Country Artists Hiding Behind Traditionally Styled Production
Although today’s country is heavily influenced by other genres, some artists are returning to traditionally styled production, at times at the cost of content or lyricism.Continue Reading
Bro-Country Bows to Rhythm & Boots
R&B and country sonically join forces once again at country radio, for a style that blends R&B, Motown, funk, blues, and soul in rhythm & boots.Continue Reading
Hunter Hayes Pursues Pop Trends With “21” and “Young And In Love”
Hunter Hayes pursues pop trends in release and co-writing styles with “21” and “Young And In Love.”Continue Reading
For Kacey Musgraves, Going Against Country Norms Is Her Best Bet for Stardom
Kacey Musgraves continues to go against the grain with her approach to country music.Continue Reading
CMA Fest Line-Up Shows #TomatoGate Goes Deeper Than Radio
We took a deeper look at the male/female/group performer split among the stage lineups at CMA Fest.Continue Reading
Country and Pop Meet in the Middle With Jason Derulo’s “Broke” and Luke Bryan’s “Kick The Dust Up”
seem to have finally met in the middle with the release of Luke Bryan’s new single “Kick The Dust Up” and Jason Derulo’s song “Broke,” the latter of which features Stevie Wonder and Keith Urban instrumentally.Continue Reading
From “Beachin'” and “What We Ain’t Got” to “Real Life:” What Jake Owen’s Identity Crisis Says About Artist Branding
From being the life of the beach party to sporting a more serious side, Jake Owen’s choices with “Real Life” tell a complex story of artist branding.Continue Reading
The Disconnect Between Country Radio and Its Listeners
Sales and streams don’t seem to be matching up, as numerous examples of radio hits without substantive sales and high-selling songs that don’t chart well seem to demonstrate. Continue Reading
The Nashville Revolution: How Indie Artists Are Taking Over Country Music
Aaron Watson, Brandy Clark, and Sturgill Simpson are among the artists paving careers outside of the traditional country music mould. Continue Reading
“Sun Daze”: How Florida Georgia Line Take the Holy Day in Vain and Why Nobody Seems to Mind
As radio country shows more pop influence and listener demographics shift, songs like Florida Georgia Line’s “Sun Daze” present a racier and more complicated offering to the genre’s historically Christian fan base.Continue Reading