Reckon: The Rise of Country Stars

The number of female country artists has grown over time, but four truly stand out in the current climate: Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, and Kelsea Ballerini.

The country music genre is ripe with solo artists, and although it can be tough for some to share the spotlight, many have also found fame in groups.

The working class American male is the heart and soul of the origins of country music, and these four men couldn't be better examples.

In country music, men have proved to be a dominating force. Whether growing up on back country roads or fame through reality TV, each superstar has a unique musical story to tell.

As country music continues to expand onto a global scale, the musicians at the forefront have increasingly been making their debuts as duos, trios and larger bands.

It may be surprising to know that most of these four superstars have careers dating back no further than the start of the twenty-first century, with Keith the only outlier.