Kane Brown has a clear vision for country music’s Mount Rushmore — but not everyone is ready to chisel it in stone.

In a recent interview, Brown named his four picks for the genre’s all-time monument: George Strait, Morgan Wallen, Shania Twain, and Ella Langley. The list quickly drew scrutiny from readers and music columnists, who argued the selections favor current popularity over enduring legacy.

When pressed on his choices, Brown was candid about the difficulty of the exercise and confident about where the genre stands today.

“Definitely got to put George Strait up there. Oh man. It’s so hard because country music’s doing so well right now. I feel like you got to put Morgan (Wallen) up there, man. Morgan’s got to go. I’m going to put Shania Twain. This is so hard. See, I would put Ella (Langley) up there right now because she’s killing it, but it’s too early,” Kane said. “Definitely Morgan and Ella. Everybody’s going after them right now. I’m gonna put myself in there, too.”

Critics zeroed in on Brown’s inclusion of Wallen and Langley as evidence of recency bias. While both artists are undeniably dominant forces in country music today, detractors argue their careers have not yet produced the kind of lasting, genre-defining influence the Mount Rushmore concept demands. Even Brown acknowledged Langley’s selection may be premature.

The broader pushback centers on a roster of names many consider the genre’s true cornerstones: Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Waylon Jennings, and George Jones. By that standard, Brown’s picks read more like a snapshot of the current moment than a permanent monument.

The debate ultimately circles a central tension: whether a country music Mount Rushmore should honor those who built the foundation of the genre or those who currently define its heights. For now, Brown’s picks have given fans and writers plenty to argue about — and the conversation shows no signs of quieting down.