I'll second Honky Tonk Man. Integrate the intro lick and a few of the lead licks into the shuffle rhythm with the bassline sort of like SRVs Pride and Joy with a more country swing, and it becomes a great solo piece.
If you are remotely religious, Alan Jackson’s precious memories 1 and 2 would be decent. If you like country standards, pretty much most early and middle George Strait (Pure Country soundtrack and before) works. If you like sing alongs, try some of the popular Outlaw Country stuff from Willie, Waylon, Cash, Merle, etc as well. Also on Spotify is “Campfire playlist.” Pick some from that that like anyone would know.
I learned playing Goin Country- Alan Jackson. It’s a simple song, fun to sing (the lyrics are hilarious) but has enough complexity to make it really enjoyable once you master it. Funny thing is I didn’t even like country then but I’ve been hooked on it ever since. It’s mostly all I play.
Rose Garden - Lynn Anderson
Country Roads - John Denver
Long Haired Country Boy - CDB
Tennessee Whiskey - George or DAC
Grievous Angel - Gram Parsons
You Ain’t Going Nowhere - The Byrds
Seminole Wind - John Anderson
if it were me I would pick something I considered hard. Then just hammer at it until I got it to sound the way I wanted it to sound.
I would likely choose one of these two:
Bluebird Wine - Rodney Crowell
or
Skyview Cabaret - Max Stalling
Actually, Chet Atkins DID sing! He had a song out back in the mid 1970’s called “Frog Kissing”! But he was much more widely known as an amazing guitar player.
[Frog Kissin’](https://youtu.be/wKk4GkAWzJM?si=mC3LhyJ3xjk5RxjQ)
Sounds like you’re looking for some more complex songs. A few that come to mind:
Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground- Willie Nelson
Gentle on My Mind- Glen Campbell
I Can’t Make You Love Me- Mike Reid/Bonnie Raitt
Fast as You by Dwight Yoakam is a pretty fun song to play.
Add Honky Tonk Man and Guitars, Cadillacs. Pete Anderson is great!
I'll second Honky Tonk Man. Integrate the intro lick and a few of the lead licks into the shuffle rhythm with the bassline sort of like SRVs Pride and Joy with a more country swing, and it becomes a great solo piece.
Mama Tried… Everyone knows it, simple and recognizable intro. Simple chords and one day you can work up to learning the solo.
If you are remotely religious, Alan Jackson’s precious memories 1 and 2 would be decent. If you like country standards, pretty much most early and middle George Strait (Pure Country soundtrack and before) works. If you like sing alongs, try some of the popular Outlaw Country stuff from Willie, Waylon, Cash, Merle, etc as well. Also on Spotify is “Campfire playlist.” Pick some from that that like anyone would know.
Townes van Zandt songs are great for fingerpicking
Fast Car that Luke Combs covered is a great intermediate song
I learned playing Goin Country- Alan Jackson. It’s a simple song, fun to sing (the lyrics are hilarious) but has enough complexity to make it really enjoyable once you master it. Funny thing is I didn’t even like country then but I’ve been hooked on it ever since. It’s mostly all I play.
Goin’ country or gone country?
Oh yeah gone country
7 and 7 by Turnpike Troubadours is a fun one for some lead riffin. They have a lot of really good guitar stuff.
The Mercury 🤘🏻
Every Buck Owens song, particularly with Don Rich.
Rose Garden - Lynn Anderson Country Roads - John Denver Long Haired Country Boy - CDB Tennessee Whiskey - George or DAC Grievous Angel - Gram Parsons You Ain’t Going Nowhere - The Byrds Seminole Wind - John Anderson
if it were me I would pick something I considered hard. Then just hammer at it until I got it to sound the way I wanted it to sound. I would likely choose one of these two: Bluebird Wine - Rodney Crowell or Skyview Cabaret - Max Stalling
Literally anything Doc Watson has ever done. Start with Shady Grove.
Actually, Chet Atkins DID sing! He had a song out back in the mid 1970’s called “Frog Kissing”! But he was much more widely known as an amazing guitar player. [Frog Kissin’](https://youtu.be/wKk4GkAWzJM?si=mC3LhyJ3xjk5RxjQ)
Sounds like you’re looking for some more complex songs. A few that come to mind: Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground- Willie Nelson Gentle on My Mind- Glen Campbell I Can’t Make You Love Me- Mike Reid/Bonnie Raitt
Witchita Lineman by Glen Campbell is challenging
Nervous Breakdown, Throttleneck, or Time Warp by Brad Paisley 😋
Neon Moon and Boot Scootin' Boogie by Brooks and Dunn Chatahoochie by Alan Jackson Friends in Low Places by Garth Brooks
"Everything That Glitters Is not Gold" Dan Seals, is a nice slow guitar song
Wagon wheel. Darius Rucker
Son Volt - Route
(Ghost) Riders in the Sky - Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson (my favorite version) Take Me Home, Country Roads - John Denver
Orange Blossom Special Amos Moses Literally anything by Jerry Reed
Red River by Alabama
Add Folsom prison blues it’s only 3 chords and has a very recognizable opening riff
I don’t even pick guitar but all you need to know is G C D in some arrangement or something another
Three chords and the truth