In a country as musically diverse as Canada, it’s no wonder that some of the best country singers in the world hail from the Great White North.
From legends like Shania Twain and Anne Murray to up-and-comers like Tenille Townes and Hailey Benedict, Canada has produced some truly exceptional country artists.
And while there are too many great Canadian country singers to list them all, we’ve compiled a list of 50 of the best of the best. This list includes both male and female country singers who helped shaped the sound and style of country music over the years.
Top Best Canadian Country Singers
Here are our top picks for the best Canadian country singers of all time:
1. Shania Twain
With over 100 million records sold worldwide, Shania Twain is perhaps the most successful Canadian country singer of all time.
Grew up in poverty she soon started performing in local clubs at the tender age of only 8 to help pay the bills. And it wasn’t until 1995 that Twain hit the big time with her album “The Woman in Me”, which sold more than 20 million copies worldwide and earned her first Grammy.
She followed that up with the release of “Come On Over” in 1997, which is still the best-selling country album of all time by a female artist. In total, she has 5 Grammy Awards and an unprecedented 27 BMI Songwriter awards.
2. Anne Murray
A true Canadian icon, Anne Murray is a 4-time Grammy Award winner who has sold more than 54 million albums in her career.
She’s best known for her 1974 hit “Snowbird”, which was the first Canadian single to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
She is also a proud supporter of numerous charitable causes, making her one of the most beloved and respected artists in the country. Though today she mostly stays out of the spotlight, her contributions to country music are undeniable.
3. Paul Brandt
This Alberta-born singer got his start singing in church choirs before eventually making his way to Nashville to pursue a career in country music. He released his titled debut album in 1996, which produced the hit single “My Heart Has a History”.
Since then, he’s released 6 more studio albums and has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Juno Award for his fifth studio album “Risk”.
He is also the first male Canadian country singer to get into the Top 10 Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
4. Terri Clark
With her signature cowboy hat and down-to-earth personality, Terri Clark is a true Canadian country music legend. She’s released 11 studio albums, with her most recent one, “Raising the Bar”, released in 2018. Her hits include “Better Things to Do,” “Poor Poor Pitiful Me,” and “Girls Lie Too.”
Clark is a three-time Juno Award winner and was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2018. In addition to her success in Canada, she has also had great success in the United States, where she has charted more than 20 singles on the Billboard country charts.
With all these accomplishments, it would be criminal to not include her on this list.
5. Dean Brody
A more recent addition to the Canadian country music scene, Dean Brody made his debut in 2009 with the release of his self-titled album “Dean Brody”.
The album included the hit single “Brothers”, which reached the top 30 on Billboard Hot Country Songs (US). This was his breakthrough moment, and he’s since gone on to release 7 more studio albums, all of which are successful.
As of today, he holds the record for one of the most Canadian Country Music Association Awards (CCMA) won by a male artist, with 16 awards in total.
6. George Canyon
The man of many jobs, George Canyon is a Juno Award-winning country singer, songwriter, and actor. He came to prominence in 2004 when he was a contestant on CMT’s reality show “Nashville Star”, where he placed 2nd overall.
This led to a record deal and the release of his third studio album, “One Good Friend” which charted 35 on U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums.
Since he has released another 7 studio albums and one compilation album. In addition to his success as a singer, George is also an accomplished actor, appearing in a number of TV shows and movies.
7. k.d. lang
Hailing from Alberta, k.d. lang is a world-renowned singer and songwriter who has been active in the music industry since the early 1980s.
She first gained recognition with her album “Ingenue”, which was released in 1992 and featured the hit single “Constant Craving” and “Miss Chatelaine”.
She has also contributed and performed on soundtracks for popular films and also collaborated with big names, such as Tony Bennett, Anne Murray, and Roy Orbison.
Besides her successful solo career, lang is also a human rights and animal rights activist, which has only added to her legacy.
8. Hank snow
Hank Snow has a career that spanned over five decades and produced some of the most memorable country songs of all time.
Unthinkably, he has recorded 140 albums and released over 500 songs, many of which have become country classics.
He first rose to prominence in the 1940s with his hit song “I’m Moving On”. He continued to have success throughout the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s with songs like “Hello Love” and “Let Me Go, Lover”.
Often considered a singer with a baritone voice, Snow was able to express a wide range of emotions in his songs, which made him a favorite among country music fans.
9. Tenille Townes
Tenille is one of the youngest artists on this list, but she’s already made a big impact with her storytelling lyrics and captivating voice.
Her most loved single to date is probably “Somebody’s Daughter”, which reached the top spot on the Canadian Country charts and certified platinum. The song is an emotional ballad inspired by a homeless girl, Towens saw during a drive with her mother.
As a young artist, she’s only released three albums so far, but we can see her career is only going to continue to grow in the years to come.
10. Lindsay Ell
Another young artist, Lindsay Ell is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Calgary, Alberta. She first started playing piano at the age of six but switched to guitar when she saw her father’s collection of guitars. At only 10 years old, she was already writing her own songs.
With such talent it is only natural that she has had a successful career so far, having released 5 studio albums and charting more than 10 singles on the Canadian country charts.
We can only imagine what the future holds for this talented artist.
Canadian Female Country Singers
From veteran performers like Shania Twain to up-and-comers like Lindi Ortega, Canada has always had a strong presence of female country singers.
These women are not only making great music, but they’re also changing the face of the genre and proving that country isn’t just for men.
They are showing the world that country music is for everyone. And they’re doing it while staying true to their roots and delivering songs that are both catchy and heartfelt.
- Tenille Arts
- Kira Isabella
- Carolyn Dawn Johnson
- k.d. lang
- Jessie Farrell
- Lindsay Ell
- Michelle Wright
- Meghan Patrick
- Lindi Ortega
- Tenille Townes
Canadian Male Country Singers
While the women of Canadian country music are certainly making their mark, the men are also holding their own.
These singers range from older, more established artists like Paul Brandt to newer names like Dean Brody. But one thing they all have in common is that they’re making great music and representing Canada on the world stage.
- Gord Bamford
- Gordon Lightfoot
- Ian Tyson
- Johnny Reid
- Adam Gregory
- Charlie Major
- George Fox
- Stompin’ Tom Connors
- Chris Cummings
- Julian Austin
New Canadian Country Singers
Unlike the singers on this list who have been around for a while, these artists mentioned below are relatively new to the scene.
Their music is new that tackles real-life subject matter, but with a fresh perspective. Additionally, many of these artists are making music that breaks the mold and challenges what people think country music can be.
And while they may not be as well-known as the others on this list, they’re definitely worth checking out.
- Graham Scott Fleming
- Hailey Benedict
- Elyse Saunders
- Riley Taylor
- Five Roses
- Josh Ross
- Dustin Bird
- Greg Rider
- Alexander Ludwig
- Raquel Cole
90s Canadian Country Singers
The 90s was a time of great change for country music. The genre was evolving and artists were starting to experiment with different sounds and styles. This was also the time when many of the singers on this list got their start.
The early 90s saw the rise of artists like Shania Twain and Bryan Adams, who brought country music to a wider audience. But it was later in the decade that Canadian country really came into its own.
With artists like Paul Brandt, Terri Clark, and Keith Urban leading the charge, Canadian country music became more than just a niche genre – it became a force to be reckoned with.
Today, Canadian country music is as popular as ever and continues to produce some of the best talents in the world. The 90s may have been an important decade for the genre, but it’s clear that Canadian country music is here to stay.
- Shania Twain
- Lisa Brokop
- Michelle Wright
- Julian Austin
- Michelle Wright
- k.d. lang
- Chris Cummings
- Charlie Major
- Duane Steele
- Paul Brandt
Modern Canadian Country Singers
Modern country music can be defined as a mix of traditional country and contemporary pop. This blend of styles has created a sound that is unique and appealing to a wide range of listeners. While some purists may not consider this to be true country music, there is no denying its popularity.
So, whether you love it or hate it, modern country is here to stay. And these are some of the singers who are currently leading the charge.
- Sierra Noble
- Larry Berrio
- Kira Isabella
- Tenille Arts
- Tenille Townes
- Crystal Shawanda
- Whitney Rose
- Susan Aglukark
- Diane Chase
- Shae Dupuy
Wrapping Up
These are just a few of the great Canadian country singers out there. There are many more artists making great music and representing Canada on the world stage. And as the genre continues to evolve, we can only imagine what the future holds for Canadian country music. Go ahead and give some of these artists a listen – you might just be surprised by what you find.
