Artists:
- Taylor Swift: Swift continued her rise to stardom with her third studio album, "Speak Now," which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and produced hit singles like "Mine," "Back to December," and "Mean."
- Lady Antebellum: The trio's third studio album, "Own the Night," was released in September and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. The album featured successful singles such as "Need You Now," "American Honey," and "Just a Kiss."
- Blake Shelton: Shelton had a successful year with his album "Red River Blue," which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and featured the hit singles "Honey Bee" and "All About Tonight."
- Jason Aldean: Aldean's album "My Kinda Party" continued to perform well in 2011, with hit singles like "Dirt Road Anthem" and "Fly Over States" maintaining their popularity.
- Toby Keith: Keith released his album "Bullets in the Gun" in October 2010, but the album's success carried into 2011 with popular tracks such as "Trailerhood" and "Made in America."
Songs:
- "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum: This emotional ballad about a couple navigating a difficult time in their relationship became a crossover hit, reaching the top of both country and pop charts and winning the Grammy Award for Song of the Year and Record of the Year.
- "Mean" by Taylor Swift: Swift's powerful ballad about bullies had a strong resonance with listeners and became one of her most popular songs, earning her a Grammy nomination for Best Country Song.
- "Dirt Road Anthem" by Jason Aldean: This rowdy anthem about small-town life and partying resonated with country listeners and became one of Aldean's signature songs.
- "Honey Bee" by Blake Shelton: Shelton's light-hearted and catchy song about a woman who keeps him going became a popular hit and further solidified his position as a mainstream country star.
- "Trailerhood" by Toby Keith: Keith's humorous and nostalgic song about growing up in a trailer park struck a chord with many listeners, making it a significant hit.
These artists and songs captured the attention of country music fans in 2011 and contributed to the genre's continued popularity and success.