Let’s re-do the 80s! This time with cowboy hats! Country in the 90s/00s

What’s different this time around? As country music entered the end of the century (& beyond), we begin to see/hear a move towards the sonic characteristics that made 80s pop/rock so successful This is due, in part, to rock music moving towards nu-metal & alternative rock sounds, thus leaving country music free to absorb the poppy/melodic sounds rock left behind

What’s changing? What’s the same? As country music turns towards more pop/rock sounds, we begin to see performers taking cues from past rock acts Conversely, we also begin to see artists lash out at the homogenization of country under Nashville standards Regardless, the view remains that country is a a bastion for singing about American values, family, American pride

It’s all in the haircut

Billy Ray Cyrus Born William Ray Cyrus in Flatwoods, KY, 1961 Singer, songwriter, actor, producer His debut album, Some Gave All, went 9x platinum & spent 17 weeks at #1 Best-selling debut album for a solo male artist Cyrus starred in the TV show Doc in the early 2000s before starring alongside daughter, Miley, in Hannah MontanaDoc Hannah Montana

Achy Breaky Heart Billy Ray Cyrus Released 1992 on PolyGram/Mercury Records – Some Gave All (album) Cyrus’ signature & most successful song A huge crossover success in the U.S. & the 1 st song to hit platinum status since Islands in the Stream (Kenny & Dolly) Re-ignited the line dancing craze… Video

Garth Brooks

Born Troyal Garth Brooks in Tulsa, OK, 1962 Known for incorporating elements of rock into his country music In the late 90s, Brooks decided to create an alter ego, Chris Gaines, a troubled rock singer (& focus of a film that never got made) – this included an awesome wigChris Gaineswig Brooks is the 2 nd best-selling solo artist of the 20 th century & has sold more albums than The Beatles!!

Garth Brooks Low Places Released 1990 on Capitol Nashville Records – No Fences (album) Brooks was still a shoe salesman when he recorded this song Heavily influenced by Springsteen, Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, James Taylor & other (rock) singer-songwriters Video

Brooks & Dunn

Kix Brooks & Ronnie Dunn Formed 1990 in Nashville, TN Influenced by rock, honky tonk, pop, & mainstream country All but 2 of their 16 albums are certified platinum Originally marginally successful solo artists that were paired up by a Nashville producer

Neon Moon Brooks & Dunn Released 1992 on Arista Records – Brand New Man(album) This neo-country ballad uses the instrumentation of more traditional country (pedal steel, fiddle) & the late 80s “power ballad” aesthetic This album also contained this hit, which helped re-ignite the line dancing crazehit Video

Brad Paisley

Born in Glen Dale, West Virginia, 1972 Released his debut album in 1999 & was quickly awarded Grammy Awards & admission to the Grand Ole Opry Paisley (like many of his Nashville contemporaries) is a supremely talented guitarist – but his Nashville-produced albums tend to downplay those abilities in favor of his singing & good looksdownplay

Start a Band Brad Paisley w/Keith Urban Released 2008 on Arista Nashville, Play (album) A duet between two of Nashville’s young, guitar-playing singers The song references songs by Deep Purple, Eric Clapton, & Guns n’ Roses The song encourages young folks to pick up instruments with their friends Video

LeAnn Rimes

Born Margaret LeAnn Rimes in Jackson, MS, 1982 Started her career at the age of 13 with the release of her debut album, Blue Known for her powerful soprano vocal style, compared to Patsy ClinePatsy Cline Influenced by pop & country singers of the 1970s

Til We Ain’t Strangers Anymore Bon Jovi feat. LeAnn Rimes Released 2007 on Island/Mercury Nashville Records – Family (Rimes album) & Lost Highway (Bon Jovi album) Co-written by Jon Bon Jovi & Richie Sambora Aside from this song, Rimes wrote every song on her album (unique for many Nashville artists) Video

Faith Hill

Born Audrey Faith Perry in Ridgeland, MS, 1967 Singer, songwriter, producer, actor In the late 90s she saw huge crossover success in the pop/dance/country genres Her 4 th album, Breathe, saw her move toward a more pop-oriented sound/style – & garnered critical & popular acclaim

Breathe Faith Hill Released 1999 on Warner Bros. Records – Breathe (album) Released simultaneously to Pop & Country radio stations The song retains some of the country-derived sounds (pedal steel) but takes many cues from 80s power ballads The video is straight out of the 80s, toovideo

Shania Twain

Born Eilleen Regina Edwards in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, 1965 Her 1997 album, Come On Over, has sold over 40 million copies & is the best-selling studio album of all time by a female in any genre One of the most commercially successful artists of all time Her producer (& now ex-husband), Mutt Lange had been know for working with highly-polished rock acts like Def Leppard

Man! I Feel Like a Woman Shania Twain Released 1999 on Mercury Nashville – Come On Over (album) Produced by Mutt Lange The video mimics those of pop/rock artist Robert Palmer Robert Palmer Like other female artists of the late 90s/early 00s, Twain celebrated her femininity, independence, & strength Video

Martina McBride

Born Martina Schiff in Sharon, KS, 1966 Singer, songwriter, producer Originally a new-traditionalist country singer, she eventually crossed over into the pop mainstream Began her career singing in her father’s band & rock bands in high school Her big break was opening for Garth Brooks after she was signed to a record label

Martina McBride This Ones for the Girls Released 2003 on RCA Nashville, Martina (album) The song, dedicated to women of all ages, addresses women of different ages dealing with different aspects of their lives Again, female empowerment & celebrating femininity, independence, & strength are all major themes Video

Dixie Chicks

Founded 1989 in Dallas, TX by sisters Martie & Emily Erwin (sisters) & Natalie Maines Originally more of a bluegrass band, after Maines joined the band they changed their sound & achieved mainstream success Attracted attention for their more aggressive stance on domestic violence & politics domestic violencepolitics In 2003, Maines criticized then U.S. president G.W. Bush over the impending war w/Iraq – Boycotts of their albums (sale & radio) – Feud with media conservatives – Public protests – Feud with Toby Keith

Not Ready to Make Nice Dixie Chicks Released 2006 on Columbia Records, Taking the Long Way (album) After the controversy that emerged in response to Maines’ comments about Bush, the Chicks’ career was derailed due to boycotts, declining record sales, etc This song directly addresses some of the ridiculous things they experienced over their stance on the Iraq War – death threats, hatred, etc Video

Toby Keith

Born Toby Keith Covel in Clinton, OK, 1961 Singer, songwriter, producer, actor After being signed to 2 major labels in the 90s/00s, Keith founded his own, Show Dog Nashville He has alternated between writing heartfelt, Americana-influenced songs & almost-comedy novelty hits Americana-influenced songs novelty hits

Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue (The Angry American) Toby Keith Released 2002 on DreamWorks Nashville, Unleashed (album) Written in response to the 9/11/01 attacks & the death of Keith’s father (car accident, 2001) Keith originally refused to record the song – only played it in front of the troops – but was convinced to record it by a Marine officer Video