Over the past few years, I've gravitated more and more towards 'country' music, and it's now probably my favourite genre. I grew up with Johnny Cash but that was pretty much all the country I listened to until about three years ago, then I found musicians like Colter Wall, Zach Bryan, Charles Wesley Godwin and it snowballed from there. As you say, there's plenty of trash country music out there now, but there's also quite a lot of good stuff, from outlaw country to bluegrass. It's interesting what you say about the Anglo-Celtic roots of the genre, there's certainly a connection there but I feel like most British people now don't listen to much country or are aware of its roots in folk music. Back in the 60s British bands were interested in country, folk and rock, and it produced some great music, but today most British music is absymal. Most people listen to hip hop, grime and autotuned pop. The only British person that comes to mind who still draws from country music is Mark Knopfler.
“I wish I was in the land of cotton, old times they are not forgotten.” Beautiful article my friend; best one so far, and that’s truly saying something.
This was an excellent article. Donald Davidson wrote a book personifying the struggle and tension of commercializing southern music. It's called the big ballad Jamboree. I recommend it.
Some great newer “Americana” artists that reflect the non corporate sound of country music would be Billy Strings, Zach Bryan, Tyler Childers, Charley Crockett, and even at least of Chris Stapleton’s output
Beautiful essay. Going to have some bluegrass send me off to sleep
Over the past few years, I've gravitated more and more towards 'country' music, and it's now probably my favourite genre. I grew up with Johnny Cash but that was pretty much all the country I listened to until about three years ago, then I found musicians like Colter Wall, Zach Bryan, Charles Wesley Godwin and it snowballed from there. As you say, there's plenty of trash country music out there now, but there's also quite a lot of good stuff, from outlaw country to bluegrass. It's interesting what you say about the Anglo-Celtic roots of the genre, there's certainly a connection there but I feel like most British people now don't listen to much country or are aware of its roots in folk music. Back in the 60s British bands were interested in country, folk and rock, and it produced some great music, but today most British music is absymal. Most people listen to hip hop, grime and autotuned pop. The only British person that comes to mind who still draws from country music is Mark Knopfler.
“I wish I was in the land of cotton, old times they are not forgotten.” Beautiful article my friend; best one so far, and that’s truly saying something.
I'm from the north, but I've always loved country music. I love guys like:
Michael Martin Murphey
Willie Nelson
Johnny Cash
Conway Twitty
All great singers. Good article.
This was an excellent article. Donald Davidson wrote a book personifying the struggle and tension of commercializing southern music. It's called the big ballad Jamboree. I recommend it.
Some great newer “Americana” artists that reflect the non corporate sound of country music would be Billy Strings, Zach Bryan, Tyler Childers, Charley Crockett, and even at least of Chris Stapleton’s output
This was very good and insightful.
Sincerely,
A Yankee. God Bless