Garth Brooks, Vince Gill or George Strait♥?

GEORGE STRAIT!!!!!! I LOVE King George sooooo much! He is my favorite singer EVER!!!!!!

First, I agree with many previous respondents that George Strait is the best thing to happen to country music since Merle, Conway and George (Jones) "owned" the airwaves.

He's been active for nearly 25 years and continues to produce nothing less than excellent "authentic country" (and the occasional western swing) songs. He's a "shoe in" for the CMA Hall of Fame - it's just a matter of time.

Strangely enough, Ray Benson, co-founder and leader of Asleep at the Wheel discovered him singing at a club in Oklahoma c. 1980-81 - it might have been Cain's Ballroom.

Ray, while having a great band for 35 years, has only had 1 or 2 relatively obscure hits..his "discovery i.e. George Strait has pretty much broken every hit record/album sales record.

So having agreed with you and many others that Strait is indeed the "King," I should mention that both Garth Brooks and Vince Gill bring a lot to the table as well.

Garth, aside from being an excellent writer/vocalist, was also a dominant force in country music. I think aside from some terrific tunes, Garth really excelled in marketing his music to the masses. Many young folks who had no previous interest in country music, were exposed to live shows that rivaled anything that modern rock had to offer. Garth was a fanatic on ensuring that his concerts were huge productions. The liberal use of lighting effects, superior sound systems, ans so on defined his act. The "kids" loved it and as a result, we have a whole new generation of C&W fans.

Vince Gill is no "slouch either." He is a superb guitar player, having worked with his ex in the "Sweethearts of the Rodeo."

His guitar playing and exceptional high tenor voice, along with some very very pretty songs are among his real attributes. Note that his duet with Patty Loveless "My kind of Woman (My kind of Man) is one of the finest (pure country) duets Nashville has produced in years.

This, and a number of other ballads are also 3/4 time waltzes - something that had almost been completley abadoned in country music. He was, is, and always will be a "force" in country music - just much more subtle than Garth.

How can you not be familiar with Garth Brooks?

George Strait is awesome too, but nobody beats Garth.

I would go with Garth or George, probably George first though. I was at the Opry for the 50th anniversary of Hank Sr's death and Vince Gill was there. It was a complete abomination he was there. He got more air time than Hank Jr, and way more than Hank 3. I would not p*ss on him if he was on fire. I also talked to Hank III's bass player recently about that show, and he said Vince was the biggest prick in the world back there, like people came to see him. I will never listen or respect him.

Garth Brooks

King George!

1. George Strait

2.Vince Gill

3. Garth Brooks, but Garth aint on my radar when there's others that are better.

Good ol george-- but garth has been coming out with a few songs i really like too!! so it's kinda a toss up

George Strait is the greatest.

I'm with you on that-- George Strait

Vince and Garth are right up there tho

George Strait of course!!!