Country Music Subgenres 101- A Beginner's Guide to Modern Country

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  • Опубліковано 10 лип 2024
  • Today's video is a beginner's guide to country music subgenres -- because there are A LOT of them, and it can be confusing.
    00:00 - Intro to Country Music Subgenres
    02:54 - Definition of Country Music
    03:41- Bro Country
    04:28 - Boyfriend Country
    05:00 - Neotraditional
    05:30 - Pop-Country
    06:13 - Everything Else in "Mainstream"
    07:02 - Red Dirt
    07:57 - Texas Country
    09:18 - Bluegrass
    10:01 - Appalachian
    10:34 - Americana
    12:08 - Southern Rock
    12:32 - Alt-Country
    12:53 - Country Rap
    13:52 - Everything Else in "Indie"
    14:44 - A Lesson I've Learned
    Patreon: / gradywsmith
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,2 тис.

  • @GradySmith
    @GradySmith  4 роки тому +336

    This was a freakin doozy to make, and I hope y'all enjoy it! This is a very complex topic, and I know it's only skimming the surface. If you're someone that wishes people weren't so worried about how we classify songs into genres, just stay tuned for the last 90 seconds. Love y'all. -Grady

    • @treyhaddon2004
      @treyhaddon2004 4 роки тому +1

      Great video Grady!

    • @chrisinglis2383
      @chrisinglis2383 4 роки тому +1

      Please do a reaction to Dean Brody's "time" or "tough people do" by Brett Kissel. They're both Canadian but are 2 country songs that most people know up here. Keep up the good work!

    • @azcoyote007
      @azcoyote007 4 роки тому

      I’d be happy if Billboard split country into Contemporary and Traditional and radio stations only played one or the other.

    • @ladtx83
      @ladtx83 4 роки тому +2

      I’m in the I care but at the same time don’t care about genre labels. I like a variety of music genres so the genre doesn’t have any real influence on if I like a song. However I go through moods where I really only want to hear a specific genre or sub-genre. For the most part I either like a song or I don’t, and I can normally find at least one song I like in every genre.

    • @SulfuricLime
      @SulfuricLime 4 роки тому

      React to Charley Crockett Welcome to hard Times

  • @aristotleasparaguspodcast1129
    @aristotleasparaguspodcast1129 4 роки тому +875

    Has anyone noticed how Red Dirt and Bluegrass have oppositional names by complete coincidence?

  • @reidbrooks3951
    @reidbrooks3951 4 роки тому +661

    Where was the “I’m going to kill my husband” female country music genre

    • @paulgomez8679
      @paulgomez8679 4 роки тому +91

      It was right after I have a wife but I'm still going to sing about women sliding into my truck subgenre.

    • @taylerwilson1682
      @taylerwilson1682 4 роки тому +31

      That’s just Miranda Lambert

    • @scorpionic3599
      @scorpionic3599 4 роки тому +27

      Tayler Wilson Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood are the only women I can remember who sang about murdering their husbands lmao

    • @virgie4715
      @virgie4715 4 роки тому +19

      Bronco Buster the Dixie chicks sang about Mary Ann and Wanda killing Wanda’s husband lol

    • @sheenakinman8506
      @sheenakinman8506 4 роки тому +9

      @@scorpionic3599 Martina McBride Independence Day

  • @JS-ix6rk
    @JS-ix6rk 4 роки тому +429

    There is a noticeable absence of Joe Exotic, Pioneer of the "Tiger Country" sub genre

    • @41Brother2
      @41Brother2 3 роки тому +13

      Blame that one on Carole Baskin

    • @manolo6605
      @manolo6605 3 роки тому +2

      Hahahaha

    • @thundertv1431
      @thundertv1431 2 роки тому

      That’s not a country music genre

  • @_cameraboy
    @_cameraboy 4 роки тому +314

    Country Music Community: Sub-genre's...there's an idea'r. Where do we start?
    *_The Metal Community has entered the chat._*

    • @davidlfort
      @davidlfort 4 роки тому +15

      As a former thrash head, I feel that many metal subgenres are a distinction with no difference. Can anybody really hear a difference between death and black metal, frex?

    • @_cameraboy
      @_cameraboy 4 роки тому +29

      @@davidlfort Death Metal is known for more guttural vocals and a thicker tone and groove. While Black Metal has a focus on higher pitched shriek, and removes the elements of groove.
      en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metal_genres
      Canadian Documentarian Sam Dunn did a feature film and a multi-part series on the history and evolution of Metal and it's sub genres: ua-cam.com/play/PLAWTNv8tjLvhnbgkAnPAK0nhq1yeZLErs.html
      I'm sure for most people, they would not be able to pick apart and categorize either genre. The same could be said for the multitude of rap and hip hip genres. Even Orchestral and classical music has many different and distinct genres...jazz is jazz, nobody understands jazz.

    • @pips1257
      @pips1257 4 роки тому +15

      I think if anything black and death metal are one of the most general and most easily distinguishable ones. Maybe your avergae person doesn't know the difference but they will as soon as they listen to it. On the other hand, what makes something technical death metal or melodic death metal, or the difference between blackened death metal and war metal (deathened black metal) are quite small once you compare all artists of the genre are quite difficult to distinguish.
      Country seems much simpler classification wise and I'm glad lol, some regional distinctions can make sense in music so rooted with your home, but we don't need 70 different genres that classify country on wether it has 1, 2 or 3 mandolins like metal does.

    • @toyotaecw
      @toyotaecw 4 роки тому +13

      As a country listener in my youth who turned to metal, I think subgenres do as much to help unify people as they do divide people. Also, if a church is burning in the vicinity of the metal music in question it’s black metal.

    • @_cameraboy
      @_cameraboy 4 роки тому +12

      @@pips1257 Any more than one mandolin, and you've entered symphonic folk metal territory.

  • @jessica_wi
    @jessica_wi 4 роки тому +234

    Grady Smith - "Ken Burns' 16 hour documentary on country music wasn't thorough enough, according to some people."
    Also Grady Smith - Makes a 16 minute video attempting to name all sub-genres of modern country and basically sum up one of the most confusing eras of country music in the history of ever, rife with countless marriages, divorces, disagreements, evolutions, protests, and whatever the heck Zac Brown keeps doing - what a lad!

    • @groton27
      @groton27 4 роки тому +4

      ZBB needs to get back to when they opened for DMB and was a Jam Country band lol (Before Zac had his midlife or what ever is going on there)

    • @mundaneamazing
      @mundaneamazing 4 роки тому

      He said this was just for general definitions and *some* people think that..
      I'm pretty sure you're joking, but we gotta give the man credit for helping breaking it down for peeps like me. 😊

    • @14gears55
      @14gears55 4 роки тому +3

      Yeah, wish Zac Brown would admit that his newer stuff isn’t working out so well. Needs to get back to his older stuff like Highway 20 Ride, Colder Weather, Good bye in her eyes and Sweet Annie

  • @djwarner_
    @djwarner_ 4 роки тому +396

    Not gonna lie this video gives me vibes of an online class assignment that was due online

    • @dragonkfg
      @dragonkfg 4 роки тому +6

      Same

    • @GradySmith
      @GradySmith  4 роки тому +101

      The hard part about being a UA-camr is that you are the teacher AND the student in that metaphor, and you gotta force yourself to finish some assignments. (And this one was super ambitious and has been on my to-do list for over five months!)

    • @coffeestainedwreck
      @coffeestainedwreck 4 роки тому +22

      @@GradySmith Hope you gave yourself an A+, you earned it.

    • @PieYouTube314
      @PieYouTube314 4 роки тому

      SAME

    • @fieuline2536
      @fieuline2536 3 роки тому +2

      I’m here for the online class man

  • @thomaslongo3735
    @thomaslongo3735 4 роки тому +187

    To me, there’s two genres of country music Tyler Childers and then everything else

  • @Corgislarping
    @Corgislarping 4 роки тому +100

    Thanks for giving me a video to refer my non-country friends to when I try to explain country to them

    • @GradySmith
      @GradySmith  4 роки тому +16

      That's the goal!!

    • @filianablanxart8305
      @filianablanxart8305 3 роки тому

      Stopped and thought for a minute . I don't even try to introduce/ explain Country to people who don't already know .
      I do more frequently explain what * I * play ( very badly , for my own enjoyment ) . They are less confused by What ( the genres) than What ( the instrument ) .

  • @courtneyray6820
    @courtneyray6820 4 роки тому +99

    YES BLUES BROTHERS CLIP OMG my family says “both kinds country and western” ALL the time

  • @jonathanbaker247
    @jonathanbaker247 4 роки тому +63

    The hallmark of country music is story telling lyrics. Regardless of how it sounds, the words of the song always reveal some of the singer's life experience, and it's authentic. That's why I love country music.

    • @RockinRita03
      @RockinRita03 4 роки тому +7

      Yes! Exactly! That's why I'm still into Taylor Swift and Shania Twain in spite of the fact that neither of them were really full-on hardcore country.

    • @vincentreyes6154
      @vincentreyes6154 10 місяців тому +1

      Though I do agree to some degree (especially as a fan of singer-songwriters like Zach Bryan, Tyler Childers, Brad Paisley, Chris Stapleton, and Sturgill Simpson) you saying that country music is just "story-telling music" would qualify guys from many genres as "country artists" like Alec Benjamin and John Mayer and Ed Sheeran and Billie Eilish (pop) as well as Stevie Ray Vaughan (blues) plus the Good Kid Band and Scott Weiland and James Hetfield of Stone Temple Pilots and Metallica (rock) as country musicians as well (okay, "Mama Said" by Metallica is actually a country song, but most of Hetfield's stuff, though amazing, isn't really country even though it's all storytelling songwritten lyrics. Plus, John Mayer's "In the Blood" is country too.)
      A little counter argument, since these songwriters lack the rural/southern or Appalachian element that notable country artists possess.
      (P.S. I feel that Alec Benjamin and John Mayer and Ed Sheeran singing Zach Bryan's "The Good I'll Do" would be absolutely epic! Their voices would fit so well with the lyrics of that already amazing song.)

  • @Tsweezey90
    @Tsweezey90 4 роки тому +62

    I can't believe you said "my kinda night" without the "uh uh" clip haha

    • @dragonkfg
      @dragonkfg 3 роки тому +1

      That would've been awesome!

  • @TheCALIGIRL55
    @TheCALIGIRL55 4 роки тому +68

    Am I the only one that gets sad seeing any kind of negative comments onGrady’s videos? I just love all the work he does and his videos always make me so happy no matter what they are!
    Keep up the good work Grady!

  • @jimbeam1067
    @jimbeam1067 4 роки тому +94

    Texas and Red Dirt Country 🙌🏻

    • @j.liddle7580
      @j.liddle7580 4 роки тому +6

      Amen to that, brother! Throw a little Bluegrass/Appalachian in there too though.

    • @seththomas9105
      @seththomas9105 4 роки тому +3

      @09fx ¿ He left out legends like Jerry Jeff Walker and Ray Wylie Hubbard and the Lost Gonzo Band.

    • @cmath89210
      @cmath89210 4 роки тому +6

      @@seththomas9105 Robert Earl Keen, Wade Bowen, Randy Rogers, Reckless Kelly, Stoney LaRue, Whiskey Myers. He left out a lot.

    • @seththomas9105
      @seththomas9105 4 роки тому

      @@cmath89210 Hell yes he did!

    • @johnp2521
      @johnp2521 4 роки тому +2

      Kevin Fowler, Casey Donahew, Gary P. Nunn. . .does he even listen to Texas Country?

  • @samuelteeple4967
    @samuelteeple4967 4 роки тому +30

    As a musicologist, this is the first time I've ever been so directly spoken to in a piece of media, lmao. I feel seen!!

  • @Jeremy-kn8cy
    @Jeremy-kn8cy 4 роки тому +74

    This video is precious for a newbie like me.

    • @cristianna_jasmyn
      @cristianna_jasmyn 3 роки тому

      ME TOO

    • @lunahetfield
      @lunahetfield 3 роки тому +2

      Im a metalhead/rocker and i dont like country i have no intention to get into country, yt is recommending me weird shit again

  • @ethan-jy4ld
    @ethan-jy4ld 4 роки тому +103

    imagine we made radio stations for every single subgenre 💀

    • @_NotQualityContent
      @_NotQualityContent 4 роки тому +11

      As a Texas Country/Red Dirt fan... I support this idea!!!

    • @bagels377
      @bagels377 4 роки тому +1

      @@_NotQualityContent so do I 😂

    • @theoneandonlyravioli2985
      @theoneandonlyravioli2985 4 роки тому +4

      I listened to country growing up, then around the late 2000s I basically quit listening to most new country at the time. Then my first job took me around the country for several months at a time. In kentucky and WV id listen to the bluegrass only stations. Once I got to southern kansas I found the texas country/red dirt station. Thats what really got me back into country music again like turnpike troubadours, josh abbott band, wade bowen, stoney larue, randy rodgers, kimberly dunn etc etc. Its now my favorite genre again like it was when I was a kid. Just wish here in NC our prominent country stations would play real country and not the new bs pop country. Luckily we have a station in raleigh that plays a great mix of music of all genres youll never hear on normal radio stations.

    • @bmak76
      @bmak76 4 роки тому +5

      It’s called Spotify/Pandora.

    • @_NotQualityContent
      @_NotQualityContent 4 роки тому +1

      @@bmak76 not an option when you live and work in an area without cell service. Some of us need actual radio stations...

  • @kagb86
    @kagb86 4 роки тому +31

    I've never thought about how multi-faceted country music is, and this was just fascinating to watch.

  • @catherinel.4280
    @catherinel.4280 4 роки тому +23

    Another great Appalachian singer: Charles Wesley Godwin! I've been listening to 'Seneca' on repeat for months, thanks for the rec Grady!

  • @Coffee_Addict981
    @Coffee_Addict981 4 роки тому +83

    Country trap/Rap, I just call it tiktok country because, most of the songs in those subgenres are only popular because of tiktok. Great video man.

    • @velvet4299
      @velvet4299 4 роки тому +7

      And people with a shitty taste in music make it popular too

    • @thatbluebricknose
      @thatbluebricknose 4 роки тому +11

      Yes Upchurch’s music is all from Tik Tok when most of it was made before Tik Tok! Obviously you’re a genius and rocket science should be your occupation.

    • @dylanholey6314
      @dylanholey6314 4 роки тому +6

      @@thatbluebricknose I think he mean more of Countey Trap bud

    • @onnimannimaki8846
      @onnimannimaki8846 3 роки тому +3

      Country Rap is much older than Tik Tok country.

    • @greggethridge273
      @greggethridge273 3 роки тому +2

      @Lucas Neef it would be called crap not country crap, also anybody who acts like it's trash doesn't listen to the correct artists. If you wanna search country rap then don't listen to Colt Ford because it's like mainstream country but rapped where it's the same shit over and over again but look up Struggle Jennings who is Waylon Jennings' grandson and Shooter Jennings' nephew or Upchurch who actually grew up as a country kid and raps about it unlike many others

  • @Corporis
    @Corporis 4 роки тому +17

    This must've been a bear to make. Great work Grady, some of your best work yet

  • @TheGingerBeardGentleman
    @TheGingerBeardGentleman 4 роки тому +33

    As a Canadian i would love it if you added Canadian country to your videos.

  • @mr.mr.3301
    @mr.mr.3301 4 роки тому +18

    Whew. I liked bro country 10 years ago. Now only Texas red dirt and southern rock. For those who want to know I suggest whiskey Myers and Cody Jinks.

    • @southeast05
      @southeast05 4 роки тому

      Don’t forget Josh Ward and a yeti full of whiskey

  • @percycardona
    @percycardona 4 роки тому +41

    ☝🏼"YOU FORGOT RANCHERA MUSIC!!" Ha ha! Relax Grady. You're doing a fine job. Great video as always. 😁👍🏻

    • @filianablanxart8305
      @filianablanxart8305 3 роки тому +1

      Well , Ranchera was heavily influenced by the influence of Germans/ Czechs who settled into what became Texas , who in turn have ever since also directly influenced Texas Music .

    • @des7406
      @des7406 3 роки тому

      @@filianablanxart8305 Isn't that Norteno music?

    • @filianablanxart8305
      @filianablanxart8305 3 роки тому

      I'm not an expert . My understanding is they are closely related , and at times can overlap . ( Insert various examples of sub genres that have different terminology but are actually identical , and those widely assumed to be same thing that actually have important musical differences .)
      But please , any reasonably knowledgeable people out there educate me . Are there any Bright Lines of instrumental tunings , chord structures , song structure , etc that definitively set them apart ?

  • @Tattbook
    @Tattbook 4 роки тому +53

    Yet the real question is when will Canadian Ranchera Trap catch on?

  • @jeremyheartriter2.063
    @jeremyheartriter2.063 4 роки тому +41

    Yes, "Heartache Medication" is the very definition of neo-traditional country.

    • @jeremyheartriter2.063
      @jeremyheartriter2.063 3 роки тому

      @countrygirl countrymusiclover1127 Don't listen to it if you hate it.

  • @Nomorehandlenames9230
    @Nomorehandlenames9230 4 роки тому +71

    Too bad you missed out on Cross Canadian Ragweed. They were the “it” band on the Red Dirt scene in the late 90’s - early 2000’s.

    • @jacobmerkle323
      @jacobmerkle323 4 роки тому +8

      I miss Ragweed

    • @rosegroshek1218
      @rosegroshek1218 4 роки тому +5

      Cody Canada is still carrying on their music

    • @austincosman2907
      @austincosman2907 4 роки тому +7

      I'm tryna find a girl that misses ragweed like I do

    • @heatherkb2839
      @heatherkb2839 4 роки тому +2

      Still listening to Ragweed today.. Miss them so much..

    • @garcjr
      @garcjr 4 роки тому

      I'd say their more like Alt. Country but yeah I can definitely hear the Red Dirt style in their music.

  • @calebcolclasure1147
    @calebcolclasure1147 4 роки тому +8

    I would throw in another indie sub genre called Plains Country. Colter Wall is leading the sound that will define plains country. I think those raw, scratchy ballads will see some growth in popularity. Great video!

  • @denniscallahan6005
    @denniscallahan6005 4 роки тому +28

    Ballad is the antithesis of Country Music. A starting place is Lead Belly then John Lomax's cowboy song collection. Be safe and stay COUNTRY Y'all.

  • @bassbone9869
    @bassbone9869 4 роки тому +4

    the Canadian bluegrass scene is absolutely amazing

  • @stephenbarcus
    @stephenbarcus 4 роки тому +5

    Have you heard any of Vincent Neil Emerson? Very laid back voice with an older country sound. Would definitely recommend.

  • @wewantyourblo0d
    @wewantyourblo0d 4 роки тому +7

    There's a video of "Murder on Music Row" here on UA-cam that's super interesting to watch. Apparently they hadn't announced beforehand that they were going to play it, and not once do the cameras pan to the audience, because apparently it shocked a lot of people.

  • @crystalrock18
    @crystalrock18 4 роки тому +20

    You forgot Cajun music as a sub genre, it’s all good man I enjoyed this video.

    • @PassiveNights
      @PassiveNights 4 роки тому

      Cocaine and Rhinestone's episode on it is insane, it starts from before the founding of Canada

  • @awolfofchaos3211
    @awolfofchaos3211 4 роки тому +11

    I would love to see a video on your top 10 best country songs that spread awareness or a positive message. Songs like "Alyssa Lies" - Jason Michael Carroll, "What If She's An Angel" - Tommy Shane Steiner, "The Little Girl" - John Michael Montgomery.

  • @TheCraftBin
    @TheCraftBin 4 роки тому +9

    *clicks immediately because sub-genres are confusing and wondering keeps me up at night*

  • @JonnyZye
    @JonnyZye 4 роки тому +14

    Colter Wall is BADASS! Also...I'd love to see more Soul Country/Blues Country. Even mainstream stuff like "Tennessee Whiskey", "Rumor", and "You Make it Easy". Love those types of tracks 🔥

    • @hangar18megadethfan42
      @hangar18megadethfan42 4 роки тому +1

      Listen too Ray Charles country album,!

    • @JonnyZye
      @JonnyZye 4 роки тому

      @@hangar18megadethfan42 I love Ray Charles' Country album. Would love to hear more of that type of stuff these days!

  • @christinexjuly
    @christinexjuly 4 роки тому +3

    Thank you for this Grady!!!! This might be one of my favorite videos you've ever made (along with the artwork commissioning)! I'm infinitely fascinated by the shifting identity of country music and all its sub-genres. When I tell people I like "country music" they usually think it's just one thing, but I'm like "no it's actually soooo diverse" and I love pretty much everything in this genre (with a few exceptions, i.e. boyfriend country, rap / trap) so I really appreciate you laying it all out :D also totally agree: the more you learn, the more you realize you don't know.

  • @gavinlangston603
    @gavinlangston603 4 роки тому +27

    "The Bones" is an example of good country pop. I love that song.

  • @ShakeyTailASB
    @ShakeyTailASB 4 роки тому +1

    This was an awesome breakdown! Ive gravitated towards specific sounds in "country music" for years and you really helped me pinpoint what I was actually enjoying the most! (Americana/Indie) I cant wait to explore these subgenres more and discover new artists/music

  • @racineapplegate1884
    @racineapplegate1884 4 роки тому +1

    This is one of my favorite videos you’ve ever made!! Loved hearing some of the names of great artists I’ve discovered since watching your videos.

  • @avitalarazi6456
    @avitalarazi6456 4 роки тому +16

    I don’t know who you are. Where you came from. How I stumbled on this channel. I have a lot of questions. I somewhere fell down a four hour rabbit hole watching your channel and became an instant country fan and subscribed. I don’t know what you’re doing but keep doing it haha. This is amazing. Found so many cool songs

    • @shelbybrackett3860
      @shelbybrackett3860 2 роки тому

      I relate to this comment so much. 😂
      Except I’ve always been a country fan. 😁

  • @gunnerman21
    @gunnerman21 4 роки тому +3

    Wonderful video, as always. Would love to see more content covering Southern Rock! Regardless, this is easily one of my favorite channels on UA-cam. Thanks for all you do!

  • @truesweetness7244
    @truesweetness7244 4 роки тому

    I have been looking for someone talking on this subject for so long! You defined it so well. You sir, got yourself a subscriber.

  • @RockstarBia
    @RockstarBia 2 роки тому

    Just stumbled on this video after searching “country for beginners” and for sure will explore more! Always been curious to understand a bit more but no idea really what to start listening first and didn’t want to just shuffle any playlist.. thank you for being so passionate and sharing with us! Will be exploring the other videos on this channel 😃

  • @dominicsecondo9357
    @dominicsecondo9357 4 роки тому +12

    Billy Strings is definitely one of the best shows you could ever attend he’s so passionate about the sounds he creates with his band,and never fails to put on a great show I’d say that he’s one of the main heads of Bluegrass music today

  • @sk1ppercat912
    @sk1ppercat912 4 роки тому +16

    Coltor Wall’s dad was the Premier (Canada’s title for a governor) of the province I live in for most of my memory. He recently left politics but it’s kinda neat seeing him rise up in sask even though the province is pretty divided on his dad. And seeing him move into more and more main stream is cool

  • @PapaSmurf11182nd
    @PapaSmurf11182nd 4 роки тому +2

    I'm a huge metal fan and it seems like country is a lot like metal in the fact that there's so much more complexity in the styles and sub-genres then people would think.

  • @kalebgonzalez3619
    @kalebgonzalez3619 4 роки тому +7

    Though brief I love how you took the time to make a small side note about Koe Wetzel. He’s an artist who definitely does his own thing and strays away from not only the mainstream country music but also the mainstream Texas music scene as well

  • @LeeAllanSpades
    @LeeAllanSpades 3 роки тому +5

    My favorite subgenre is Southern Gothic. It is less a genre that people dedicate themselves to, but will usually have a single song on an album that fits this mood. Like "Maneater" by Blue Eyed Blondes or "Bottom of the River" by Delta Rae.

    • @evacody1249
      @evacody1249 Рік тому

      Because at the end of the day the Goth subculture would never expect it because it has nothing tondonwith Goth music.

  • @oldbay2
    @oldbay2 4 роки тому +12

    When’s the midterm and final? We need a part 2

  • @mc39S686
    @mc39S686 4 роки тому +3

    You covered so many genres and I love it! Cosmic country is fairly new but it’s one of my favorites

  • @chloegratsounas956
    @chloegratsounas956 4 роки тому

    Love this video Grady! You really pulled together all the pieces I've been trying to put together in my head from a lot of your videos. Keep it up!

  • @cstumpy51
    @cstumpy51 4 роки тому +50

    Any time he says “Appalachian”, all I hear is “Apple Action”

    • @GradySmith
      @GradySmith  4 роки тому +25

      Hahaha that's how you know I live there. Easiest way to spot a non-local is to hear them say AppaLAYcha. It doesn't bother me, but people get weird about it.

    • @parau6870
      @parau6870 4 роки тому +9

      @@GradySmith how bout an Apple Action T-Shirt?

    • @retrobeast2745
      @retrobeast2745 4 роки тому +1

      Grady Smith sure as shit bothers me when folks say it wrong. My dad went to Appalachia University, he'll tell ya

    • @beardoggin8963
      @beardoggin8963 4 роки тому +2

      That is because he says it correctly. Hell where I’m from we say it APP-Latchun

    • @kalebthomas5528
      @kalebthomas5528 4 роки тому

      I heard the exact same thing

  • @paralykeet-
    @paralykeet- 4 роки тому +9

    "Early Sturgill"- you mean Sturg up until Sound and Fury- which I consider a pivotal moment in music in general. Highly influencial country artist cuts a heavy metal record, and it sounds amazing. Where would you pin Paul Cauthen?

  • @fieldysgrl98
    @fieldysgrl98 4 роки тому +2

    I'm so glad i found your channel and subscribed. I had never heard of Colter Wall until this video. Didnt think i would like that type of country but i cant stop playing his music.

  • @matthewpalikij6834
    @matthewpalikij6834 3 роки тому

    This is the best video you’ve done! I watch it regularly to get new people to listen to and new sub genres to jump into.

  • @sallymaria
    @sallymaria 4 роки тому +8

    Thank you, that was really interesting. I can't claim to be a country fan, I'm a British Home Free fan who has found that I enjoy some other country music - but I liked being able to identify a bit more about the music of contemporary artists whose names I see being flung around.

  • @Revex08
    @Revex08 4 роки тому +34

    This video should blow up. Do you like Colter Wall? I was surprised to not see him pop up in Appapachian!

    • @cyberkinght18945
      @cyberkinght18945 4 роки тому +2

      I am live 2 hours from where he grew up haha. Honestly seen him categorized as so many different genres. Though i was they woupld play him more on the radio in sask

    • @Revex08
      @Revex08 4 роки тому +1

      @@cyberkinght18945 that's awesome! Cyberknight! What would you classify him as?

    • @lazturner800
      @lazturner800 4 роки тому +3

      I think a Canadian would possibly be offended being defined Appalachian 😂 to me, Colter is just pure classic Country music. He plays a lot of old cowboy songs and his originals talk of simple, country living. In the same vein as Childers and Simpson but without that "mountain music" vibe. It's darker and more stripped back. I guess what I'm trying to say is, Colter Wall is the absolute dogs bollocks.

    • @cyberkinght18945
      @cyberkinght18945 4 роки тому +1

      @@Revex08 i would think probably neotradional or probably texas. Definitely has a interesting sound!

    • @retrobeast2745
      @retrobeast2745 4 роки тому

      Larry Turner no based off his album Imaginary Appalachia(keyword) I doubt he'd take it as an insult, and he does have a fairly Appalachian sound

  • @alanjacobs5215
    @alanjacobs5215 4 роки тому

    I found your video very interesting. I got into country about 4 years ago and it's mainly all I listen to nowadays. Keep up the good work as you are a natural when it comes to narration and come across very well indeed. Well done.

  • @coltoncroskey9769
    @coltoncroskey9769 4 роки тому

    Great video Grady, really well done! This kind of discussion fascinates me so thank you for making this video, one of my favorites so far!

  • @natalie4973
    @natalie4973 4 роки тому +7

    I loved this! I’d say there’s a huge difference between country (and all the sub group you mentioned) and Western music. Western music is heavily tied to cowboy poetry. It most just a long story with a guitar or a fun play on words. Even the modern western (think Corb Lund) still has these elements just more guitar and instruments. Awesome video!

  • @ChefPleasure
    @ChefPleasure 4 роки тому +42

    Should we be expecting a “Wild World” review soon

    • @courtney.22
      @courtney.22 4 роки тому +2

      I hope so

    • @aliceroared
      @aliceroared 4 роки тому

      he tweeted last night that he started listening to kip's new music so i'd expect so!

  • @lp.2262
    @lp.2262 4 роки тому

    Hi Grady Smith, thank you so much for this! As a non-American, I've been looking for a guide to look for good country music outside of Johnny Cash and Chris Stapleton, who are my favorites currently. More power to you, man, and I'm always looking for new recommendations!

  • @mattnatwhitt5082
    @mattnatwhitt5082 4 роки тому +1

    I think you did a great job describing it. I would have mentioned Western Swing as it’s own genre but that’s probably because I grew up in Texas where Western swing has its roots. My great grandparents had a house with a breezeway. On Saturday nights they would clear out the furniture from the rooms and a couple of folks would play the fiddle and guitar in the breezeway while the rooms on either side were used to dance and serve food. They were all ranchers and farmers.

  • @christophervaca7116
    @christophervaca7116 4 роки тому +5

    The first Americana band was The Band. Their self-titled debut came out in 1969.

    • @eliberdinner4808
      @eliberdinner4808 3 роки тому

      "Traditional American songs that never existed, as played by Canadians," as my mother would say. (Four Canadians and one American, actually)

  • @fk4515
    @fk4515 4 роки тому +6

    Ah but go back to the days of the Nashville Sound when there was so much control held in the hands of a few select producers and not much room for deviation. Go back to the days when crossovers only went one way, away from Country. And no one talks about the regionality in Country Music. I grew up with WJJD in Chicago and moved to Michigan just before I started High School listening to WITL. First job I worked after school was in Western Oklahoma, heard a lot more Western Swing and more music from Canada out there and some of the stuff I heard in Michigan was unheard of in Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. With Southern Rock and the outlaw movement of the 70's we saw borders get soft. Then look at specific albums like Bob Seger's "Against the wind" that was more country than rock but got no play on the country statins then look at Steve Earl's "Copperhead Road" the album that had the sticker on it telling the stores to display it in the rock area and maybe half of it was rock. Then consider bands like The Charlie Daniels Band that carried on a tradition of a little of something for everyone on their albums, a carry over from the early days when they were a house band and wanted to entertain who ever walked in the door.

  • @JackMarshallAtSea
    @JackMarshallAtSea 3 роки тому

    Excellent video, Grady. So glad to see Kelsey Waldon get a shout out, too!

  • @stephaniezengler3715
    @stephaniezengler3715 4 роки тому

    This is so beautifully organized. That must have taken forever, and it looks so good!!

  • @justinwong4203
    @justinwong4203 4 роки тому +11

    I feel like the more “country music” I listen to the less I’m able to categorize the subgenes. Especially differentiating country, folk, Americana, and Appalachia and colter wall. Lots of artists check so many boxes and share so many sub-genres that it’s almost been impossible for me to definitively put one artist in one category.

    • @maggiemcgee8487
      @maggiemcgee8487 4 роки тому

      I definitely struggle with this too. Especially with more people becoming aware of this kind of music and music becomes easier to do without a big record label (think Zach Bryan recording in a barn)

  • @kubby6129
    @kubby6129 4 роки тому +4

    I have to give it to you for splitting Red Dirt and Texas country. Bravo, I’m from Wichita Falls so I definitely find myself struggling between the divide

  • @SteelersCardinals1
    @SteelersCardinals1 4 роки тому +4

    Hell yeah in mentioning Kelsey Waldon. In regards to Farm Emo, Ruston himself calls it Dirt Emo.

  • @redhotdiscoboy
    @redhotdiscoboy 4 роки тому

    Hey Grady, great video and channel as a whole. It's awesome to see you reppin Virginia as well! This is the type of content that this genre needs. A little more mainstream coverage on very influential and important genre that typically doesn't get much. Keep up the great work, you just got a new sub!

  • @michelle.pearl.
    @michelle.pearl. 4 роки тому +4

    Honestly, videos like this just prove people who say "I like everything but country" have no idea what music sounds like outside of the same three playlists on Spotify.

  • @regoszep258
    @regoszep258 4 роки тому +5

    Honestly there are some really catchy bro country songs that I love to listen! Even tho they aren’t very sparking lyrically. They have a great vibe!

  • @TheNascarfan999
    @TheNascarfan999 4 роки тому

    The whole video was great, but that Knowledge/Expertise chart is spot on for so many things in life.

  • @TheEagleEnigma
    @TheEagleEnigma 4 роки тому

    every time i watch one of your videos i feel like i learn something. as a very country beginner this is really helpful. keep on keeping on grady! PS, speaking as a fellow virginian, fantastic shirt :)

  • @MultiRedWolf2
    @MultiRedWolf2 4 роки тому +7

    I’m suprised The Cadillac Three wasn’t mentioned for southern rock, or just in general.

    • @xchemicalxkilljoyx
      @xchemicalxkilljoyx 4 роки тому

      YES! I absolutely love them! Favorite band by far, but unfortunately, not as popular as Whiskey Myers, and other BIG names in southern rock. Hopefully they'll get there some day, they deserve it

  • @melissaparsons3291
    @melissaparsons3291 4 роки тому +42

    I agree with most of the sub genres, but bluegrass is its own genre. It uses similar instruments as country, but it has a distinct storytelling style and sound. Similar to how jazz is not a sub genre of classical but its own genre.

    • @tennesseeguitar897
      @tennesseeguitar897 4 роки тому +12

      Thank You. Yeah bluegrass was actually formed by the Scottish and African american slaves that came over. Most people don't know that the banjo actually originated from Africa. But bluegrass has always just been known as like the grandfather of country music. Country is a descendant of bluegrass, but bluegrass, in my onion, is hardly a sub genre to it.

    • @danielemarini7471
      @danielemarini7471 4 роки тому +7

      Classical and jazz are actually opposites. The former is based on the adherence to a music sheet and the latter mostly improvised

    • @filianablanxart8305
      @filianablanxart8305 3 роки тому +6

      Bluegrass is NOT generic generic Scott/ Irish mountain folk music , it is a specific style , invented by one man in 1947 . The Traditional Bluegrass community is very ruthless in maintaining their boundaries . In some ways that is confining , but it's justified in that if they didn't , they would be diluted to the point of non- existence within 5 years .
      For a fuller approach to what actual Mountain Folks played on the front porch in the 1700's , 1800's , and 1900's before the emergence of radio , would be Old Time aka Old Tyme . All but non- commercial , it would today be a sub- sub- genre of Americana if anything .
      From its invention thru mid 1950's Bluegrass co- existed with Country , but as Country evolved forewards , Bluegrass spun off to be its own seperate genre .

    • @filianablanxart8305
      @filianablanxart8305 3 роки тому +6

      Bluegrass is rigid in its canonical instrumentation . : Fiddle , 3 Finger Banjo, Mandolin , ( Big body) Accoustic Guitar , Upright Bass , and Dobro . If there is any instrument Not one of those six , then by definition , it ain't Bluegrass . Most mainstream Country won't have any of those other than Accoustic Guitar . The semi- accepted variant is electric Bass , IF played in exactly same style as an upright Bass . Mainly because when a BG group would travel to gigs in one car , it was easier to put a Fender Precision Bass in the trunk , than to strap an Upright Bass on the roof .
      Y'all might think I'm exagerating . If someone would bring an electric guitar to a BG Jam , everyone else just packs up and leaves . I've seen the arrival of an accordion have half the room leave . A Dulcimer or Autoharp would be politely greeted and allowed to sit in . And the BG players would probably sincerely admire their instruments . But also nicely point out that while absolutely authentic to the olden days, that they probably wouldn't be able to be heard , and did they also play another instrument ?

    • @interruptor
      @interruptor 2 роки тому

      Jazz has nothing to do with Classical, other than both being listened to by cartoon metropolitan intellectuals. One was the music of the European elites, the other has its roots in Blues and Ragtime, the music of African slaves and their descendants in America.

  • @claraolson91
    @claraolson91 3 роки тому

    Grady!! This video was amazing. I hope you consider doing more educational “Country 101” stuff. I’m new to listening to the genre and this really helped me appreciate the distinction between sub genres. More “noob-friendly” videos would be awesome

  • @adel1x875
    @adel1x875 4 роки тому

    I've been so interested in these diff country genres and this explains a lot! thank you for this vid brother

  • @thewordshifter
    @thewordshifter 4 роки тому +4

    Whenever country wants to finally get into exploring tejano music, I'm here for it

  • @velvet4299
    @velvet4299 4 роки тому +263

    Country trap makes me want to set myself on fire

    • @ethan-jy4ld
      @ethan-jy4ld 4 роки тому +17

      same. it shouldn't even be a genre, what's the point of including country in it, it's not like it's trap with fiddle and steel, it's trap with little twang

    • @americanpig-dog7051
      @americanpig-dog7051 4 роки тому +20

      Not me. It makes me want to set the people who make it on fire.

    • @brc050100
      @brc050100 4 роки тому

      Agreed

    • @aristotleasparaguspodcast1129
      @aristotleasparaguspodcast1129 4 роки тому +12

      I like Old Town Road. But all the white country artists (looking at you Sam Hunt) took it seriously and actually thought it was normal to fuse trap and country and it must stop

    • @velvet4299
      @velvet4299 4 роки тому

      @@aristotleasparaguspodcast1129 I enjoyed Sam Hunts debut album but this recent one is just bad. Its awful. Hard to Forget is just horrible

  • @timlucasentertainment
    @timlucasentertainment Рік тому

    Awesome work! Enjoyed this so much.

  • @mootbooxle
    @mootbooxle 4 роки тому

    I love your analysis and how you articulate it! Been really enjoying your videos sir. Peace!

  • @CavemanDan54
    @CavemanDan54 4 роки тому +16

    "Beach Country" I've always call Coastal Country, sounds better lol

    • @duboz2976
      @duboz2976 4 роки тому +3

      That’s funny I’ve always called it “Tropical” but Coastal sounds better

  • @Angryoyster
    @Angryoyster 4 роки тому +7

    I just like music, if I like a song I listen to it don’t care what sub genre it is.

  • @emilychacon9333
    @emilychacon9333 4 роки тому

    This was fantastic! So informative and well put together!

  • @eliwebster509
    @eliwebster509 3 роки тому

    Great, great video! Absolutely loved this!!

  • @wyattbarr2583
    @wyattbarr2583 4 роки тому +135

    Boyfriend country is easily my least favorite type of music ever. It’s so boring it literally makes me cringe when I hear it

    • @bagels377
      @bagels377 4 роки тому +3

      Its the worst

    • @ebyas89
      @ebyas89 4 роки тому +2

      Its garbage. I hate it

    • @rred8674
      @rred8674 4 роки тому +16

      It's very insincere. It feels like clear pandering for a dollar.

    • @trentopinto5
      @trentopinto5 4 роки тому +2

      I totally agree. I'd rather listen to almost any other genre.

    • @davidlfort
      @davidlfort 4 роки тому +8

      Bro country is mine. God how I hate it. Boyfriend country (I admit I only know about it because of Grady) at least harkens back to traditional country love songs, somewhat.

  • @silenttempest7
    @silenttempest7 4 роки тому +18

    What about Southern Gothic, Dark Country and Western Rock?

  • @janetclements8988
    @janetclements8988 4 роки тому

    I agree that it's very hard to define, and you've done a great job describing all the categories. I liked your fluid definitions with example artists and songs. I also read and watched Ken Burns' description of Country music, and I loved it! It's a good reference to recommend. However, as a Canadian, I can assure you that it's just, "Country" music up here!

  • @corinnahogan4927
    @corinnahogan4927 4 роки тому

    Dude this was AWESOME. I’m 100% into this kind of video lol. I very much support the creation of such videos.

  • @coltonsmith2587
    @coltonsmith2587 4 роки тому +6

    Kinda upset Randall king wasn’t mentioned in the Texas scene

  • @smallvillefnf
    @smallvillefnf 4 роки тому +3

    I’m going to be honest here, but I really prefer the in-depth analysis like this.

  • @masonx54
    @masonx54 4 роки тому +1

    This is a great video, Grady! Nice work!

  • @TimGarrisonMusic
    @TimGarrisonMusic 4 роки тому +1

    Great Video Grady! Yeah, I hear ya, just skimming the surface. Never mind what I see in my area of expertise of the faith based side of things. You've got Southern Gospel, Christian Country, Country Gospel, Positive Country and so on which all can be very close or at least related. Great job with the video, keep it up man, great content!

  • @songnotes
    @songnotes 4 роки тому +7

    In the parlance of our times

  • @dragonkfg
    @dragonkfg 4 роки тому +8

    Grady is my new country music teacher! My guitar teacher knew Lynyrd Skynyrd before they were Lynyrd Skynyrd! Steve Pullias.

  • @jacobstringer8260
    @jacobstringer8260 4 роки тому

    Thanks for the work that you put into this man. I’m sure lots of people ask this, but it would be awesome to get a video specifically on red dirt country/Texas country, and one on bluegrass would be awesome too.

  • @CourtneySherven
    @CourtneySherven 4 роки тому

    The way Gradu articulates himself is incredible. I watch thru every video because its so fun to be learning something new EVERY VIDEO