10 Country Artists Who Just Sorta Disappeared 

Get ready to feel nostalgic. This had me wishing for new music from Jamey Johnson and The Wreckers, especially!

Who else still rocks out to “Chicks dig it”, and “In Color”?

Who else remembers Emerson Drive?

The band Perry hurts so much, I feel they had so much potential to go further.

Chris Cagle was and is criminally underrated

Wow I miss Chris cagle. Who remembers Jo Dee Messina?! Loved her

I hope Jamey Johnson makes a comeback someday. He’s too good not to create more music.

One to add to this was Blackhawk. Great band back in the 90’s.

I didn't want to mention this, but I feel just heartbroken for what happened to Mindy McCready. She was doing so well in her career when all her tragic struggles happened. It was even sadder when she died and how her life suddenly ended..... And why

Chris Cagle’s really got some great songs. “What Kinda Gone” is one of my favorites. Great vid

Chris Cagle was severely underrated

Lonestar kinda seams like a REALLY big one you missed, lots of big hits and they basically fell off the face of the earth.

I loved Hal Ketchum 💙 Sadly he passed November 23, 2020. 💔 Loved watching him in concert. Super nice man. RIP Hal.

Honestly, id love to drop a record, build myself a nice house on about 100 acres and retire! I don't blame some of these folks for just getting the hell out of it all!

Deena Carter, Big & Rich, and Craig Morgan are some names that I didn’t think would disappear completely.

Bucky Covington, Rick Trevino, James Bonamy, The Wilkinson’s, Sunny Sweeney, Eric Heatherly, Casey James, etc. You could do lists of pretty much every single 90’s and 2000’s artist.

Bobbie Gentry is just a musical and lyrical goddess. Bless her. She’ll always be in of the may favorites

I don't mind former country artists taking their music in a whole different direction as long as they sell it for what it is and don't try passing it off as country just because of their name.

Anyone else love these videos but also have trouble watching them cause the nostalgia hits you so hard it hurts?

I saw Jamey Johnson in concert a few years back and it was one of the best shows I’ve ever been to. Played a bunch of Last Waltz songs too, which I loved.

Gary Allan hasn't released an album is SO long. Freaking love him and I'm surprised he wasn't on this list

I’ve seen Chris Cagle three times within the last 6 years and he is AMAZING. He is so so grateful to be on stage every single time I see him. Just a stand up dude that you can tell loves to perform. I didn’t even think of him as “disappeared”.

Not surprised many of these were “disputes with the label”. Just confirms that these labels are filtering out the real talent to make way for radio garbage.

I loved Jimmy Wayne. Though I miss his music, what a great transition to an amazing service for children.

A few years ago I had the pleasure of helping move chairs closer to a stage at a gym that was built specifically for people with disabilities, we got to talk about life, how thankful we are for all we had, and about family. That guy was Jimmy Wayne, one of the most down to earth dudes ever and I wish him the best that life has to offer.

I miss Mark Wills he had some great songs I still hear “nineteen something “ sometimes. “Wish you were here” was a big hit too.

One I would include would be Gloriana. They had a few hits from 2009-2012. They released their last album in 2015 and then they broke up 2 years later.

Please do a part 2. This was so fun. Thank you for uploading.

Collin Raye is another singer from the 1990’s that vanished and I loved his music.

One of my favorites that I haven't heard of lately is Josh Turner.

Gretchen Wilson. I completely forgot about her until she showed up at the CMA Awards last year

The Wreckers put out a perfect album ...all songs are amazing ...no filler

Love Michelle Branch and followed her to the Wreckers. Stand Still, Look Pretty was an awesome 2000s album! Also loved Jessica Harp and her solo album. Was gutted when she announced she was taking a step back from her solo career.

I freaking miss The Band Perry, makes me sad every time I think about it. They’re harmonies were second to none.

I had wondered about The Band Perry myself. It seemed like they were all the rage one day and just gone the next...I figured there had to be some sort of story behind it.

Jason Michael Carroll. David Nail. Jack Ingram. Bucky Covington. I haven't heard from these guys in a long time. Loved all of their music

Omg thank you for reminding me of “do you believe me now.” I use to love that

I LOVED this video Grady! I found myself going, “oh my God, I loved him/her”, as some of them had some pretty big songs! It got me thinking that this could be a great series of videos if you ever wanted to go that route. The cool part is that it may help remind people of some talented folks who could use a resurgence. Just quickly went through my head, and here are some other artists that have split up, left the business, turned to songwriting, acting, and one that has passed. Here’s some for you: Clay Davidson, Emerson Drive, Little Texas, Gary Allan, Gibson Miller Band, Hal Ketchum, Highway 101, Jack Ingram, James Otto , Jeff Carson, Josh Gracin, Keith Anderson, Kevin Sharp, Larry Stewart, Lisa Brokop, Mark Collie, Michael Peterson, Phil Stacey, Ricochet, Shelby Lynne, Suzy Boguss, Trick Pony. Man, you made me create a new playlist I’m gonna love! Thanks for always doing such a great job!

The band Perry’s move to pop music hurts my soul.

That was one of the best reviews I’ve ever heard. The research and editing was fantastic. It was as Professionally produced that it could be run on Entertainment Tonight. Thanks.

SHeDAISY are still one of my favourites! I’d love to hear some new music from them :(

I'd say Jessica Andrews, she released "Who I Am" and "Helplessly, Hopelessly." She stopped performing in 2008 that's who I thought of immediately.

I feel like the Band Perry sort of pulled a Taylor Swift... but not as well unfortunately :(

Awwwww, I remember The Wreckers. That whole album was amazing!

I always thought fancy was only sung by Reba. My mind is blown

This was very interesting, very melancholy, and I actually shed a few tears. I remember every one of these artists and loved most of them. Thanks for the memories!

The Band Perry's demise is so sad. Their first album is AMAZING! And the sophomore wasn't bad either. They performed for free in Pigeon Forge a few years ago. I didn't go because it was once they had taken that ridiculous turn.

I miss John Michael Montgomery- greetings from Germany 🇩🇪🙋🏼‍♂️

If The Band Perry just went on a "hiatus" and started releasing things under a new project I think they would have found more success with it. Instead, they ostracized their fans while failing to build a foothold with their newfound sound.

Seems like Everyone in the comments missed this one: Jamie O'Neal. had a massive hit in like.. '99 or 2000 with 'There is No Arizona' and 'When I think About Angels', both off her debut album 'Shiver'. She ended up releasing a new album around 5 years later with the single 'Trying to Find Atlantis' from the album 'Brave', and then the album God Don't Make Mistakes in 2007 (Going off my music collection here). Haven't heard anything since then. Brave and Shiver were both excellent albums. I didn't hear much off God Don't Make Mistakes, but that particular lead track wasn't as good as any of the last songs she'd put onto Radio.

The wreckers were amazing, the whole album was great, I listened to it over and over. I wish they would've done more

I still listen to Chris Cagle all the time. The songs I listen to the most are “What Kinda Gone” and “Let There Be Cowgirls”. Both of those songs are iconic!

I loved The Wreckers album. Every song could have been a hit. Their harmonies were great, and Crazy People is a fantastic song.

Very well produced video. Better research than most. Looking forward to the next.

Wow... I had forgotten about some of these artists and songs! Thank you for the mind refress!

Also find out about Restless Heart, Diamond Rio, Shenandoah, Sawyer Brown, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band?? Some of my old school faves!!

How about *Daryl Worley* ? To this day I love his 1at album "Hard Rain Don't Last" !

love all these videos you've made im a huge fan of country music i grew up listing to 90s country and loved every single artist you should make a 90s country one hit wonder video there are lots of artists i grew up listing to like Rhett Akins Wade Hayes Daryle singletary Paul Brandt Ty England David Kersh and many others would be soo cool to see a video like that keep up all the amazing work Grady huge fan of you and your thoughts about country always enjoy watching ya

love me some Alabama- Randy Owens mmm, Tracey Lawrence, Restless Heart, Blackhawk, Lonestar all those good songs and bands from the 90's

I can't believe when you were listing Chris Cagle's big hits you didn't mention Laredo. Thats the one I always think of first.

Jimmy Wayne's "Do You Believe Me Now" is one of my all-time favorite songs, glad to hear he's advocating for kids in the foster system.

Buddy Jewel sang the national anthem at Nashville Speedway last weekend

The band Perry, chris kagel, the wreckers and jamie Johnson were in my playlists when i was younger. Cant believe how much this video brought back my childhood memories and a sense of nostalgia

SHEdaisy's Christmas album is still one of the best-ever holiday records.

Man I miss Jamey Johnson. I can remember listening to him on the radio in my dad's truck, on some old dirt road in Michigan.

I miss Jason Michael Carroll to. He's amazing live! Lot's of energy that guy!

Love Chris Cagle's music. I sadly missed one of his performances here in Knoxville due to a weird circumstance.

Gretchen Wilson. Emerson Drive. Joe Nichols. Phil vassar.

So I work at a Country Music Radio Station as an on air personality and as an assistant program director. I have been doing this for around a decade, which is hard for me to believe how long it’s been since I got my first job. Anyway, in my 10yrs of watching artist come and go and selecting what we play in the air it never stops amazing me how quickly artist come and go. Sometimes we get artist that should have huge hits without doubt, but no on will ever hear their music. The music industry is nuts! Thanks for your insights and thoughts on the country music industry.

Very interesting and well done. Thanks for sharing all this informtion.

Oh so many great artists on this list I truly miss!! However-- thats the good thing about RU-vid--we can still listen to all these oldies anytime we want! I was especially glad yet shocked by The Band Perry! I did always wonder what happened to them, but damn, THAT was not what I expected!!! If you do this sort of video again- I'd love to hear about Mark Wills, Clay Walker, Clay Davidson and last but certainly not least is the very sexy Ty Herndon!!! Thank you for these type of videos, I love them!!

Dont forget Julie Roberts and her songs " wake up older", "men and mascara" and "break down here " and Gary Nichols " working unbroken ground "

Sammy Kershaw, Mark Collie, John Michael Montgomery, Hal Ketchum...

I saw Chris in concert....he cried 50% of the time (he was very thankful people showed up)

Great research!

The Band Perry that really surprised me I can't believe that they changed their music just like that I never knew that.

Chris Cagle was and always will be one of my favorite artists. Everytime I hear one of his songs I smile. His daughter had never seen him in concert before, so a year or two ago, he did one show just for her. ❤

Most of those songs I almost forgot about but thanks to this I am immediately going and looking them up. Nostalgia overload 🥰🥲

Great video once again

The Wreckers made an excellent album that will be forever be one of my favorites. It is a masterpiece. ♡

I was playing my ipod on shuffle (yes I still use one) and Jamie O'Neill came on and I was like "whatever happened to her?" She had some big hits too.

I met Jimmy Wayne back in 2009 when I was living in Nashville. We became friends as we had a similar upbringing. Haven't talked to him in years but he was a solid dude.

I was just talking about this with my husband while we were listening to Y2K country music. Except ours was LeAnn Womack. I loved her music, but just realized that she just blibbed off the face of the Earth at some point because I have no clue what happened with her.

Terri Clark- Gretchen Wilson- Andy Griggs- Darryl Worley- sunny Sweeney. Just a couple off top of my head.

Love Chris Cagle! I still listen to him and Emerson Drive, Aaron Lines, Jimmy Wayne, Jack Ingram, Steve Holy, Billy Currington and a few more I can't think of right now

So many songs in this video that I had completely forgotten about but were such a blast from the past when I was a kid lol

I remember all these artist! Love the reminder of these great songs!

Jamey Johnson’s high cost of living is a great song.

Tracy Byrd, Watermelon Crawl was my first favorite song when I was 5 years old. I know he is still active, but not very visible these days.

Good morning beautiful was always one of my favorite songs. Still have it on several playlists.... it may be my on "sappy country chit" playlist more than once

thANKS GRADY...good video..i always wonder about certain artists who you never here..there are many more of course..

Still crying over The Band Perry. I miss their country music more than I can say...

I’ve been waiting for new Frankie Ballard music for four years now. His Twitter bio says he’s working on a new album, but I don’t know for what label or when it’ll be released.

I stumbled into a Band Perry gig several years back when they played a Forth of July event at a restaurant/bar in Beaumont, Tx. I was staying in the hotel across the street for work and decided to hang out and listen to some live music after eating lunch. They put on a good show.

You've mentioned several good ones I've always liked and wondered what happened to them. Chris Cagle, . She Daisy, Jimmy Wayne These I've mentioned I really do miss. Thanks for the update.

"In color" is a great song.

I always wondered what happened to Ty Herndon, Paul Brant, Lila McCann and Brian White. I have albums (Cassettes & CD’s) by all of them that I still listen to today.

First off, Jamey Johnson still tours. Second, he wrote a lot of songs for other people like Trace Adkins' "Honkytonk Badonkadonk" and "Ladies Love Country Boys" and composed a ton of other songs for various artists. You make him seem like he's a nobody.

I'm still so sad we never got a second Wreckers album 😭 Maybe one day...

I’ve been listening to Chris Cagle and Gary Allen for the last few weeks, I miss the good country