Showing posts with label Top Artists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Top Artists. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Top 100 Artists Last group

Here it is. The top 20 in my artists. There are a few that made this group because of my love of their music, but for the most part I tried to be as objective as possible.

20: Garth Brooks: The face of Country music in the 90’s. He helped bring country music into the mainstream. He has several great songs. I even bought his box set, which is quite good.

19: Maria Carey: A great singer. She has been a constant in the music industry for many years. Her voice is unreal; too bad she is so weird. Looking forward to more of her music. She has over 15 number 1 singles already, and will most likely put out even more.

18: Journey: A great group. I still enjoy many of the songs they put out.

17: Sting: He was great in a group and as a solo artist. His voice is so distinct that it is hard to see anyone imitating him ever.

16: James Taylor: He has some great music. I still listen to his greatest hits while driving around.

15: Steven Curtis Chapman: My personal all-time favorite. He has produced hits since the early 1990’s and still is putting out great albums. His most well know (I will be here) is still played in many weddings.

14: Michael W. Smith: A stalwart in Christian music. For many years he was the face of the entire industry. He still puts out great worship music even today.

13: Nirvana: Dominated the music scene for several years. The music still reminds me of the mid-90’s.

12: Beach Boys: This was a great group. Have many hits that still make you want to sing today.

11: Led Zeppelin: Not my favorite. But they have sold more records than anyone other than the Beatles in the U.S.

10: Pearl Jam: This group was a great group for several years. I have always thought they were way under-appreciated for the impact on the music industry.

9: DC Talk: I feel this is the best group that existed in Christian Music. They were back in the days when old school rap was the way to go, and evolved into a great alternative sound.

8: Queen: I think the greatest group. They have many hits to back it up. And are still played today.

7: Metallica: A great group. They could easily be higher on the list. The Black album is a classic, but they have produced great songs throughout the years. Jamey actually came down the aisle to a Metallica song.

6: Pink Floyd: Again, not my cup of tea, but the music sold more copies than almost any other group.

5: Madonna: She changed music forever. Not always in a good way. But her influence is unmistakable.

4: Michael Jackson/Jackson 5: I know he is a terrible person today, but he was the king of pop. His impact still resonates in the music industry. And the Jackson 5 probably could have made the list on it’s own.

3: The Beatles: Way before my time, but I cannot argue with all they have accomplished, and the effect they have left in the music industry.

2: U2: A great group that has spanned the decades. They had great music back in the 80’s and have great music today. The Joshua Tree has to be one of the best all-time albums.

1: Elvis: He has to be at the top. How many people have a city named after them? His songs are still played and will always be played. He was more than just a great singer, but now is a historical figure.

Well, that is the list. Let me know who I left off that should have been included, or who shouldn’t have even been on the list. Who should be higher than who, and so on…

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Top 100 Artists part IV

Here are 40-21. Tell me who is too high/low.

40: Dave Matthews Band: Too many are almost in a worship-like trance when it comes to them to not include them on this list.

39: Patsy Cline: The greatest woman country singer. She has been the inspiration to many that have come after her.

38: Eric Clapton: He put out several albums that were at the top. Great to just sit and listen to a soothing voice. Change the world is a great one.

37: Third Day: Another great Christian group. They are in their peak now, so it might be too soon to judge them. Hopefully they will put out a few more albums like the first few and continue to be a great group.

36: Eagles: A good group. To put them higher would be I think to over-rate how good they were. Although, Hotel California is still a great song.

35: Barbara Streisand: Put out many albums that were very solid. She gets this high for her longevity and the sheer numbers of her fan-base.

34: Bruce Spingsteen: Great artist that was great to hear live.

33: Louis Armstrong: The father of the Jazz singers. Many still love to impersonate this great singer.

32: Phil Collins: A great artist. He has many hits by himself and with the group Genesis. “In the air tonight” is still one of my favorites right before a game on Friday night.

31: Harry Connick Jr: This one is for Jamey, although he has sold millions of albums, and still continues to put them out today.

30: Tim McGraw: He is still dominating the Country music scene. With over 7 singles off one album he established himself and he has not stopped putting out great music. His newest “My little girl” is a must listen to for all the dads out there.

29: Jimi Hendrix: He has influenced many with the guitar solos and unique music. Often imitated, but never duplicated.

28: Prince: “Purple Rain” is a great song. He has many others that have become great songs as well.

27: Chicago: A very good group. I have enjoyed their music for a long time. They have many songs that will stay around for a long time.

26: Elton John: Some would not include him on the list and others of you are telling me how dumb I am to have him this low. He has produced some great songs and is an icon in the music industry now.

25: Whitney Houston: Probably has the best voice of all-time. Her music gives anyone goosebumps.

24: The Temptations: “Sittin by the dock of the Bay” is a classic, as is most of their music. They have inspired many to sing in their style.

23: Lionel Richie: A great artist that had several albums in a row that were successful.

22: Bob Marley: A great artist in his own style. He has brought many who would love to copy his music into the industry.

21: The Rolling Stones: Alright, before you old fogies get onto me. This group has been old and not very good since the 1980’s so I am not counting longevity. Still they were good back in the day.

Friday, December 01, 2006

Top 100 Artists Part III

Here is 60-41. Let the comments fly.

60: John Mellencamp: Another artist that I did not realize had sold so much music.

59: Stevie Wonder: A great musician that has a voice that I could listen to all day. Not to mention the fact that he is blind.

58: 2 Pac/Biggie Smalls: I know I am putting 2 together, but the impact of their careers, and deaths, is still felt in rap music.

57: Shania Twain: I know she has not done much since her 2-3 first albums. But both those started the Country/Pop era of music.

56: Hank Williams Sr.: An artist that has inspired many Country singers.

55: Barry Manilow: I am not a “fanilow” but do respect the fact that he still has a huge fan base. The fact that I work with a guy who sang back-up to him helps as well.

54: Marvin Gaye: “What’s going on” is a great album. He is an icon in his type of music.

53: Johnny Cash: How many of these artists have had a movie come out about their life? Answer: Not many.

52: Bee Gees: Their very unmanly high voices have sold a lot of records. And “Stayin alive” is still a big hit.

51: Ozzy Ozborne: Not a great role model but has influenced music in a way not many others have. His “Ironman” is a favorite of mine.

50: Areatha Franklin: The first of the Divas. Might have been the best too.

49: Fleetwood Mac: I didn’t realize how many albums they’d sold until I started doing research. The numbers alone put them this high.

48: Ray Charles: A great artist that succeeded despite of his condition. Also had a movie done on his life (an automatic to get onto this list).

47: Alice in Chains: This is for all the real metalheads out there.

46: Bon Jovi: Anytime I want to hear an artist that is better when he is screaming than singing I plug him in. I actually really enjoy many of his songs.

45: Reba McEntire: A great story teller in her music. “The lights went out in Georgia” is still a classic.

44: Santana: I’ll admit I had never heard of him before his recent success. He is a great musician however, and he is still producing music that is popular to everyone.

43: Eminem: He represents a lot that is wrong with America today. But his impact will not be forgotten. And he did prove that some white-boys can rap.

42: Hootie and the Blowfish: If they were not still trying to hang-on to their careers they would be much higher on the list. Their “cracked rear view” album is one of the greatest of all time.

41: Celine Deion: Great singer. She has put out several hits. If she was not Canadian she might have been higher on the list (just kidding). Love to hear her belt out the notes.

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Top 100 Artists part II

This is numbers 80-61:

80: Faith Hill: Still making a name as one of the greatest female singers in country music. Carrie Underwood has nothing on her.

79: Gloria Estefan: The latin queen of music. I still love hearing many of her songs.

78: Alabama: Have to include my state’s namesake. They had several great songs that are the anthems ‘round these here parts.

77: Justin Timberlake: He is huge right now. After a few years we’ll see if he moves up the list (as I predict) or down the list as a short lived musician.

76: Amy Grant: Had an impact on Christian music. She was the first to be able to successfully crossover into the secular music scene.

75: Cher: Many might put her higher on the list. I am not that impressed, but had to at least include her.

74: Vanilla Ice/Marky Mark/MC Hammer: I know it is cheating to have 3 in one spot, but none could qualify on their own. These three were hits for about 1-2 years. The first two made sure everyone knew white people cannot rap. The other had his own pants.


73: Aerosmith: A great group. They put out several hits during their time at the top.

72: Randy Travis: A country favorite of mine, when I want to “dig up bones” or just listen to an artist that I can actually sing along with.

71: Green Day: Another group that is surprisingly still hanging around. I thought they’d be a one-and-done, but their longevity keeps them on the list.

70: Rod Stewart: Not one of my favorites. But he was very big during his time, and is still around producing music.

69: Jars of Clay: Another Christian group that is outstanding. Haven’t really gotten into the newer stuff, but their first 2-3 albums were great.

68: Bush: I love the Machine Head album (wish I could find it). They were a great group that seemed to vanish quickly.



67: ZZ Top: I am putting this group on here for my father-in-law. They are a good old school rock group.

66: Bryan Adams: A little sappy for me, but many women (including my wife) really enjoy his music. Wonder what he’d sound like if he quit smoking J

65: No Doubt: They have not been around as long as some that made the list, but they have already out-sold many that are here.

64: UB40: A great reggae group. Not that I am way into that style of music, but I do enjoy this group.

63: Tina Turner: We don’t need another hero is still a great song. She was great for many years, and her voice was so powerful you had to listen.


62: Billy Joel: A great artist. He has written many hits and is still good to listen to.

61: Jewel: One of the first of the female alternative artists. She has several great albums

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Music Top 100 Part 1

With movie day in history (after I have seen the video now 3 times), I thought I’d do a top 100 groups list. Since I am into Christian music, and have only been alive since 1980, my list will include some shockers I am sure. I will reveal in a 5 part series with 20 in each part. Comments are welcome to tell me who I left off and who should not be on the list.
My criteria is that the artist had to have left, or has the possibility to leave, an impact on at least their genre of music.

Here is 100-81:

100: P.O.D.: A group that is only on the list because they have the potential with a few more good albums of becoming a great group. They do have three now that are very solid albums.

99: Boys to Men: A great group. They put out several albums in the early-mid 90’s and were at the top for several years. I still enjoy listening to the harmonies they put together in their albums.

98: Frank Sinatra: Good ole’ blue eyes. A great singer that can still be listened to today.

97: John Denver: Good artist.

96: The Beastie Boys: Brass Monkey all the way. This group was great for the few years they were at the top. I still laugh to hear their music being played by the kids I coach and teach.

95: Kiss: Not one of my favorites, especially with what their name stands for, but they did have a big impact.

94: Babyface: I know he has flown under the radar, but he has great music. If you are in the mood for romance his music will help you out.

93: David Crowder: If this were my wife’s list he might be in the top 20. He is growing on me as an artist and I think he will continue to impact Christian music for many years to come.

92: Accapella: I am such a homer with this pick. But I love all the Accapella albums, especially the old ones.

91: Red Hot Chili Peppers: A group that has put out several hits in the last decade. They fly under the radar most of the time, but are a very strong group.

90: Willie Nelson: An icon to many in his industry.

89: Cake: A favorite of mine. They have only put out two good albums, but their music is very unique, even though Jamey hates it J

88: Creed: A group that has put out 2 great albums. Hopefully they can get back to their roots. If not…they will be off the list soon.

87: Dixie Chicks: I am not a fan of their politics, but do enjoy their music, obviously several million agree with me.

86: Van Halen: Had several good albums.

85: Lynyrd Skynyrd: He has put out some good music. Notably “Sweet Home” to some state.

84: Christina Aguilera: She is on the way up. Barring an unforeseen stop to her career she will continue to rise as one of the biggest voices of this generation.

83: New Kids on the Block: The first boy band to make it really big. They set the stage for all those who followed (Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, 98 Degrees, etc…). Looking back now most people would be slightly embarrassed to have listened to them, but they were huge in the 80’s.

82: Kenny G: I know many of you may be cringing at this pick, but really who doesn’t know who this guy is. If you want to hear a great saxophone, you listen to this guy.

81: Guns ‘N Roses: A great 80’s band. They put out several great songs during their time at the top and influenced an awful hairdo for a long time.