For many, the '90s are considered the epitome of country music. For numerous artists, like Tim McGraw and Brooks & Dunn, they have continued to find success in the decades since then. But for several, their most notable decade is in the '90s. We picked four of our favorite artists from that decade, whose music still deserves to be listened to today.
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1. Wade Hayes
Wade Hayes had a No. 1 hit with his debut single, "Old Enough to Know Better," in 1994. Hayes followed that up with several more hit singles, including "On A Good Night," "The Day She Left Tulsa (In A Chevy)," and more. Hayes' voice is not only immediately recognizable, but he is still making music and performing, even after a bout with colon cancer.
In 2023, Hayes released Old Country Still Rocks, covering some of country music's biggest hits.
2. Deana Carter
Who can forget Deana Carter's No. 1 hit, "Strawberry Wine," out in 1996? The song was Carter's third single, from her freshman Did I Shave My Legs For This?, and won Carter a CMA Award for Song of the Year.
Carter followed that up with other hit singles, like "We Danced Anyway," "Count Me In," "How Do I Get There" and more.
Carter might not have hits on radio anymore, but she sounds better than ever, and is still making music and performing. Carter recently opened up for Blake Shelton, on his 2025 Friends and Heroes Tour.
3. Collin Raye
Collin Raye's voice was all over the '90s. Raye had a chart-topping single in 1991 with "Love, Me." He followed that with more than 20 Top 10 singles, including No. 1 hits like "In This Life," "My Kind of Girl," "I Can Still Feel You" and more. Raye's voice is like pure country gold, and is instantly recognizable.
Raye is still performing, and still sounds amazing. If there is a '90s artist that is worthy of a major comeback, it's Raye.
4. Diamond Rio
LIke Raye, Diamond Rio spent almost the entire '90s decade on country radio. The group's debut single, "Meet in the Middle," landed at the top of the charts in 1991. Diamond Rio had hits for the next dozen years, before country music trends moved on to an edgier sound. But Diamond Rio still performs, even adding two new band members in 2023, including the group's first female artist.
Diamond Rio also keeps an incredibly busy tour schedule, which means their fans are still as in love with their music as they were more than 30 years ago.
