1. Keith Urban
Keith Urban, the Australian country star, has become synonymous with the country music scene in Nashville, but he hails from Whangarei, New Zealand, and was raised in Australia, according to Catherine Caruso from Biography. His smooth vocals and expert guitar skills earned him a place in country music, and despite his Southern-inspired sound, his accent is still a hint of his Aussie roots. Urban’s career took off in the early 2000s, and he quickly became one of the most popular modern country artists. Though he sounds like he’s from the heart of the South, Urban’s beginnings show that the genre isn’t bound by borders.
Urban’s ability to cross over from rock into country and his polished performance style have made him a mainstay on country charts. His hits like “But for the Grace of God” and “Days Go By” helped him gain popularity in the U.S., where his Australian accent barely shows through in his music. Keith Urban’s global upbringing only adds to the richness of his music, showing that you don’t have to be American to embody the spirit of country.
2. Shania Twain
Shania Twain is known as the “Queen of Country Pop,” and her unmistakable voice helped define the sound of ’90s country music. Born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, Twain’s Canadian roots don’t stop her from sounding as American as they come in her music. Though she grew up in a small town in Canada, her mix of country, rock, and pop helped her achieve massive success on both sides of the border, Andrew McIntosh, Jeff Bateman, Betty Nygaard King, and James Hale write in The Canadian Encyclopedia. Her transformation from a struggling Canadian artist to a Nashville superstar made her a global sensation.
Twain’s crossover appeal brought country music to a wider audience, blending pop and rock with traditional country melodies. Her songs like “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” and “You’re Still the One” are staples of country pop, and you wouldn’t guess her roots lie in Canada. Shania Twain is a perfect example of how country music can be influenced by international artists, as her sound transcends national boundaries.
3. Kasey Chambers
Kasey Chambers is a celebrated country artist from Australia who has made a name for herself in both the Australian and American country music scenes, according to BBC Entertainment. Born in Mount Gambier, South Australia, Chambers grew up surrounded by folk and country music, and her style reflects a deeply Southern influence. Her songs blend traditional country with an Australian touch, creating a unique sound that resonates with audiences worldwide. Though her accent is distinctly Australian, her musical storytelling is pure country.
Chambers has become a major figure in Australian country music, earning multiple awards and recognition, but she also holds a special place in American country music. Her album The Captain became a hit in both countries, with tracks that resonate with themes of love, loss, and life on the road. Kasey Chambers proves that country music’s heart beats in many places, not just the U.S.
4. Troy Cassar-Daley
Another Australian country star who’s taken the genre by storm is Troy Cassar-Daley, according to the Australian Broadcasting Company. Born in Grafton, New South Wales, Cassar-Daley grew up surrounded by Australian country music, but his sound is pure American country. His voice carries the soul of traditional country music, and his songwriting paints pictures of life, love, and hardship, themes common in both American and Australian country songs. Despite being from Down Under, Cassar-Daley’s songs like “True Believer” and “Big, Big Love” have made him a well-known name in both Australia and Nashville.
Cassar-Daley’s ability to infuse American country storytelling with his own life experiences from Australia has given him a unique place in the genre. He’s earned respect not just in his home country but in the United States as well, often touring there and working with other prominent American country artists. His rise in the country music scene shows that the genre’s appeal isn’t restricted to one nationality.
5. The Waifs
The Waifs, an Australian folk and country band, might not be traditional solo country stars, but their influence on the genre is undeniable. Born in Albany, Western Australia, the group’s sound blends folk, Americana, and country, yet they sing with an accent that’s unmistakably Australian, Katie Cunningham from The Guardian explains. Their raw, acoustic sound combined with their story-telling abilities has made them a hit in both the U.S. and Australia. The band’s music is deeply influenced by traditional country music, though it also carries a distinctive Australian twist that sets it apart.
The Waifs’ crossover success is evidence of the universal appeal of country music, regardless of where you’re from. Their hit song “London Still” remains one of their most popular tracks, and they’ve played countless stages in both the U.S. and Australia. Despite their Australian origins, The Waifs have cemented themselves as an integral part of the global country and Americana scene.
6. Jessica Mauboy
Jessica Mauboy, an Australian singer of Indigenous Australian descent, has made waves in the country scene with her distinct voice and blending of genres. Born in Darwin, Northern Territory, she became famous as a pop star but later incorporated country influences into her music. Mauboy’s country-tinged songs reflect her diverse musical background, from pop to R&B, and her collaborations with Australian country artists have led her to perform on country stages. Her hit “The Day Before I Met You” proved her ability to weave country storytelling into her own personal style.
While she may not be purely a country artist, Mauboy’s foray into the genre shows her versatility and deep appreciation for the storytelling aspect of country music. She’s been embraced by country music fans, especially in Australia, where she’s a crossover star. With her ability to bring a fresh perspective to country, Mauboy represents the diverse range of influences that continue to shape the genre.
7. Johnny Reid
Johnny Reid is a Scottish-born country artist who has become a beloved figure in the Canadian country music scene. Born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, Reid moved to Canada with his family at a young age, and his music reflects both his Scottish roots and his Canadian upbringing. His rich, soulful voice and heartfelt ballads, such as “A Place Called Love” and “Fire It Up,” have earned him multiple Juno Awards and widespread popularity in both Canada and the U.S. While his accent hints at his Scottish heritage, his sound is deeply rooted in American country and Southern soul, blending seamlessly into the genre.
Reid’s music often reflects themes of love, family, and home, making him relatable to fans across North America. Despite his Scottish birth, Johnny Reid’s songs have resonated with country audiences in Canada and the U.S. His success proves that country music is a genre that welcomes artists from all corners of the world, and Reid’s global upbringing only adds to the depth of his musical storytelling.
8. Jade Bird
Jade Bird is a British-born artist whose mix of country, folk, and Americana has earned her a place in the U.S. country music scene. Born in Hexham, England, Bird brings a fresh perspective to country music with her powerful voice and a blend of modern and traditional influences. Despite her British roots, her music captures the essence of American country storytelling, and she has quickly made a name for herself in Nashville. Her songs like “I Get No Joy” and “Lottery” showcase her talent for blending raw emotion with catchy melodies, making her a rising star in the genre.
Though her accent reveals her British origins, Bird’s sound resonates with American country audiences, proving that the genre’s appeal goes beyond borders. Her debut album Something American highlights the influence of both British folk and American country music, giving her a unique voice in the country scene. Jade Bird’s success reflects the global nature of country music and how artists from all over the world can contribute to the genre’s ongoing evolution.
9. Lee Kernaghan
Lee Kernaghan is one of Australia’s most beloved country artists, and though his sound is unmistakably country, his roots are in the Australian Outback. Born in Corrong, Victoria, Kernaghan’s music is infused with the spirit of the Australian countryside, yet his songs often mirror the themes of American country music. With hits like “Boys from the Bush” and “Flying with the King,” Kernaghan has built a career that blends Australian country with American influences. While he doesn’t share the American twang of many U.S. artists, his music has made him a household name in both countries.
Kernaghan’s ability to channel the rugged spirit of the Australian Outback into his music has allowed him to cross over into American country music circles. He’s played in the U.S. and collaborated with American country artists, proving that the Australian country sound resonates globally. His career highlights the ability of country music to transcend national boundaries while staying true to its storytelling roots.
10. Nina Storey
Nina Storey is a Canadian-born country artist who has made a name for herself with her unique blend of country, blues, and Americana. Born in Calgary, Alberta, Storey’s sound is rooted in traditional country music but carries a distinctive modern twist. Her soulful voice and heartfelt songwriting have earned her recognition, and while her music often feels like it was crafted in the American South, her Canadian roots are clear. Songs like “I’m Gonna Get Over You” showcase her ability to connect deeply with her audience through raw emotion and storytelling.
Storey’s sound is a mix of classic country and contemporary styles, which has helped her gain fans across the U.S. and Canada. Her voice, reminiscent of other American country singers, allows her to blend effortlessly into the Nashville scene. Despite being born in Canada, Storey’s music resonates strongly with listeners who appreciate a fresh take on the country genre. Her success shows that the love for country music knows no boundaries, and it thrives in many places beyond the U.S.
11. Jess Moskaluke
Jess Moskaluke, a rising star in Canadian country music, is another artist who proves that talent doesn’t have to be born in the U.S. Born in Langenburg, Saskatchewan, Moskaluke has made a name for herself with a unique blend of traditional country and contemporary sounds. Though her music is unmistakably country, her Canadian background adds a fresh perspective to the genre. She quickly gained recognition with hits like “Cheap Wine and Cigarettes,” showing that country fans aren’t just interested in American artists.
Moskaluke’s ability to create songs that resonate with both Canadian and American audiences highlights how country music’s roots can stretch far beyond the U.S. Her heartfelt lyrics and catchy melodies have earned her accolades in both countries, solidifying her as a talented voice in the world of country music. Jess Moskaluke shows that country music is a truly international genre.
12. Lindsay Ell
Lindsay Ell, a Canadian singer, songwriter, and guitarist, has made waves in Nashville with her fresh take on country music. Born in Calgary, Alberta, her sound is a fusion of country, pop, and rock, yet her country music roots are unmistakable. With hits like “Waiting on You” and “Criminal,” Ell has earned a reputation as one of the most talented new voices in country music. Though she was born in Canada, her ability to channel the heart of American country music has won her fans across North America.
Ell’s rise in the country music world has been marked by her instrumental skills and her strong, soulful vocals. She has been embraced by both Canadian and American country music fans, and her success continues to grow. Her story proves that country music doesn’t care where you’re from, just how deeply you connect with its roots.
13. Brett Kissel
Brett Kissel is a Canadian country artist who has gained widespread recognition for his distinct blend of traditional country with a contemporary flair. Born in Flat Lake, Alberta, Kissel’s sound has made him one of Canada’s most successful country stars, but his music has also resonated with American audiences. His songs like “3-2-1” and “We Were That Song” showcase his ability to mix catchy melodies with heartfelt storytelling, a hallmark of country music. Despite his Canadian roots, Kissel’s music fits right in with the Nashville country scene, and he’s collaborated with several U.S. artists over the years.
Kissel’s success in both Canada and the U.S. proves that country music is truly a global genre. His ability to seamlessly blend country with elements of pop and rock has helped him break through to a wide range of listeners. Though born in Canada, his music has found a home in the hearts of country fans on both sides of the border, and he’s become a shining example of how talent and passion for the genre can break national boundaries.
