10 Things You Associate with Country Music

Here are the top 10 things you associate with country music. From the good to the bad, these are the things that make country music what it is today.

The Outlaw Movement

The outlaw movement in country music can be traced back to the late 1960s and early 1970s, when a group of performers such as Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Kris Kristofferson began pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable in country music. These performers moved away from the traditional sound of country music, and toward a more rock & roll-influenced sound. This new sound was not well received by the country music establishment, which led to these performers being referred to as “outlaws.” While the outlaw movement was short-lived, it did help to usher in a new era of country music, one that was more accepting of different sounds and styles.

The Bro-Country Movement

The Bro-Country Movement is a subgenre of country music that began in the early 2010s. Characterized by its focus on party themes and male bravado, the genre is often derided by music critics. Nevertheless, it has been commercially successful, spawning hit singles by artists such as Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan, and Blake Shelton.

The Dixie Chicks

1. The Dixie Chicks are an American country music band which formed in Texas in 1989.
2. The band is composed of founding members Martie Maguire and Emily Robison, and lead singer Natalie Maines.
3. The Dixie Chicks rose to stardom with their 1998 album Wide Open Spaces, which featured the lead single “I Can Love You Better” as well as the Grammy-winning single “There’s Your Trouble”.
4. The group’s next albums, Fly (1999) and Home (2002), were equally successful and certified multiple platinum in the United States; both produced the number-one singles “Ready to Run”, “Goodbye Earl” and “Long Time Gone”.
5. In 2006, the Dixie Chicks released Taking the Long Way, which won five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for “Not Ready to Make Nice”. The album was also controversial due to its political content, including references to then-President George W. Bush and the Iraq War.

The Dixie Chicks have sold over 30 million albums worldwide and are currently working on a new album, set for release in 2017.

Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks is an American country music singer-songwriter. He has released seven albums that have achieved diamond status in the United States, and is the only artist in history to have done so. His studio albums Garth Brooks (1989), No Fences (1990), and Ropin’ the Wind (1991) are all certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) as having been certified for more than 10 million units shipped each. Beyond his commercial success, Brooks is well known for his involvement in philanthropy, particularly through ChildAid and Operation Shoestring.

Reba McEntire

Reba McEntire is one of the most successful and respected women in country music. With a career spanning over 40 years, she has released over 30 albums and had more than 40 #1 singles. She is known for her powerful vocal range and her catchy, upbeat songs about love, heartache, and having a good time. She has won numerous awards, including the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year Award, the Academy of Country Music’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and many more. Reba is also an accomplished actress, starring in her own television sitcom, “Reba,” as well as several movies. She is one of the most popular and respected women in country music today.

Taylor Swift

1. Wearing cowboy boots and a cowboy hat
2. Singing about heartbreak, beer, and pickup trucks
3. Being from the South
4. Going to country music festivals
5. Line dancing
6. Drinking whiskey
7. Having a Southern accent
8. Waving American flags
9. Wearing Daisy Dukes
10. Listening to country music on the radio

Keith Urban

In recent years, Keith Urban has become one of the biggest names in country music. His sound is a mix of traditional country, rock, and pop that has resonated with fans across the globe. Among his many hits are “Somebody Like You,” “Days Go By,” “Sweet Thing,” and “You Look Good in My Shirt.”

Luke Bryan

1. Wearing cowboy hats
2. Singing about trucks, girls, and beer
3. Having Trace Adkins as a guest vocalist
4. Crooning about heartache and loss
5. Getting upset about things like getting your truck stolen
6. Roping calves
7. Cutting hay
8. Doing the two-step
9. Drinking whiskey neat
10. Wearing boots with your jeans tucked into them

Blake Shelton

1. Waving American flags
2. Fans wearing cowboy hats and boots
3. Line dancing
4. Singing about trucks, beer, and getting drunk
5. Talking with a Southern drawl
6. Wearing plaid shirts
7. Chewing tobacco
8. Hunting
9. Going to church on Sundays
10. Living in the country

Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood is a multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning country music singer and songwriter. She rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol, and has since become one of the most successful and popular country music artists in the world. She has sold over 65 million records worldwide, and has had 26 No. 1 singles on the Billboard Country charts. Her career has been defined by her young age, her crossover appeal to both country and pop audiences, and her marriage to retired NHL player Mike Fisher.