So you need to buy a gift for a favorite friend or family member, and they love country music, but you don't. You know that they like something called "traditional" country, and that's it. Never fear. You'll find several Top 3 lists of traditional and "contemporary" artists as well.

Traditional Artists
Most of the country music recorded pre-1985 would be considered "traditional." But there are still artists that have recorded post-1985 that hold true to their traditional country roots. Here are some Top 3 lists of the best from these artists.
• Top 3 Rhett Akins
• Top 3 Alabama
• Top 3 Clint Black
• Top 3 Tracy Byrd
• Top 3 Johnny Cash
• Top 3 Mark Chesnutt
• Top 3 Joe Diffie
• Top 3 Dixie Chicks
• Top 3 Vince Gill
• Top 3 Merle Haggard
• Top 3 Alan Jackson
• Top 3 Waylon Jennings
• Top 3 Sammy Kershaw
• Top 3 Alison Krauss
• Top 3 Tracy Lawrence
• Top 3 Patty Loveless
• Top 3 Reba McEntire
• Top 3 Ronnie Milsap
• Top 3 Willie Nelson
• Top 3 Dolly Parton
• Top 3 Daryle Singletary
• Top 3 George Strait
• Top 3 Travis Tritt
• Top 3 Hank Williams Sr.
• Top 3 Lee Ann Womack
• Top 3 Dwight Yoakam

Contemporary Artists
While there are exceptions, most of the country music recorded post-1985 leans more towards crossover, or pop-country. Here are some Top 3 lists of the best from these artists.

• Top 3 Gary Allan
• Top 3 Garth Brooks
• Top 3 Brooks & Dunn
• Top 3 Kenny Chesney
• Top 3 Billy Ray Cyrus
• Top 3 Sara Evans
• Top 3 Faith Hill
• Top 3 Toby Keith
• Top 3 Lonestar
• Top 3 Martina McBride
• Top 3 Tim McGraw
• Top 3 Jo Dee Messina
• Top 3 John Michael Montgomery
• Top 3 Collin Raye
• Top 3 Shania Twain
• Top 3 Chely Wright
• Top 3 Wynonna
• Top 3 Trisha Yearwood