You Don’t Hate Country Music
When discussing music, a mention of country might get you the more dismissive eye-rolls than any other genre. Why? Well let’s examine that. Country music, as an idea, is a simple one. It’s trucks, it’s patriotism, it's a cold beer and it’s a dirt road. Its simplicity gives the impression that it lacks depth. To bring country music to the table in a musical conversation might feel like bringing a bag of fruit snacks to a fine-dining establishment. Country music-- in the eyes of many-- is a genre that doesn’t push forward the culture and doesn’t say anything worth repeating. In some instances, themes of regionalism, nationalism or over-enforced gender roles could be even interpreted as problematic.
But you don’t hate country music. You just think you do. If the country music you’ve been exposed to is what’s currently on the radio, it’s hard to blame you for this though. “Bro-Country,” which has infiltrated the mainstream in the last decade, takes the worst parts from Hip-Hop and the worst parts from Rock, slaps a country accent on it and pumps out a product that is essentially musical fast-fashion. This is your artists like Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan, creating songs that seem catered specifically for a Miller Lite ad or to play at the wedding of the most boring couple you’ve ever met. It’s not to say that a Bro-Country song can’t be catchy (even if the music is tiresome and repetitive, some of these guys do technically sell out football stadiums) but if you’re trying to expand your musical palate, looking to bro-country is hustling backwards. Country music of this variety truly does possess a lot of the qualities that those who don’t like the genre can easily use as justification for discrediting the music in any forum.
But you really don’t hate country music, I promise. Country, perhaps more than any other genre, gets its entire reputation built on its mainstream output. Not liking the entire genre due the fact you don't want your taste associated with a song about a tractor, might be understandable, but it’s not fair. It’s a bit like saying you don’t like Rock music, when all you really know is Imagine Dragons (if you just got upset thinking that Imagine Dragons isn’t even rock, then believe it or not, that’s further proving my point.)
So what country music should you be listening to? Similar to Hip-Hop, certain regions or artists bring their own unique sound which helps push the genre forward. The phrasing here is perhaps a bit misleading, because “pushing forward” is especially difficult in a genre rooted so deeply in tradition, with melodies and instrumentals that just sound old. When you hear a banjo or a fiddle, trailblazing might not be the next word out of your mouth, and it might not even be a thought you ignore, because it never formed in the first place. The genre has a body with old bones, which can make progress especially tricky. A good country song is created less so by moving outside of the box, but more so by moving inward, finding parts of itself (or said metaphorical box) that it either didn’t know existed, or by utilizing the absolute best parts of something already discovered. There’s a metaphor there for growth in the human existence, one involving growing is getting to know yourself in your most basic elements, or something about how you already have the tools you need to grow, but that’s not what this is about, and there’s no need to hit you over the head with some kind of fortune cookie philosophy, because that might be losing the plot. Just like the old jean jacket you found and re-purposed has the ability to be a statement piece, good Country uses vintage elements to create something that feels current. It’s sustainable music that feels as old as the trees, but since the music is so deeply entrenched in story-telling, it can still sound new.
All of this is a long-winded way to just say what I’ve been saying this whole time: you don’t hate country music, you just think you do. With this in mind, I have assembled a sort of “first steps” playlist to give you a peek into just how good country music, and its many offshoots (Americana, Appalachian, Red-Dirt, Folk, Bluegrass, Outlaw), can be. As always with Music, it’s easier to show than explain, but the playlist focuses on the art of storytelling, and the idea that a song can be beautiful through simplicity. That being said, I would be remiss if I didn't at least explain a little about what and who you're listening to.
Liner Notes:
1. Adeline by Tone Cold Harvest: This one, I think is just a beautiful song. In terms of the Band, well they're just not very famous. A quartet from Michigan, they have 247 followers on instagram, but Brian Williams can play the heck out of a banjo, and the group's slow and chilling lyrics are (in my opinon) impossible not to appreciate.
2. Relatively Easy by Jason Isbell: John Mayer once described Jason Isbell as the greatest songwriter of his generation, citing that Isbell “lives at a level where even great writers can only visit.” Truer words have likely never been spoken, and I think that “Relatively Easy” might be the best example of that. A song discussing the human struggle of being both aware that others could have it worse, while also being aware that you yourself are hurting, is a remarkable reflection of emotional pain.
3. Her by Waylon Payne: Waylon is country royalty, the godson of Waylon Jennings and the son of Willie Nelson's guitarist and Sammi Smith. He was quite literally made for this, and his melancholy crooning and heartbroken song-writing are on full display with “Her.”
4. Belly of the Beast by Watchhouse: Formerly known as Mandolin Orange, Watchhouse is made up of Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz, a married couple from North Carolina. Marlin does a majority of the signing and plays his mandolin (something he does independently as well, releasing instrumental albums under his own name), while Emily typically provides backing vocals and plays guitar (although she’s the lead singer on many of their songs, and she rocks equally). The music is borderline haunting, (I chose a lighter song here), but it is captivating.
5. Midnight Run by Charley Crockett: A descendant of Davy Crockett (no seriously, look it up), Charley is about as close to Hank Williams Sr. as you get in 2022. Charley, who spent most of his life busking in New York City and New Orleans, has recently caught some mainstream attention for his blend of old school style and new school swagger. This one might be a bit tougher to digest (the song is actually a cover of a song written by James Hand) since this song is really really traditional, so I’m going to need a couple deep breaths and an open mind before you click play.
6. Half a Heart by Charles Wesley Godwin: When I was talking about music that sounds as old as the trees but still feels new, this is what I was talking about. Godwin, a West Virginia native, uses his big powerful voice to give the listener goosebumps. If you have hair on your arm, it's going to want to stand up and give Godwin an ovation.
7. Babylon by Gabe Lee: Gabe Lee is an artist who just knows how to make a country song. Born in Nashville of Tawainsse descent, Lee makes what a local would call Honky-Tonk music and it’s nothing short of infectious.
8. Fraulein by Colter Wall: For starters, I want you to guess about how old you think Colter Wall is without looking it up, purely based on the sound of the voice. Have your number? Well he’s 26, and was 22 at the time this song was released. A rancher from Saskatchewan, Wall’s voice sounds like it belongs to a cowboy from an Old Western film, but even John Wayne couldn’t dream up something this good. Tyler Childers also appears on this song (Wall was ahead of his time with leaving features off song titles) but we’ll get to him later.
9. You Don’t Look So Good (Cocaine) by Caroline Spence: Caroline Space, who hails from Virginia, has an undeniable gift for song writing. This song, which is about, well, someone who she loves that is partying a bit too hard, showcases that gift.
10. People Get Old by Lori McKenna: Lori has been known in the industry as a song-writer long before she was known as a singer. McKenna, who is from Massachusetts of all places, has written music for George Strait and Tim McGraw, but when she writes a song for herself, that’s when she’s truly at her best.
11. It Is What It Is by Kacey Musgraves: Perhaps the most famous person on this list, Musgraves has become a world-wide sensation. Her music has become a bit more experimental, but her first two albums were pure country, and this song is a great example of that.
12. Crowded Table by The Highwomen: This group is made up of Natalie Hemby, Amanda Shires, Maren Morris and Brandi Carslie and is modeled after The Highwaymen (a super-group that consisted of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson). The group is made up of four trailblazers but this song, and the album, are deeply steeped in traditional roots.
13. Watch it Fall by Billy Strings: Arguably the greatest guitarist and most well-known bluegrass musician out, Billy Strings is something that you just have to hear. Words would be a waste.
14. Tennessee by Sturgill Simpson: Nothing short of a genius, Sturgill has played jump rope with the boundaries of genre, so much so that he’s made it all the way back where he started: blue-grass. “Tennessee” is Simpson at his best, honing in on instrumentation and letting his voice just flow.
15. (I’m Gonna Get Over This) Someday by Logan Ledger: Another artist who sounds like his music was pulled out a time capsule. Enjoy.
16. Come Home Soon by Brent Cobb: The cousin of legendary producer David Cobb, it’s much more likely you’ve heard a Brent Cobb song that he’s written for someone else than it is that you’ve heard one of his own. And that’s a shame. Let’s make sure that stops today.
17. Great Wide Open by William Prince: Another Canadian, William Prince grew up in Winnipeg as a member of Peguis First Nation. Prince’s First Nation and Christian roots are distinct in his songs (he now makes mostly gospel music), and his voice is just surreal.
18. Black Magic by Ruston Kelly: Kelly describes his music as “dirt-emo,” which essentially boils down to music that has all the trappings of country, but all the angst of punk. Think Blink-182 meets Merle Haggard. Kelly blends the genres seamlessly and creates something that is must-listen.
19. I Chose You by The SteelDrivers: Voice sound familiar? That’s because it’s Chris Stapleton, before he was, well, Chris Stapleton.
20. Honeywine by Flatland Cavalry: Flatland Cavalry, a band that assembled during their time at Texas A&M, is doing their part to bring Red Dirt Texas Country back in-style. Flatland’s music is very palatable, catchy and fun.
21. One More Night in Brookly by Justin Townes Earle: JTE, who passed away tragically in 2020, was your favorite singer's favorite singer. The son of legendary Steve Earle, Justin’s music is something that is definitely worth your time.
22. Charleston Girl by Tyler Childers: I promised we’d get to Childers earlier, and here we are. A Kentuckian with blue grass roots, Childers was impossibly good at an impossibly young age (he’s twenty-one at the time of this recording). Childers represents almost everything that’s right with country music right now. True lyrics, an outlaw streak, a willingness to speak out and some great fiddle/banjo/guitar.
23. Silver Dollar by Sierra Ferrell: Sierra’s music feels like stepping back in time, but if you did it by getting trapped in a painting. That’s all I’ll say.
24. Empty As a Drum by Turnpike Troubadours: Picking one song from this band is almost a disservice. Evan Felker’s voice and song-writing is second to none, and delving fully into their discography is a must if you find yourself enjoying this.
25. Molotov by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit: See song two. Same principles apply, but now he’s with his band. And it kills.
26. A Ghost to Most by the Drive by Truckers: Led by frontmen Mike Cooley and Patterson Hood (at one point Jason Isbell too), DBT is more so Southern Rock than they are anything else. Much of their music is political, and they take great pride in that.
27. The Ballad of the Choctaw-Apache by Vincent Neil Emerson: Vincent Neil Emerson hails from Texas, and it’s immediately obvious when you hear him sing. This song has some amazing story telling, and is a beautiful ode to the Choctaw-Apache tribe of New Orleans.
