I'm just having some fun and looking for some songs to listen that would the way country used to be. I feel I have had pretty great exposure to it, and listened a lot, but I'm not going to pretend to know everything there is to know...not by a LONG shot.
So, what are some GREAT songs you would recommend...and what should I be listening for? What do you hear that you feel makes it a great song?
Thanks for any help with this. Just lookin' to expand a bit. I have some driving coming up and it's fun to do this kind of thing. It makes long trips exciting
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
Assuming you're not Gender-Specific, too - for me, Country Music came to an end in about 1982. YMMV, but after about that time, Country Music became "Rock/Pop with a twangy vocalist". I paint with a broad brush, and there are exceptions, but...
Check out Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Loretta Young, Johnny Cash, maybe Crystal Gayle (near the End of Days, but still valid), Rosanne Cash, and for God's sake, don't hit the road without EmmyLou Harris.
After the passing of "real" country, investigate Mary Chapin Carpenter. She is an absolute must-listen of the '90's.
Hallmarks of the "classic" Country genre are minimalistic arrangements, devoid of pretense (though never eschewing the device of a Bad Pun), and tasteful guitar / steel guitar arrangements. "Shredding" did not really exist, in the Golden Age.
As a male artist, I've never been a fan of overly-aggressive female vocal parts... and if you're that way, don't listen to entire albums by one artist. That reveals "pandering", when in one song the vocalist is tender and sweet, and the next she's a snarling assertive $#2&, but again that's just my opinion.
I'm not so sure that good Country has ended. More is that it has evolved, just like every other music style alongside it.
Johnny Tillotson had some great "Country style" songs. Things like: It Keeps Right On A Hurtin Talk Back Trembling Lips Send Me The Pillow You Dream On
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BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Professional & Windows 11, Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors
Without overloading you..... country music is exemplified in these artists.
Hank Williams Sr, & Jr.
Willie Nelson
Waylon Jennings
George Jones
Merle Haggard
Patsy Cline
Loretta Lynn
Buck Owens
and that's just a very small starting place. If you didn't grow up on these artists, I'd suggest hitting YouTube and look them up and listen.
A bit more modern but still solidly rooted in country would include:
Alabama
Brooks & Dunn
Emmy Lou Harris
Garth Brooks
Trisha Yearwood
Lacy J Dalton
Reba MacIntire
There are so many other artists and groups who were instrumental in the history of country music.... the more you dig, the more you will find.
edit to add: and don't forget the classic duet combo's.... Conway & Loretta, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers and Dottie West<<< YOU GOTTA HEAR THAT. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlcRqPG1OeQ George Jones and Tammy Wynette. Every one of those are country classics.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 02/08/1702:46 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Any suggestions on WHAT to be listening for. I know how I would listen to it, but want to know what YOU would listen for. If we had a listening session in the same room, what would you point out?
Thanks!
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
If you listen to Country music across the decades, starting with the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers, you will find two concurrend streams: 1. Country music that reflects the pop music trend of its time and 2. Music that has more the feel of "it could have been in a living room on a farm". (Even if it is amplified.)
ad 1: 1930s: Bob Wills, Spade Cooley and all the other Western Swing bands played Jazz; 1940s: The Delmore Brothers, Arthur Smith and others played Boogie Woogie style music. 1950s: Even Eddy Arnold recorded Rockabilly songs, Country music's adaption of Rock 'n' Roll. And there were others like George "Thumper" Jones, Hank Snow, Johnny Cash and many, many more. 1960s: Sound carpets by very large string orchestras enhanced Country music to have it have an easier access to the pop charts. and so on... the reason to invent outlaw country music, you know Jennings, Nelson, and their friends.
ad 2. All the music that is seen as "real" country music including all the other sub-genres like bluegrass or gospel music for instance.
Back in 2003, NPR did a great multi-part segment called "Honky Tonks, Hymns, and Blues". It is definitely worth a listen. You'll hear traditional country music, as well as interviews with respected entertainers. I recorded it off the radio and created CDs to listen to at my leisure.
John
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Lots did it including Hank, but Karens' version was always a favourite.
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FJ, what a wonderful collection of tunes. Now, don't take this the wrong way, but I swear I hear a bit of you in all of them! They must have been listening to your music for a long time to pick up bits and pieces of that unique phrasing and smooth vocals combined with story telling lyrics. You should be very proud that such a distinguished group has been paying attention to your music.
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Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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