Favorite Country Music Male Singers

What is it about male country music singers that makes the women go wild? Maybe it's just they seem so down to earth. They can be cool musicians, but they don't have to be bad boys like the rock stars. Country men are tough, but not in the scary biker leather way. Well-fitting denim jeans and boots are just fine with us girls.

I was a late convert to country music. In my youth, it was all rock and roll, then the disco craze. Later on, I added alternative grunge rock.

What happened? I turned into an old conservative toot! I purged my collection of most of the grunge, can't have the f- word playing with children in the house. Then I became a convert to country music -- I never ever in a million years thought this former club-hopping, city slicker girl would be one of those twang fans! But there I was last night having a great time watching the CMA awards show.

It was Keith Urban that did it. When they started playing You'll Think of Me on the pop radio stations as a crossover, I was hooked. Ridiculously handsome (did you know he posed for Playgirl magazine but later regretted it?), Australian accent, amazing songwriter, guitarist and musician, he can rock out with the best of them and probably could have been a pop star. He just happens to be a country artist. I got on board with "Golden Road" album and I'm stayin' on it. Nicole Kidman is one lucky woman.

CMA's Male Vocalist of the Year, Brad Paisley is another amazing guitar player. I love him 'cause he's so versatile. In one breath, he's singing fun, tongue-in-cheek songs about being an Internet geek (Online) or a gun-toting, butt-scratching GUY (I'm Still A Guy). In the next breath, he's serenading you with Then like you're the only woman in the room. Sigh. There are also Christian selections on his many albums. One of my Brad favorites is his duet with Dolly Parton, When I Get to Where I'm Going. Makes me cry every time.

He's got a sexy deep bass voice that's captivating. And OMG those blue eyes. Josh Turner is proof that devout, church-going, God-loving boys are not goody two shoes prudes! He tunneled into the hearts of country fans with Long Black Train, then released the Grammy-nominated album "Your Man." Josh Turner is the youngest male member of the Grand Ole Opry, and yes ladies, he's married.

The male lead singer of Lady Antebellum, winner of Vocal Group of the Year, Charles Kelley is the younger brother of Josh Kelley, an accomplished musician and recording artist (and husband of Katherine Heigl). Yes, I know there's another talented guy in the group, but Charles is hot! This talented vocal group used MySpace to build their reach among fans. Their easy on the ears hit titled I Run To You is the CMA Single of the Year.

The guy was lead singer for Hootie and the Blowfish years ago. Now he's crossed over against the odds with huge success, how cool is that? Talent, talent, talent, he is the complete package. His CMA Best New Artist Award is well deserved. I was a fan then and I'm a fan now. I love his voice and his music, my favorite being "It Won't Be Like This For Long," as I watch my own kids' childhoods fly by so fast that I can barely hold on!

It Won't Be Like This for Long video on cmt.com.

Lately I've been listening to American Ride by Toby Keith. It's kind of a cynical, sarcastic look at our media-fueled, consumption-driven American lifestyle. Yet the music is upbeat and toe-tappin' good -- in spite of all its faults, America is still a great country. He may be rough around the edges, but there's a diamond inside. Toby Keith has become one of my favorite country singers who's not afraid to tell it like he sees it.

Okay, I know he's not actively recording or performing anymore, but tell me you don't absolutely swoon when you close your eyes while listening to If Tomorrow Never Comes!