Country Music

[badseed]

I've got a confession to make. I don't usually listen to FM radio because it sucks in my area. But I recently discovered a station that plays older country music. Basically everything ever made up to the early 2000s but primarily 60s-90s. I don't know if it's the nostalgia (I remember these songs from my childhood) or the fact that it's just so different from the norm for me but I'm loving it. Of course the outlaws of old like Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard are badass and Patsy, Loretta, Tammy and Dolly had some of the prettiest voices ever. Slightly more modern stuff like George Strait and Randy Travis have grown on me like never before. So anyhow, what are your thoughts, experiences, and favorites from this genre? Or perhaps why you don't listen to it (as I'm sure most of us don't).

Anyhow this is a rough list of my favorite country artists...

1. Merle Haggard
2. Patsy Cline
3. Johnny Cash
4. George Jones
5. Loretta Lynn
6. George Strait
7. Conway Twitty
8. Willie Nelson
9. Randy Travis
10. Waylon Jennings
11. Garth Brooks
12. Marty Robbins
13. Dolly Parton
14. Charley Pride
15. Hank Williams
16. Alan Jackson
17. John Anderson
18. Tammy Wynette
19. Ray Price
20. Dwight Yoakum
21. Reba McIntyre
22. Clint Black
23. Kris Kristofferson
24. Brooks & Dunn
25. David Allen Coe

[Luigii]

I don't listen to this genre at all. Unlike rock, which had a battle to make me appreciate the genre when I got older. Country was a genre that I wasn't really crazy about. However I do have a few faves. For one I recommend Ween's 12 Country Greats. An album that tackles the genre with being both sarcastic but also endearing. Also if anyone doesn't view my ratings, I gave my first 100 within the genre to Kacey Musgraves recent record Golden Hour. Love that album. Peaks into the interest that I go in music. But I am destine that other individuals will give you recommendations.

[YoungPunk]

Country, Country-Rock, and Country Pop are now some of my favorite genres. Back when I bought albums I didn't like it all that much, preferring Pink Floyd, Prince, and Various Classical artists. I think I didn't like them at first because they are not "rocking", or even particularly progressive. I think I now like country artists because they know what the best sounds are and they play them. They also have great voice leading practice unlike many blatant offenders I will not name. Above all, their music is creative and fun. Some (mostly modern day) country can even be relatively progressive! I am thinking of trying to get into really old time country artists like Merle Travis, Earl Scruggs, and Maybelle Carter, as I like them as featured among countless others in the three disk epic "Will the Circle be Unbroken" by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. You Should definitely try Will the Circle be Unbroken, the album I am getting the most current enjoyment out of, and am going to buy on CD. For me it is way better than Garth Brooks, who I dislike.

[travelful]

I'm not much into the genre either, although I should probably check it out more. I have found some country records every now and again that I enjoy. I really like Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton, and Kacey Musgraves. John Moreland has the only country album featured in my top 100, and it is severely underrated. Check it out below.


High On Tulsa Heat by John Moreland

[Romanelli]

Country pop is just awful. I would not recommend any of it to anyone. And I can find something to like in just about everything...but country pop is the worst. And it's an insult to all of those who have made great country music, past and present. It's vapid, empty, and kind of embarrassing.

Your list is fine. There are a lot of greats on there, and you'll find some amazing albums from those people. Will The Circle Be Unbroken is great...but go find those artists who are on that album working on their own. And you'd probably do well to scratch number 11 off of your list and replace him with Buck Owens or Lyle Lovett.

And don't sleep on ALTERNATIVE country. Fighting the good fight against the horrors of pop country are people like Steve Earle, Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton, Lucinda Williams, Lucero, Drive-By Truckers, Robert Earl Keen, Ryan Adams, Son Volt, and a whole lot more.

The face of modern country music is not a pretty one. But dig deeper. There's a whole lot of great country music out there.
_________________
May we all get to heaven
'Fore the devil knows we're dead...

[YoungPunk]

@Romanelli

I also think Chris Stapleton is great.

[travelful]

[Luigii]

[badseed]

I've heard good things about Stapleton. I just haven't cared much for the direction it has went with the bro country stuff. That all probably started with Kenny Chesney. Generally not a fan of the direction the genre took after 9/11 with Alan Jackson tackling the subject, Tobe Keith and the Dixie Chicks started some beef and the female empowerment stuff like "Redneck Woman" and "Before He Cheats" were so big they were crossover pop hits. There's a few good 21st century songs ("Three Wooden Crosses" by Randy Travis and "Chain of Love" by Clay Walker, both from very early in the century, are beautiful).

[bobbyb5]

My favorite country songs.

Jeanne C Reilly... Harper Valley PTA
Charlie Rich... Behind Closed Doors
Roger Miller... King of the Road
Jerry Reed... When You're Hot You're Hot
Sammi Smith... Help Me Make It Through the Night
Statler Brothers...Flowers on the Wall
Charlie Pride... Kiss an Angel Good Morning
Anne Murray... Snowbird
Ray Price... For the Good Times
Buck Owens... Act Naturally
Johnny Cash... Ring of Fire
Loretta Lynn... One's On The Way
Randy Travis... Diggin Up Bones
Glen Campbell... Wichita Lineman
Bobbie Gentry... Ode to Billy Joe
Kenny Rogers and the First Edition... Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town
Willie Nelson... Pancho and Lefty
Donna Fargo... Happiest Girl in the Whole USA
Joe Ely... Fools Fall In Love
Emmylou Harris... Tulsa Queen
Rodney Crowell... Ain't Living Long like This
Rosanne Cash... Seven Year Ache
Ray Charles... You Don't Know Me
Lynn Anderson... I Never Promised You a Rose Garden
George Jones... She Thinks I Still Care
Jeanne Pruitt... Satin Sheets
Mac Davis .... Baby Don't Get Hooked on Me