The Country Genre – Taking the World By Storm May 26, 2008

So, we have been arguing that country music is far too under-publicised in the area of popular music, however in the last few years there has been a jump to becoming more well known. it’s a small jump, but an important one. The appeal of country music is starting to spread. And not just to the audience, but to other artists. Mainstream artists are dropping their styles and are trading their signature sounds in for a country style.

So after reading Sophie’s article about Kelly Clarkson, and Natalie’s about Beyonce, and reading the magazine article about “Selling Country To The Nation”, I thought I would investigate more into who, in mainstream pop/rock music, is influenced by country and how its beginning to branch into the mainstream, or mix into the mainstream, as one of Natalie‘s article discusses.

An example of this is with Jessica Simpson. She is recently trying to break into the country music business. Her recent CD “A Public Affair” has some of the usual poppy songs that expect from an artist such as this, however upon listening to it I was surprised at the country inspired content. Songs such as “Push Your Tush” are extremely country, this particular one even beginning with a cow bell. and since this CD there has been news that Jessica wants to permanently join sides with the country music genre. Even teaming up with Willie Nelson to do her re-make of “These Boots Are Made For Walking”, even if it was a bit of a flop.

And Jessica Simpson isn’t the only one trading their leather jackets in for a set of spurs. The 80’s rock band Bon Jovi has also joined on the trail ride. Since Bon Jovi teamed up with Sugarland, they have worked with a number of country artists such as “Big and Rich” (who they performed “We Got It Going On” with) and “LeAnn Rimes” (who they performed “Till We Ain’t Strangers Anymore” with), and their latest CD “Lost Highway” is a lot more country inspired then their previous works. I have been a hard core Bon Jovi fan for quite a few years now, and I was definitely surprised at their new country spin. I would have never expected Bon Jovi to be a part of this lesser known genre. But I think this is proof at just how fun and appealing country music is. Everyone seems to want a part of it at the moment. I think country is a sort of escape from the moodier ‘Emo’ style of music that has recently been appearing. Country allows you to escape and get back to the more pure musical forms.

But its not just some of the more ‘game’ musicians that are deciding to tackle this genre, but some of the newer ‘pop’ artists too. An example is with Carrie Underwood. Generally when people emerge out of the American Idol competitions, they have been trained and moulded into going straight into the popular music industry, however Carrie Underwood went straight into the country industry. She currently had two country music albums “Carnival Ride“ and “Some Hearts”. I have to say, even though they are country music records, I actually expected them to be rather poppy because of her idol background, but surprisingly they are not. They are very true to the country genre. Songs like “Wasted”, “All American Girl”, and the slightly more mainstream and poppy “Some Hearts” (also featured on the ‘”So Country“ CD I talked about earlier) all air that distinct country sound. She has a great voice for country.

So even though the country genre has been sort of forgotten in the past, I think it is ready to become more mainstream. I think, the last few years the world has had a pretty tough time with terrorism etc, and we are all looking for an escape, something more real and down to earth and something fun. To me, that spells country, and I don’t think that I’m the only person that is feeling this way. So bring out those spurs and dust off those boots and hats, because I think your about to see come real country coverage, finally.

By Jacki Tipton