Everybody's gone country
Digest
Country music is experiencing a significant resurgence in popularity, driven by a combination of factors. The rise of streaming platforms has led to a dramatic increase in country music consumption, as fans have shifted from relying on terrestrial radio to discovering new artists and engaging with the genre through online platforms. This shift has also opened the door for crossover artists like Post Malone and Beyonce, who have embraced country music, collaborating with prominent country artists and releasing country-inspired albums. Their success has brought new audiences to the genre, expanding its reach and appeal beyond traditional country fans. The country music industry is responding to this influx of crossover artists with a mix of embrace and historical resistance. While the industry recognizes the ability of these artists to attract new listeners and generate revenue, there has been a historical tendency to protect the genre's traditional values and authenticity. However, the current landscape is characterized by a greater openness to genre blending and a recognition of the power of streaming to drive popularity. Despite the rise of crossover artists, many traditional country artists are finding success through streaming and live performances, demonstrating that country music can thrive outside of traditional radio play. Artists like Zach Bryan and Casey Musgraves are blending genres, incorporating elements of rock and other styles into their music, while staying true to their roots. The future of country music appears bright, with the genre continuing to broaden its styles and thematic diversity. The influx of new audiences and the industry's embrace of crossover artists suggest that country music will remain a major force in the music industry for years to come.
Outlines
Country Music's Resurgence
This chapter explores the recent surge in popularity of country music, driven by increased streaming numbers and a shift in listener behavior. It highlights the crossover success of artists like Post Malone and Beyonce, who have embraced country music and brought new audiences to the genre.
Top Country Artists of the Moment
This chapter highlights the top country artists who are driving the genre's current popularity. It mentions artists like Morgan Wallen, Jason Aldean, Oliver Anthony, Zach Bryan, and Casey Musgraves, whose songs have topped the charts and showcased the diverse range of country music.
The Future of Country Music
This chapter concludes by discussing the future of country music, highlighting the genre's broadening styles and thematic diversity. It suggests that country music's current popularity is likely to endure, bringing in new audiences and solidifying its position as a major force in the music industry.
Keywords
Country Music Crossover
The phenomenon of artists from other genres, such as pop, hip hop, and R&B, incorporating country music elements into their work or releasing full-fledged country albums. This trend has led to a surge in country music's popularity and broadened its appeal to a wider audience.
Streaming Music
The digital distribution and consumption of music through online platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. Streaming has become a dominant force in the music industry, significantly impacting the popularity and success of various genres, including country music.
Country Music Storytelling
The tradition of country music to tell stories about everyday life, love, loss, hardship, and social issues. Country songs often draw on personal experiences and relatable themes, connecting with listeners on an emotional level and reflecting the values and concerns of rural and working-class communities.
Nashville
The city in Tennessee that is widely considered the heart of the country music industry. Nashville is home to numerous recording studios, music publishers, and record labels, as well as a vibrant live music scene. It attracts aspiring musicians and established artists from across the globe, contributing to the city's rich musical heritage.
Hot Country Songs Chart
A weekly chart published by Billboard that ranks the most popular country songs based on radio airplay, sales, and streaming data. The chart serves as a benchmark for the success of country music releases and provides insights into the current trends and preferences within the genre.
Genre Blending
The practice of combining elements from different musical genres to create a unique sound. Genre blending is a common practice in contemporary music, allowing artists to experiment with different styles and appeal to a wider audience. Country music has seen a significant increase in genre blending, incorporating elements of pop, rock, and hip hop into its sound.
Coastal Labels
Record labels based in major coastal cities like New York and Los Angeles, traditionally focused on genres like pop, rock, and hip hop. In recent years, coastal labels have shown increasing interest in signing country artists, recognizing the genre's growing popularity and streaming power.
Political Songs
Songs that address political issues, social injustices, or current events. Country music has a long history of incorporating political themes into its songwriting, often reflecting the concerns and perspectives of rural and working-class communities.
Q&A
What are the main factors driving the recent surge in popularity of country music?
The increase in streaming numbers, driven by a shift in listener behavior from terrestrial radio to streaming platforms, is a major factor. Country music fans are now discovering artists through streaming and actively engaging with the genre, leading to a significant rise in popularity.
How have artists like Post Malone and Beyonce contributed to country music's popularity?
These artists have embraced country music, collaborating with prominent country artists and releasing country-inspired albums. Their crossover success has brought new audiences to the genre, expanding its reach and appeal beyond traditional country fans.
What is the country music industry's response to the influx of crossover artists?
The industry is currently embracing these artists, recognizing their ability to attract new listeners and generate revenue. However, there has been historical resistance to crossover artists, reflecting a desire to protect the genre's traditional values and authenticity.
How are country artists who are not pursuing crossover success finding success?
Artists like Zach Bryan and Casey Musgraves are finding their audiences through streaming platforms and live performances, demonstrating that country music can thrive outside of traditional radio play. They are also blending genres, incorporating elements of rock and other styles into their music.
What is the future of country music?
Country music's current popularity is likely to endure, with the genre continuing to broaden its styles and thematic diversity. The influx of new audiences and the industry's embrace of crossover artists suggest that country music will remain a major force in the music industry for years to come.
Show Notes
Country music is cool again!!!!! Billboard's Melinda Newman explains.
This episode was reported and produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Rob Byers, and hosted by Noel King.
Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast
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Post Malone and Alan Jackson at this year's Academy Of Country Music Honors. Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for ACM.
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