COUNTRY CONNECTIONS
By Reese Brinker
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MY STORY
Music can help us describe feelings we didn't know could be put into words. Country music has been a big part of my life, my cultural identity, and has helped shape me into who I am today. The bond built over a shared sense of identity is unmatched and the love for country music is something that has helped me form and strengthen relationships with many people. From the time I was younger, listening to Eric Church with my dad, to the more recent Morgan Wallen drives with my sister, country music has continuously played a significant role in my life.
Concerts are a big part of this. My first country concert I ever went to was Morgan Wallen at Shoreline amphitheater, only appropriate since he is one of my all-time favorite artists in one of my now all-time favorite places. Since then, I have been to 3 others including a country music festival. Whether it is having deep talks on the way to the Zach Bryan concert with my dad or singing my heart out on the Shoreline lawn with all my friends, country music has helped me build relationships and shaped me into the person I am today.
Me and my best friend seeing Morgan Wallen @ Shoreline (photo credit: mom)
My best friend, my sister, and I seeing Jason Aldean @ Shoreline (photo credit: mom)
My dad, my sister, and I seeing Zach Bryan @ Oakland Arena (photo credit: mom)
FROM HYMNS TO HITS
The history of the country music genre is fascinating and has greatly evolved since it first originated. At the birth of this genre, it was more on the folk music side. Later on, it became associated with hunting, drinking, and patriotism for one’s homeland. Typically, country music can also link one’s cultural identity to pride for their country and government. This is more associated with older country types and, since then, many artists have had breakthroughs and sung more about their own lives diverging from the topics of drinking and women.
After the 1950s, the country music timeline took off. In 1961, the country music hall of fame inducted its first members. From around 1970-1990 the hall of fame inducted many famous singers such as Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Dolly Parton. In the 2000s, the question of whether or not one is a country singer was a very critical topic. On many artists' first debuts and vocals, people questioned if you were a country or pop artist. For Sam Hunt, this was the case, “is he country?” was a continuous question being asked. Being an artist that blends aspects of pop, R&B, and country all-together is not an easy task. Many people are critical of this and are sticklers for old timey country.
Yet, more recently, country music has grown to a bigger demographic: more people singing, more topics to sing about, and, in turn, more people listening. Country music artists are becoming a lot more fearless with their lyrical decisions, which has grown the genre of country music for the better.
FAMOUS FEMALES
More recently, women have made their way into the country music genre. The country music industry started off a male-infused industry. Yet, with more women emerging and naming themselves in the country music industry, this genre has shifted and these artists have put their own twists on how to write and perform these songs.
Kacey Musgraves, a now very popular country music artist, started her singing career by sliding into the country realm. She started by self releasing her first album and after that, she took off. Now, she is featured in one of Zach Bryan’s most popular songs on his new album: “I Remember Everything.”
Megan Moroney is a popular female country artist who many women are drawn to. She writes relatable songs about heartbreak, love, and the human experience. Rumor has it that Megan is the culprit of a couple of Morgan Wallen's recent releases. “Tennessee Orange,” one of Moroney’s most popular songs, was followed by a song released by Wallen titled “Tennessee Fan.”
On October 15, 2023, I attended the Golden Sky Music Festival in Sacramento. Here, I had the privilege of meeting Megan Moroney. After the meet and greet, we listened to her live performance. I attended the festival with Libby, Delaney, and Claire and we spent the day chatting, singing, and smiling.
Megan Moroney @ Golden Sky Festival
(photo credit: photographer at festival)
TSE Entertainment
STREAMING SKYROCKETING
Country music has had a huge reach and impacted many people all over the world. The psychology behind country music explains that when listening to music, dopamine is released. Dopamine is a hormone that acts as a reward system in the brain, acting on pleasure. When listening to a familiar song, dopamine can be released after hearing the beat. Young people have discovered that they are drawn to country music due to the relatable lyrics and the hit it provides.
The strong draw to country music has popularized it throughout the entirety of the United States. With that being said, looking at demographics, over 50% of all adults listen to country music.
Once country music made its way to the internet and applications such as Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube its streaming numbers skyrocketed. 2020 was a big kick-start year for the country music industry and more specifically, country artists. By the end of 2020, 4,700 country artists had made their way onto Spotify.
MORGAN WALLEN VS ZACH BRYAN
Morgan Wallen and Zach Bryan are both famous country artists who have put their own twist on the country muisc genre.
Right from the get-go, Morgan Wallen was named a star. His first album reached No.1 on billboard charts as well as his first singles.
His second album, “Dangerous: The Double Album” is one of his most robust albums with over 30 songs. After his first album skyrocketed, he was able to spend more time in the studio rather than random bars. He spent time in studios recording and soon started performing. Rapidly, his fan base grew and he started touring, doing meet and greets, and recording more songs to get his name out there. Morgan has taken in the fame and been glorified by listeners everywhere.
Morgan Wallen concert @ Shoreline Amphitheatre (photo credit: me)
Zach Bryan is a country artist who is a very sentimental person, and it shows in his writing. His songs always have a deep underlying message or thought behind them. His first two albums, “DeAnn” and “Elizabeth,” were both dedicated to his late mother which goes to show how much these songs really mean to him.
Zach Bryan does not care one bit about the fame, riches, or personal benefits he is gaining from his career in the country music industry. He has opened up how he felt about writing his music and the fact that he felt it was imminent and that it must be released. Singer songwriter Zach Bryan says, “I have this weird fear of like, if I don’t put this music out, someone 20 years from now isn’t going to be able to hear it.” He likes to talk about relating to others and how he puts unspeakable feelings into songs.
Zach Bryan concert @ Oakland Arena (photo credit: me)
TO WRAP UP
Country music has been an integral part in building relationships in my life. Attending concerts with my friends, my sister, and my dad have formed irreplaceable memories and strengthened bonds.
@ Shoreline Amphitheatre with friends (photo credit: friends)
Megan Moroney @ Golden Sky Festival (photo credit: me)
@ Shoreline Amphitheatre with friends (photo credit: friends)
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