I think my favorite thing is Jon Pardi commenting on that video saying "that's not who I am" and then releasing California Sunrise a few years later proving us all wrong. What a legend
The most annoying thing about mainstream country music around this time, is that it so PAINFULLY wanted to be rap music. It wasn’t proud to be country, it wanted to be something else.
@@jacobpotter2237I wouldn't really consider Zach Bryan true county yes hell put out a song here and there that lyrically hits some country themes ..but if anything I would consider him more folk/singer songwriter. .like to me he's closer to the Lumineers and bon Iver then Blake Shelton....And half his songs feel like i would here them at the newport folk festival
Thats one of the youtube videos that ignited a spark in me, as did your country is in its Nirvana era.. and ever since I've been writing dissertations to my friends defending (or offending 🤷) country music because I love the yeehaw but I freaking love the analysis of music, and your videos have truly shown me how to do it lol
I'm just waiting for that southern rock bit coming out, it's the one thing missing, would love to see some metalheads switching to southern rock(country lite).
I think you should do a Top 10 Pre-Bro-Country Songs video. Here are three of them: 1. "Honky-Tonk Badonkadonk by Trace Adkins 2. "Country Boy" by Alan Jackson 3. "Hillbilly Deluxe" by Brooks & Dunn It would be wonderful to hear others that I didn't think of from your POV. Edit comment: Here's another couple Pre-Bro-Country song: "Mud on the Tires" by Brad Paisley "Finally Friday" by George Jones
I believe that clip of Iris was from the BBC show "The Transatlantic Sessions", which I was a big fan of. It hosted a range of country singers over its run, including Guy Clark, Roseanne Cash, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, Emmylou Harris, Sarah Jarosz, Darrell Scott, and (hardly surprising once you realise that Jerry Douglas was one of the musical directors) Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminski. It was definitely more of a folk feel, since it was mainly about showcasing a blend of Scottish, Irish and American folk music, but there was some very niche country being played in there too, right as "bro country" was dominating the mainstream of the genre.
I'm glad you've been able to do this because there are a couple people I almost certainly would never have heard of if I had not stumbled upon your channel.
I love this 10 year reflection! You’re responsible for introducing me to so many incredible artists. Turnpike, Zach Bryan, Carly Pearce, Ashley Mcbryde, Flatland Calvary and I’m sure so many more! I think this channel helped reinvigorate my love of singer/songwriters and music in general.
Keith Urban has been making "boyfriend country" for at least a decade before said era. Maybe his pop stuff isn't your cup of tea, but don't paint it like he's a trend chaser. He has consistently done his own thing his whole career, often to his detriment.
I agree that Morgan Wallen is the next "iteration" of bro country. If they were the party, Morgan is the hangover. The days after when you look at your phone or hear stories from your friends and realize the crazy stuff you did while you were drunk. Last Night, Me + All Your Reasons, Whiskey Friends, Born with a Beer in my Hand, etc...Morgan does have a few bangers, but overall, I think he is the "hangover" to Bro-Country's partying.
Nah this is wrong. I thought this in the beginning but Morgan has an unreal voice and I think he’s on the right path. One thing at a time and everything I love are bangers objectively
My duo Ember & Oak is just starting to write original lyrics and we're looking at folk/Americana styles. Can't help but wonder how Nashville would take to that influence.
Honestly, I’ve always gravitated more towards the traditional country sound, so I’m happy there is more traditional sounding country now than 10 years ago. I will admit though that there are some bro country songs that I like.
That video in 2013 was the first time I felt seen with how I felt about the state of country music, since all my friends loved it then. Been following ever since. You’re one of my favorite RU-vid follows, dude!! Thanks for what you do
I’ve been saying for years country music needs more variety. I miss the days you’d hear Shania Twain one minute and George Straight the next. It keeps things interesting. I feel like some of that is starting to return to country music again and I love it!
Yo Id love to hear your opinion on some of the Canadian country artist. I like the way you talk about all these different types of artist but I hardly hear you reference any artist like Tyler joe miller, Dallas smith, James barker band, jade eagleson, Andrew Hyatt, people like that, Itd be cool to hear your thoughts on them.
It can‘t have been that bad coz that was when I learned about Kacey Musgraves and orderd an Import by my Country Dealer. And yes, I bought Pagent Material immediately and I love it.
My biggest problem with bro country was that it didn’t represent the cultural side of country well. To your point, that’s easier to take when other people do represent that side.
This era will have a special spot in my heart forever. I remember buying my first two cds at walmart in 2013. They were Here's To The Good Times by Florida Georgia Line and Red by Taylor Swift.
Remember seeing Johnny cash , Mel Tillis , Waylon and many more I also remember seeing a ford commercial masquerading as a Toby Kieth concert and it is the same old problem money ruins things
Can you do a review on some of John mayers albums that have been more country based and some of the songs that have been like that, for example, dear Marie, whiskey whiskey whiskey, in the blood, born and raised, abode days, etc.., I think that would be a very interesting idea idea and a little outside of the norm in a good way
I typically like your takes and admire them a lot, Grady. However one of the gripes that I have about country music is similar to the way it was in 2013, and it is cliched. As you correctly labeled it "boyfriend country", which started off with Die A Happy Man by Thomas Rhett, it seems like half of the country music hot songs are "worshipping or idolizing women". That seems to be the new trend that is especially tiresome nowadays because it creates an unhealthy relationship. That is turning into the new "Bro country" trend.
Jist as an aside...My spotify wrapped caused my own personal exisential crisis with Taylor Swift at the top...and then JR Carroll, Kip Moore and Eric Church, and Arlo McKinley - its all very conflicting.
That’s exactly how mine was, I looked at it and went what 😳 I never listened to Taylor Swift before this year but she was at the top and Morgan Wallen was at the bottom and in the middle were other obscure people I either thought were gonna be higher or not there at all. It was very interesting.
Turnpike troubadours we’re SOOOOO underrated and underground for so long, they’re so good and I’m glad they’re finally getting the recognition they deserve. Along with the panhandlers
This narrative always makes me laugh because I was the target demographic for 2013 country (21 year old college girl) and I had a great year with music 🥰💁♀️💁♀️
Why do country songs seem to come out in pairs? We had two songs about texting your ex from the bar, two songs with "two pink lines", now we have two songs about memories of an ex-girlfriend in the guy's truck... What is that about?
The pop country was fun at first. First time I heard “Cruise” I was laughing out loud from how fun it was. But damn, that stuff got old fast and ran into the ground like a tired mule!
I remember watching this when I lived in Korea and I cracked tf. I was looking for some hot country songs at the time and found your video and I was like aaaaah duh! 😅
Great video, I think you have a really interesting perspective on country music. What are your thoughts on the resurgence of country and western over the last few years? I was surprised you didn't talk about Colter Wall's album. I kept waiting for it to pop up in a video, but still waiting.
I have been on the rum raisin train the last year or so, it's so good. First, because rum is delicious and rum and vanilla and raisins go well together. But more than that, the little bit of booze makes it stay almost the consistency of soft serve regardless of how long it has been in the freezer. You take it out and it is ready to go.
I used to be a big mainstream country fan. I didn't really expand what I listened to until I started watching you. I am now a huge Billy Strings fan and rarely listen to mainstream country unless I'm going for throwbacks.
I definitely remember watching that video a long time ago. Country has gotten to be a very big and influential genre the last couple years which is really surprising. Not that long ago Morgan Wallen had like 15 songs on the billboard hot 100 and he held the top 3 spots which was nuts lol
Don’t really like trucks, don’t like cheap gas station beer, rarely fawn over women, yet ironically the only time period I cared about country music was 2012-2015.
If I want a few hours of feel good country, I'll still find myself going back to this era. As many genres seem to want to immerse themselves in angst and drama, which ironically reflects a lot of people's personal/economic statuses these days, we all have/want/need our escapes.
I grew up listening to country. The 70s all the way up to early 2000s. With a few exceptions, I've completely given up on what the radio considers "country" now. Completely disgusting what they did to the genre. What's most painful is my fiance likes new "country". I refuse to listen to it when we're in the car together.
So I was bored wasting time going through old videos and found the Brad Paisley top 10 songs according to you, can we get more of those videos in the future?
I’d like to hear your take on why on the *official* Americana and Country radio there aren’t as many women present as men… and on official Spotify lists etc etc, appreciate your comment about people living in their own echo chambers but think you’d do a great take on the lack of representation in those mainstream commercial spaces still!
I've got a cousin who does a little bit of music, and he is very much that "just me and my guitar" kind of sound. As someone who really likes old country, it seems kind of an interesting prospect in today's world. Marty Robbins was very successful that way in the late 50s/early 60s, often recording with just himself and his guitar. His songs weren't that complicated from a musical perspective, but the depths of the lyrics was practically Shakespeare-level. That being said, these guys don't strike me as Marty Robbins imitators. Marty Robbins had a voice of gold, not Elvis Presley or Bing Crosby level but close. A lot of these guys have more scratchy, whiney voices. They're definitely doing their own thing that hasn't been done much before.
I definitely feel like my rage against bro country has dulled with age - hell the Reklaws were my most listened to artist this year. Definitely seems easier to just let people make and enjoy music they love instead of getting mad about it. … but I am really psyched to hear more traditional sounding songs, or throwbacks like Cole Swindell. I grew up in the 90s and my parents played nothing but country and it’s all pulling me back to that time lately! I absolutely adore Carly Pearce(Day One deserves to be a single fight me) and Jon Pardi. Even Taylor Swift’s folklore/evermore were giving me old school vibes at times. Compared to how *I* felt about country a decade ago?? This is a phenomenal time to be a fan of the genre. Can’t wait to see where it goes next.
Yeah it’s weird I’m in my early 20s now and I have a place in my heart for a lot of the different styles over the past ten years. Rn though it’s people like Lainey Wilson, jelly roll, hardy, and Morgan wallen dominating my playlists
I think your idea about the genre splintering and producing good and bad music being a good thing is right. You and I are around the same age and we both grew up with the same selection on the radio. We had the Tim McGraws and then we had the Adam Gregorys. There was bad music back then too. I think you're right that variety is good for the genre as a whole!
You should do a video on some of the lesser known southern folk country artists. My two favorite artists right now are not popular by any means.. Willi Carlisle is one of the best song writers who gets very little recognition. He's toured with Sierra Ferrell in the past. Nick Shoulders is another one. Super underrated. Whistling/yodeling champ. Just makes great music.
The beginning of the end was when Jason Aldean released Hicktown. Hicktown is a fun song, but that's when the industry learned that pandering was more profitable than music.
