by Timothy Edward Jones

Created on: February 11, 2007   Last Updated: April 25, 2011

Opinion is a very strong force in any genre of music. The opinion of the listener is a powerful force in making or breaking the career of an artist. Making a list of the top 20 favorite singers of all-time is one of those powerful opinion-generated moves a listener can create.

My musical tastes can sway on a whim. So, in giving much thought to my current mood and the history of my musical tastes, I have jotted down these names as my top 20 favorite singers of all-time.

1.) Dwight Yoakam - Yoakam refined what is known as the 'Bakerfield Sound.' He also has preserved the art of meaningful country music songwriting and delivers a song with more feeling and conviction than any other modern artist in almost any genre today.

2.) Wynn Stewart - Stewart, the originator of the 'Bakersfield Sound,' influenced many great country artists, such as Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. His vocal ability is nearly unrivaled today in country music. Although Stewart never attained the kind of success that Owens, Haggard or Yoakam has attained, he should be revered as a pioneer of the West Coast Country Sound.

3.) Buck Owens - While not a great singer, Owens knew how to choose his material wisely. He never stepped outside of his abilities. Owens was a pivotal country music artist that helped to tear down walls that seperated country music from other genres. Owens influenced artists like Dwight Yoakam and The Beatles.

4.) Gram Parsons - Parsons was the definitive father of the Country-Rock sound. While his musical tastes were ahead of his time, Parsons blended the musical styles of the Rolling Stones with the high lonesome harmonies of the Louvin Brothers. Parsons headed up some of the most legendary bands to hit the 1960s California country-rock scene. Parsons co-founded bands such as The Flying Burrito Brothers and The Byrds. Gram Parsons' life and death is rivaled only by Jim Morrison.

5.) Ira Louvin - Touted as the best tenor singer that country and gospel music has ever seen, Ira Louvin was also a master mandolin player and a genius songwriter. He and his brother, Charlie, founded one of the most successful country and gospel duos of all time, The Louvin Brothers. Ira's life was much like the music of the Louvin Brothers: dark and eerie. Death found Ira Louvin on Father's Day in 1963 on a highway somewhere in Missouri.

6.) Jim Morrison - Morrison was a great vocalist. His talent as a vocalist was realized in such songs as "L.A. Woman" and "Touch Me." Morrison could do hardcore rock

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