California Country Music: The Best of Both Worlds
Contents
Discover how California country music is the best of both worlds, blending the best of traditional country with a modern west coast twist.
The Rise of California Country Music
California country music is a growing sub-genre that takes the best of both traditional country music and the more relaxed California lifestyle. California country artists often sing about their love of the state, its people, and its natural beauty. The sound is a blend of country, rock, and pop that is perfect for summertime listening.
The Bakersfield Sound
The Bakersfield Sound is a subgenre of country music that originated in the 1960s in Bakersfield, California. The style is defined by its twangy, hard-edged guitar sound, which was honed by pioneers like Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. The Sound quickly spread from its Bakersfield epicenter to country radio stations across America, influencing generations of country singers. Today, the Bakersfield Sound remains an important part of California country music.
The Outlaw Movement
In the early 1970s, a new type of country music began to emerge in California. This new sound, which came to be known as California country, was a blend of traditional country and western, folk, and rock. It was characterized by its raw, sometimes ragged edges, and its focus on the darker side of life.
This new sound was personified by such artists as Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, and The Flying Burrito Brothers. These artists were not afraid to experiment with the traditional form of country music, and as a result, they created something unique and exciting.
The Outlaw Movement was a direct reaction to the slick production values and polished sounds of Nashville country music. The Outlaws were a group of rebellious artists who felt that Nashville had lost touch with the honest, down-to-earth sound of true country music.
The Outlaws were considered outlaws not only because of their music, but also because of their lifestyle. They were often seen as disdainful of authority and skeptical of government institutions. This made them popular with many young people who were also questioning authority during this time period.
The Outlaw Movement reached its height in the mid-1970s with the release of two landmark albums: Wanted! The Outlaws and Waylon & Willie. These albums featured some of the biggest names in country music, including Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, and Tompall Glaser.
The Outlaw Movement had a profound impact on country music. It helped to create a more diverse and interesting sound, and it also paved the way for more artist-friendly contracts and increased creative control for artists.
The New Wave of California Country Music
A new wave of California country music is emerging, and it’s the best of both worlds. With a sound that is both traditional and modern, these artists are quickly gaining popularity. From the mountains to the beaches, there’s a California country artist for everyone.
The Bro-Country Movement
Bro-country is a subgenre of country music that started in the early 2010s. The term “bro-country” was coined by Jedd Beaudoin, host of the country music radio show 99.1 Hank FM, in 2013 to describe “music by and of the guys who drive trucks and party.” The style is characterized by themes of party music and pickup trucks, as well as frequent references to drinking alcohol, often presented in a “humorous” or “ironic” fashion.
The Bro-country movement has been met with both criticism and praise from within the country music community. Some have accused the genre of being formulaic and pandering to a male audience, while others have praised it for its ability to appeal to a younger demographic.
Whether you love it or hate it, there’s no denying that Bro-country is one of the most popular subgenres of country music today. Here are some of the biggest hits from the genre:
· “All My Friends Say” – Luke Bryan
· “Country Girl (Shake It for Me)” – Luke Bryan
· “Cruise” – Florida Georgia Line
· “Dirt Road Anthem” – Colt Ford ft. Brantley Gilbert
· “Get Your Shine On” – Florida Georgia Line
The Rise of Indie Country
The rise of indie country has been a game changer for the California country music scene. Artists like Ruston Kelly, Margo Price, and Eldridge Gravy have brought a fresh sound to the genre, mixing traditional country influences with indie rock and punk sensibilities. These artists are helping to redefine what country music can be, and their unique sound is resonating with fans all over the state.
California has always been a hotbed for country music talent, and the new wave of artists is carrying on that tradition. If you’re looking for something different in your country music, be sure to check out these up-and-coming California artists.
The Future of California Country Music
California country music is a unique blend of traditional country music and the laid-back sounds of the California lifestyle. This genre of music is perfect for those who want the best of both worlds. California country artists are some of the most talented and down-to-earth people in the music industry.
The Rise of Streaming
The future of California country music looks bright, thanks to the rise of streaming services.
A recent study found that streaming services are responsible for a significant increase in country music sales in the state of California. In fact, they found that streaming accounted for more than half of all country music sales in the state in 2017.
This is good news for California country artists, who have long struggled to gain traction in the competitive world of country music. With the help of streaming, they now have a better chance than ever to reach a wider audience and find success.
The Impact of Technology
Technology has impacted California country music in a number of ways. One of the most significant changes has been the rise of social media and streaming services. These platforms have allowed for greater exposure of California country artists to new audiences, both within the state and outside of it. In addition, technology has made it easier for artists to connect with one another and collaborate on new projects.
Looking to the future, it is likely that technology will continue to play a major role in the growth and development of California country music. As more people turn to streaming services and social media for their music discovery, California country artists will have an increasingly large platform on which to showcase their talents. In addition, new technologies such as virtual reality could provide unique opportunities for fans to experience live shows in a completely immersive way.
The Globalization of Country Music
While country music has always been popular in the United States, it is now becoming more popular internationally as well. This is due in part to the globalization of country music.
Globalization is defined as the process of expanding world trade, contacts between societies, and the sharing of ideas around the world. With the advent of the internet and social media, it has become easier for people from all over the world to connect with each other and share their interests. This has led to a globalization of many different types of music, including country music.
As country music becomes more popular globally, it is also starting to influence other genres of music. For example, Korean pop (K-pop) artists are starting to incorporate elements of country music into their songs. This is giving rise to a new genre of music known as K-country.
Similarly, Japanese pop (J-pop) artists are also starting to experiment with incorporating country music into their songs. This has led to the development of a new genre called J-country.
It is likely that we will see more and more countries start to produce their own unique genres of country music in the future. This globalization of country music will help to ensure that this style of music remains popular for many years to come.
