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 Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?

  
Florida Georgia Line (left) and Luke Bryan (right)

Bro-country is the regular sound that has been taking over the charts in the country genre for the last few years. Its a different sound then what fans were used to before - a mix of pop and hip hop with influences of R&B - and it has many fans and even other artists up in arms. Here are some of the country artists who's pop style has caused issues with other artists, followed by new bands and singers who still have that twang of country music in their songs.

Pop Country: Gary Allen vs Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood


Musician Gary Allan poses during the 4th annual American Country Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada December 10, 2013. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES - TAGS: ENTERTAINMENT) - RTX16D3P (Reuters)

During an interview with Larry King, Gary Allan was caught calling fellow singers Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood "pop artists making a living in the country genre."'

"You used to be able to turn on the radio and you knew instantly it was a country station, just by listening to it," Allan explains. "And now you've got to leave it there for a second to figure it out."


Real Country: Turnpike Troubadours

Nash Country Daily

Turnpike Troubadours is an Oklahoma based country band, which 5 studio albums under their belts, one of which reached number 17 on the Billboard Top 200. For those who were on Southern Arkansas University's campus in spring of 2018 would probably have seen these gentlemen live as they were the feature show of the night. 

This band focuses on the Midwestern country sound with hints of bluegrass with their beautiful fiddle playing. Below is one of their hit songs that truly resonates those sounds, "Long Hot Summer Day."





Pop Country: Florida Georgia Line

Forbes

"Outlaw Country" was a genre of country music that had the likes of Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and David Allen Coe. Outlaw Country was gruff, with influences of southern rock and lyrics that spoke out with the essence of pure retaliation and the will to fight. You had guys like David Allen Coe who was had been incarcerated for robbery, grand theft auto, and was a biker who'd give you his fist if you "got to yapping too much." The country music was hardcore and came from strong men.

Then you have these two. Their music is meant to be bumped and twerked to, with pop themes and their catchy little sound. If you want to hear about drinking clear, kissing women, and driving muddy trucks, this is the band for you. Conway Twitty says, "Hello Darlin", while Florida Georgia Line says "hey shorty". Here are some lyrics that just prove the validity of their "pop country" status.

"You know Tommy gonna trick his truck/Jack it up big time/Lift kit, chrome tips/Spit shining like a diamond."
"You see Tommy called Jenny/And Jenny gon' call the hotties/To tell them about the party/So don't forget the Bacardi."

Not so country, is it?

Real Country: Chris Stapelton

inlander

Fight me if you want, but just because he has become "mainstream" doesn't change the tune of his music. You're average American living south of the Mason Dixon line can easily hum along to the tune of "Tennesse Whiskey", but it wouldn't have become possible if Chris Stapelton had not covered the old George Jones song. (Similar to how Darius Rucker's cover of "Wagon Wheel" became much more popular than the original that was sung by Old Crow Medicine Show)

Chris Stapelton gives every song a very bluesy feel, with his deep voice and the way he holds on to a note for seconds at a time, straining out every syllable with heartfelt noise. He comes onto the stage with his cowboy hat, blue jeans, and cowboy boots instead of a flat billed cap, skinny jeans, and vans. He sounds country, he looks country, and best of all, he acts country. He doesn't come up on stage asking the girls to shake their hips for him, he comes up and sings about love, loss, and just good times with buddies. He is an essence of what good country is.

If you want more, feel free to Google "real country singers" and you will find the men and women who truly show what country music is all about. If you want to hear more from me, follow me on blogger and enjoy!

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