The Evolution of Country Music

Country Music has evolved immensely since its creation. Some argue that this is a natural and organic progression that needs to happen, but some argue that it isn’t event Country anymore and has ruined the genre. We are here today to discuss this generational debate.

Buckle up because this is the best blog yet, and its quite long, so you might want to sit down and grab a drink before starting.

As previously mentioned, Country music originated from working class people in the Appalachian and southern regions of the USA. This music was created by the every day person using instruments such as guitar, banjo, and fiddle that usually just outlined occurrences in their every day life; however, one specific thing made these songs stick out. Storytelling. The stories told in this music would hit close to home and be relatable for the listeners.  The songs would poetically showcase new ways of bringing to life good, bad, and all kinds of things that happen in life. These songs brought together communities and made people feel heard (it is three chords and the truth after all). This original style of Country music usually created songs that were longer ballads that were rough around the edges, so it wasn’t as polished or in the same format as today’s songs are. We also cannot continue without pointing out the different influences that Country music has had. If you look throughout history, most nations have their own version of “country music”; moreover, this is because “country” was initially the music of the hard-working communities that was born out of their own culture and traditions. This is why the genre has had so many influences throughout its history. The Country music that we know in the USA originally was influenced by the cultures that were present in the areas it originated in such as Irish/English, Appalachian, African American, and Mexican folk music. Country music really stems from folk music, which is why it isnecessary to point out each culture’s own folk music that played a part in developing the sound of Country music.

The 1920s is really when Country music started to become more specific and recorded. This is mainly because technology wasbeing created that could capture, share, and spread Country music, so it began to have a more unified sound and gain popularity. IMPORTANT NOTE: WSM radio started in 1925 which is the longest running radio station ever. Why is this important you ask? Well, WSM is home to the broadcast of what we now know as The Grand Ole Opry (an entire post about will be made about The Grand Ole Opry). It is considered “the show that made Country music famous”. Long story short, the radio broadcasts showcased Country music artists and truly helped the genre gain popularity. Country music would not be what it is today without WSM radio that has evolved into the Grand Ole Opry.

At this point in time, the original folk music is really turning into a more unified genre of its own. Some of the most well-known artists/bands from this time that helped Country music take off include The Carter Family (“the first family of Country music”), Jimmie Rodgers (“the father of Country music”), Gene Autry, and Roy Rogers. I encourage everyone to go and listen to a song by at least one of these artists to see where Country started. The film industry also assisted Country in becoming more popular. Westerns in the 1930s were closely tied with the genre and showcased its songs frequently (old timey Yellowstone). This also is a reason that Country music and cowboys are so closely linked. The artists of these early years established a scene and a genre for some of the most well-known artists in Country music to get their start.

During the 1940s, Rock & Roll was huge, and Country once again was influenced by its surroundings. Because of this, THE HONKY TONK SOUND WAS BORN! The sound of Country music became a little grittier and had a little more umph behind it. This style would come back around and influence Country even more in later years also.

On to the 1950s & 60s ! This is where Country really found a groove, and Nashville started to become its epicenter. During this time, record companies started to cultivate an industry to polish the sound and look of Country. This is basically when the bubble/industry we know of Country music in Nashville starts. This was done in an attempt to separate the genre from rock & roll that had taken over the music scene. During this time, stars like Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty, Hank Williams, Kitty Wells, George Jones, The Statler Brothers, The Oak Ridge Boys, and Patsy Cline take off. With this all being said though, it was also during this time that some thought Country wasn’t really Country anymore. It lost its long ballads of the everyday man and simplistic take on song production. Was this a bad thing?Was it just the natural progression of Country music? Was the music still Country? That is in the eye of the beholder.

The 1970s….. DISCO! Just kidding.

I will start off with the most important thing to occur during this time: Dolly Parton enters the Country music scene. Dolly Parton rises to stardom on the Porter Wagoner Show which featured Country artists throughout its broadcasting. SIDENOTE: She wrote the song “I Will Always Love You” about Porter Wagoner when she decided to leave the show to further her career (I hope everyone now knows that is NOT Whitney Houston’s song). The 70s also brought us Outlaw Country which Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and Willie Nelson really spearheaded. This Outlaw Country movement has ties back to the Western’s style of Country music and again brings up the Country and cowboys connection. These artists in the Outlaw Country scene were portraying a bad boy vibe but at the end of the day were still good guys at heart (foreshadowing Parker McCollum? maybe….).

Country music in the 80s begins to modernize. Hits from this time include “All my Ex’s Live in Texas” by George Strait (King of Country Music), “Forever and Ever Amen” by Randy Travis,  “I was Country, When Country Wasn’t Cool” by Barbara Mandrell (personal favorite), “Always on My Mind” by Willie Nelson, and of course “He Stopped Loving Her Today” by George Jones. Now, I wasn’t alive in the 80s, but I’d say this is when Country really started to become mainstream.

I was “Raised on 90s Country”….. and there is a good reason why. ITS AWESOME. 90s Country is a quintessential time in the genre. It is a decade when every aspect of Country music’spast came together and was utilized to establish its future! (ßthat is the best sentence I have ever written) The 90s brought us some of the best country music to ever exist. This is because the artists and song writers of this time were able keep true to the genre with their stories and instruments while also bringing in new fans by modernizing its production and sound. I really do believe that 90s Country is the epitome of what Country music is all about. It brought thoughtful ballads like “Maybe it was Memphis” by Pam Tillis, “Cowboy Take Me Away” by The Dixie Chicks, “Does He Love You” by Reba & Linda Davis, “The Dance” by Garth Brooks, “Neon Moon” by Brooks & Dunn, “Go Rest High on that Mountain” by Vince Gill, “Strawberry Wine” by Deana Carter, “How Do I Live” by LeAnn Rimes, and “Independence Day” by Martina McBride. Think I just listed too many? No. I did that to show you just how many classics came from the 90s and that is only the soulful ballads (wow look at all those women I just mentioned). It also incorporated the rock & roll influences of Honky Tonk that I mentioned would come back around with “Boot Scoot & Boogie” by Brooks & Dunn,  “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks, and “Fast As You” by Dwight Yoakam. Furthermore, the 90s brought some of the most famous Country artists to ever exist that also revolutionized the genre with Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, Reba McEntire, Toby Keith, George Strait, Vince Gill, Brooks & Dunn, Trisha Yearwood, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, The Dixie Chicks, Trace Adkins, Travis Tritt, and The Judds. This time period also was undoubtedly a time when women were able to take off and capture the Country scene just as well as men (if only this had continued into the next generation). The 90s were inclusive of all styles, people, topics, genders, and vibes. The 90s were what I wish Country could always be.

The early 2000s in Country music seem to have been a buffer zone between the 90s and current Country. It was a time where some phenomenal artists rose to fame like Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Zac Brown Band, Lady Antebellum, and Kenny Chesney. However, the genre was also getting older, so most newer fans weren’t aware of the classic artists from the decades past, or they were paying more attention to other genres like pop and R&B. There wasn’t really a specific sound that emerged from this time except a more pop leaning mainstream, and most hits came from the same 8-10 artists that simply maintained their spot in the genre. Soon after this stagnant period though emerged “bro-country”. This was really all that was played from 2010-2018. Also, one would think that with as much success that women had in the 90s that it would carry over. Nope. Women were basically all but shut out of the scene during this time.  

I would say that a newer phase of Country started around 2016 that extends into now. Social media and music streaming services definitely assisted with getting newer artists into the scene. This has allowed for a complete hodgepodge of styles to enter the Country scene, but this is good. Diversity in music is what makes it better; however, this does lead to the age old question of: is it even Country anymore? More traditional styles of folk/Country have emerged with Zach Bryan and Tyler Childers, while more rock & roll influences exist also with Eric Church, Koe Wetzel, and HARDY. There are also pop influenced artists like Sam Hunt, Jordan Davis, Kelsea Ballerini,Dustin Lynch, and Thomas Rhett. I even think there is a lot of R&B influences with Morgan Wallen and Maren Morris.

After putting this together, I hope everyone realizes that Country music has always and will always input influences from all genres and styles. This shows that the question of “is Country even Country anymore?” has literally been asked for almost 100 years. The genre is dynamic and is one that has always welcomed different points of view and styles of sharing those viewpoints. It evolves with the times but has indeed remembered what is at the heart and soul of the genre: telling relatable stories in poet ways that connect with audiences: however, this does not mean that everything that claims to be Country actually is. There are plenty of wannabees that try and use the genre to gain stardom. I do believe there is some criteria that is necessary to define a song as Country, so I put together a list.

Country Music Criteria:

• Storytelling

• Actual instruments being used (no snap-tracks)

• A belief from the artist in what they are singing (passion)

• Being able to relate with the artist (being an average person behind the scenes)

• Thought put into the effect the song will have on the audience (not just putting it out to make money)

This would mean that a song can sound like a pop song, a rock song, or even a folk song and it can still be Country. I believe Country music has always been more about the message than anything else, and at the end of the day, that is what connects with people. I do think there are some artists that should not be considered Country right now, but I’m sure that will always be the case. I’ll just let time wash them away and let Country music continue to evolve.

Please share your thoughts on what you think makes a song “country” and what you think of the current state of the genre.

#country #countrymusic #nashville #90scountry