The Best of Texas Country Music

Looking for the best Texas country music? Look no further than our list of the top 10 Texas country artists. From classic country to contemporary artists, there’s something for everyone on this list.

The Early Days

If you’re looking for a rootsy, authentic sound, then Texas country music is for you. This subgenre of country music encompasses everything from traditional country to the more modern, rock-influenced sound. Texas country music is known for its independent spirit and its DIY attitude. The artists are often unsigned and self-released, and the venues are small and intimate.

The origins of Texas country music

Texas country music is a subgenre of country music that originated in the U.S. state of Texas. It has been described as a “cross between traditional country music and honky-tonk, with a dash of Western swing thrown in.”

The origins of Texas country music can be traced to the early 20th century, when settlers from the Deep South brought their musical traditions with them. These music traditions blended with the local Mexican and cowboy culture to create a unique sound that would come to be known as “Texas country.”

During the 1930s and 1940s, Western swing became popular in Texas, and many of the early Texas country artists such as Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys incorporated elements of Western swing into their music. In the 1950s and 1960s, honky-tonk became the dominant style of country music in Texas, and artists like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings rose to prominence.

In the 1970s and 1980s, a new generation of Texas country artists emerged, including George Strait, Jerry Jeff Walker, Randy Travis, and Clint Black. These artists brought a more traditional sound to the genre, helping to make Texas country music one of the most popular subgenres of country music today.

The influence of the Texas sound

The Texas sound is a fusion of traditional country music, honky-tonk, and western swing. It was developed in the 1940s and 1950s by Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys. The sound has been described as “a little bit of this, and a little bit of that”, meaning it combines elements of both traditional and contemporary country music.

The Texas sound is characterized by its twangy, steel-guitar-based sound, its use of the fiddle as a lead instrument, and its uptempo rhythms. It is also marked by its fusion of different genres, including folk, blues, gospel, and pop. The result is a sound that is both unique and distinctly Texan.

The Texas sound has had a profound influence on country music, both in Texas and beyond. It has been particularly influential in the development of the Bakersfield Sound, which was pioneered by artists such as Buck Owens and Merle Haggard in the 1960s and 1970s. The Texas sound has also been an important source of inspiration for many artists outside of the Lone Star State, including Nashville stars like George Strait and Alabama’s own Hank Williams Jr.

The Outlaws

The Outlaws were a country music band formed in Tampa, Florida, in 1972 by former members of other groups. The band’s original lineup consisted of singer-songwriter and guitarist Frank Foster, guitarist and singer-songwriter Hughie Thomasson, bassist and singer-songwriter Jimmy Farrar, drummer David Dix, and keyboardist Billy Jones. The Outlaws are known for their Southern rock-influenced sound and are considered pioneers of the genre.

The rise of the outlaws

The term “outlaw country” was first used in the late 1960s to describe the music of such artists as Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Waylon Jennings. These artists were considered outlaws because they refused to conform to the Nashville sound, a smooth, polished production that was becoming increasingly popular in country music. Instead, they continued to play the more traditional, roots-oriented style of country that had long been associated with the Texas music scene.

The outlaw movement reached its peak in the mid-1970s with the release of several landmark albums, including Jennings’s Wanted! The Outlaws (1976), which featured Nelson, Haggard, Jessi Colter (Jennings’s wife), and Tompall Glaser on the cover; and Nelson’s Red Headed Stranger (1975), which helped propel him to superstardom. The popularity of these albums paved the way for a new generation of Texas country artists, including George Strait, Randy Travis, and Lyle Lovett, who continued to find success in the 1990s and beyond.

The sound of the outlaws

The outlaw movement began as a rebellion against the slick, commercial country music coming out of Nashville in the 1970s. This new breed of country artists had a rougher sound that was more in line with the rock music of the time. They also wrote their own songs, which were often about the marginalization and tribulations of life on the edge of society. The most famous outlaw country artist was probably Willie Nelson, who released his first album, Shotgun Willie, in 1973. Other well-known outlaws include Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, and Kris Kristofferson.

The New Generation

There’s a new sound coming out of Texas these days, and it’s called Texas Country Music. This new style of music is a blend of traditional country and southern rock, and it’s quickly gaining popularity all over the state. Some of the biggest names in Texas Country Music include Wade Bowen, Jason Boland, and Reckless Kelly. If you’re a fan of country music, then you need to check out this new generation of Texas country artists.

The new sound of Texas country music

Texas country music is evolving.

What was once a niche subgenre of country music is now gaining popularity across the state and beyond. The new sound of Texas country music is fresh and exciting, with a mix of traditional country, rock, and pop influences.

Some of the most popular new Texas country artists include:
-Kacey Musgraves
-Flatland Cavalry
-Josh Abbott Band
-Turnpike Troubadours

If you’re a fan of country music, be sure to check out these new artists and give them a listen. You’re sure to find something you like!

The new generation of artists

In the past decade, a new generation of Texas country artists has emerged and found success both in and outside the state. These artists have been influenced by a wide range of musical styles, from classic country to rock and roll.

The new generation of Texas country artists includes men and women of all ages and backgrounds. Some, like Josh Abbott and Wade Bowen, got their start in the Texas music scene while others, like Maren Morris and Kacey Musgraves, came to Texas after finding success in other parts of the country. Regardless of their backgrounds, these artists all share a passion for making great country music.

The new generation of Texas country artists is carrying on the tradition of making great music that is rooted in the state’s rich musical history. These artists are keeping the sound and spirit of Texas country alive and well into the 21st century.