Markus Meyer
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Post by Markus Meyer on May 16, 2014 17:05:20 GMT -5
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
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2014 17:10:22 GMT -5
A-List: Florida Georgia Line Luke Bryan Blake Shelton Jason Aldean Carrie Underwood Zac Brown Band + Miranda Lambert
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carriekins
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Post by carriekins on May 16, 2014 22:28:05 GMT -5
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.
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jdbowman
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Post by jdbowman on May 16, 2014 22:59:09 GMT -5
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
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Markus Meyer
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Post by Markus Meyer on May 17, 2014 0:21:57 GMT -5
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.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2014 3:40:01 GMT -5
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.
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onebuffalo
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Post by onebuffalo on May 17, 2014 7:44:24 GMT -5
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!
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carriekins
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Post by carriekins on May 17, 2014 8:58:22 GMT -5
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.
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Markus Meyer
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Post by Markus Meyer on May 17, 2014 11:25:54 GMT -5
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
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zjames
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Post by zjames on May 17, 2014 17:11:34 GMT -5
I'd throw Kip Moore and Lee Brice on the B-List.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2014 19:14:59 GMT -5
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
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.indulgecountry
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Post by .indulgecountry on May 17, 2014 23:17:50 GMT -5
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. 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.
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Post by ryanroberts on May 23, 2014 20:15:32 GMT -5
I would put Jerrod Niemann and Randy Houser on the B-List.
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Kat5Kind
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Post by Kat5Kind on Jun 2, 2014 17:08:32 GMT -5
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.
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sabre14
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Post by sabre14 on Jun 2, 2014 17:29:12 GMT -5
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.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2014 0:04:12 GMT -5
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
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Markus Meyer
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Post by Markus Meyer on Dec 28, 2014 1:35:26 GMT -5
zack97While 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.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2014 8:42:49 GMT -5
zack97While 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
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gonecountry
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Post by gonecountry on Dec 28, 2014 20:09:38 GMT -5
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
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Markus Meyer
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Post by Markus Meyer on Dec 28, 2014 20:39:30 GMT -5
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.
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gonecountry
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Post by gonecountry on Dec 28, 2014 21:07:53 GMT -5
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"
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dm2081
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Post by dm2081 on Dec 28, 2014 21:18:22 GMT -5
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?
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sabre14
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Post by sabre14 on Dec 28, 2014 21:36:16 GMT -5
^ 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.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 29, 2014 8:33:28 GMT -5
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
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jesster
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Post by jesster on Dec 29, 2014 20:47:39 GMT -5
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.
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.indulgecountry
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Post by .indulgecountry on Dec 30, 2014 14:37:30 GMT -5
C-ListDanielle 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.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2014 15:39:07 GMT -5
C-ListDanielle 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.
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Markus Meyer
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Post by Markus Meyer on Dec 30, 2014 18:30:49 GMT -5
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.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2015 19:29:09 GMT -5
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
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bigfan101
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Post by bigfan101 on Jul 14, 2015 19:35:35 GMT -5
Think you T2 way too low. Recent duo of the year wins and number one singles give them at least cranking.
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