Why These Pop Stars Would Make Great Country Singers
There are so many reasons why these pop stars would make great country singers. First of all, they’re great vocalists so we know they can use their chops to sing with the likes of Carrie Underwood and Chris Stapleton.
Pop artists “going country” can help them explore a new market, expand their audience and give them creative space to try different sounds and styles (cue the banjos and fiddles!) And instead of working with just electronic sounds made by a computer, these pop singers would have the opportunity to play with studio musicians playing real instruments. That’s a fun experience and one that might be different for them.
Some of these pop stars have already collaborated with country artists, so it almost seems like they are part of our cute little country family. And we love them for that! We respect these artists for stepping out of their comfort zones and singing songs about love, heartbreak, faith and family (and of course, beer!)
As Alan Jackson sang best, “…So she packs her bags to try her hand // Says this might be my last chance // She’s gone country, look at them boots // She’s gone country, back to her roots // She’s gone country a new kind of suit // She’s gone country, here she comes.”
These 10 pop stars will be amazing country artists if they ever choose to release a country album. And if they do, you betcha we will be the first ones to buy it.
Our Pop Star Picks
10. P!nk
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
P!nk has a strong, emotional voice and great songwriting which would translate well to a country artist. Both are key elements of the genre. She has also collaborated in the past with country artists such as Kenny Chesney, Dolly Parton and Chris Stapleton. She’s also demonstrated an appreciation for country music throughout her career and has proven that she can get into the genre and really make it her own.
9. Adele
Though not really a hype woman, Adele’s Super Bowl performance would surely sway even the most hardened of football fans to appreciate her amazing singing abilities.
Adele has a powerful voice that could make her a great fit for country music. Her songs often touch on themes of love, heartbreak, family, and relationships, which are common topics in country music. Additionally, Adele already has a huge and loyal international fan base, so if she were to transition to country music, she could potentially bring a large number of new listeners to the genre.
8. Justin Timberlake
(Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
Justin Timberlake has a great voice and singing style that could easily transfer over to country music. He already has a proven track record of success in other music genres, and he has some familiarity with country music and Nashville through his numerous collaborations with other country artists like Chris Stapleton. He also has the star power and charisma to draw in a fan base in the more mainstream country music world.
7. John Mayer
(Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for Alicia Keys)
John Mayer has experience as a singer, songwriter, and guitar player, making him a great asset to any country music project. He also has a great understanding of the history and traditions of both rock and country music, which gives him an in-depth appreciation of the genre that many other artists may not have. Additionally, his ability to craft thoughtful lyrics and emotion-filled melodies would make his transition to country music relatively effortless. He’s also released songs that have a very Americana/country vibe.
6. Ed Sheeran
(Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)
Ed Sheeran has already gained success in the pop, rock and folk music genres, and he has already had multiple collaborations with country music artists, so he has the creative talent and versatility to make a good country artist. He is also a talented songwriter, and he has a strong vocal ability and engaging stage presence which both make him well-suited to the genre. Finally, he has a passionate and loyal fan-base that would be likely to follow him as he ventures into this new musical direction. We loved his duet with Luke Combs.
5. Beyonce
(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Beyoncé has a wide range of vocal talent and genre-spanning success that could easily be applied to a career as a country artist. Her powerful voice and confident stage presence make her an ideal choice for a star in that genre, and with her willingness to take creative risks and experiment with different sounds, she could make a memorable and unique mark on the genre. Her fans are already very diverse, which gives her a great platform to expand her reach with a different sound. And we have her collab with The Chicks on repeat
4. Miley Cyrus
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Miley Cyrus has made her mark on the music industry as a pop star, but she has deep country roots. Her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, is a country singer and she was raised in Nashville, Tennessee. She has the experience and talent to deliver a powerful performance in the country genre, especially having grown up playing in her dad’s band. Additionally, her music naturally has a country tinge to it, with influences of Americana and other influences from her upbringing. Miley has also recently been performing covers of classic country songs at her shows, as well as new takes on them. And her Godmother is the one and only Dolly Parton!
3. Justin Bieber
(Photo by Getty Images/Dave Hogan for One Love Manchester)
Justin Bieber has displayed a talent for song writing and singing, and his voice and style are quite versatile. He has the potential to be a successful country artist, as long as he can tap into elements of the genre that make it unique. He has a unique ability to write meaningful lyrics, sing with emotion, and combine elements of contemporary and classic country. He’s done songs with Dan + Shay and Rasal Flatts!2. Avril Lavigne
(Photo by Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images for Clear Channel)
Avril Lavigne is a great artist who has found success with her poppy-punk sound, but her music often has a country feel to it that could be emphasized to make her a great country artist. Her music has a twangy vibe, straightforward lyrics, and a sense of story that many country songs have. Additionally, Avril has a remarkable stage presence and is adept at connecting with the audience, both of which would work well in the country music world. And did you see her tribute to Shania Twain? Even Shania said Avril should have gone country!
1. Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson has already proven to have the talent and charisma to be a successful country artist. Her fans know she can handle any genre, and her powerful vocals, songwriting skills and broad fan base makes her an ideal fit for the country music scene. She already has a few collaborations and guest appearances in country music and she has demonstrated an ability to effortlessly pull off country vibes in many of her pop records. And who can forget her duet with Jason Aldean!
