Is modern day country not good?

Submitted by caelbbrown t3_ycf9ot in Music

Let me start by saying I was not a huge fan of country. I've been a fan of Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. I just never really listened to it and eventually was the guy who is like "All country is either about drinking whiskey, tractors or girls in cowboy boots." Recently though, I've had a change of heart and thought if I hate country before even giving it a listen how do I even know that's what its all about. I started listening to Zach Bryan and Tyler Childers and noticed that I was wrong for thinking like that. Country music can be really great poetry about love, loneliness, home, heartbreak and self reflection.

I was hoping to know how other people see it and why they think that. And maybe even someone could throw in suggestions cause I'd love to check it out. Even the fun and dumb ones.

There a plenty of people who think the same way, so hopefully this could help change peoples minds and ive them a push too expands there music palates. Music is meant to be enjoyed so it's good to go in with an opened mind.

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MonsieurVox t1_itlv2dm wrote

If you tune in to any country radio station, you’re probably not getting your father’s country. Old school country was rebellious, anti-establishment, often controversial. Listen to the lyrics of “Man in Black” by Johnny Cash. It’s anti-war, anti-greed, and brings attention to the downtrodden, the impoverished, and victims of war.

What you hear on the radio nowadays is redneck pop music. At best, it’s pop music with a steel guitar or a fiddle. It’s white washed with formulaic music, Mad Libs lyrics, and debated by committees. They steer far away from controversy or political topics, instead choosing lyrics that have to do with trucks, jeans, beer, and the beach.

If Johnny Cash, for example, was alive and in his prime today, he would likely be singing about topics like wealth disparities, school shootings, or the opioid crisis — not about trucks, women, beaches, or booze.

Of course, there are exceptions, and there are plenty of artists who still make great country music. Sturgill Simpson, Tyler Childers, so many others. But you aren’t going to hear those played at country dance halls or on most corporate owned radio stations.

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tacknosaddle t1_itmmtm3 wrote

If I'm reading you right I think you're saying that OP should find artists who put the dick in Dixie.

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orswich t1_itnp4b5 wrote

Hank 3 is a national treasure who is hated by nashville because he calls out how formulaic pop country has become

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tacknosaddle t1_itnvl2s wrote

I absolutely agree with you. I've seen him in concert and it was a hell of a show. His original stuff, a few covers of his grandpappy, some punkabilly stuff and then a death metal punk set.

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Tikal_V t1_itofh52 wrote

There are a few artists that have taken up controversial topics, but in truth not enough. I think many artists saw what happened to the Dixie Chicks and want to avoid angering their audiences, audiences made up of Conservatives/republicans who think America is God's gift to the rest of the world and who can do no wrong.

That being said, Keith Urban's song, Female, is a good example of how artists have poetically brought awareness to societal issues without angering the masses.

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Novel_Contract7251 t1_itp5lnu wrote

“Madlib lyrics” - LOL and thanks,

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MonsieurVox t1_itq1gg8 wrote

So apparently "Madlib" is a DJ. I'm thinking of "Mad Libs" which is a kid's game where you choose words to complete a sentence. Edited my post to reflect that so people don't get the wrong idea hahaha.

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Novel_Contract7251 t1_itqaogo wrote

Ah - thanks, but I took you intended meaning: Mad Libs, the fill-in-the-blanks game.

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AIC_333 t1_itlrm9s wrote

Like anything else in music, you just have to look for the right artists

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jackasspenguin t1_itm59cz wrote

Yep. Brandi Carlisle, Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson and others are doing great things.
Just stay off country radio.

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Eskiergirl t1_itnzwn4 wrote

Brandi Carlile* - technically Americana. Which is the genre I would recommend over country.

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tacknosaddle t1_itmn069 wrote

As I put in my comment OP should seek out college radio stations country or Americana shows, that's where the good stuff can be found today.

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DetectiveLinden t1_itnoa2d wrote

Jason is not a country artist.

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paquer t1_itnxwdc wrote

He’s also not doing good things 🤔. That’s just my opinion though…

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MyVoiceIsElevating t1_itltj0t wrote

If it isn’t a celebration of alcoholism and dirt roads, is it even country?

/s

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mrburnttoast79 t1_itls3r2 wrote

The better question might be is modern day country even country?

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VSahota t1_itlsem5 wrote

Yeah, it's basically just pop music now.

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Tappswxf t1_itmh8kt wrote

Pop country and pop hip-hop/rap literally sound the exact same to me. Hip hop beat, electronic riff, mumbly lyrics about drinking/women/trucks. It’s like there are 6 producers in Nashville/Los Angeles making music sound exactly the same.

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PianoMike74 t1_itlvdk9 wrote

Well for starters we need to remove Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell from your idea of country music.

Seriously.

Waylon Jennings Hank Williams Jr Willie Nelson Merle Haggard George Straight.

Start here.

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DevinBelow t1_itn1iot wrote

If the only Dylan you've ever heard is Nashville Skyline and Pat Garret and Billy The Kid soundtrack, (maybe even John Wesley Harding), I could see thinking that Dylan is country, as those albums do all have an outright country flavor to them. Joni is pretty far from Country music though.

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PianoMike74 t1_itn58d6 wrote

Fair. And I'd be remiss to try and categorize artists genre especially in the late 79s to early 80s when everyone was covering everyone else and lots of crossover into country.

But in terms of developing a taste for country there is no sense wasting time on country "flavor" when you can have a country T-bone. 🤘🏻

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DevinBelow t1_itn63s9 wrote

That Dylan country era is from the late 60's-early 70's, and Johnny Cash is actually on Nashville Skyline, as well as numerous legendary Nashville musicians. It's a legit great country album, but yeah, I agree it's not where I would start with Country music...but hell, if it's the road that gets you into town, one path is as good as another.

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orswich t1_itnp9ee wrote

Ol Merle is a classic country god

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PianoMike74 t1_itnq9i6 wrote

I played in a band that got to open for him in Atlanta shortly before he died, with Jamie Johnson. It was a pure honor to meet the man and here him sing so late in life. He toured with his drummer and bassist for over 40 years!

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scrubjays t1_itlx87q wrote

Wrong! there is bluegrass about meth these days. And it is really, really good.

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gaslas t1_itlzuo6 wrote

Billy strings is killing’ it...!

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IveGotDMunchies t1_itly127 wrote

Colter Wall, Billy Strings, Paul Cauthen. Put those in your playlist and let whatever platform you listen you music on play relative music; enjoy

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AJayayayay t1_itlz4p4 wrote

Here's a few songs to check out

  1. Emily Scott Robinson- Slaughterhouse Road

  2. The Steel Woods- Axe

  3. Kari Kimmel- Black

  4. Colter Wall- Saskatchewan in 1881

  5. Brent Cobb-Digging Holes

  6. Margo Price- Desperate and Depressed

  7. Vincent Neil Emerson- 25 and Wasting Time

  8. John McLeod- Virgina Mine

  9. Dori Freeman- Walls of Me and You

  10. Cody Jinks- Loud and Heavy

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moonkiller t1_itoip3q wrote

Good list. Gotta throw some Charley Crockett in there. Guy is a workhorse and makes solid tunes, both covers of classics and originals. It’s not all gold, but most classic country artists had similar outputs and seemed to work more towards a substantial quantity rather than trying to make every album a magnum opus. He seems to be trying to follow that recipe.

For OP - just start with his cover of Jamestown Ferry and then go from there.

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AJayayayay t1_itoj29q wrote

Man from Waco is great

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moonkiller t1_itojbf3 wrote

Agreed! Have you seen him perform? If not, highly recommend. He has a solid band behind him and they put on a great show

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AJayayayay t1_itojgtr wrote

No! He was with a bunch of great artist recently but it was raining and tickets were expensive... I hate that I couldn't go..

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Duffman_ns t1_itmcaql wrote

Upvote for Brent Cobb. Keep em on their toes is amazing.

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Grosse_Fartiste t1_itlukl6 wrote

iMO there is good new county out there: sturgill Simpson, Justin Townes Earle, Lukas Nelson, Jason isbell ( countryish) old 97s some songs are definitely rock, but some are country as hell - Bad luck charm, iron road with Waylon Jennings, etc. James McMurtry. Some Chris Stapleton is definitely country. Edited to fix a name. Was corrected in comme ta below

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Duffman_ns t1_itmcpl2 wrote

*Justin Townes Earle. Sorry. Fantastic list though. Would also add Craig Cardiff (All This Time Running) along these lines.

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Blundell1992 t1_itmxvri wrote

"Choctaw Bingo" is my go-to song for kicking off a road trip, James McMurty is a badass.

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InflationDangerous73 t1_itm4tp7 wrote

For me it’s the over twangy singing voices, the countless, endless songs about drinking beer and partying, and even some of the names of these country artists screams trying too hard.

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kclongest t1_itlvwjr wrote

Pop country is basically garbage. Check out some of the Americana style country.

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devilsephiroth t1_itlw7wb wrote

Modern day country is Patriotism music plain and simple.

I'll take Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins any day of the week and i don't even like country music.

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Snoo-33910 t1_itmdcqr wrote

Props for the Carl Perkins

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dj_swearengen t1_itnhm6f wrote

Carl Perkins is one of the most under appreciated musicians in American music

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Snoo-33910 t1_itnk2us wrote

The Beatles sure loved him.

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dj_swearengen t1_itnkpvv wrote

But his Honey Don’t

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devilsephiroth t1_itmg4gc wrote

I'm a metal fan through and through. I'm also a really good guitarist

But old country was the shit. Quality inspiration for chord progressions there. Also Bob Seger but IDK if you would call that country or just American folk

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Snoo-33910 t1_itmku9n wrote

My Dad is from his tiny hometown, my dad used to watch he and his brothers play on their front porch.

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devilsephiroth t1_itmoqik wrote

My granddad was a big fan it was always played on the stereo so i became a fan growing up.

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Snoo-33910 t1_itml7my wrote

I think picking cotton helped with his finger dexterity

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fourfourzero t1_itm4e4e wrote

check out "Metamodern Sounds in Country Music" and check back.

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Kind_Broker t1_itlw67d wrote

Everyone should listen to Margo Price - she is a definite throwback to 'old country'.

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existentialZed t1_itnfdlt wrote

Pop country is the most over-manufactured, overproduced, oversaturated genre, and its staleness rivals that of CCM, which is why the two genres often crossover.

A genre that was initally a catch all for regional styles from remote or rural parts of the US that sonically blended folk, blues, spirituals, and Appalachian ballads has slowly evolved into a copypaste song blueprint written and recorded in a studio in Nashville that panders to rednecks.

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call_me_paleface t1_itlxak4 wrote

New “country” is garbage. Regurgitated garbage.

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Complex-Narwhal-9895 t1_itlyfxh wrote

Plenty of good stuff but it’s just not for me anymore

Modern Pop country, mostly played on the radio, might be good for parties and get togethers, but for me, it’s still too dumb - maybe if I was drunk enough and in the right setting I could tolerate it

Modern Alternative and outlaw country is the same 5 or 6 songs over and over and it’s not getting any better. I can’t defend it anymore. I got tired of hearing the words “whiskey” or “angel” in every other song lol

To this day, I feel like Willie Nelson is the most creative, innovative, expressive, genuine artists in country and he’s a dinosaur. Not great when your most progressive artist is 100 years old. A lot of these new guys are trying too hard to be country and you can feel it

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just_cuz555 t1_itmqy01 wrote

Three of my favorite country artists are Sturgill Simpson, Chris Stapleton, Orville Peck and Kacey Musgraves.

I know Kacey gets a lot of flack for not "sounding as country" but she has been really great at pioneering a new sound.

Check out David Unlayao and Megan Maroney too if you haven't, REALLY great new country coming up. I'm definitely not a giant country fan and honestly that genre and metal is where I would say I'm the harshest critic.

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Blundell1992 t1_itmxbgo wrote

IMHO, modern day country is some of the best and absolute worst it's ever been. For the most part, country radio is just canned & commercialized pop music for rednecks. Weird rap music about booze, women, dirt roads, maybe with a fiddle/banjo sample. There's not much individuality, nothing wholly unique about 99% of it.

But if you're willing to dig a bit, they're are some real badasses still holding it down. Guys like Jason Isbell, Colter Wall, Sturgill Simpson (I hesitate to call Sturgill country, he's kind of doing his own thing that's more of a country-esque spin-off), Tyler Childers.

I absolutely know I'm nostalgic for the older stuff, but it's hard to care about Florida Georgia Line when you grew up on The Highwaymen.

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HooblesWasTaken t1_itn9hm4 wrote

I’m def not a country fan, but some I do really like are kasey musgraves and Orville peck (incredible, seen him live)

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AbreakaTech001 t1_itnezu1 wrote

I don't believe modern country is even really country. Country and Rock have had a close relationship since the 50's, but remove the vocals from a modern country track and I really don't think there's a meaningful difference between the two anymore. Hank Williams would be disappointed.

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Artistic_Position_53 t1_itqm6t7 wrote

pro right wing republican Bush family servile bootlicking BS 80s,90s, and 00s kind of obliterated country. Going Taylor Swift style with boojy suburban popsicle wa wa did NOTHING to improve this situation.

I'm with Cedric Burnside in Mississippi. "Kill Nashville Pop" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkjNhXoTa8s

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flatironcmd t1_itlt85y wrote

When I grew up, country was the music that people I hated listened to. I was a kid in the 90s when there was a real modern country boom. It all sounded the same to me. They committed some real studio sins back then, featured some terrible sounds. As I grew up, the stories started speaking to me. The teles sounded hot. The sounds stretched back through history. The infinite influences we're revealed to me. I started to hear blues and swing and gospel and rockabilly in there. Now I'm in a country band.

Still the classics appeal to me more, but the newer country types have firm roots, though not derivative, you can hear the echoes of the past.

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Duffman_ns t1_itmc1i1 wrote

If you like poetic country, check out Willi Carlisle's album Peculiar, Missouri. One of my fave albums of the year, and I also hate radio country.

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bolshiabarmalay t1_itmeyjc wrote

To me, Brooks and Dunn began the downfall of what I considered Country Music. Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney drove it farther to the pop-song-with-a-twang style I stopped listening to. I haven't listened to anything new so I have no idea where it is now. Give me Willy and Wayland and the boys, Rebba, the Judds, George Straight, Clint Black...

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tacknosaddle t1_itmmmma wrote

There are some great country artists today, but you will not hear them if you listen to commercial country radio stations. Check out shows like WZBC's Sunday Morning Country (it's Boston College's radio station) or other college Americana shows. That's where you'll find the better singer-songwriters rather than the pop country shit that's manufactured on Music Row.

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Weird-n-Gilly t1_itmmxxd wrote

Is there any country artists that are writing their own music, lyrics? Seems to me the majority of them are basically spokesmodels, that can sing in the very small window of styles acceptable to the country crowd. American idol type kids, playing cowboy/girl dress up, and singing other peoples words, to other peoples tunes.

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driving_andflying t1_itmtu5s wrote

I'll admit I am not a country fan. I'm still not. But some country songs are just amazing, and worth listening to. "Freedom Was A Highway," by Jimmie Allen and Brad Paisley is a personal favorite. It's well written and just hits perfectly.

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Johnval123 t1_itn031l wrote

They're trying to brainwash country folks now with poverty city music, beware. They already did it successfully most places. It's the most evil brainwashing I could ever imagine, they took music from the mainstream. They killed it. It will live on but not mainstream it doesn't matter how good you are anymore. If it doesn't promote poverty and stupidity, it will not be ever pushed or recognized to the masses you will have to find it.

So no, modern day country is awful. Too many innocent minds have been brainwashed.

MUSIC IS NOT SUBJECTIVE.

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taylor-is-hawk t1_itnd2rz wrote

modern day radio country is absolute garbage. Total shit

bro country bullshit with no substance. Those songs are not going to hold up at all

Bill Anderson said it best… When you write a song make sure it’s something that you’re gonna be able to stand on the Opry stage and sing when you’re in your 80s

most of these current radio songs are throwaway trash that won’t be worth singing in four years and would certainly be ridiculous for an 80 year old to get up and sing

now don’t get me wrong, there’s some amazing music coming out of Nashville. You’re just never going to hear it on the radio until something changes. We have a whole generation of kids that have been raised over the last 20 years to think that that bullshit they’re listening to is country

it is not

so we need to swing the pendulum back in the opposite direction

good songwriting. Amazing vocals. No ridiculous studio trickery. It needs to be about the songs and the performance first and foremost

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MunsonRoy3 t1_itnectj wrote

No, no it’s not. Not mainstream anyway.

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orswich t1_itnouqh wrote

The radio stuff is pop music with a twang.

Stuff like Hank 3 sits in the shadows

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UndeadKuba t1_itnoyj6 wrote

Mainstream country is all pop country now. I can't stand it. Look into outlaw country.

I'd recommend checking out Tyler Childers. I'm surprised I haven't seen him mentioned yet.

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paquer t1_itnxt5r wrote

Modern radio country is just 80’s rock with twang and it’s all written by AI as far as I can tell.

From what I’ve listened to as of late only like 1 out of every 10 songs isn’t just machine produced country buzzword garbage.

It definitely isn’t the older folk /western country you’re thinking of.

Hopefully some unique and good country artists do develop something new and listenable.

Anyone?

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salt_23 t1_itok8h7 wrote

I would argue Zach Bryan, Tyler Childers, Billy Strings, etc are not classified as “country” artists. More likely Americana/blue grass. I can’t put them in the same category of music as “modern country.” Modern country is the same generic stuff over and over. Americana/blue grass music has substance

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FestivalEx t1_itonmjg wrote

Daniel Romano, Hayes Carl, Corb Lund.. Tons of great Country Talent out there!

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WTAF306 t1_itppkg9 wrote

Can’t believe no one has mentioned Turnpike Troubadours! Give them a listen and actually listen to the lyrics. Absolute poetry. A great way to go down a new music rabbit hole is to put on Spotify and choose an artist, then go to “radio” you should get to hear a lot of new (to you) related music

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dimestoredavinci t1_itvwz3i wrote

Im surprised so many people recommending the same five modern country artists. That's a good pick.

I'd like to add a few: Ray Wylie Hubbard, Ryan Bingham, Buddy Miller, Hayes Carll, Weary Boys, Shovels and Rope, Malcom Holcombe, and I'll even throw in John Prine, Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark because OP needs to know those guys too because they're legends

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CommanderCodiene t1_itpvxcn wrote

I can confidently say that Neil Young is more country than Dylan. Anyway if ya wanna hear some “real” country music, as it were, all you need to know is George Jones…the good 60’s and 70’s stuff. Everybody knows Johnny, Waylon, and Willie..but don’t forget Roger Miller(a personal favorite), then there’s Hank Williams Sr.(ideally..nothing against Hank Jr though), Hank Thompson, Hank Snow. I joke, that’s all the hanks. There’s Jerry Lee Lewis, Ernest Tubb, Merle, and don’t forget the great ladies of country like Patsy Cline, and Loretta Lynn(RIP to both). I could literally go on all day, but it’s too early for this. Just listen to some George Jones and go from there, that’s all you need to know

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rofopp t1_itlt79m wrote

modern country is 70s rock

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garublador t1_itmlcy9 wrote

It feels a lot like mid -late 90s alternative to me. Like Dishwalla and LFO as opposed to Pixies and Sonic Youth. Heck, Hootie is a county artist now and doesn't sound very different than he did back then.

IMO there's more good county, even pop country, now than there was in the 90's and 2000's. There was like 20 years where everyone was just trying (unsuccessfully) to be Garth Brooks and it's mostly just watered down frat rock. Head to any crappy bar in downtown Nashville and you'll find a band playing one of the same 20 songs from this era and genre.

FWIW, the good stuff I'm talking about isn't this pop/country or rap/country hybrid crap that's been popular lately. It's more like singer/songwriter type pop influence on country where the good stuff is coming from, even if it isn't political.

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