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