1. Outlaws & Angels Country Music in the 80s & beyond (part 1)

2. Pop Trends, Rogue Waves, & Traditionalists The Country & Western genre, by this point, had fractured (similar to the “rock” genre) into several competing idioms – Outlaw country: Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Hank Jr., etc…outside of the established Nashville circleWaylon Jennings Johnny CashHank Jr. – Country pop/Countrypolitan: conscious trend to crossover into pop/adult contemporary, John Denver, Marie OsmondJohn Denver Marie Osmond – Neocountry: Urban Cowboy country.Urban Cowboy – Neotraditionalists: a ‘return to our roots’ movement, Ricky Skaggs, Patty Loveless, Travis Tritt Ricky Skaggs, Patty LovelessTravis Tritt

3. Crossover. Way Over While each sub-genre of country music was distinct, each had the same goal in mind: reaching a wider audience So, while the outlaws were appealing to a more rock/hippie crowd, the countrypolitans were attracting more straight-laced crowds. Likewise, the neotraditionalists were not only attracting folks who liked their “old-timey” sounds, but punk & roots rockerspunkroots

4. Willie Nelson

5. On The Road Again Willie Nelson Born Willie Hugh Nelson in Abbott, TX, in 1933 Began his career in the mid 1950s, writing songs for others & performing on radio/televisionothers Despite his many commercial hits, by the mid/late 70s, Nelson was considered an “outsider” in the homogenized Nashville music scene His collaboration with Waylon Jennings on 1976’s Wanted: The Outlaws garnered country music’s 1 st platinum record Nelson went on to collaborate with many artists from many different genresgenres

6. On The Road Again continued Released 1980 on Columbia Records – Honeysuckle Rose (soundtrack) Written & produced by Nelson Nelson also starred in the movie Honeysuckle Rose (his 1 st starring role) In the coming years, Nelson would face IRS troubles (they seized most of his assets in 1990 Video (featuring the Highwaymen) Video

7. Kenny Rogers

8. Love Will Turn You Around Kenny Rogers Born Kenneth Ray Rogers in Houston, TX, 1938 Rogers’ career has taken him through multiple genres (rockabilly, jazz, country, etc)genres In the 70s, Rogers penned The Gambler, which was later made into a made-for-TV mini-seriesThe Gamblermade-for-TV mini-series In 1982, Rogers starred in Six Pack, which established him as an actorSix Pack In 1991, Rogers established Kenny Rogers Roasters, a chicken & rib restaurantKenny Rogers Roasters Rogers had a number of hits singing duetsduets He also sung on Michael Jackson’s We Are the WorldWe Are the World

9. Love Will Turn You Around continued Released 1982 on Liberty Records – Love Will Turn You Around (album) This was the theme song for Rogers’ movie Six Pack There is a clear influence of acoustic rock acts like Simon & Garfunkel and the Everly Bros. as heard in the instrumental accompaniment (especially the high-strung guitar)Simon & Garfunkel Everly Bros. Video

10. Dolly Parton

11. 9 to 5 Dolly Parton Born Dolly Rebecca Parton in Sevierville, TN, in 1946 Began her career in the mid 50s singing on TV & radio in Tennessee From the mid 70s into the 80s, Parton had an impressive run of #1 hits on the country charts She hosted a variety show, Dolly!, in 76-77 She began an acting career around this time, as well

12. 9 to 5 continued Released 1980 on RCA Records – 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs (album) This was the theme to the 1980 film 9 to 5, which also starred Parton9 to 5 This time period saw a concentrated push to have Parton (& other country acts) crossover into the mainstreamother country acts Video

13. Charlie Daniels Band

14. The Devil Went Down to Georgia Charlie Daniels Band Born Charles Edward Daniels in Leland, NC, 1936 Began his career in the 50s, singer, songwriter (Elvis recorded one of his tunes), guitarist, and fiddler Found success after playing on other country artists’ albums artists Originally categorized as a “Southern Rock” act, after the movie Urban Cowboy (1980) was released, Daniels’ brand of commercial country became increasingly famous

15. The Devil Went Down to Georgia continued Released 1979 on Epic Records – Million Mile Reflections (album) Featured prominently in the 1980 movie Urban Cowboy The song outlines a classic “deal with the devil” scenario that features ensemble “solos” by the band This has been covered numerous times since 1979covered Live (kinda)

16. The Judds

17. Mama He’s Crazy The Judds A duet between mom (Naomi) & daughter (Wynonna) formed in 1983 One of the most successful country acts of all time Numerous Grammy nominations/awards, among others Disbanded in 1991, but occasionally reunite for concerts/events A third Judd, Ashley, has a successful career as an actressAshley They recently began starring in the reality program The Judds on OWN (Oprah’s network)The Judds

18. Mama He’s Crazy continued Released 1984 on RCA/Curb Records – Wynonna & Naomi (album) This was off of their debut album This was the 1 st of 14(!!!) number one hits the group would eventually garner The ballad features piano & lap steel guitar prominently (similar to older styles of C&W) Video

19. Reba McEntire

20. The Night The Lights Went Out in Georgia Reba McEntire Born Reba Neil McEntire in Kiowa, OK, 1955 One of the best-selling artists of all time Reba began acting in 1990’s TremorsTremors Since then she has starred in successful plays & TV showsshows In 1991, 8 members of Reba’s road band, plus the pilot & co-pilot, were killed when their aircraft crashed after take off Her 16 th album is dedicated to them

21. The Night The Lights Went Out in Georgia continued Released 1991 on MCA Records – For My Broken Heart (album) Originally performed by Vicki LawrenceVicki Lawrence Reba covered the song on her 16 th album The song details the murder of 2 cheating individuals and the legal corruption that allowed in to happen Video

22. Hank Williams, Jr.

23. Family Tradition Hank Williams, Jr Born Randall hank Williams, in Shreveport, LA, 1949 Son of acclaimed country star, Hank Williams, Sr. & father to country/punk singer Hank Williams IIIHank Williams, Sr.Hank Williams III Hank Jr. is a multi-instrumentalist & outspoken political (republican) supporter In 1975, Hank Jr. fell 500 ft in a mountain climbing accident that left him with severe facial scars – his hat, glasses, & beard are there to hid those scars & have become his signature look

24. Family Tradition continued Released 1979 on Elektra/Curb Records – Family Tradition (album) Hank Jr. helped establish the “outlaw” country genre Charlie Daniels played fiddle on this song This song expresses Jr.’s desire to be differentiated from his father, despite his pride in being part of that legacy The McCain/Palin 2008 Presidential ticket used a modified version of this song for their rallies modified version Video (don’t forget to sing along!) Video

25. Patty Loveless

26. A Little Bit In Love Patty Loveless Born Patty Lee Ramey in Pikeville, Kentucky, 1957 Loveless has charted over 40 songs on the Billboard Country Charts Her style, which combines rock, rockabilly, and the vocal styling made popular by Patsy Cline, helped define the neotraditionalist country genre

27. A Little Bit In Love continued Released 1988 on MCA Nashville Records – If My Heart Had Windows (album) Written by Steve EarleSteve Earle Loveless became a member of the Grand Ole Opry this same year Loveless is related to country artists Loretta Lynn & Crystal GaleLoretta LynnCrystal Gale Video

28. George Strait

29. I Cross My Heart George Strait Born George Harvey Strait in Poteet, TX, 1952 Singer, guitarist, producer, & actor Often called the “King of Country” Another neotraditionalist country star 7 number 1 albums in the 80s alone He starred in the 1992 movie Pure Country, about a country singer wanting to break away from the overly-manufactured Nashville scene & return to his “pure country” roots.Pure Country

30. I Cross My Heart continued Released 1992 on MCA Nashville Records, Pure Country (album/soundtrack) While the movie bombed, the soundtrack & single were massive hits Strait’s best selling album to date There was a sequel, but you really don’t want to see it…don’t want to see it… Video

31. Dwight Yoakam

32. Guitars, Cadillacs Dwight Yoakam Born Dwight David Yoakam in Pikeville, Kentucky, 1956 Singer, songwriter, guitarist, actor, and director The most frequent musical guest on The Tonight ShowThe Tonight Show Dwight’s brand of honky-tonk appealed to a wide audience, & he often played in front of punk/roots audiences in his early days

33. Guitars, Cadillacs continued Released 1986 on Reprise Records – Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc. (album) Yoakam relocated to California in order to avoid the Nashville music scene His sound is heavily influenced by the Bakersfield Sound, especially Buck Owens Bakersfield SoundBuck Owens This song cracked the Billboard Top 200 (#61) Video