's tour is going to be big despite limited radio play. I was tempted to put Eric Church on A-list. I am not feeling overly confident about ZBB and their long-term acceptance on radio (love them, saw them in concert and they were incredible). For every "The Wind" or "All Alright", there will hopefully be a "Sweet Annie", "Goodbye in Her Eyes" or "Jump Right In"

[dm2081]

Zach Brown Band definitely is not a B-. They only have 2 singles that missed the top 10, and one was from an EP. Their last 3 singles from an album peaked at #1, #2, and #1. They've had great album sales, and their concerts do extremely well. The next album will be a big deciding fa actor, but for now I'd have to put them at A-. I think people are jumping the gun on them too quickly. Also, how is Aaron Lewis a bigger star than Thompson Square, Sara Evans, or George Strait? Has he even cracked the top 40 yet?

[sabre14]

^ Aaron Lewis reached the top 40 twice, with "Endless Summer" (#38) and "Forever" (#39).

BTW: "Endless Summer" only got to #41 on MB. "Forever" got to #39 on MB as well.

[Deleted]

My list (in order) based on radio, sales, and tour success based in recent years, although consideration given to entire career. Feel free to disagree. :)

A-List
Luke Bryan
Carrie Underwood
Jason Aldean
Blake Shelton
Florida Georgia Line
Kenny Chesney
Eric Church
Keith Urban
Miranda Lambert

B-List
Tim McGraw
Zac Brown Band
Brad Paisley
Dierks Bentley
Garth Brooks
Rascal Flatts
Lady Antebellum
Darius Rucker
George Strait
Brantley Gilbert
Alan Jackson
Lee Brice
Jake Owen
Chris Young
Billy Currington
Little Big Town
The Band Perry
Justin Moore
Kip Moore
Hunter Hayes

C-List
Toby Keith
Sam Hunt
Cole Swindell
Thomas Rhett
Brett Eldredge
Randy Houser
Frankie Ballard
Gary Allan
Josh Turner
Dustin Lynch
Joe Nichols
Eli Young Band
Scotty McCreery
Trace Adkins
Kacey Musgraves
Easton Corbin
Eric Paslay
Tyler Farr
Jerrod Niemann
Montgomery Gentry
Rodney Atkins
Big & Rich
David Nail
Craig Morgan
Maddie & Tae
Gloriana
Dan + Shay
Chase Rice
Parmalee
Jon Pardi
Danielle Bradbery

D-List
The Swon Brothers
Josh Thompson
Love and Theft
Craig Campbell
Jamey Johnson
Cassadee Pope
The Cadillac Three

[jesster]

I think it really depends what the list is being graded on - radio flavor of the month? Body of work? Ability to sell tickets, get faces on tv/magazine covers, get advertising sponsorships? Some acts may have all of those at any given time, some may only have one or two, or never reach the top in any of them.

Also I would personally not label the newcomers or the long-time career stars as A/B/C/D.

The newbies (Maddie & Tae with only one single and very small EP to their current list of credits) have not had time to show a consistent record/trend. And the long-time career stars who reached "A" level and held it for years and are still working hard, by and large can still have amazing careers working from their overall body of work even if today's radio charts aren't their best friend -- still great artists with large followings and versatile career options that frequently let them headline major tours that let some of the up-and-comers and mid-level acts get exposure to large audiences.

Another variable are those acts who are known in the country music world, but also gain name recognition in the general public leading to broader opportunities. Not sure why but the ones who come to mind at first are all women - Carrie, Reba, Dolly, Taylor ... Blake, I suppose with The Voice is another, but I'm not sure how he has spun it into opportunities outside of country music in the same way the ladies have been able to do.

[.indulgecountry]

Dec 29, 2014 8:33:28 GMT -5 @nickv1025 said:

C-List
Danielle Bradbery

D-List

Cassadee Pope

How? These two debuted at almost exactly the same time, each coming off a win on The Voice, and Cassadee outperformed Danielle in every aspect of their careers thus far.

[Deleted]

Dec 30, 2014 14:37:30 GMT -5 .indulgecountry said:

Dec 29, 2014 8:33:28 GMT -5 @nickv1025 said:

C-List
Danielle Bradbery

D-List

Cassadee Pope

How? These two debuted at almost exactly the same time, each coming off a win on The Voice, and Cassadee outperformed Danielle in every aspect of their careers thus far.

Aside from personal exposure to the two, I probably have no other concrete support. You may be very right but at least for me, I've heard a lot more about Danielle in terms of music, touring, The Voice than I have about Cassadee. Honestly I didn't even know she was on The Voice until recently. It could just be localized as well, based on my local radio, etc.

She was also the last person who made the cut for my C-List (she was at the bottom) so I'm betting when I was making it, my familiarity with her pushed her up a bit.

[Markus Meyer]

Yeah, Cassadee has edged out Danielle not just in airplay, but also sales. If anything I'd put Cassadee at C list instead, though I'd probably put both at D list.

[Deleted]

Bumped

I'm gonna go with artists who have charted lets say Top 30 within the last 2 years promising newcomers legends and #failures.

A-list
Miranda Lambert
FGL
Luke Bryan
Blake Shelton
Carrie Underwood
Eric Church
Keith Urban
Little Big Town
Sam Hunt
Tim McGraw
Kenny Chesney
Jason Aldean
ZBB

B-list
Brantley Gilbert
Thomas Rhett
Brett Eldredge
Maddie & Tae
Jake Owen
Cole Swindell
Lady Antebellum
Chris Young
Dierks Bentley
Hunter Hayes
Randy Houser
Billy Currington
Lee Brice
Kelsea Ballerini (please be a-lister soon)
The Band Perry
Frankie Ballard

I decided newcomers who only have a hit or 2 (Brett and Thomas and Cole 3.) Who haven't exploded like Sam Hunt B-list

C-list
Canaan Smith (those album sales)
Michael Ray
Chris Janson
Chase Rice (not convinced he'll stay)
Raelynn
Eli Young Band
Danielle Bradberry
Big & Rich
Parmalee
Chase Bryant
Jana Kramer
Casadee Pope
Craig Campbell
Ashley Monroe
Josh Turner
Joe Nichols
Old Dominion
Sara Evans
Brothers Osborne
Mo Pitney
Cam
Kip Moore
Eric Paslay
Jon Pardi

D-List
Toby Keith
Reba
George Strait
Trisha Yearwood
Gloriana (haha!)
The Cadilac Three
Thompson Square
Charlie Worsham
Swon Brothers
Craig Morgan
Lauren Aliana

F-Tier
Haley Georgia


Did I miss any

[bigfan101]

Think you T2 way too low. Recent duo of the year wins and number one singles give them at least cranking.