You either love it or hate it; country a genre of music originating in the rural southern US. It is traditionally a mixture of ballads and dance tunes played characteristically on fiddle, guitar, steel guitar, drums, and keyboard. Country music can lift the soul with its feel good, laid back music or its love songs.
90’s Country
90’s country is a very beloved and classic genre of music. Many popular artists from the 1990’s include Shania Twain, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Faith Hill, and David Lee Murphy. Some popular songs include Friends in low places, Achy Breaky Heart, Dust on the Bottle, Check Yes or No, Strawberry Wine, How Forever Feels, and Something Like That. 90’s country is always cherished and can never get old. These classics were record breaking hits that many people still listen today.
Pictured below is a recent picture of Tim Mcgraw, his famous cowboy hat, and me wearing a cowboy hat as well. Being an avid country fan, I make sure to include a handful of 90’s country because it takes me back to an era I wish I grew up in. It gives me a type of nostalgia and vibe that will never get old to me.
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Transition to Modern Country
The period in between classic 90’s music and modern pop country of today was another incredible area in the country music world. Some popular artists in the rising 2000’s era included Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Billy Currington, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, and Taylor Swift. Some popular songs of this era included Life is a Highway, Chicken Fried, Live Like You Are Dying, What was I Thinking, Before He Cheats, Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy, and No Shoes No Shirt, No Problem. The 2000’s country music period, is my personal favorite type of country; it combines the classic, unforgettable feel of old country but also introduces us to a bit of modern, pop elements.
A huge rise in island music and reggae has introduced themselves within this period of 90’s and 2000’s music. Inspired by the beloved legend, Jimmy Buffett, bands like Zac Brown Band have included the aspect the themes of the beach and islands. Though Jimmy Buffet is a 70’s and 80’s artists, his songs are still played to this day such as Cheeseburger in Paradise, Fins, and Brown Eyed Girl.
Pictured below is a picture of me and Kenny Chesney at the beach. He is one of my favorite country artists and his career took off in the 2000’s era. His songs are inspired by Jimmy Buffett as well which I love because their songs are my go to beach songs. Even if you do not like country, I can guarantee you have heard a Kenny Chesney or Jimmy Buffett song
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Modern Country
Modern country has an incredible amount of rising artists. For a long time, there were only a few big names in country that everyone has heard of; now, there is too many to count. Some of these artists include Morgan Wallen, Old Dominion, Luke Combs, Sam Hunt, Kane Brown, Dierks Bentley, and Thomas Rhett. Some popular songs right now include Whiskey Glasses, Wanted, Die a Happy Man, That’s My Kind Of Night, God Gave me You, Wagon Wheel, and Cruise. Unlike many of the country songs before, these have many upbeat and pop elements. Though they are still considered country, these songs appeal to a larger audience because of its small dissociation with classic country. Still an amazing era for country music as it is evolving into something very unique. I personally started to become an avid listener to country within this era, which eventually made me discover the older country songs which I enjoy very much as well.
Almost all the concerts I have been to in my life featured country artists from this time period. However, many 90’s country artists would perform on stage with them as well making the experience unforgettable. Modern day artists will also perform covers of 90’s songs which provides me the best of both worlds.
Pictured below is a selfie of me and my favorite country band of all time, Old Dominion. They only began to become popular a few years ago, but they quickly took my heart. I have seen them in concert three times now.
