Number 1: Miranda Lambert

My love, my inspiration, the most amazing woman in music....any music. Now I know that this whole countdown has been all men, but Miranda Lambert trumps all of them. I'm not a huge fan of women country music singers for some reason, I'm not exactly sure why. But Miranda has something in common with all of the guys on this countdown besides talent. She's a bad ass. I'm not going to go through all of the awards that she has won or her albums. Because this is someone that I'm extremely passionate about. Her lyrics are about things that she saw growing up in Texas with her family and she either writes her entire songs herself or has a hand in writing all of her songs. Her voice has a twang unlike that of any other woman. She recently teamed up with two other country artists, who are also her best friends to form the band Pistol Annies. THEY'RE AMAZING!! Their songs sound just like old school country and the album has been referred to as the soundtrack to the recession. When you listen to Miranda sing, you forget that she's a famous artist. She sings about stuff that everyone can relate to, no matter where you're from. The greatest thing about this girl is that she doesn't care about what anyone thinks or says about her. And she stands up for what she believes in 100%. She sings about a broken heart in a way that is so different from the way other girls sing. "It's gonna be easy to fill the heart of a thirsty woman. And harder to kill the ghost of a no good man. And I'll be ridin' high in a fandangled sky. It's gonna be easy, it's gonna be easy from now on." Miranda is not afraid to admit she has emotions and gets a little crazy sometimes. She makes me proud to be a woman, she's beautiful, and she's got a killer voice. And that's why I love her.

So, that's the countdown. Clearly there's a pattern in the people that I love. But here's a list of people that didn't make the cut, but I still love!

Honorable Mention: Josh Thompson, Josh Turner, Eli Young Band, Carrie Underwood, Billy Currington, Craig Morgan, Gretchen Wilson, Jake Owen, James Otto, Jamey Johnson, and Randy Houser.

Number 2: Luke Bryan

Oh my gosh. Look at that smile! It's no wonder why Luke Bryan is my number 2! Once again, I've seen this hottie in concert and let me tell ya, he sure can shake it! He's got such a cute, sexy way about him, and he just looks like such a good guy! Now enough about his amazing looks (and they are amazing), let's talk music! This cutie came on the country music scene in 2007 with his first cd, I'll Stay Me. Luke had a few big hits off of that cd, including, "All My Friends Say" which he became known for. His second cd, Doin My Thing, was a success with the ballad "Do I" and the fun songs "Rain is a Good Thing" and "Someone Else Calling You Baby". That cd was amazing, talking about what country really is and growing up on the farm. But in the summer of 2012, Luke released Tailgates and Tanlines. And with it, the huge hit, "Country Girl (Shake It for Me)" He followed up that single with "I Don't Want This Night To End" and hopefully "Drunk On You" will gain recognition soon. I saw that one in concert and it gave me chills! In 2010, Luke won 2 ACMA's, including "Top New Artist". He's been nominated for other awards since, but no wins just yet. From a small town in Georgia, Luke certainly knows where he came from and how he grew up and he lets us all know. His song from Doin' My Thing-"That's What Country Is" gives us a definition of what country is, and not what mainstream influences has made it. Luke sings about hunting and women, in a way that a lot of country guys don't do. He doesn't have that bad ass attitude, and maybe that is what sets him apart from the rest. He sings about what he believes in and doesn't have to criticize anyone in the process. He simply sings what he feels, and that amazing voice with that southern draw just makes a heart melt! "I held you closer than I had a right to hold. But the only thing that time can't take away....is I knew you that way" See what I mean? That lyric is from the song "I Knew You That Way" from Tailgates and Tanlines. He's just so amazing. His words, his voice, his look. This guy has it all....and he's so humbled! And I am so humbled just to hear his music!

Number 3: Eric Church

Three albums into his career and Eric Church is finally getting the recognition he deserves. Let's get the awards out the of the way first. In 2011, Eric Church took home an ACMA award for "Top New Solo Vocalist". Eric's first album, Sinners Like Me was released in 2006. Although none of the songs were a huge success, the album gave Eric encouragement to push on. In 2009, Eric's big break happened. His album Carolina and the single "Love Your Love the Most" put Eric on the country map. It was an over night success, and he then released "Smoke a Little Smoke" as well as "Hell on the Heart"-two more big successes. So with a huge success like Carolina, Eric had a follow up cd, and in my opinion, the best yet, Chief in the summer of 2012. He released the song "Homeboy" and country lovers everywhere fell in love with Eric again. He has since released "Drink in my Hand" and "Springsteen". Every song on this album is amazing-seriously. The Grammy's decided to give Eric a little recognition and nominated Chief for "Best Country Album." Eric didn't win, and I was mad. The other contenders have had their time in the spotlight, in my opinion, it's Eric's turn. From North Carolina, Eric draws inspiration from all of his life experiences. He sings about the generic country topics: homeland, losing women, loving women, being a sinner, and drinkin beer. But Eric does it in a way that really tells a story. He sings with a bad ass attitude, like a lot of new country artists, but also with his whole heart. In his first big hit, "Love Your Love the Most", Eric lists all of his favorite things, but a woman's (his wife) love is what he loves more than anything. His tender, loving lyrics win the ladies over. And his songs about drinkin beer and workin hard speak to men. When he sings about losing love, he often does in a way that makes you happy that she's gone. Such as in the song from Chief, "Creepin" "Head to the future, run from the past. Hide from the mirror, live in a glass. What dreams forget, the whiskey remembers. Kinda like molasses in late December. Just a creepin" This upbeat tune is one of my favorites. It makes listeners feel better about love lost. Of course there's pain behind the words, but there's also attitude and strength, and for that, I love Eric Church!

Number 4: Justin Moore

Now we're gettin in to some newer, bad ass country. And none other than the 5'6 country bad ass, Justin Moore is my number 4 pick. Once again, I've seen this guy in concert....and man does he put on a show! The backdrop of his set up said NRA Country....so we know where he stands. In 2009, Justin released his self-titled, debut album. With songs such as "I Could Kick Your Ass", "Smalltown USA", "Backwoods", and "Hank It", it was clear that this guy was no joke. In the summer of 2011, Justin released his second album, Outlaws Like Me, with the songs "Bait a Hook", "If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away", and "If You Don't Like My Twang". You're in luck, Justin, because I love your twang! From Arkansas, Justin learned how to be a bad ass and his spunk made up for his small stature. Unfortunately, Justin hasn't been nominated for any huge awards, but he did win two Inspirational Country Music Awards in 2011. His Southern draw is ridiculous and thick. His lyrics are amazing and really get you pumped up and proud to be an American. He sings about where he grew up and what he loves about it ("Redneck Side", "Smalltown USA", "The Only Place I Call Home"). He responds to the people who don't like the way he sings ("If You Don't Like My Twang", "I Could Kick Your Ass"). He stands up for what he believes in ("Guns"). He is also sure to always pay homage to where he came from ("Flyin Down a Back Road"). And of course, he sings about his rough ways in the song "Outlaws Like Me"-"I curse the sun. I pray for rain. I'd run a mile to walk through pain. I've seen the worst and I've seen the best that I can be. God bless outlaws like me."Justin has such an "I don't care" attitude and a killer voice. I'm bummed that he hasn't won any ACA's or AMA's or Grammy's, but he's only a couple years into his career. I'm sure there will be much more comin from this country rock star!

Number 5: Chris Young

Number 5 is the 2006 winner of Nashville Star, Chris Young. After his win, Chris released his self titled debut, with the hits "Drinking Me Lonely" and "You're Gonna Love Me." Chris's second album, The Man I Want To Be is the one that got my attention. The song "Gettin You Home" hit the radio in 2009 and became a quick country favorite. This is when I really started to love Chris Young. I got the album as soon as it came out and each song was just as good as the last one. In 2011, Chris won two ACA's for "Breakthrough Artist of the Year" and "Single of the Year" for his song "Voices". He released his third studio album, Neon in the summer of 2011. And let me tell ya, it's just as good as the other two. Chris hasn't had a whole lot of exposure, so there is less history for me to talk about. This is good because I can tell ya'll how I really feel about this guy. This Tennessee native has such a unique voice. It's deep and twangy and he somehow manages to almost yodel in a very country way. He sings about the things that are traditionally sung about in country music, but he does it a little differently. Chris' songs are about influences of family, being a man, and loving a woman. His songs tell stories, such as the song about a brother who is a Marine going off to duty, "The Dashboard". Through his songs, it is clear that family had a huge influence on who he is today, and without them he wouldn't have gotten far. The words he sings and the manner in which he sings them lets the listener know how passionate he is about that which he is singing. "She's got this thing about her, she's got this thing about her. Like the magic in your favorite song, you just can't put your finger on." His voice is unlike any other and just melts your heart when you hear him sing. And for this reason, I love me some Chris Young!

Number 6: Jason Aldean

Jason Aldean, or as he is know by his family, Jason Aldine Williams, has only been on the country scene for about 7 years now. But when he hit the scene, he hit it hard. Once again, I must testify that I've seen this guy in concert, and although he seemed pretty drunk, he put on a great show, bringing out folks like Colt Ford and Kelly Clarkson to rock out on stage with him. Jason, another Georgia native, won his first ACM award in 2005 for "Top New Male Vocalist." He easily coasted into popularity in fame with hits such as "Amarillo Sky", "Hicktown", and "Why", all from his first, self-titled album. Only two years later, Jason released the album Relentless and the hits "Johnny Cash", "Laughed Until We Cried", and "Relentless". But it was his release in 2009 release of the cd, Wide Open that made Mr. Aldean a household name. The song "She's Country" was played (and still is played) on radios everywhere. From that cd, "Crazy Town", "The Truth", and the huge hit, "Big Green Tractor" became quick favorites of country fans. Only a year later Jason released the highly anticipated, My Kinda Party, and the title track became a huge sensation. Jason won "Album of the Year" in 2010 for this cd from the CMA's. Now here is what grinds my gears about this. You see that the album was released in 2010, so why is it that the Grammy Association is just now nominating him for releases from this album? Of course, he has yet to release another one due to all of the success he's had, but true Aldean fans are waiting impatiently on some new material. In 2011, My Kinda Party 6 AMA's, including "Artist of the Year" and "Album of the Year". Clearly, Jason is talented, and very popular, probably the most popular guy on this countdown. Jason is the definition of new country-he sings about partying, living life to the fullest, loving, losing, and always paying homage to farmers and workers who make this country what it is. Jason's lyrics are filled with heart, and to the point, even simple. "If I hurry I can catch the colors on her skin from that sunset, and her face and that look, waiting on me.This I gotta see" I've heard a lot of people make fun of how easy his lyrics are, but you can't deny that voice, and clearly America loves them some Jason. Hopefully we'll be hearing some new stuff from the guy really soon!

Number 7: Blake Shelton

Now, I know what you're thinking, Blake Shelton has been around for over a decade, so why is he on a list of newer artists? With the release of his first big hit, "Austin", Blake made waves in the world of country music. But he is just now becoming a household name due to his appearance as a judge on the hit tv show "The Voice." Blake has released more than 8 albums, his most recent, Red River Blue, was released in the summer of 2011. So what makes Blake so amazing besides that pretty smile and his 6'4 stance? Well, for one, his wife. (Miranda Lambert, my love, my inspiration, I like to think of Blake and Miranda as a modern day Johnny and June) But we'll get to her later on in the countdown. ;) Blake's debut, self titled album had three big hits, that are still played regularly on country radio today. After the beginners luck of his first album, Blake didn't have another big record until 2004, with the album, Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill and the hit, "Some Beach". In 2007, Blake released Pure BS, then in 2008, Startin' Fires, and in 2009, Hillbilly Bone. Beginning in 2007, Blake's success returned and he's been on a roll ever since. At the 2012 Grammy Awards, Blake was up for the titles of "Best Country Solo Performance, "Best Country Song", and "Best Country Album." Although he didn't win, it was a huge accomplishment as an artist. Although I am not the biggest fan of Blake's newest album, Red River Blue, I am a fan of his older work, and therefore I am loyal to him. (As a true country music fan is). Blake sings of drinking, not giving a damn ("Kiss My Country Ass"), women, losing love, and his time spent in his home state, Oklahoma. He's known for his tale of jail break in the song, "Ol' Red." As well as his duet about not denying where you came from with Trace Adkins, "Hillbilly Bone". Blake also knows how to sing a great love song, as noted by his lyrics in the song "Over", "So tell me what I gotta do to win you over. You'll never have to wonder if you need another. You'll never have to wonder if I understand; And every time you reach for me you'll find a hand." See what I mean? Blake's humor and eye for talent landed him a spot on "The Voice" and America fell in love with him. What's next for Blake? Hopefully more music, really reaching back to his roots. And maybe a baby? His marriage to Miranda Lambert is almost a year in now, and there's talk of starting a family. Either way, Blake has a huge fan base and a lot of talent to back up his cocky attitude!