March 3, 2019
The three most influential artists in modern country
The modern era’s version of country music is widely apart from the country scene 20 years ago. The emergence of technology has caused a shift in mode of execution—two decades ago the genre was wholly created with instruments such as the banjo and acoustic guitar. Today, we have computer technologies such as electronic notes and high-hats. The most important factor for successful country artists in the past were a powerful and commanding voice with an advanced knowledge of playing guitar. Today, the artist needs an experienced music editor and a drive to produce something new.
There are three modern artists that have these abilities and more. Whether you’re a country fan or want to know more about it, you need to know these three artists! They have different styles and voices, but combined they cover the wide expanse of country sound.
- Taylor Swift
Since the 1970s, country music had battled between the lines of more traditional “cowboy and drawl-like” traditional and “pop/popular music” influences. Taylor Swift became the most famous and household-noted name in not only Nashville, but the entirety of America when she released her first single, “Love Story.” “Love Story” was released when Swift was a mere 17 years old. The song was the first to hit #1 on all Country radios in 2008 that was more pop-influenced. This began the important shift in country music to be more pop for the following several years. After the song’s massive success, a plethora of country labels began signing younger artists. Kacey Musgraves, who is mentioned later in this article, is among them.
Swift single-handedly established the movement of country artists abandoning their songwriters and becoming inspired to write lyrics themselves. Every song Swift has produced was written on her own and she has publicized that fact tremendously throughout her career. She is an avid user of social media, whether it’s Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. The country scene was consequently influenced to create their own online social profiles and engage with fans daily as Swift does.
- Miley Cyrus
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Miley Cyrus is from a family of extremely influential figures in the country music landscape. Her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, created the country staple “Achy Breaky Heart.” Her godmother, Dolly Parton, added a “sexual flair” to the industry. Both individuals were considered the greatest country icons of their time. But Cyrus has broken all of their records. She has made the genre over-the-top, flambuoyant, relatable, dangerous, heartbreaking, and uplifting all at the same time. She brings this gift at a time when country is the least in-your-face genre on the roster. According to all modern music experts, she alone is helping country artists stage reclamation. With Cyrus, it is not so much about the music, but the mind-blowing performances she has presented at award shows and her music videos. At times, she has worn swimsuits while dancers “twerked” behind her when singing a slow and sultry ballad. Cyrus has enabled the country music realm to release their guard down and let loose.
- Kacey Musgraves
It has been extremely difficult for avid country music fans to accept Kacey Musgraves into their playlists because of her left-wing leaning tendencies. But her liberal views are what are changing the industry song by song. Her track “Follow Your Arrow” contains the line: “Kiss lots of boys or kiss lots of girls, if that’s something you’re into.” Never before has a conservative artist, which almost all country singers are, dared or been comfortable with wandering into homosexual territory. She also heavily discusses politics through her music, and is unafraid to share her Democratic views on the presidency and local officials. Almost all of country listeners are Republican. Musgraves has also been open about her use of hallucinogens and their aid on her album, “Golden Hour.” Openly discussing a drug as powerful as LSD is an awakening in the country scene– before Musgraves the only drug conversed upon was alcohol. All of the topics Musgraves beautifully sings are now inspiring words for other country artists. Many of the up-and-coming and established musicians now feel open to discuss these taboo themes.
Contact: Neda Farr, nfarr@usc.edu
Neda Farr 