Why 90s Country Music Was the Best
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While country music has changed quite a bit since the 1990s, there’s something to be said for the good old days. Join us as we explore why 90s country music was the best.
The Golden Era of Country Music
The 90s was a decade of great country music. Many of the artists from that decade are still relevant and popular today. The music from the 90s was more traditional and had a more country sound than the music of today. Artists such as Alan Jackson, George Strait, and Garth Brooks were some of the most popular country artists of that decade.
The influence of Garth Brooks
Garth Brooks is an American singer and songwriter who has had a huge influence on country music. He was born in 1962 and is from Oklahoma. His first album was released in 1989 and he achieved his breakout success with his second album, which was released in 1991. This album contained the hit singles “The Thunder Rolls” and “Unanswered Prayers”, which both topped the country charts.
Brooks’ third album, entitled Ropin’ the Wind, was released in 1992 and topped the Billboard 200 chart, becoming the first country album to do so. It also contained the hit singles “Ain’t Goin’ Down (‘Til the Sun Comes Up)” and “Keep Your Hands to Yourself”. This album made Brooks a crossover star, appealing to both country and pop audiences. In total, Brooks has released six albums that have topped the Billboard 200 chart.
Brooks has won numerous awards, including two Grammy Awards, 17 American Music Awards, 22 Academy of Country Music Awards, and 31 Country Music Association Awards (including the Entertainer of the Year Award). He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 160 million records worldwide. He is also one of the most successful live performers, selling out venues such as Madison Square Garden and Central Park.
Brooks retired from performing in 2001 but came out of retirement in 2009 for a series of concerts in Las Vegas. In 2014, he announced a world tour that will last until at least 2017.
The rise of female artists
The early ’90s saw the advent of what is perhaps the most important movement in country music history: the rise of female artists. Until that point, the genre had been dominated by men, both as artists and as the primary target audience. But in 1991, everything changed with the release of Garth Brooks’ self-titled debut album. Featuring a more pop-friendly sound and production than traditional country, Brooks’ album crossed over to top the charts on both country and pop radio. It was a sign of things to come.
In 1992, two more women broke through in a big way: Patty Loveless and Wynonna Judd. Loveless’ album ” 1992’s Only What I Feel, was a critical and commercial success, cementing her reputation as one of the most talented vocalists in country music. Judd, meanwhile, released her debut album ” Wynonna “, which went on to sell more than five million copies. She would go on to even greater success as a solo artist after her duet with husband Ashley Judd, “Change Your Mind”, became a top-ten hit in 1994.
These three artists paved the way for an influx of female talent in country music that would change the sound and feel of the genre for years to come. In the years that followed, artists like Trisha Yearwood, Shania Twain, Faith Hill, and Martina McBride would helped bring country music to new heights of popularity while also helping to broaden its appeal to new audiences. The ’90s truly were a golden era for country music, and one that laid the foundation for the continued success of the genre in the years to come.
The Sound of Country Music
There’s just something about 90s country music that is special. It was a decade that saw the genre really come into its own and find its sound. The 90s was a decade of change for country music, and that change led to some great songs being released.
The twang of the guitars
The twang of the guitars is one of the most distinguishing features of country music. It’s a sound that’s both unique and familiar, and it’s one of the things that makes country music so special.
The twangy sound of the guitars is created by the way the strings are plucked. When a guitar is plucked, the string vibrates and creates a sound. The longer the string is, the lower the pitch of the sound. The shorter the string, the higher the pitch.
So, when a guitar is plucked with a lot of force, the string vibrates more and creates a higher pitch. This is how country music gets its distinctive sound.
The heartbreak in the lyrics
In the 1990s, country music artists began to experiment with different sounds and styles, which led to a more diverse range of music that was still distinctly country. This decade saw the rise of female artists such as Shania Twain and the Dixie Chicks, who brought a new level of popularity to the genre.
But what made 90s country music so special was the heartbreak in the lyrics. Country songs have always been about love and loss, but in the 1990s, these themes were explored in a more relatable way for listeners. Artists like Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood sang about heartbreak in a way that was both relatable and relatable, which resonated with fans.
In addition to the relatable lyrics, 90s country music also featured some of the best musicianship of any decade. Artists like Vince Gill and Alan Jackson were at the top of their game, both vocally and instrumentally. The combination of great lyrics and stellar musicianship made for some truly unforgettable country songs.
The Legacy of 90s Country Music
The 1990s were a decade of great change in country music. The “outlaw” movement begun in the late 1960s and early 1970s by artists such as Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Johnny Cash, reached its peak in the mid-1970s with the release of Hank Williams Jr.’s album, Hank Williams Jr. and Friends. This album featured a mix of country, rock, and blues, and signaled a new direction for country music.
The impact of 90s country music on today’s artists
The 1990s was a decade that saw the rise of many different genres of music, but one genre that continued to thrive during this time was country music. While the country music of the 1990s may not be as popular as it once was, its impact can still be seen in today’s country music. Many of today’s top country artists, such as Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, and Keith Urban, got their start in the 90s.
The90s was a decade that saw many changes in the country music industry. At the start of the decade, country music was dominated by male artists such as Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson. However, by the end of the decade, female artists such as Shania Twain and Faith Hill were starting to become just as popular as their male counterparts. This increase in popularity of female country artists would continue into the next decade and beyond.
The sound of country music also began to change in the 90s. While traditional country sounds were still popular, artists began to experiment with new sounds and styles. This experimentation led to the rise of “hat act” groups such as Brooks & Dunn and Alabama, who helped bring a more modern sound to country music.
Overall, the 1990s was a decade that saw many changes in country music. These changes laid the foundation for what would become one of today’s most popular genres of music.
The influence of 90s country music on today’s sound
The country music of the 1990s was a major force in defining the sound and style of country music for the next generation. The 90s were a time of great change in country music, as traditional honky-tonk and western swing sounds gave way to a more updated and modern sound. This new sound was defined by artists such as Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, and Alan Jackson, who blended traditional country instrumentation with pop, rock, and blues influences. The result was a more radio-friendly sound that appealed to a wider audience than traditional country music.
Today, many of the biggest names in country music trace their roots back to the 90s. Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, and Florida Georgia Line are all indebted to the 90s sound for their success. Even newer artists like Maren Morris and Sam Hunt have been heavily influenced by the 90s sound. Ultimately, the 90s were a pivotal time for country music, and the influence of that decade can still be heard today.