The 1970s brought about a world of great country music. Artists like Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Johnny Cash were making huge waves with the Outlaw Country movement. At the same time, artists like Conway Twitty and Jerry Reed were releasing timeless music. Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and Tanya Tucker were also releasing unforgettable hit songs. They would all go on to have massive careers. On the other hand, there were plenty of country artists from the 1970s who never made it “big” but should have.
Today, we’re going to look at four country artists from the 1970s who should have been huge stars. To be fair, all of these artists have devoted fans today. In fact, some of them are likely among the influences of some of today’s hottest acts. However, they never quite raised to the level of recognition befitting their talents.
John Prine—An Iconic Singer/Songwriter from the 1970s
John Prine released his self-titled debut album in 1971. Since then, he has been lauded as one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century. Songs like “Sam Stone” “Your Flag Decal Won’t Get You Into Heaven Anymore” “Illegal Smile” and “Angel from Montgomery” set him apart.
Prine had a way of capturing the human condition that was both humorous and heartbreaking. He could make listeners laugh and cry within a single song. More than that, his combination of social satire and earnest lyricism made him an influential figure among songwriters.
Prine won several awards over the course of his long career. When he passed away in 2020 nearly the whole music world mourned the loss. Despite his endless talent, immortal legacy, and immeasurable influence, he never became a “star.”
Guy Clark—Got His Start in the 1970s and Is Your Favorite Country Artist’s Favorite Songwriter
Ask any country artist worth their salt about their favorite songwriters and you’ll hear Guy Clark’s name come up. He released his debut album Old No. 1 in 1975 and introduced himself to the world as a force to be reckoned with. Clark never saw massive fame or any real chart success. However, he was one of the most influential country artists from the 1970s.
Even those who have never heard Clark’s music have likely heard his songs. “L.A. Freeway,” “Desperados Waiting for a Train,” “Homegrown Tomatoes,” “Boats to Build” and many more came from his pen. The likes of Emmylou Harris, Joe Ely, Lyle Lovett, Vince Gill, Steve Earle, Alan Jackson, and Rodney Crowell cut his songs.
Like Prine, the music world mourned Clark’s passing in 2016. Unfortunately, the King of Texas Troubadours never found the fame that his talent should have afforded him.
Jerry Jeff Walker—An Oft-Forgotten Member of the Outlaw Country Movement
Jerry Jeff Walker was a Texas country mainstay in the 1970s and often associated with Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and other members of the early Outlaw Country movement. He covered songs by countless songwriters. He was also a gifted songsmith in his own right. He penned the song “Mr. Bojangles” which became one of his biggest claims to fame.
Walker was active until his death in 2020 but never achieved mainstream fame like some of his contemporaries. To be fair, he stopped trying to find mainstream fame early in his career. Instead, he chose to make music he enjoyed—whether that meant writing songs or recording songs from other artists. This made him popular among fans of Outlaw Country but caused many to overlook his impressive body of work.
Ray Wylie Hubbard—A Country Artist from the 1970s Who Is Still Active Today
Ray Wylie Hubbard released his debut album Ray Wylie Hubbard and the Cowboy Twinkies in 1976. After recording the album with a band made up of his friends, the album’s producer added overdub mixes and backup singers to the mix in an attempt to force Hubbard into the Nashville Sound. It was his first and last album on Warner Bros. Records.
Since then, Hubbard has released more than a dozen albums across several labels. At the same time, he has spent the last 4 four decades building a large and passionate fanbase. Unfortunately, listeners are unlikely to hear his songs on the radio or see his name on the charts. However, those in the know hail him as one of the greatest living songwriters and a must-see performer.
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