Country Radio Stations

Introduction to Country

If we want to find the origins of country music we must go back to the 19th and 20th centuries in the southern regions of the United States. Some would argue country music originated even earlier. Its roots are strongly tied to folks gathering around and singing songs of longing for a homeland, love, family, friendship, and work. This genre is characterized by motifs combined with acoustic guitars and raw lyrics. Appalachian mountain music is also an early form that merged with elements of folk, blues, and gospel to create modern country music.

In order to understand country music we must also mention The Bristol Sessions which marked the first commercial recordings of country artists. Some of the pioneers were the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers. As the years went on to the 40s and the 50s, artists like Hank Willians, Patsy Cline, and Johnny Cash modernized country music and made it more accessible to the public.

Over the years, country music became more polished and orchestrated through Nashville Sound. Contributions by talented artists refined the genre and it started to blend with other modern forms of music like pop creating country pop. Today, numerous popular contemporary US artists are influenced by country music blending their own unique sound with elements from the genre.

Bluegrass, outlaw country, and country rock are just some modern innovations that can be found. Country is at its core a form of storytelling, reflecting on the struggles or joys of everyday life experiences.

Top 5 Radio Stations Playing Country

Reading about country music is one thing, but to truly experience it we recommend these 5 popular radio stations playing country music. A lot of popular options come from the US, but there are other countries that broadcast this genre as well.

WSM-FM (95.5 FM) – Nashville, Tennessee, United States – Remember how we talked about Nashville being a big catalyst for country music? Well, this station known as "Nash FM 95.5" is one of the leading country music stations in Nashville, the heart of this genre.

WKLB-FM (102.5 FM) – Boston, Massachusetts, United States – Known as "Country 102.5" this station plays both contemporary and older hits from the Boston area.

KKBQ-FM (92.9 FM) – Houston, Texas, United States – More commonly referred to as "The New 92.9," this station delivers a wide range of country music, from chart-topping hits to classic favorites catering to the vibrant country music scene in Houston.

CMC (Country Music Channel) – Australia – Outside of the US, country music is also popular in Australia with CMC being a dedicated broadcast that plays numerous artists from all walks of life.

BBC Radio 2 Country – United Kingdom – From established to emerging country artists, this is one of the most popular UK country music options for the Europe audience.

These are just a few popular country music radio stations, you can find many more on our website where you can listen to this genre for free 24/7.

Featured Artists in Country

Besides popular radio stations, we also wanted to highlight some pioneers and contemporary artists in the country music genre:

• Johnny Cash – Cash is known as one of the most influential country music artists of all time. His distinct voice, lyrics, and repertoire of songs immortalized him in the country hall of Fame. His hits include "Ring of Fire," "Folsom Prison Blues," and "Walk the Line".
• Dolly Parton - Known for her powerful voice, songwriting mastery, and a captivating stage presence, Dolly Parton has left an indelible mark on the country music scene. Her hits include "Jolene," "I Will Always Love You," and "9 to 5."
• Luke Combs – On the modern side of things, one of the more popular contemporary artists is Luke Combs known for his powerful vocals and relatable lyrics. He has quickly risen to fame in the country music scene through hits like "Hurricane," "Beautiful Crazy," and "Beer Never Broke My Heart."
• Carrie Underwood – Carrie Underwood rose to fame as the winner of American Idol and has since become one of the most successful country artists of her generation. Known for her powerful vocals and heartfelt storytelling, she has released hits like "Before He Cheats," "Jesus, Take the Wheel," and "Cry Pretty."
• Chris Stapleton - Renowned for his soulful voice and exceptional songwriting skills, Chris Stapleton has gained acclaim in both the country and mainstream music worlds. His notable songs include "Tennessee Whiskey," "Broken Halos," and "Parachute."

The country music community of artists and bands is a vast one so there is always someone new to discover or some established artists to listen to again.

Iconic Songs in Country

There are some especially popular songs considered to be anthems of country and folk music. Furthermore, there are also great modern country songs that have made the genre more accessible to contemporary audiences. In this list, we want to outline such hits and showcase some great iconic hits for you to listen to.

• "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash – This 1963 hit, co-written by June Carter and Merle Kilgore, showcases Cash's signature deep voice and distinct sound, becoming one of his most recognizable and enduring songs.
• "Country Roads" by John Denver – It was originally recorded by John Denver and released as a single in 1971. Today, it is considered to be one of the great anthems of country and folk music featuring a deep and profound nostalgic feeling towards one’s homeland. 
• "Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood – Released in 2005, this empowering revenge story showcases Underwood's explosive vocals and lyrics earning her numerous awards.
• "Body Like a Back Road" by Sam Hunt – Released in 2017, this modern country-pop crossover became a chart-topping hit with its catchy lyrics and infectious groove.

• "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – Blending the old and the new, this country-hip hop hit became a viral sensation and took the world by storm. It broke records, dominated the charts, and showcased the power of blending genres and embracing individuality.

As always, these are just a few showcases of popular country music hits. There are countless other great songs featuring the powerful storytelling ability of this genre. Tune into our top country music radio stations to discover them all.

Additional Information for Country Fans

If you like Country music chances, are you are adventurous and like travelling as well. Here are some additional exciting Country music events happening annually around the world. Some are festivals you can visit and some are broadcasted.

• CMA Music Festival: Held annually in Nashville, Tennessee, this four-day festival features performances by world-renowned country artists. You can enjoy concerts and even meet your favorite country personality through meet’n’greets and signings.
• Stagecoach Festival: Also known as "California's Country Music Festival," Stagecoach takes place in Indio, California. It features a diverse lineup of both established and up-and-coming artists.
• Grand Ole Opry: The Grand Ole Opry is a famous weekly country music stage concert in Nashville. It has been broadcasted on the radio since 1925 and on television since 1955, showcasing the best in country music.
• Country Music Association Awards (CMA Awards): An annual broadcasted award ceremony show that celebrates great songs and artists in the industry. It also features performances, presentations, and collaborations between these great names.

We hope this country radio stations page has been useful in helping you find great songs and artists to listen to. Remember that on LRS, you can listen to any station for free in the background while you browse around other genres and formats sorted by city and country.