Country music

==== Modern variations ====
===== Influence of rock, pop and hip-hop =====
In the mid to late 2010s, country music began to increasingly sound more like the style of modern-day [[Pop music]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine|title=As Gen Z Matures, Country Music Moves Into a New Age With Huge Potential|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/generation-z-country-music-future-tegan-marie-emisunshine/|access-date=February 15, 2022|magazine=Billboard}}</ref> with more simple and repetitive lyrics, more electronic-based instrumentation, and experimentation with "talk-singing" and rap, pop-country pulled farther away from the traditional sounds of country music and received criticisms from country music purists while gaining in popularity with mainstream audiences.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last1=Moss|first1=Marissa R.|date=December 18, 2019|title=20 Country Songs by Women That Should Have Been Hits|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country-lists/20-country-songs-by-women-that-should-have-been-hits-928385/|access-date=April 21, 2021|magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> The topics addressed have also changed, turning controversial such as acceptance of the [[LGBT community]], safe sex, recreational marijuana use, and questioning religious sentiment.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Nugent|first=Addison|title=The story of queer country music – and its message of hope|url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20200611-the-story-of-queer-country-music-and-its-message-of-hope|access-date=April 21, 2021|website=BBC}}</ref> Influences also come from some pop artists' interest in the country genre, including [[Justin Timberlake]] with the album ''[[Man of the Woods]],''<ref>{{Cite magazine|last1=Blistein|first1=Jon|date=January 16, 2018|title=Watch Justin Timberlake Tease New Album in Behind-the-Scenes Doc|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-justin-timberlake-tease-new-album-in-behind-the-scenes-doc-202639/|access-date=April 21, 2021|magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> [[Beyoncé]]'s song "[[Daddy Lessons]]" from [[Lemonade (Beyoncé album)|''Lemonade'']],<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Beyonce's 'Daddy Lessons': 10 Fun Facts|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/cma-awards-beyonce-daddy-lessons-fun-facts-7564872/|access-date=February 15, 2022|magazine=Billboard}}</ref> [[Kelly Clarkson]],<ref name=":2" /> [[Gwen Stefani]] with "[[Nobody but You (Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani song)|Nobody but You]]",<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 20, 2020|first1=Billy |last1=Dukes|title=Watch: Gwen Stefani Turns 'Don't Speak,' 'Spiderwebs' Into Country Songs|url=https://tasteofcountry.com/gwen-stefani-spiderwebs-dont-speak-country-songs-fallon/|access-date=April 21, 2021|website=Taste of Country}}</ref> [[Bruno Mars]],<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Willman|first1=Chris|date=August 26, 2017|title=How a Country Music Bassist Made 'Magic' With Bruno Mars and Nabbed Four VMA Nominations|url=https://variety.com/2017/music/news/midland-bassist-video-director-vmas-bruno-mars-1202539414/|access-date=April 21, 2021|website=Variety}}</ref> [[Lady Gaga]],<ref>{{Cite magazine|last1=Spanos|first1=Brittany|author-link=Brittany Spanos|date=October 18, 2016|title=Hear Lady Gaga's Catchy New Country-Pop Song 'A-Yo'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/hear-lady-gagas-catchy-new-country-pop-song-a-yo-187124/|access-date=April 21, 2021|magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> [[Alicia Keys]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 18, 2016|first1=Laura|last1=Hostelley|title=Maren Morris to Meet Alicia Keys at the 'Crossroads'|url=https://tasteofcountry.com/maren-morris-alicia-keys-cmt-crossroads/|access-date=April 21, 2021|website=Taste of Country}}</ref> and [[Pink (singer)|Pink]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|last1=Hudak|first1=Joseph|date=September 16, 2020|title=Keith Urban and Pink Duet on New 'One Too Many'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/keith-urban-pink-duet-one-too-many-1060886/|access-date=April 21, 2021|magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref>

The influence of [[rock music]] in country has become more overt during the late 2000s and early 2010s as artists like [[Eric Church]], [[Jason Aldean]], and [[Brantley Gilbert]] have had success; [[Aaron Lewis (musician)|Aaron Lewis]], former frontman for the rock group [[Staind]], had a moderately successful entry into country music in 2011 and 2012, as did [[Dallas Smith]], former frontman of the band [[Default (band)|Default]].

[[Maren Morris]] success collaboration "[[The Middle (Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey song)|The Middle]]" with [[Electronic music|EDM]] producer [[Zedd]] is considered one of the representations of the fusion of electro-pop with country music.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last1=McKenna|first1=Brittney|date=January 23, 2018|title=Hear Maren Morris Sing on Vibrant New Zedd Song 'The Middle'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/hear-maren-morris-sing-on-vibrant-new-zedd-song-the-middle-125082/|access-date=April 21, 2021|magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref>

[[Lil Nas X]] song "[[Old Town Road]]" [[List of Billboard Hot 100 chart achievements and milestones|spent 19 weeks]] atop the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart, becoming the longest-running number-one song since the chart debuted in 1958, winning [[Billboard Music Awards]], [[MTV Video Music Awards]] and Grammy Award.<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 13, 2019|title=Lil Nas X hit 'Old Town Road' makes Billboard charts history|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/lil-nas-x-old-town-road-billboard-charts-history|access-date=April 21, 2021|website=Associated Press}}</ref> [[Sam Hunt]] "[[Leave the Night On]]" peaked concurrently on the Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts, making Hunt the first country artist in 22 years, since [[Billy Ray Cyrus]], to reach the top of three country charts simultaneously in the [[Nielsen SoundScan]]-era.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Sam Hunt Scores Country Charts Feat Last Achieved 22 Years Ago|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/sam-hunt-scores-country-charts-feat-last-achieved-22-years-ago/|access-date=February 15, 2022|magazine=Billboard}}</ref> With the fusion genre of "country [[trap music|trap]]"—a fusion of country/western themes to a [[hip hop music|hip hop]] beat, but usually with fully sung lyrics—emerging in the late 2010s, line dancing country had a minor revival, examples of the phenomenon include "[[The Git Up]]" by [[Blanco Brown]].<ref name="Chow 2019">{{cite magazine | last=Chow | first=Andrew R. | title=Blanco Brown Talks 'The Git Up' and the Fusion of Country and Rap | magazine=Time | date=July 27, 2019 | url=https://time.com/5634271/blanco-brown-the-git-up-interview/ | access-date=December 11, 2022}}</ref> Blanco Brown has gone on to make more traditional country soul songs such as "I Need Love" and a rendition of "[[Don't Take the Girl]]" with [[Tim McGraw]], and collaborations like "[[Just the Way]]" with [[Parmalee]].<ref name="MusicRow.com 2021">{{cite web | title=Industry Ink: Parmalee & Blanco Brown, Visionary Media Group, PLA Media | website=MusicRow.com | date=June 22, 2021 | url=https://musicrow.com/2021/06/industry-ink-parmalee-blanco-brown-visionary-media-group-pla-media/ | access-date=December 11, 2022}}</ref> Another country trap artist known as [[Breland (musician)|Breland]] has seen success with "[[My Truck]], "[[Throw It Back (Breland song)|Throw It Back]]" with [[Keith Urban]], and "[[Praise the Lord (Breland song)|Praise the Lord]]" featuring [[Thomas Rhett]].<ref name="Zisman 2022">{{cite web | last=Zisman | first=Erica | title=Who Is Breland? The Story Behind His Journey to Country Music | website=CS | date=March 8, 2022 | url=https://countryswag.com/who-is-breland-the-story-behind-his-journey-to-country-music/ | access-date=December 11, 2022}}</ref>

[[Emo rap]] musician [[Sueco]], released a [[cowpunk]] song in collaboration is country musician [[Warren Zeiders]] titled "Ride It Hard".<ref name="MusicRow.com 2022">{{cite web | title=DISClaimer Single Reviews: Jordan Davis Gives 'The Sound Of A Superstar In Training' | website=MusicRow.com | date=November 17, 2022 | url=https://musicrow.com/2022/11/disclaimer-single-reviews-jordan-davis-gives-the-sound-of-a-superstar-in-training/ | access-date=December 11, 2022}}</ref> Alex Melton, known for his [[cover version|music cover]]s, blends [[pop punk]] with country music.<ref>{{cite web | title=This Pop Punk Cover Of "Wagon Wheel" Might Be The Only Acceptable Way To Listen To It Anymore | website=Whiskey Riff | date=July 17, 2022 | url=https://www.whiskeyriff.com/2022/07/17/this-pop-punk-cover-of-wagon-wheel-might-be-the-only-acceptable-way-to-listen-to-it-anymore/ | access-date=December 11, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Kerrang! 2021">{{cite web | title=God, this country cover of Paramore's Misery Business feels so good | website=Kerrang! | date=March 4, 2021 | url=https://www.kerrang.com/this-country-cover-of-paramores-misery-business-feels-so-good/ | access-date=December 11, 2022}}</ref>

====== Bro country ======
{{Main|Bro-country}}
[[File:Florida Georgia Line Night Train Tour 2014.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Florida Georgia Line]] whose hit song "[[Cruise (song)|Cruise]]" drew attention to the [[bro-country]] genre]]
In the early 2010s, "[[bro-country]]", a genre noted primarily for its themes on drinking and partying, girls, and pickup trucks became particularly popular.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/clever-response-bro-country-songs |title=Taking Country Music back from the Bros |first=Ian |last=Crouch |magazine=The New Yorker |date=July 24, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/country-music-and-the-rise-of-the-binge_b_5697278 |title=Country Music and the Rise of the Binge-Drinking Bro |first=Patrick R. |last=Krill |work=HuffPost |date=August 21, 2014|access-date=February 15, 2022}}</ref><ref name="kanuch">{{cite web |last1=Kanuch |first1=Nathan |title=Re-visiting Bro-Country |url=https://medium.com/shore2shore-country/re-visiting-bro-country-dd85fe7fe93d |website=[[Medium (website)|Medium]] |access-date=June 12, 2022 |date=March 5, 2018}}</ref> Notable artists associated with this genre are [[Luke Bryan]], [[Jason Aldean]], [[Blake Shelton]], [[Jake Owen]] and [[Florida Georgia Line]] whose song "[[Cruise (song)|Cruise]]" became the best-selling country song of all time.<ref name="best-selling">{{cite news |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/florida-georgia-line-cruise-sets-all-time-country-sales-record/ |title=Florida Georgia Line's 'Cruise' Sets All-Time Country Sales Record |first= Wade |last= Jessen |date =January 6, 2014 |magazine=Billboard|access-date=February 15, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jan/6/country-times-bro-country-vs-traditional-bring-on-/?page=all |title=COUNTRY TIMES: 'Bro-country' vs. traditional: Bring on the fight|first = David |last = Eldridge |work=The Washington Times |date= January 6, 2014 }}</ref> Research in the mid-2010s suggested that about 45 percent of country's best-selling songs could be considered bro-country, with the top two artists being Luke Bryan and Florida Georgia Line.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1750831/bro-country-mashup-guy-confronts-radio-programmers/ |title=Bro Country Mashup Guy Confronts Radio Programmers: What Does the Future of Country Radio Hold?|first =Chris |last =Parton |date=February 26, 2015 |work=CMT}}</ref> Albums by bro-country singers also sold very well—in 2013, Luke Bryan's ''[[Crash My Party]]'' was the third best-selling of all albums in the United States, with Florida Georgia Line's ''[[Here's to the Good Times]]'' at sixth, and Blake Shelton's ''[[Based on a True Story...|Based on a True Story]]'' at ninth.<ref name="fox">{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/country-music-is-not-dead-give-bro-country-a-chance |title=Country music is not dead: Give bro' country a chance|first= Sasha |last= Bogursky |date= June 12, 2014 |work=Fox News|access-date=February 15, 2022}}</ref> It is also thought that the popularity of bro-country helped country music to surpass classic rock as the most popular genre in the American country in 2012.<ref name="fox"/> The genre however is controversial as it has been criticized by other country musicians and commentators over its themes and depiction of women,<ref name="smith">{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2013/10/01/country-music-identity-crisis/|title=How country music went crazy: A comprehensive timeline of the genre's identity crisis|last=Smith|first=Grady|date=October 1, 2013|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=February 15, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=McCarthy|first1=Amy|title=Bro Country's Sexism Is Ruining Country Music|url=https://www.dallasobserver.com/music/bro-countrys-sexism-is-ruining-country-music-7070740|website=Dallas Observer|access-date=February 15, 2022|date=June 18, 2014|archive-date=February 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214012201/http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/dc9/2014/06/bro_country_sexism_ruining_country_music.php}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://tasteofcountry.com/kenny-chesney-billboard-bro-country/ |title=Kenny Chesney Covers Billboard, Speaks Out on Country Songs That 'Objectify' Women|first= Sterling |last= Whitaker |work=Taste of Country|date=November 15, 2014 }}</ref> opening up a divide between the older generation of country singers and the younger bro country singers that was described as "civil war" by musicians, critics, and journalists."<ref name=time>{{cite news |url=https://time.com/3502546/florida-georgia-line-bro-country/ |title='Bro Country' Is Still Thriving, Even If Everyone Hates It |first=Adam|last=Carlson|date= October 14, 2014 |magazine=Time }}</ref> In 2014, [[Maddie & Tae]]'s "[[Girl in a Country Song]]", addressing many of the controversial bro-country themes, peaked at number one on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Country Airplay]] chart.

===== Bluegrass and Americana =====
{{unreferenced section|date=December 2020}}
{{Main|Americana (music)|Bluegrass music}}Bluegrass is a genre that contain songs about going through hard times, country loving, and telling stories. It's history can be traced back to the 1600s. During this time, many people were coming to America from Ireland, Scotland and England.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-02-01 |title=Bluegrass, Roots, Americana, and Folk Music {{!}} San Diego Troubadour |url=https://sandiegotroubadour.com/bluegrass-roots-americana-and-folk-music/ |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=sandiegotroubadour.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Those people brought the first version of Bluegrass to the Americas. After several years of bluegrass' development, Bill Monroe became the "father" of bluegrass.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rosenberg |first=Neil V. |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.03309 |title=Bluegrass music |date=2001 |publisher=Oxford University Press |series=Oxford Music Online|doi=10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.03309 }}</ref> Other sources argue that The Monroe Brothers were the first stars of bluegrass.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 7, 2021 |title=Bluegrass Music Guide |url=https://www.masterclass.com/articles/bluegrass-music-guide |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Masterclass}}</ref>  Newer artists like [[Billy Strings]], [[the Grascals]], [[Molly Tuttle]], [[Tyler Childers]] and [[the Infamous Stringdusters]] have been increasing the popularity of this genre, alongside some of the genres more established stars who still remain popular including [[Rhonda Vincent]], [[Alison Krauss]] and [[Union Station (band)|Union Station]], [[Ricky Skaggs]] and [[Del McCoury]]. The genre has developed in the [[Northern Kentucky]] and [[Cincinnati]] area. Other artists include [[New South (band)]], [[Doc Watson]], [[Osborne Brothers]], and many others.

[[File:Emmylou Harris 2008 The Woodland Park Zootunes.jpg|thumb|269x269px|[[Emmylou Harris]] in 2008]]
In an effort to combat the over-reliance of mainstream country music on pop-infused artists, the sister genre of [[Americana (music)|Americana]] began to gain popularity and increase in prominence, receiving eight [[Grammy]] categories of its own in 2009. Though Americana music gained popularity in 2009, the first Americana singer was likely Hank Williams in the 1950s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chilton |first=Martin |date=2023-05-02 |title=Americana: How Country And Roots Music Found A "Brand New Dance" |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/in-depth-features/americana-music-country-roots-history/ |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=uDiscover Music |language=en-US}}</ref> Americana music incorporates elements of country music, bluegrass, folk, blues, gospel, rhythm and blues, roots rock and southern soul and is overseen by the [[Americana Music Association]] and the [[Americana Music Honors & Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |title=About the Awards |url=http://americanamusic.org/about-awards |access-date=December 18, 2012 |archive-date=April 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420081843/http://americanamusic.org/about-awards |url-status=dead }}</ref> As a result of an increasingly pop-leaning mainstream, many more traditional-sounding artists such as [[Tyler Childers]], [[Zach Bryan]] and [[Old Crow Medicine Show]] began to associate themselves more with Americana and the [[alternative country]] scene where their sound was more celebrated. Similarly, many established country acts who no longer received commercial airplay, including [[Emmylou Harris]] and [[Lyle Lovett]], began to flourish again.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/lyle-lovett| title=Lyle Lovett| access-date=June 4, 2019 |website=Grammys}}</ref>

===== Contemporary country and western revival =====
[[File:Kacey Musgraves 2019 by Glenn Francis.jpg|thumb|260x260px|[[Kacey Musgraves]] became one of the most controversial figures in contemporary country music.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 20, 2019|title=Kacey Musgraves: from liberal misfit to country's biggest star|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/apr/20/kacey-musgraves-liberal-misfit-country-star-nashville-horse-microdosing-lsd|access-date=April 21, 2021|website=The Guardian}}</ref>]]

During the mid-1980s, a group of new artists began to emerge who rejected the more polished country-pop sound that had been prominent on radio and the charts, in favor of more, traditional, "back-to-basics" production. Many of the artists during the latter half of the 1980s drew on traditional honky-tonk, bluegrass, folk and western swing. Artists who typified this sound included [[Travis Tritt]], [[Reba McEntire]], [[George Strait]], [[Keith Whitley]], [[Alan Jackson]], [[John Anderson (musician)|John Anderson]], [[Patty Loveless]], [[Kathy Mattea]], [[Randy Travis]], [[Dwight Yoakam]], [[Clint Black]], [[Ricky Skaggs]], and [[the Judds]].

Beginning in 1989, a confluence of events brought an unprecedented commercial boom to country music. New marketing strategies were used to engage fans, powered by technology that more accurately tracked the popularity of country music, and boosted by a political and economic climate that focused attention on the genre. [[Garth Brooks]] ("Friends in Low Places") in particular attracted fans with his fusion of neotraditionalist country and [[arena rock|stadium rock]]. Other artists such as [[Brooks and Dunn]] ("Boot Scootin' Boogie") also combined conventional country with slick, rock elements, while [[Lorrie Morgan]], [[Mary Chapin Carpenter]], and [[Kathy Mattea]] updated neotraditionalist styles.<ref name="Country Music">{{cite web|last1=Neal|first1=Jocelyn R.|title=Country Music|url=http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/subscriber/article/grove/music/A2224075|website=Oxford music online}}</ref>

Roots of conservative country was Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA".<ref name="Mendez 2020">{{cite web | last=Mendez | first=Katy | title=Lee Greenwood, 'God Bless the USA' singer, to perform at Trump rally in Central Texas | website=www.kwtx.com | date=October 15, 2020 | url=https://www.kwtx.com/2020/10/15/lee-greenwood-god-bless-the-usa-singer-to-perform-at-trump-rally-in-central-texas/ | access-date=October 13, 2022}}</ref> The [[September 11 attacks]] of 2001 and the economic recession helped move country music back into the spotlight. Many country artists, such as Alan Jackson with his ballad on terrorist attacks, "[[Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)]]", wrote songs that celebrated the military, highlighted the gospel, and emphasized home and family values over wealth. Alt-Country singer Ryan Adams song "[[New York, New York (Ryan Adams song)|New York, New York]]" pays tribute to New York City, and its popular music video (which was shot 4 days before the attacks) shows Adams playing in front of the Manhattan skyline, Along with several shots of the city. In contrast, more rock-oriented country singers took more direct aim at the attacks' perpetrators; Toby Keith's "[[Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)]]" threatened to "a boot in" the posterior of the enemy, while Charlie Daniels's "[[This Ain't No Rag, It's a Flag]]" promised to "hunt" the perpetrators "down like a mad dog hound." These songs gained such recognition that it put country music back into popular culture.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Neal|first1=Jocelyn|title=Country Music|url=http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/subscriber/article/grove/music/A2224075|website=Oxford Music Online|publisher=Oxford University Press|access-date=February 21, 2015}}</ref> Darryl Worley recorded "Have You Forgotten" also. There have been numerous patriotic country songs throughout the years.<ref name="Country Thang Daily 2021">{{cite web | title=10 America Songs You Should Be Listening Right Now | website=Country Thang Daily | date=January 28, 2021 | url=https://www.countrythangdaily.com/top-10-america-songs/ | access-date=October 13, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Moore 2022">{{cite web | last=Moore | first=Bobby | title=20 Most Patriotic Country Songs | website=Wide Open Country | date=July 4, 2022 | url=https://www.wideopencountry.com/patriotic-country-songs/ | access-date=October 13, 2022}}</ref>

Some modern artists that primarily or entirely produce [[country pop]] music include [[Kacey Musgraves]], [[Maren Morris]], [[Kelsea Ballerini]], [[Sam Hunt]], [[Kane Brown]], [[Chris Lane]], and [[Dan + Shay]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=How The Sound Of Country Music Changed|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2018/03/20/594037569/how-the-sound-of-country-music-changed|access-date=April 21, 2021|newspaper=NPR|date=March 20, 2021|last=Hight|first=Jewly}}</ref> The singers who are part of this country movement are also defined as "Nashville's new generation of country".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hight|first=Jewly|date=August 9, 2018|title=In the Write: The Evolution of Country Music in Nashville|url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/08/the-evolution-of-country-music-in-nashville.html|access-date=April 21, 2021|website=Vulture}}</ref>

Although the changes made by the new generation, it has been recognized by major music awards associations and successes in [[Billboard charts|Billboard]] and international charts. [[Golden Hour (Kacey Musgraves album)|''Golden Hour'']] by Kacey Musgraves won album of the year at [[61st Annual Grammy Awards]], [[Academy of Country Music Awards]], [[Country Music Association Awards]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mercuri|first=Monica|title=Kacey Musgraves Reclaims Top Country Albums No. 1 Following Grammy Success|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/monicamercuri/2019/02/20/kacey-musgraves-reclaims-top-country-albums-no-1-following-grammy-success/|access-date=April 21, 2021|website=Forbes}}</ref> although it has received criticism from some traditional country music fans.<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Kacey Musgraves' Golden Year: After dominating the year with her own brand of cosmic country, the singer looks ahead to 2019 and the Grammys|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/kacey-musgraves-golden-hour-album-grammy-771594/|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=December 21, 2018}}</ref>

[[File:Midland in concert - NYS Fair.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Midland (band)|Midland]], one of the most popular neotraditional honky-tonk bands]]