Top 10 Country Artists of the 1970s

In the 1970s, country music was starting to stretch: Some of its stars achieved crossover success in the pop realm. Others brought it to new places by pioneering a new sub-genre, outlaw country.

From traditional-leaning artists to boundary-pushing outlaws to the daring women who spoke up about real issues, the 10 country artists below helped define country music in the '70s. These acts were selected based on their success during the decade and how their legacy affects country music today.