Well, Patsy didn't get me into C&W...

but the first time I ever heard "Crazy", as a kid, I knew the lady was perhaps that best that ever lived. Still believe that today.

I liked many C&W stars even early on.. .long before I was a C&W fan. But I think what got me very into it, late in life, was "Riders In The Sky" - Ranger Doug, Woody Paul, and Too Slim.

Chris LeDoux also won me over. When I finally DID become a true C&W fan I 'went back'... that is, I listened to all that I had missed earlier in life and it was GREAT. I felt like I had 'discovered' C&W music.

To this day I'm very fond of the very 'twangy' C&W, like Buck Owens... although sure, there are some I like. I think Buck & Dwights "Streets of Bakersfield" is amazing.

For male voice I think George Jones and Rex Allen had the best sounding voices even if I don't think any of their songs are among my favorites.

And just one more mention: George Straits "Amarillo By Morning" could possibly be not just the best C&W song ever recorded but maybe the best song period.