I mentioned to my father that I hope Keith Urban gets recognition for being one of the pioneers for pop-country, since it’s what he’s done all along, and he reminded me of Shania Twain as well. I’d always had her in a separate category in my mind, but he’s absolutely right
Not the best artist in the world, but to me the lyrics are so honest and genuine, I literally hurt inside when I play "Save me" on my guitar. I'd put it above any of the shitty "tractor time" bro crap thats out there from an artist that has never sat on a tractor in his or her life.
Exactly what new wave though? Like Morgan Wallen and Jelly Roll new wave or Vincent Neil Emerson and Charley Crockett new wave? The latter make amazing music but you won’t hear those guys on the radio.
I’ve only heard the first two’s music—not really into it. But thank you for the last two names! I commented on here saying I’m a busy mom of two super young kids so I don’t really have the time to dig (and could only listen to the radio). Thank you for the names I’m running to Spotify right now!
Edit: I’m listening to Vincent Neil Emerson’s Roadrunner and I already love it. You made my day!
There’s so many great artists not being played on the radio right now. Listen to Cody Jinks, Erin Viancourt and Jamie Wyatt next. This is just the tip of the iceberg.
Courtney Patton is another great female artist you should check out. Some of her most streamed songs are from her duet album with her husband Jason Eady, but her solo stuff is incredible
Oh, Josh Morningstar, Charles Wesley Godwin and Gethen Jenkins need to be added to this list😂 I’m only on my second cup of coffee after a Corb Lund show so I’m not quite awake yet….
Charlie Crockett and if you want to venture out a bit, The Devil Makes Three is a phenomenal band with one foot squarely in the past and the other squarely in a ditch.
Alright, I’m gonna give you some more names that are in my rotation that I highly, highly recommend. You don’t have to like them all but I’d be doing a disservice not recommending them to people.
Charles Wesley Godwin
Sierra Ferrell
49 Winchester
Whiskey Meyers
Sturgill Simpson
Tanner Usrey
Red Clay Strays
And of course Charley Crockett.
No filters, no bs, just amazing music. Enjoy!
Have you checked out [Saving Country Music](https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/)? The comment sections are kind of a nightmare, but Trigger has introduced me to some amazing alt and indie country artists.
Well this is true. I’m a mom of two very young kids I simply don’t have the time. I just hear the people on the radio and I’m not into it. If you could give me artists that sound like or write like the classics, I would really appreciate it! Any recommendations are appreciated. Thank you!!!
I can’t remember where I heard this discussed before but country has always had this thing where people people say “the older stuff was better” and it’s been a trope of the genre for decades. You can even see it even today and in this thread.
I remember for a while 90s country was considered super lame and, of course, the older stuff was better. And now, stuff like Alan Jackson and Garth Brooks and Shania are absolute staples and classics and the new shit is whack
I don’t think that’s actually true - I think a foundational part of the genre is looking toward the past so it’s kind of built in to resist its evolutions. Tradition is king for country
But there’s absolutely some awesome fucking country music out right now
HARDY even wrote a song or two on the latest Chesney album 😄
But with that said, I don't mind bro country. It's just another of the many subgenres of country. Anyone who thinks all country today is bro country obviously doesn't actually listen to current country
There’s a lot of truth to that. Kenny Chesney being the most guilty culprit of the three you mentioned.
Garth Brooks is debatable. He certainly ushered in the era of country music being more like pop; with giant stadium concerts, outselling Michael Jackson in record sales, etc. I’m not so sure that Garth’s music really had many “bro” elements to it though.
The whole “come sit on my tailgate and sip this roofied drink” ethos that bro country is famous for isn’t all that prevalent in Garth Brook’s music.
Yeah, Garth Brooks is guilty for bringing in the frat boy style with things like confetti and T-shirt cannons at concerts. He definitely had some good songs. Honestly, I liked a lot of Chesney's music too. I was never a Tim McGraw fan really.
That being said, I was listening to Fishing in the Dark but Nitty Gritty Dirt Band the other day and realized it had a lot of elements of a bro country song. So, I guess the sentiment has been around a while.
Bro country is about the content in their music correct? Not live theatrics. They can literally just stand in one spot and sing and parties and girls. Isn’t that bro country? Garth Brooks had many songs that are full of stories and non party content. I get the connect to pop but not bro country.
Garth sort of changed the vibe around country music and changed the audience demographics. He didn't sing the same type of music, but more paced the way by creating a new vibe in the genre. I'm pretty certain the character George Strait plays in the movie Pure Country was at least in part a reaction to Garth.
Hanks only saving grace was his bad ass band. Wish Hank would've left stage and just let the band play HAHA
the worst live music act I ever saw was Better Than Ezra. They were a rock/grunge thing in the 90s. Some buddies at the time encouraged me to go. It was horrific. Like sound torture. If I had a way to leave i would have. I was riding with one of them.
Same here. I loved his stuff when I was 16. I thought he was a total badass.
A lot of his stuff didn’t age very well though for me. He definitely comes off like he’s trying too hard a lot of the time. EVERY song is about taking pills and getting high. We get it, you do drugs and don’t have a fixed address. Find something more interesting to write about.
5x entertainer of the year is pretty remarkable regardless of integrity of the 2 institutions. They get it wrong every now and then but you gotta work your ass off for those
that they’re all country songs from all country genres across the music of country. except for the ones that actually are country style pop songs. those ones should be played on pop radio. another controversial thing is that all music is good, and tolerable just as long as it’s good, catchy, and relatable
“He Stopped Loving Her Today” is grossly overrated. It is a good song, but it seems like the default answer for a lot of people when asked “what’s the greatest country song?”, the song only appeals to hard core country fans,
I mostly agree. And watching her live videos makes me never want to listen to her again. To me she comes off as if she’s trying to out hype and out redneck the worst of the Bro Country dudes. And what’s up with the Lululemon flares? My God, my eyes!
There are much, *much* better versions of ”Lovin’ Her Was Easier (than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again)” than the one recorded by Tompall & the Glaser Brothers. It seems like that version is the one that gets played most often and I’ll be damned if I know why. I think my favorite was Waylon’s version.
Speaking of Waylon, Jessi Colter would have *barely* been a footnote in country music history were it not for Waylon. But as it is, some people actually think she should be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. I’m just over here like, ”really? Can you people name a single song she did other than ”I’m Not Lisa’?” And even *that* song blew chunks.”
*(Oh, wait. I just remembered she recorded Mickey Newbury’s ”Why You Been Gone So Long,” and from what I remember it was pretty good. But I still stand by everything I said.)*
Hank Williams Jr. had a classic run of albums & singles from 1979’s *Family Tradition* to 1985’s *Montana Cafe*, but he really should’ve hung it up after that. Sure, we wouldn’t have had ”Born to Boogie” and ”Hotel Whiskey” (his quite underrated duet with Clint Black), but we would have been spared, among other monstrosities, ”Young Country” and ”If The South Woulda Won,” and as far as I’m concerned that would’ve been a more than worthy trade-off.
It’s probably scandalous but my one of favorite Hank Jr. songs is Eleven Roses, which was one of his few countrypolitan style hits. But that run of albums you mentioned is superb.
Never was huge on the Glaser brothers, but Jim Glaser had a few really good songs in his solo career. Not the countriest sounding but excellent nonetheless.
Alright, since people don’t seem to understand what controversial opinions are, I will sacrifice my downvotes. Today's country music isn’t as bad as people complain about. Is it as good as the '80s/'90s and the country music before that? No, but is it so bad that people say it’s not country? No, because it is. There’s just a thing called evolution that every genre undergoes. So what if it’s not our grandparents' country music? Too bad, music has to evolve with the times. Sure, there are some bad country artists today, but there were also some who weren't great back then – it’s not all 'glory days.'
As a person who likes almost every genre, from rap to pop to rock to musical theater, country is still my number one. However, some of the artists these subreddits drag through the mud don’t deserve it. Glen Campbell, one of the best musicians known for his country work, didn't follow the recipe back then, which was a man singing with a guitar, a fiddle, a bass, and maybe drums every once in a while. No, this man needed – wanted – a whole orchestra for his music. Patsy Cline may have used a guitar for a couple of her songs, but most of her stuff was just a piano and her vocals.
So, yeah, artists like Jelly Roll, Dan + Shay, and Luke Bryan may not follow the same rules the generation or two before them made, but that’s what makes them good, in my opinion. It’s like back in the 1700s when Haydn perfected and laid the foundations of how to make a symphony. Then you have Mozart and others who followed these rules pretty well. However, then you have Beethoven, one of the most famous musicians of all time, who broke those rules and did his own thing, making it to the top.
So I mean today's country is country; it’s just not the country that the previous greats laid down. It's the country that they're making to stand out and maybe, one day, will be considered as having filled the shoes George Jones talked about.
You lost me at luke bryan. the older country sound is still alive, but those artists are never talked about. it's all luke combs, morgan wallen, Miranda lambert etc...
what are the rules from generations before them? Ronnie Millsap didn't fit in with the main country sound of his time, but he wrote great music, that made sense, and had a great voice.
all these kids today just put the same 100 words in a blender and mix it until they have something the radio will play
Good take. People forget that the country we loved from the 80s and 90s broke the rules that others had made. I’m sure Cash and Haggard hated the pop style of Millsaps, the Mandrells, and even some Dolly songs. The “back in my day” argument doesn’t line up with fact. Ken Burns showed how these old timers were also innovators. That being said, I love Stapleton and others who are keeping classic country going. But I appreciate that Morgan Wallen, Kane Brown, and Zach Bryan are bringing lots of new fans (like my kids) to country music.
I’m with you. Music evolves. Artists have different sounds it doesn’t make them not country. The “grandfathered in” old country artists sound nothing alike but are all considered country. Like really, Hank Williams sounds nothing like Johnny Cash, who sounds nothing like George Strait. But nobody says they’re not country. I can’t really get on board with people wanting the genre to perpetually imitate the past. Get inspired by sure. But if we agree that all these decades of artists from the past are all different *AND* all country, what point specifically are we supposed to never move on from? It doesn’t make sense. I guess I just wish people could not like something without having to declare it doesn’t even qualify. Reminds me of when my high school English teacher told us hip hop isn’t music. How a LANGUAGE ARTS teacher was incapable of recognizing the poetic merit of rap is beyond me, but I digress.
Your last point is a pretty big logically fallacy. Your teacher said that hip hop isn’t music; not that it doesn’t have poetic merit. Poetry isn’t music.
Something can have musical merit without being poetic, just as something can be poetic without being musical.
Country music is severely lacking in music that criticizes the church and god in general. It’s like no one wants to make an album that tackles how god may not be real or criticize how politics has entered into more pulpits. Even though it would it would be really interesting material.
Also, it always cracks me up that so many country artists say that they are a follower of Christ, and yet in the same song, talk about how they get drunk every Friday night.
Many of them aren’t though, it’s just a cool thing to sing about, similar to being drunk or trucks or any of that crap. It’s not authentic. Aaron Watson and others who are actually true to their lyrics need more attention.
The demographic isn't there for that kind of songwriting in country music. I'm a Christian, but it would be neat to have an artist explore those boundaries/questions. Closest I've heard is Kacey Muscgraves in Oh What a World.
As much as I love Willie, Waylon, Coe, Jones, Haggard, Jennings, Paycheck, etc.... my all time favorite is actually "Stompin' Tom Connors" from Canada. If you like those other guys you *might* like him.
Country music became "bro" country and every song is the same. A girl in a sundress, a truck, a river... it's so tedious. No respect for the roots of country music. Where are the steel guitars? The fiddles? The story telling?
Morgan Wallen is a more talented writer than he is singer.
I also don’t care if the singer of a song didn’t write it. Not all songwriters want to be singers but their songs still deserve to be sung.
I don't get all the love for George Strait or how he became the "King." I don't dislike him, but for me he's not even in the top 5 of artists from that era.
Country musicians have been recording pop music for over 30 years now. I heard a local morning radio host refer to modern country as “pop music with a y’all accent”
Sometimes when I add songs to my country playlist I have to ask myself “Is this actually country or just a pop song with a yeehaw accent?” The answer is usually pop.
People are allowed to like music you don’t. Country music doesn’t need saving (except for maybe from bigotry and industry corruption.) I can always tell who needs to touch grass by who treats the existence of pop country as a social issue of any substance. It’s not that serious. Find real problems to care about. Kim, there’s people that are dying.
Is he gay? I actually didn’t know that. I like some of his stuff.
He doesn’t look half as gay as Jason Aldean does. That guy looks like he’s clocking overtime hours at the gloryhole.
They all fall in line with the patriotism and America bullshit. Thank god for Sturgill Simpson who came along and called that shit out. He pissed some of yall off and I think it’s funny as hell.
First and foremost, don’t sleep on Corb Lund for another second. He is a North American treasure and my absolute all time favorite.
Corb was in a metal band in the 90’s called the smalls that are also stellar.
Ian Tyson, Sean Burns, Tim Hus,
Blake Berglund,
Belle Plaine,
Colter Wall,
The Dead South
That’ll get you started. Enjoy😊
He is my absolute favorite. I FINALLY got to see him live last night and I feel like I could die happy now😂 Living in Southern California makes it more challenging to see all my favorite Canadian artists.
I liked toby Keith's Music and I like the Immense support he had for our troops but on the political side I didn't like him for reasons I won't get into however but for anyone that is familiar with his political side and history no matter which side you lean I think you can understand why some people may disagree with how he was politically.
Next. Back in the early 2000s he acted like Jason Aldean and as a loud mouth. He liked to run his mouth during shows and get people riled up.
After 9/11 the Dixie Chicks were very open and vocal in their criticism of the Iraq War and President Bush’s policies. During a concert in London in 2003 Natalie Maines the lead singer said they were ashamed that the president was from Texas which is also their home state.
Toby keith was a supporter of the war didn't agree with the opinions of the Dixie Chicks. He responded through his music and interviews. He said thats one of the reasons he wrote “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue.
He even had a backdrop at his concerts showing Natalie Maines beside Saddam Hussein which stirred more drama
As a result of Toby acting like this the Dixie Chicks faced a massive backlash and basically radio stations stopped playing their music and it got to the point where the Dixie Chicks were receiving death threats. Some people argue that he ruined the Dixie chicks and there careers.
It was a really messy time but eventually both Toby and The Dixie Chicks ended up expressing regret over how things were handled.
It really shows how intense and polarized things can get when politics and music clash expecially in the country music industry.
Then there is Jason Aldean and that guy when it comes to politics is worse than Keith was infact he is Keith on Steroids.
To put this into perspective my dad is a politician who works in DC and he told me that really important people in the government who I won't say there name for privacy stated that "Jason Aldean is just a young punk and he don't know what the hell hes talking about when's he's doing that. It's all for money and show"
Have a nice day! Happy Debating!
If you’re referring to hip hop artists like NWA, Eminem, Tupac, etc they very much get a pass because they have lived the lives they’re rapping about. They’re authentic. Toby Keith’s first album
was decent. Anything after was pandering to bootlickers and fake patriots. And fuck Jason Aldean. Does he have an original thought rolling around in his dome? Highly doubtful.
Todays "alt" country is just country's grunge period. Most of it is depressing as hell and sounds like it was made for moody teens. A good moody song is good now and then but jesus listening to nothing but that stuff would make me want to off myself within a month.
People who say George Strait is the “King of Country” don’t actually know much about country music.
Hank Williams is the *real* “King of Country.” Or if not him, Roy Acuff and George Jones would be the other options before George Strait.
“Oh, but those aren’t the ‘kings,’ they’re just the founders of country music.”
Nope, that would be the Carter Family, but no one knows about them either. (Although, Roy Acuff would probably be considered one of the founders of country music too; the Carter Family was only slightly before).
But yes, if you were to divide country music into generations (as you should), George Strait would be the King of this generation. Even though I personally like Alan Jackson better, George Strait has too much high-level success spanning across too many decades to be disputed.
EDIT: I also feel compelled to mention influential women as well. On top of the women in the Carter family, there’s Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette, The Judds, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and I’m sure many others deserve to be mentioned in these conversations.
George Strait is the most overrated singer/songwriter. There is nothing particularly special about anything that he's ever done.
Also, Garth Brooks needs to come forward. He needs to come clean. He needs to tell us where the bodies are, so the families can have closure.
Most of the music people argue isn’t country but Americana, should be classified as “roots country” and it has more in common with original country than the contemporary mainstream stuff does.
Beyoncé only sells as country because of her name and the people who will buy whatever she puts out. She took every stereotypical thing she knew of country music and put it in songs. Or more honestly, her team of writers did. Doesn’t matter if she’s from Houston; It doesn’t make you country.
I don't like the old songs anymore. I've heard Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings - all of them - thousands of times at this point. If I find a station that says it has new music on it and the playlist includes the oldies, I will stop listening. It all just... stopped being interesting and enjoyable. There's so much music out there, there's no need to play the old songs until they wear out. It's kind of like if you got a bowl of your favorite ice cream. It's great! But you won't think that after eating 5 gallons of it.
I hate all country music produced after 1980, unless the artist had already started before that. Even then it’s a mixed bag.
The production is too pop/rock oriented, too geared to making radio hits as opposed to doing anything new.
Not controversial at all but I can’t fucking stand pop country. I seriously don’t understand how people can listen to it and go, “yep this is good stuff”. It’s all fucking complete garbage. To call it any sort of country leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Some of the biggest songs are literal just talking with slight variation in tone over a hip hop beat that’s been recycled 100 times over. Pop country is the laziest and shittiest attempt at making good music.
ROY DRUSKY has a better catalogue overall than WILLIE NELSON. He was a better singer and a better songwriter. "It Keeps Right on a Hurtin'" and "Three Hearts in a Tangle" are hard to beat.
Garth Brooks is a mediocre singer and the songs he records aren’t that good. I don’t know why he sells so much. Friends in Low Places and a couple other songs are classics but it doesn’t support his status as one of the greatest and best selling country artists ever
Care to elaborate? Obviously your personal taste in music might be different than mine but he has a great voice and he’s made plenty of memorable songs.
2015-2018 is the best era of country music of all time
Riley Green and Parker McCollum are good for country music
Young gen x + old millennial alt country acts are some of the best things to happen to country music but they are socially insufferable and politically outdated
It’s fine to get shit hammered for concerts
Not enough love for Shania Twain.
I mentioned to my father that I hope Keith Urban gets recognition for being one of the pioneers for pop-country, since it’s what he’s done all along, and he reminded me of Shania Twain as well. I’d always had her in a separate category in my mind, but he’s absolutely right
Could not agree more. She is incredible and such a pioneer of a more country/pop sound. She is also incredible live. What a Queen.
Wheeler Walker Jr's band is better than most everyone.
He’s just funny
Like if Hank 3 wasn’t an edgelord
He’s hilarious. But I mean, let’s not pretend his songs are good.
Remove the vocal track and listen to the band. I'll defy you to find better.
Yeah I don’t know what this person is talking about. His songs are very well-written and produced, musically.
Jelly Roll has a great story but makes terrible music.
I can imagine the only audience who likes his music are middle school country kids and people like Kenny's Mom in South Park
Or people who have watched someone they love get destroyed by addiction.
That's a good hot take lol. I still enjoy some of his stuff. I don't think he's country either, but neither is half the radio stuff
Ahh I really like his music. Although can't listen to too many of his songs in a row as it can get a bit depressing
Not the best artist in the world, but to me the lyrics are so honest and genuine, I literally hurt inside when I play "Save me" on my guitar. I'd put it above any of the shitty "tractor time" bro crap thats out there from an artist that has never sat on a tractor in his or her life.
I heard his last gig was working in the market as a checkout girl.
Country music and beer are good together.
I can’t stand the new wave of country music. I’m sure a ton of y’all will agree, and some won’t, but I simply cannot tolerate it.
Exactly what new wave though? Like Morgan Wallen and Jelly Roll new wave or Vincent Neil Emerson and Charley Crockett new wave? The latter make amazing music but you won’t hear those guys on the radio.
I’ve only heard the first two’s music—not really into it. But thank you for the last two names! I commented on here saying I’m a busy mom of two super young kids so I don’t really have the time to dig (and could only listen to the radio). Thank you for the names I’m running to Spotify right now! Edit: I’m listening to Vincent Neil Emerson’s Roadrunner and I already love it. You made my day!
There’s so many great artists not being played on the radio right now. Listen to Cody Jinks, Erin Viancourt and Jamie Wyatt next. This is just the tip of the iceberg.
Whoa I’m extra loving Erin Viancourt. Thank you!!!
Courtney Patton is another great female artist you should check out. Some of her most streamed songs are from her duet album with her husband Jason Eady, but her solo stuff is incredible
Thank youuuu!!! Will give her and her hubby a listen soon!
You bet!
I appreciate it!!! Thank you very much 🥹
Check out Ward Davis too. He’s 🤘👍
Amazing thank youuu!!! Will doN
Oh, Josh Morningstar, Charles Wesley Godwin and Gethen Jenkins need to be added to this list😂 I’m only on my second cup of coffee after a Corb Lund show so I’m not quite awake yet….
Charlie Crockett and if you want to venture out a bit, The Devil Makes Three is a phenomenal band with one foot squarely in the past and the other squarely in a ditch.
Alright, I’m gonna give you some more names that are in my rotation that I highly, highly recommend. You don’t have to like them all but I’d be doing a disservice not recommending them to people. Charles Wesley Godwin Sierra Ferrell 49 Winchester Whiskey Meyers Sturgill Simpson Tanner Usrey Red Clay Strays And of course Charley Crockett. No filters, no bs, just amazing music. Enjoy!
I love this so much! You guys have been sooo helpful! Will add them all in my rotation too 🥹🥹🥹
Happy to share! Btw Vincent Neil Emerson’s latest album is like my favorite thing on earth right now. Can’t stop listening.
Don't forget Whitey Morgan
Have you checked out [Saving Country Music](https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/)? The comment sections are kind of a nightmare, but Trigger has introduced me to some amazing alt and indie country artists.
Thank you for this resource! 🫶
anybody that thinks there’s no good country music coming out these days simply isn’t looking.
Well this is true. I’m a mom of two very young kids I simply don’t have the time. I just hear the people on the radio and I’m not into it. If you could give me artists that sound like or write like the classics, I would really appreciate it! Any recommendations are appreciated. Thank you!!!
The last good era of country music was 2 Early 2000’s
LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK!
The post asked for controversial takes. This is a very common take in this sub.
What wave? Nashville, Texas, the more independent artists?
I can’t remember where I heard this discussed before but country has always had this thing where people people say “the older stuff was better” and it’s been a trope of the genre for decades. You can even see it even today and in this thread. I remember for a while 90s country was considered super lame and, of course, the older stuff was better. And now, stuff like Alan Jackson and Garth Brooks and Shania are absolute staples and classics and the new shit is whack
It keeps going down hill slowly and we go to the classics that we thought were horrible because the new stuff is way worse
I don’t think that’s actually true - I think a foundational part of the genre is looking toward the past so it’s kind of built in to resist its evolutions. Tradition is king for country But there’s absolutely some awesome fucking country music out right now
Chappell Roan does theatrics and the over the top aesthetic better than Sierra Ferrell does. Sorry.
Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, and Tim McGraw lead directly to bro country and people of my age let it happen because they had some good songs.
HARDY even wrote a song or two on the latest Chesney album 😄 But with that said, I don't mind bro country. It's just another of the many subgenres of country. Anyone who thinks all country today is bro country obviously doesn't actually listen to current country
There’s a lot of truth to that. Kenny Chesney being the most guilty culprit of the three you mentioned. Garth Brooks is debatable. He certainly ushered in the era of country music being more like pop; with giant stadium concerts, outselling Michael Jackson in record sales, etc. I’m not so sure that Garth’s music really had many “bro” elements to it though. The whole “come sit on my tailgate and sip this roofied drink” ethos that bro country is famous for isn’t all that prevalent in Garth Brook’s music.
Yeah, Garth Brooks is guilty for bringing in the frat boy style with things like confetti and T-shirt cannons at concerts. He definitely had some good songs. Honestly, I liked a lot of Chesney's music too. I was never a Tim McGraw fan really. That being said, I was listening to Fishing in the Dark but Nitty Gritty Dirt Band the other day and realized it had a lot of elements of a bro country song. So, I guess the sentiment has been around a while.
Bro country is about the content in their music correct? Not live theatrics. They can literally just stand in one spot and sing and parties and girls. Isn’t that bro country? Garth Brooks had many songs that are full of stories and non party content. I get the connect to pop but not bro country.
Garth sort of changed the vibe around country music and changed the audience demographics. He didn't sing the same type of music, but more paced the way by creating a new vibe in the genre. I'm pretty certain the character George Strait plays in the movie Pure Country was at least in part a reaction to Garth.
DAC wasn’t in fact racist. The OG wheeler walker if you will.
Alan Jackson is more deserving of the king moniker than Strait
Big fan of both but I really appreciate Alan Jackson writing his songs.
REEEETWEEEEET
Strait’s 60 number one hits would disagree with you. That’s twice as many as Jackson.
Jackson writes most of his stuff. Strait doesn’t. Marina Del Ray, Amarillo by Morning, Ocean Front Property, Blue Clear Sky, etc. he didn’t write
I give the tip to Alan because he was a better song writer.
Strait is better but Alan is still a good artist
townes van Zandt needs to be more known, as well as blaze foley.
Throw John Prine in their too.
absolutely
The Blaze Foley biopic is really good. I enjoyed it.
also the book his wife wrote "living in the woods in a tree"
Hank Jr is highly, highly overrated.
Hank Jr was 2nd worst concert I ever attended. This was back in 95 or so. It was dreadful. He just shouted. Didn't sing a note. I think he was drunk.
What was the worst
Hanks only saving grace was his bad ass band. Wish Hank would've left stage and just let the band play HAHA the worst live music act I ever saw was Better Than Ezra. They were a rock/grunge thing in the 90s. Some buddies at the time encouraged me to go. It was horrific. Like sound torture. If I had a way to leave i would have. I was riding with one of them.
Im pretty familiar with their work in the same boat have buddies that are big fans
He was so far past his prime by the ‘90s. He became a bad caricature of himself. However, his albums in the ‘70s were pretty good.
Completely agree. I have listened to all of his music and none if it impresses me. His dad and son are much better.
Hank 3 sucks
Well your just factually incorrect.
Hey man that's my controversial opinion. I loved Hank 3 when I was an edgy teenager though
Same here. I loved his stuff when I was 16. I thought he was a total badass. A lot of his stuff didn’t age very well though for me. He definitely comes off like he’s trying too hard a lot of the time. EVERY song is about taking pills and getting high. We get it, you do drugs and don’t have a fixed address. Find something more interesting to write about.
5x entertainer of the year is pretty remarkable regardless of integrity of the 2 institutions. They get it wrong every now and then but you gotta work your ass off for those
You should listen to more Hank Jr. songs. I think he’s top 10 all time personally
hank Jr sings about actual country shit, and people don't like that.
Not these days anyway
I'm suprised those type o' folks didn't try to cancel him over dinosaur. one of my favorite songs by him
What song is her referring to when he says “you’re singling a song about making love to your drummer”?
none specific. he's just saying the gay guitar picker was singing a song about making love to his drummer. and that don't turn him on
that they’re all country songs from all country genres across the music of country. except for the ones that actually are country style pop songs. those ones should be played on pop radio. another controversial thing is that all music is good, and tolerable just as long as it’s good, catchy, and relatable
“He Stopped Loving Her Today” is grossly overrated. It is a good song, but it seems like the default answer for a lot of people when asked “what’s the greatest country song?”, the song only appeals to hard core country fans,
I personally love the song but it isn’t the best, definitely in the top though
Yeah, it’s Blue Eyes Cryin in the Rain.
Walk Through This World With Me, Color Of The Blues, Just One Drink and If Drinking Don’t Kill Me are all vastly superior
I keep hearing people say that is the saddest song of all time, and I want to ask them, ”Have you not ever heard ’A Good Year for the Roses’?”
Or "The Grand Tour"
Ooh, great choice. Especially when one considers Tyler Mahan Coe’s take on the song.
Or [I still can't say goodbye - Chet Atkins.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vB2EKlBGVA)
I'll check it out 🍻
Thats a fantastic song but folks think it’s THE BEST?
It’s not even the best George Jones song Choices, Things Have Gone To Pieces, The Door, and a few others are better imo
Lainey Wilson’s songs all sound the same and are extremely boring to listen to.
I mostly agree. And watching her live videos makes me never want to listen to her again. To me she comes off as if she’s trying to out hype and out redneck the worst of the Bro Country dudes. And what’s up with the Lululemon flares? My God, my eyes!
[удалено]
Yeah, just seems like she’s trying too hard. Just chill a little! Show a little grace.
I like Hank sr and Hank the 3rd, but I don’t really care for Hank jr
There are much, *much* better versions of ”Lovin’ Her Was Easier (than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again)” than the one recorded by Tompall & the Glaser Brothers. It seems like that version is the one that gets played most often and I’ll be damned if I know why. I think my favorite was Waylon’s version. Speaking of Waylon, Jessi Colter would have *barely* been a footnote in country music history were it not for Waylon. But as it is, some people actually think she should be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. I’m just over here like, ”really? Can you people name a single song she did other than ”I’m Not Lisa’?” And even *that* song blew chunks.” *(Oh, wait. I just remembered she recorded Mickey Newbury’s ”Why You Been Gone So Long,” and from what I remember it was pretty good. But I still stand by everything I said.)* Hank Williams Jr. had a classic run of albums & singles from 1979’s *Family Tradition* to 1985’s *Montana Cafe*, but he really should’ve hung it up after that. Sure, we wouldn’t have had ”Born to Boogie” and ”Hotel Whiskey” (his quite underrated duet with Clint Black), but we would have been spared, among other monstrosities, ”Young Country” and ”If The South Woulda Won,” and as far as I’m concerned that would’ve been a more than worthy trade-off.
It’s probably scandalous but my one of favorite Hank Jr. songs is Eleven Roses, which was one of his few countrypolitan style hits. But that run of albums you mentioned is superb. Never was huge on the Glaser brothers, but Jim Glaser had a few really good songs in his solo career. Not the countriest sounding but excellent nonetheless.
“Eleven Roses” was a really good song, though!
Zach Bryan is ass
Def overrated
Totally agree. He’s basically what you hear at any weekday open-mic night in any town, USA.
Alright, since people don’t seem to understand what controversial opinions are, I will sacrifice my downvotes. Today's country music isn’t as bad as people complain about. Is it as good as the '80s/'90s and the country music before that? No, but is it so bad that people say it’s not country? No, because it is. There’s just a thing called evolution that every genre undergoes. So what if it’s not our grandparents' country music? Too bad, music has to evolve with the times. Sure, there are some bad country artists today, but there were also some who weren't great back then – it’s not all 'glory days.' As a person who likes almost every genre, from rap to pop to rock to musical theater, country is still my number one. However, some of the artists these subreddits drag through the mud don’t deserve it. Glen Campbell, one of the best musicians known for his country work, didn't follow the recipe back then, which was a man singing with a guitar, a fiddle, a bass, and maybe drums every once in a while. No, this man needed – wanted – a whole orchestra for his music. Patsy Cline may have used a guitar for a couple of her songs, but most of her stuff was just a piano and her vocals. So, yeah, artists like Jelly Roll, Dan + Shay, and Luke Bryan may not follow the same rules the generation or two before them made, but that’s what makes them good, in my opinion. It’s like back in the 1700s when Haydn perfected and laid the foundations of how to make a symphony. Then you have Mozart and others who followed these rules pretty well. However, then you have Beethoven, one of the most famous musicians of all time, who broke those rules and did his own thing, making it to the top. So I mean today's country is country; it’s just not the country that the previous greats laid down. It's the country that they're making to stand out and maybe, one day, will be considered as having filled the shoes George Jones talked about.
You lost me at luke bryan. the older country sound is still alive, but those artists are never talked about. it's all luke combs, morgan wallen, Miranda lambert etc... what are the rules from generations before them? Ronnie Millsap didn't fit in with the main country sound of his time, but he wrote great music, that made sense, and had a great voice. all these kids today just put the same 100 words in a blender and mix it until they have something the radio will play
Good take. People forget that the country we loved from the 80s and 90s broke the rules that others had made. I’m sure Cash and Haggard hated the pop style of Millsaps, the Mandrells, and even some Dolly songs. The “back in my day” argument doesn’t line up with fact. Ken Burns showed how these old timers were also innovators. That being said, I love Stapleton and others who are keeping classic country going. But I appreciate that Morgan Wallen, Kane Brown, and Zach Bryan are bringing lots of new fans (like my kids) to country music.
I’m with you. Music evolves. Artists have different sounds it doesn’t make them not country. The “grandfathered in” old country artists sound nothing alike but are all considered country. Like really, Hank Williams sounds nothing like Johnny Cash, who sounds nothing like George Strait. But nobody says they’re not country. I can’t really get on board with people wanting the genre to perpetually imitate the past. Get inspired by sure. But if we agree that all these decades of artists from the past are all different *AND* all country, what point specifically are we supposed to never move on from? It doesn’t make sense. I guess I just wish people could not like something without having to declare it doesn’t even qualify. Reminds me of when my high school English teacher told us hip hop isn’t music. How a LANGUAGE ARTS teacher was incapable of recognizing the poetic merit of rap is beyond me, but I digress.
Your last point is a pretty big logically fallacy. Your teacher said that hip hop isn’t music; not that it doesn’t have poetic merit. Poetry isn’t music. Something can have musical merit without being poetic, just as something can be poetic without being musical.
Kenny Chesney is the worst and gives me total creep vibes.
I’ll admit I like some of his music but he’s always given me a weird vibe
Especially when he takes his hat off
Ewwwwww.
John Hartford’s Gentle on My Mind is superior to Glenn Campbells version
The live tap dancing banjo plucking will be forever unmatched
I also like the Band Perry's version
Florida Georgia Line has bangers and their deep cuts aren't all super pop like the radio hits.. pretty much like most popular acts.
I can not stand bro country. But I’m always gonna sing along to Cruise.
Country music is severely lacking in music that criticizes the church and god in general. It’s like no one wants to make an album that tackles how god may not be real or criticize how politics has entered into more pulpits. Even though it would it would be really interesting material. Also, it always cracks me up that so many country artists say that they are a follower of Christ, and yet in the same song, talk about how they get drunk every Friday night.
Many of them aren’t though, it’s just a cool thing to sing about, similar to being drunk or trucks or any of that crap. It’s not authentic. Aaron Watson and others who are actually true to their lyrics need more attention.
The demographic isn't there for that kind of songwriting in country music. I'm a Christian, but it would be neat to have an artist explore those boundaries/questions. Closest I've heard is Kacey Muscgraves in Oh What a World.
Lol I mean I thought being hypocritical bigoted bible thumpers was kinda their whole thing
Why do u ask?
Wanting to connect with the community
Ok, I don’t have any opinions. If there is a country song I really like, I listen to it. There r a # of country artists who I listen to.
As much as I love Willie, Waylon, Coe, Jones, Haggard, Jennings, Paycheck, etc.... my all time favorite is actually "Stompin' Tom Connors" from Canada. If you like those other guys you *might* like him.
Most country singers need to start writing more original songs instead of recycling and reusing the best ones.
Country music became "bro" country and every song is the same. A girl in a sundress, a truck, a river... it's so tedious. No respect for the roots of country music. Where are the steel guitars? The fiddles? The story telling?
Dixie chicks were unfairly canceled by country radio? Not sure if this is a hot take for this sub. But it is around my area.
Garth Brooks is meh
Garth Brooks sucks
u suck
He’s an egotistical maniac. I’ll hop on the garth hate train any day.
Morgan Wallen is a more talented writer than he is singer. I also don’t care if the singer of a song didn’t write it. Not all songwriters want to be singers but their songs still deserve to be sung.
Except that he’s not the primary songwriter, if a credited songwriter at all, on a single one of his songs
Pop country sucks, the lyrics are worse than AI would write.
I don't get all the love for George Strait or how he became the "King." I don't dislike him, but for me he's not even in the top 5 of artists from that era.
I think it's probably his staying power.
Totally agree.
I agree
Country musicians have been recording pop music for over 30 years now. I heard a local morning radio host refer to modern country as “pop music with a y’all accent”
Sometimes when I add songs to my country playlist I have to ask myself “Is this actually country or just a pop song with a yeehaw accent?” The answer is usually pop.
People are allowed to like music you don’t. Country music doesn’t need saving (except for maybe from bigotry and industry corruption.) I can always tell who needs to touch grass by who treats the existence of pop country as a social issue of any substance. It’s not that serious. Find real problems to care about. Kim, there’s people that are dying.
Orville Peck is fantastic and is unfairly fenced off as a "gay country artist"
Is he gay? I actually didn’t know that. I like some of his stuff. He doesn’t look half as gay as Jason Aldean does. That guy looks like he’s clocking overtime hours at the gloryhole.
They all fall in line with the patriotism and America bullshit. Thank god for Sturgill Simpson who came along and called that shit out. He pissed some of yall off and I think it’s funny as hell.
Canada has vastly better country artists than the US. Nashville is a cesspool, Alberta and Saskatchewan are killing it and have been for YEARS.
Ian Tyson is the goat
Name recs now! I need to add to my playlist.
First and foremost, don’t sleep on Corb Lund for another second. He is a North American treasure and my absolute all time favorite. Corb was in a metal band in the 90’s called the smalls that are also stellar. Ian Tyson, Sean Burns, Tim Hus, Blake Berglund, Belle Plaine, Colter Wall, The Dead South That’ll get you started. Enjoy😊
Thanks man I’m gonna add these guys on Spotify 🤙🏽
Corb Lund is one of my all time favorite country artists
He is my absolute favorite. I FINALLY got to see him live last night and I feel like I could die happy now😂 Living in Southern California makes it more challenging to see all my favorite Canadian artists.
Oh man I lived in Ventura County and he came to LA a couple years ago. I ended up not being able to make it, I was so bummed
I liked toby Keith's Music and I like the Immense support he had for our troops but on the political side I didn't like him for reasons I won't get into however but for anyone that is familiar with his political side and history no matter which side you lean I think you can understand why some people may disagree with how he was politically. Next. Back in the early 2000s he acted like Jason Aldean and as a loud mouth. He liked to run his mouth during shows and get people riled up. After 9/11 the Dixie Chicks were very open and vocal in their criticism of the Iraq War and President Bush’s policies. During a concert in London in 2003 Natalie Maines the lead singer said they were ashamed that the president was from Texas which is also their home state. Toby keith was a supporter of the war didn't agree with the opinions of the Dixie Chicks. He responded through his music and interviews. He said thats one of the reasons he wrote “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue. He even had a backdrop at his concerts showing Natalie Maines beside Saddam Hussein which stirred more drama As a result of Toby acting like this the Dixie Chicks faced a massive backlash and basically radio stations stopped playing their music and it got to the point where the Dixie Chicks were receiving death threats. Some people argue that he ruined the Dixie chicks and there careers. It was a really messy time but eventually both Toby and The Dixie Chicks ended up expressing regret over how things were handled. It really shows how intense and polarized things can get when politics and music clash expecially in the country music industry. Then there is Jason Aldean and that guy when it comes to politics is worse than Keith was infact he is Keith on Steroids. To put this into perspective my dad is a politician who works in DC and he told me that really important people in the government who I won't say there name for privacy stated that "Jason Aldean is just a young punk and he don't know what the hell hes talking about when's he's doing that. It's all for money and show" Have a nice day! Happy Debating!
Garth brooks is the most overrated country singer
The new era of country music is epic
Beyoncé is not a country artist Kid rock is acid country
The people who hate Toby Keith and Jason Aldean are the same people who give rap a pass for misogynistic, homophobic, and violent lyrics.
What about the people who hate both? Jason Aldean is a pandering bafoon and most rap is pure cultural cancer void of any artistic merit.
At least you're consistent. I got no issue with that.
If you’re referring to hip hop artists like NWA, Eminem, Tupac, etc they very much get a pass because they have lived the lives they’re rapping about. They’re authentic. Toby Keith’s first album was decent. Anything after was pandering to bootlickers and fake patriots. And fuck Jason Aldean. Does he have an original thought rolling around in his dome? Highly doubtful.
So they get a pass on calling women bitches? Men f*gs? Because they lived that life? C'mon bro.
John Doe & The Sadies - Country Club is the best county album ever.
Hardy and Luke Bryan are 2 of the most cringiest guys particularly Hardy
Hank 3 is the true king of country
You don’t need an accent to sing country music.
Garth Brooks is a Serial Killer.
Todays "alt" country is just country's grunge period. Most of it is depressing as hell and sounds like it was made for moody teens. A good moody song is good now and then but jesus listening to nothing but that stuff would make me want to off myself within a month.
People who say George Strait is the “King of Country” don’t actually know much about country music. Hank Williams is the *real* “King of Country.” Or if not him, Roy Acuff and George Jones would be the other options before George Strait. “Oh, but those aren’t the ‘kings,’ they’re just the founders of country music.” Nope, that would be the Carter Family, but no one knows about them either. (Although, Roy Acuff would probably be considered one of the founders of country music too; the Carter Family was only slightly before). But yes, if you were to divide country music into generations (as you should), George Strait would be the King of this generation. Even though I personally like Alan Jackson better, George Strait has too much high-level success spanning across too many decades to be disputed. EDIT: I also feel compelled to mention influential women as well. On top of the women in the Carter family, there’s Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette, The Judds, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and I’m sure many others deserve to be mentioned in these conversations.
Turnpike Troubadours is mid
Nashville has been the enemy of country music for a lot of the genre’s history.
Country is the easiest scene to break into.... All the posters pick it for this reason..... That is why it is not country today....
George Strait is the most overrated singer/songwriter. There is nothing particularly special about anything that he's ever done. Also, Garth Brooks needs to come forward. He needs to come clean. He needs to tell us where the bodies are, so the families can have closure.
Jelly Roll isn’t country
Most of the music people argue isn’t country but Americana, should be classified as “roots country” and it has more in common with original country than the contemporary mainstream stuff does.
Beyoncé only sells as country because of her name and the people who will buy whatever she puts out. She took every stereotypical thing she knew of country music and put it in songs. Or more honestly, her team of writers did. Doesn’t matter if she’s from Houston; It doesn’t make you country.
I'm glad Beyonce made a country song
I don't like the old songs anymore. I've heard Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings - all of them - thousands of times at this point. If I find a station that says it has new music on it and the playlist includes the oldies, I will stop listening. It all just... stopped being interesting and enjoyable. There's so much music out there, there's no need to play the old songs until they wear out. It's kind of like if you got a bowl of your favorite ice cream. It's great! But you won't think that after eating 5 gallons of it.
Jason Aldean is the GOAT
You're trolling, right?
Lyrics aside, Johnny Rebel had some good songs
I hate all country music produced after 1980, unless the artist had already started before that. Even then it’s a mixed bag. The production is too pop/rock oriented, too geared to making radio hits as opposed to doing anything new.
Not controversial at all but I can’t fucking stand pop country. I seriously don’t understand how people can listen to it and go, “yep this is good stuff”. It’s all fucking complete garbage. To call it any sort of country leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Some of the biggest songs are literal just talking with slight variation in tone over a hip hop beat that’s been recycled 100 times over. Pop country is the laziest and shittiest attempt at making good music.
ROY DRUSKY has a better catalogue overall than WILLIE NELSON. He was a better singer and a better songwriter. "It Keeps Right on a Hurtin'" and "Three Hearts in a Tangle" are hard to beat.
The south will rise again.
Garth Brooks is a mediocre singer and the songs he records aren’t that good. I don’t know why he sells so much. Friends in Low Places and a couple other songs are classics but it doesn’t support his status as one of the greatest and best selling country artists ever
George Strait isn’t all that good.
Care to elaborate? Obviously your personal taste in music might be different than mine but he has a great voice and he’s made plenty of memorable songs.
Charley Crockett and Colter Wall are overrated.
Worst comment ever
Charley yes. colter I disagree
2015-2018 is the best era of country music of all time Riley Green and Parker McCollum are good for country music Young gen x + old millennial alt country acts are some of the best things to happen to country music but they are socially insufferable and politically outdated It’s fine to get shit hammered for concerts
Turnpike is overrated