8 Outlaw Country Artists Changing the Sound of Nashville for the Better
Spotify Playlist - Modern Day Country Outlaws by Junction 31
In a time of auto-tune and digital beats, it’s hard to find that gritty, authentic sound in country music that we grew up with and love. The sound of Willie, Waylon and the boys has been replaced with a soft, feel good sound that is more city pop than downhome country. The commercial influence of the big Nashville labels has neutered country music into a systematic formula and it has lost its heart.
The good news is there are modern day artists fighting against the Big Machine. Heart is being put back into country music with authentic storytelling. These artists are breaking all the rules the “Nashville” sound has worked so hard to establish. And finally, their outlaw voices are being heard.
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It’s hard to believe Chris Stapleton spent almost 15 years of his professional career as an undiscovered songwriter. Originally from Lexington, KY he moved to Nashville in 2001 to pursue a career in music. He had much success writing hit tunes for Allan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Travis Tritt, Luke Bryan and others. It wasn’t until his debut album Traveller came out in 2015, that his authentic voice was heard. Traveller sold over 2.5 million copies, won all the awards including a Grammy for country album of the year. His humble down to earth persona contrasted with his unparalleled vocal range is impossible to ignore, not to mention he’s one hell of a guitar player. Stapleton is an outlaw country pioneer. He paved the way back to good country music for our generation and is responsible for the success of many of the artists listed below.
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In the early 2000’s Isbell cut his teeth as a member of southern rock band the Drive-By Truckers out of Athens, GA. In 2007, Isbell came out with his first solo album Sirens of the Ditch. Isbell has won many awards including 4 Grammys. On his Something More Than Free Tour, Isbell sold out 4 consecutive nights at the Ryman in 2015. Unlike Stapleton, there’s no flashiness to Isbell’s vocals. The magic is in the lyrics. He is one of the best songwriters of our time. His simple, yet profound lyrics have a way of cutting straight to the heart of it.
Sturgill not only progresses the sound of modern country, but pushes the boundaries of what’s considered the cultural norm. His open stance on the use of psychedelic drugs is prevalent in his music. In 2014, he released his breakthrough album Metamodern Sounds in Country Music which was named best album of the year by American Songwriter magazine.
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A modern day Texas outlaw, Jink’s breakout album I’m not the Devil was recorded at Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas in 2016. The album put Jinks on the map, topping the Billboard country charts without the help of a label. His no bullshit attitude and drinking songs harken back to the days of Merle Haggard.
When your dad is Willie Nelson, you have big boots to fill. Lukas, maybe the most underrated name on this list, took a different path than his father. Rather than picking up Willie’s nylon string “Trigger,” Lukas became one hell of an electric guitar player touring with his dad for many years. His solo work has such soul and depth.
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Ruston is most recognized for his marriage to the queen of modern country — Kacey Musgraves, but his music speaks for itself. The melancholy sound and harmony effects give a Bon Iver’ish quality to his music. He has supernatural way of transporting you to a time and a place.
Brent Cobb’s laid-back acoustic storytelling is easy like a Sunday morning. You can’t mention Brent without talking about his cousin Dave. Dave Cobb is arguably the most influential name on this list. This “man behind the music” has produced many of the artists on this list including: Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson, Brandi Carlile, Shooter Jennings, and of course his cousin Brent.
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The powerful raspy vocals of Tyler will transport you to the coal mines of West Virginia. There’s a mountain bluegrass quality to Childers’ sound.
Other notable artist progressing outlaw country music include: Colter Wall, Brothers Osborne, Turnpike Troubadours, Ryan Bingham, & Whitey Morgan.
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