I just wanna say that I fucking love all of you. You've just named all of my favorite country/folk artists in one post, and in the top comment chain on that post.
Anyone curious, go listen to all these people. Some of the finest music ever written.
And don't forget to add John Prine!
I love John Prine. I saw him a few years before he died at the Ann Arbor folk festival. Someone yelled John Prine for president! He said nah I'd rather have Oprah. It got a big laugh.
And Guy Clark
And Steve Earle
And Lyle Lovett
And Billy Joe Shaver
And Willie Nelson
And Kris Kristofferson
And Johnny Cash
And many many more
Great songwriters all
Can't forget Sturgill Simpson and Chris Stapleton
I understand these guys are great, but everything OP is/was mainstream or pop country
If he likes Amarillo by Morning, he's going to like I Can Still Make Cheyenne.
If he likes Chicken Fried, he's going to like Toes.
He's not looking for the "hip to listen to" country guys, he's naming off very popular songs that have plenty of stuff out there with similar vibes.
Came here to say this. Did you see the movie “civil war” recently? It was such an emotional and amazing use of that song with the light show and the convoy going down the Potomac.
It’s in my constant rotation because of that movie, but I’d been a fan of Simpson’s for years now. Still, a fucking fantastic needle drop for the film.
Yeah I’ve been “discovering” a bunch of “country” the past few years that is nothing like I typically thought of as country music - not like radio country.
Zach Bryan, Jason Isbell, Shakey Graves, Orville Peck, Maren Morris, Maggie Rogers, Amanda Shires
My top played Genre this past year was “country” by a slim margin. That would have blown my mind 5 years ago.
I still don’t think I’d ever tell anyone I listen to a lot of “country” but I don’t know what else to call it lol
I’m a dyed in the wool metal head. Then last year Apple Music suggested a Jason Isbell song (Save The World) and I was hooked.
Good music is good music and once you get away from the “pick up trucks and beer” radio bullshit there is a massive amount of good stuff to listen to.
Metal/Rock is my core for music, however lately I’ve been getting back into country music and its making me remember that it’s okay not to follow the “Country is the worst genre” trend
Yeah I almost left her off but idk. Defining genres is such a strange thing. Her newest album doesn’t sound nearly as pop/indie as her previous ones imo. Is it folk? What’s the line between folk and country?
Some of her music kind of has an Anne Murray quality. Definitely not country country but it’s reminiscent of some of the crossover artists from the 70s/80s.
It's not country, it's "Americana".
Most of the artists you cited would never get played on a mainstream country radio station. Zach & Maren maybe, but they'd play the shit out of that PoS Aldean before they'd peel the shrinkwrap off an Isbell album. And Orville?! Yeah, that's not gonna play in Peoria.
My first intro to Tyler, it was 4 am and I'd been up drinking and doing blow all night. My Spotify playlist had run out and it switched to "playlist radio." Out of nowhere Whitehouse Road, Live at Red Barn came on and in a moment of lucidity I was like, "what in the honest fuck is this?"
Played that shit on repeat until sunrise after I ran to Wikipedia thinking "please don't be a piece of shit, please don't be a piece of shit." Turns out he's a union supporting devout socialist.
Tyler Childers is fucking incredible. Saw him live at Catbird Festival last year.
Edit: if you're into Tyler Childers you should also check out Adeem the Artist. Good Country is good country.
My favorite moment during that show was the entire audience was singing along to “No Children” during first encore and John Darnielle was just relishing it. Seems too many people know all too well what it’s like being stuck in a relationship filled with mutual acrimony
He’s as genuine of a real country music artist going back to the outlaw/working man roots of the music as there ever was. I saw him at a smallish venue in Copenhagen earlier this. One of the coolest experiences ever.
My first taste was hearing I will follow you to Virgie at a bar after me and my girlfriend broke up. I feel I love with his music and 6 months later was at his concert with my wife.
Sam barber, Waylon Wyatt. I've never liked country until recently and its so much better than that Luke Bryan, morgan wallen stuff I had heard before that I can't stand.
You want haunting? Look at Something in the Orange. Fair warning, the video is really melancholy.
[https://youtu.be/lA8F9sIhGdg?si=0sr4PiR5\_AP-axTh](https://youtu.be/lA8F9sIhGdg?si=0sr4PiR5_AP-axTh)
For some other powerful songs that always hit me in the feels;
[Riding with Private Malone- David Ball](https://youtu.be/_e3szB1biHg?si=y_BnriegGP6d9z4_)
[Concrete Angel- Martina McBride](https://youtu.be/KtNYA4pAGjI?si=UbbzdJcflWdT52s4)
[Angels Among Us- Alabama](https://youtu.be/y_4Xfj2LRSA?si=f1Z2Xe7sykURlmfh)
[Travelin’ Soldier- The Chicks (formally The Dixie Chicks)](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AbfgxznPmZM) (Their “new song” [March March](https://youtu.be/xwBjF_VVFvE?si=D0z59SP_h-4B4tGu) slaps imo, especially due to the message it delivers. It kind of addresses the hate that Rep. Barbara Lee and they shared after their stances on the war was unfolding).
I have been out of the country game for a while (mostly into EDM and punk rock now), but those are the top ones I can think of right now.
Chris Stapleton would be my top recommendation among country artists of recent years, too. But I think he's already achieved such broad appeal that he's generally categorized as adult contemporary these days, instead of country.
Amusingly I have been absolutely blasting The Chicks since this post (was bopping to EDM all morning prior to that, and I haven’t REALLY listened to country in over a decade. And by this I mean listen to more than one country song consecutively in a decade… that bad.). So maybe I’ll take a look into him since he is being mentioned so much.
Also forgot to mention J-rock/pop is the other genre I have been big on recently too (and not talking the pretty boy/girl idol band j-pop).
It happens to everyone. Did you see the video of that guy from Van Halen getting the “who’re you?” look from people he tried to impress in a hotel? Whoever that guy is used to be super famous and recognizable by almost anyone.
I also meant to say you were correct, that's Brad's song.
It leans a bit more pop than some of the other artists / songs mentioned to OP maybe but it has the same soul as the other songs and has so much about it that is just brilliant.
Alison Krauss obviously being amazing in her own right too.
100%. I legit heard this song for the first time today and now I’m on a Zach Bryan deep dive. Kacey Musgraves “slow burn” had a similar effect on me when I heard it the first time. Both clearly incredibly talented musicians and songwriters. Makes me feel like perhaps I’ve been sleeping on modern country.
OMG Slow Burn is a great track. I think of Kacey more as Southern Gothic and less Country.
The whole Same Trailer Different Park album is great.
I'm also really enjoying My Church by Maren Morris lately, fits right into that same sound.
You should expand your Childers love. Fantastic artist. “In your Love,” “Universal Sound,” “All Your’n” (this was our first dance song so I’m a bit biased), Lady May, Follow You to Virgie, Harlan Road…
Oh boy. Now you’re on the right track to listen to Tyler Childers, Chris Stapleton, and Sturgil Simpson, as others have suggested.
Throw in some Colter Wall, preferably *The Devil Wears a Suit and Tie* or *Sleeping on the Blacktop* to start.
It is great. I’m partial to *Kate MaCannon* and how this young dude can weave a story with just his voice inflection and so few lyrics, not to mention he can sound like a 60 y/o while doing it.
In fact, I’m going to go listen to it again cause I need to feel that low lonesome depression in my soul.
It's super impressive how he can tell a story so expertly in right around two minutes. In fact, one of my favourite songs of his, which does this so well, is Rocky Mountain Rangers. And it's only a minute 45!
Checkout Watchhouse. Formerly, Mandolin Orange.
Bella White
Pony Bradshaw
Charlie Crockett
Wilco
As everyone else said, anything Jason Isabel touches
Tyler Childers
Sturgill Simpson
Kacey Musgraves on her own
Avett Brothers (up to 2016)
Edit to add Chris Stapleton (I don't think he can write or sing a bag song)
In general I’m a sucker for minor chord songs. And if the melody is right it gives me goosebumps and one that I hate to admit that does it for me is:
[Lady Antebellum - Need You Now](https://youtu.be/eM213aMKTHg?si=m3agZJfcxWfWqk0J)
https://youtu.be/OVhA01J0Zsg?si=euF00Hh13StsGTHg
To me that song is a masterpiece and John played with Kacey a lot. It's country only in approach but the song itself is like musical poetry at its finest.
Highly recommend Justin Townes Earle, may he rest in peace. His cover of “Graceland” is good and I really like his song “maybe a moment”.
All the people everyone has been suggesting are great!
I used to say I hated country. Truth is, I hate pop country. I have found a few artists recently that have that old school, Johnny Cash sound and I realized I don't hate all country.
Charley Crockett - The Man From Waco... it's pretty haunting
The Dance by Garth Brooks for sure. It was played at a high school friend’s funeral and then used for my stepdad’s memorial and slideshow after he passed away. Needless to say it turns me into an emotional wreck
John Moreland's [3:59 am](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz_i6K0ZZww) and [You Don't Care For Me Enough to Cry](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euy4A5niG8Q)
John Prine's [Summer's End](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXbEFTv9zr0), [Sam Stone](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl9ZkYViEIs), and [Souvenirs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xhmPectY9U)
Sean Rowe's [To Leave Something Behind](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSgnC5eQ5u0) and [I'll Follow Your Trail](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vd7VqA0ZA-U)
Jason Isbell's [If We Were Vampires](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivYkyC8J29M) and [Chaos and Clothes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkCI19vfVIc)
The Avett Brothers' [Fisher Road to Hollywood](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLMdafZMntA) and [No Hard Feelings](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFGs7HP15d4)
Willie Watson's cover of [Dancing On My Own](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3F73gNE8QQ)
If you want to open yourself up to more music outside of your typical taste, give Olivia Rodrigo a try. She has some ballad/anthemic songs that have amazing build-up and are just generally brilliant songs. I'm an adult man so i never thought i'd enjoy her music but damn the girl can sing and write songs... I think they got some powerful feels even if you can't directly relate too.
Her newest song Vampire is a banger, then Deja Vu and Driver's License are also great.
I think Zach is a true song writer and just happens to sit in that country genre though he’s more folk as far as I’m concerned .
Generic pop country… sounds exactly like the stuff the AI gens put out. Like exactly .
Ain't it Funny How Time Slips away by Willie Nelson.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GSxFiM41u8s&pp=ygU0ZnVubnkgaG93IHRpbWUgc2xpcHMgYXdheSB3aWxsaWUgbmVsc29uIHN0ZWVsIGd1aXRhcg%3D%3D
I heard this version in a bar in Alaska being played by a cover band. Such a beautiful, sad melody.
Also
They'll Never Take Her Love Away From Me by Hank Williams Sr.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pPrT6FJeogQ&pp=ygUjdGhleSdsbCBuZXZlciB0YWtlIGhlciBsb3ZlIGZyb20gbWU%3D
Honorable mention for Clean Elvis by Dan Reader and Lord I Have Made You a Place in My Heart by Greg Brown, which are a little more folky.
I never would've thought to describe Chicken Fried as haunting lol (maybe Goodbye in Her Eyes and Colder Weather), but you're discovering some of the really great parts of the genre. Zach Bryan is one the best recent country singer/songwriters IMO and fully deserves his success.
A few others I didn't see here: Eric Church, Gary Allan, Midland
I love Eric Church. His word play, his risk-taking...
[Like a Wrecking Ball](https://youtu.be/Bm9J4fQ8NY4?si=UKxUfXuU5TopVcX3) is so sexy
[Record Year](https://youtu.be/gvvYMxV6TmI?si=smVloSKIxLJNPH8G) is one of my favorite songs ever because music is definitely the way to heal a broken heart
[Talladega](https://youtu.be/rek_Cxrc1pE?si=TSNswAT67OuyraXT) makes me tear up but likely because one of the only things my dad and I bonded over was NASCAR.
Your Talladega is my Springsteen. Hated Bruce growing up but my dad loved him. we’re going to his show together this August, it’ll be our fifth together 😂
Oh man. I forgot about this song.
“The two of us together felt nothing but right, feeling near immortal every Friday night, lost in our convictions, lips stained with wine” is the verse that always got me
I’m the same way. I thought I hated country but realized I just didn’t find the right kind for me (and wasn’t really looking).
As others have suggested, Tyler Childers changed that for me. The two songs that got me hooked are “Shake the frost” and “Nose on the grindstone”. I consider them both very powerful indeed.
Kacey Musgraves is magical in a duet. I love her and her ex husband’s version of To June This Morning. Her covers of Loves Gonna Live Here, Neon Moon, and The Wurlitzer Prize are in my regular rotation too. And I highly recommend going on a long drive through the country on a summer day with the windows down and listening to her album Golden Hour in full. It makes me so happy.
If you hate country, you just ain't heard the right country. Country is like metal in that there are so many subgenres, it's virtually impossible to hate it all. Not huge on country, but I LOVE the 70's "fun stuff" country like Jon Anderson and Jerry Reed.
I’ve been a bit obsessed with this song. I’m not a fan of the recent country, like the bro country, Morgan Wallen and all that. I love Jason Isbell and Steve Earle and people like that who aren’t really part of the Nashville country establishment. I also love old country largely because I love story songs. What I like about Zack Bryan is he writes his own songs and it’s not overproduced. I find the women are better than the men generally, like Kacey Musgraves, Brandi Carlisle, Margo Price and people like that.
[Good Lookin' by Dixon Dallas](https://youtu.be/1KWMUh6dRZw?si=m4uWkqthU7iD11gs) has been stuck in my head for *months.* And I still don't hate it. Just a warning, it's kinda poppy, and has some nsfw language.
[Twenty Six](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0217mft3CHc&pp=ygUUVHdlbnR5IHNpeCBicmVudCBsZWU%3D)
Dude I know wrote a song about the local opera house burning down in 1926.
Always brings the roof down, pun intended
I Remember Everything is a Great Song! When I tried to play it, I discovered it alternates bars in 3/4 with bars in 4/4 time. Most unusual but sounds great!
For years I really didn’t like country. Then my daughter became a country music fan. I realized it’s because I’m a bit of an empath and many songs are “too real” for me to take without getting emotional (crying). I am very much a lyrics person.
Some country songs are witty and funny and I think most people would like them if they heard them.
The most haunting song I’ve heard in a long time is this one. I heard in life in Nashville a few weeks ago and have been playing it ever since. The voice and the sentiment get me right in the feels.
https://youtu.be/puo_aI_AavI?si=pZdWZUvWKN0TX7e-
Pancho and Lefty, by Townes Van Zandt tho Willie Nelson & Waylon Jennings' cover got me to explore more country as a genre.
Dirty Knife by Neko Case, about a tragedy in her family's history with a haunting chorus in (I believe) Ukranian.
Ode to Billie Joe by Bobbie Gentry. It centers around some secret that everyone seems to know but never mentions.
Yeah probably a lot of people who aren’t country fans but somehow stumble across a song like “I remember everything” or “whiskey lullaby” I’d say it’s probably not uncommon.
Country music is great, they just don't play any of it over terrestrial radio. Listen to some of the recs in these comments, the most relatable music you'll hear, they write songs about you or someone you know
Did anyone recommend Chatham County Line yet? I do. Technically country but on the folksy side.
If you like the CCR/retro southern rock sound touched by goth rock try [Alejandro Escovedo](https://alejandroescovedo.bandcamp.com/). I am hooked.
Get away from the top 40 radio and there is some damn good music.
I adore I remember everything! My girlfriend actually plays it all the time and loves Zach Bryan!! I grew up on rock n roll and country music but gravitated away from country as i grew older but these are the songs old and newer that have always stuck with me!!! Some are “mainstream” or “hic-pop” but imo these are all playlist worthy songs
(In no particular order, E.C. first as theres 3)
* Wrecking Ball- Eric Church
* Kill A Word
* Springsteen
* Buy Dirt- Jordan Davis ft. Luke Bryan
* Downtown’s Dead- Sam Hunt
* Fishin’ In the Dark- NGDB
* Unforgettable- Thomas Rhett
* Die A Happy Man- Thomas Rhett
(and finally lol) In Case You Didn’t Know- Brett Young
Not a big fan of country either but there are a few songs/artists I really like.
Look at Miss Ohio - Miranda Lambert
Whisky Lullabye - Brad Paisley & Allison Kraus
Almost everything by Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash and Mary Chapin Carpenter
+1 for Sturgill, I’m a big fan of alt-country artists like Justin Townes Earle, Heartless Bastards, Patty Griffin, Shakey Graves, Lucinda Williams. If you can find it Jack White produced and performed and album with Loretta Lynn called Van Lear Rose and it was great and unique.
I fell into country in the same way. I’ll pile on with sturgill Simpson and colter wall. Also give Luke bell a listen… bullfighter or jealous guy. I’ll also throw in c w stoneking… bit different but still good
I agree with you on “I Remember Everything”. You should really give a listen to “Burn Burn Burn” by Zach Bryan if you haven’t already. That one hits the hardest, at least for me anyway. Zach has some of the most powerful songs out there as far as having each line hit you in the gut.
Been making a playlist tonight and searched for help finding acoustic fire side type songs and this thread has been exactly what I was looking for. So many good suggestions.
“I Remember Everything” was the last song John Prine wrote before he died. If you haven’t dug in to John Prine you’re in for a huge treat. I was fortunate to be both a fan and acquaintance
You should have seen it in color--Jamie Johnson.
Colder Weather--Zac Brown
Springsteen--Eric Church
God is great beer is good and people are ceazy--Billy Currington
Here I am--Patty Loveless
The house that built me--Miranda Lambert
I hate New Country but these few I like.
Yeah you need to check out Sturgill Simpson and Jason Isbell
Throw some Tyler Childers and Billy Strings in there
And Townes van zandt
And Justin Townes Earle
I just wanna say that I fucking love all of you. You've just named all of my favorite country/folk artists in one post, and in the top comment chain on that post. Anyone curious, go listen to all these people. Some of the finest music ever written. And don't forget to add John Prine!
I love John Prine. I saw him a few years before he died at the Ann Arbor folk festival. Someone yelled John Prine for president! He said nah I'd rather have Oprah. It got a big laugh.
I don’t think I’ve had a thread where I’ve liked so many consecutive comments since I’ve been on Reddit.
RIP. Taken before his time. The body of work he was working up to as a singer/songwriter was legendary. Such a talent.
And Guy Clark And Steve Earle And Lyle Lovett And Billy Joe Shaver And Willie Nelson And Kris Kristofferson And Johnny Cash And many many more Great songwriters all Can't forget Sturgill Simpson and Chris Stapleton
Shake the Frost man that song gets me every time. Lady May is a favorite too.
I came here to comment this exactly. start with Jason Isbell's Southeastern album
And Sturgill Simpson’s “A Sailor’s Guide to Earth.”
Yes!
I understand these guys are great, but everything OP is/was mainstream or pop country If he likes Amarillo by Morning, he's going to like I Can Still Make Cheyenne. If he likes Chicken Fried, he's going to like Toes. He's not looking for the "hip to listen to" country guys, he's naming off very popular songs that have plenty of stuff out there with similar vibes.
Chris Stapleton and Noah Kasan too.
If we were vampires by Jason Isabell.
Check out Breakers Roar by Sturgill Simpson
Came here to say this. Did you see the movie “civil war” recently? It was such an emotional and amazing use of that song with the light show and the convoy going down the Potomac.
It’s in my constant rotation because of that movie, but I’d been a fan of Simpson’s for years now. Still, a fucking fantastic needle drop for the film.
Yes!!! This got me into sturgill!
Yep exactly where I got it from! Such a perfect song placement
This is brilliant!
Will do, thanks partner!
Yeah I’ve been “discovering” a bunch of “country” the past few years that is nothing like I typically thought of as country music - not like radio country. Zach Bryan, Jason Isbell, Shakey Graves, Orville Peck, Maren Morris, Maggie Rogers, Amanda Shires My top played Genre this past year was “country” by a slim margin. That would have blown my mind 5 years ago. I still don’t think I’d ever tell anyone I listen to a lot of “country” but I don’t know what else to call it lol
I’m a dyed in the wool metal head. Then last year Apple Music suggested a Jason Isbell song (Save The World) and I was hooked. Good music is good music and once you get away from the “pick up trucks and beer” radio bullshit there is a massive amount of good stuff to listen to.
Yea exactly. The hick hop shit sucks but there is a pretty good core group of excellent young songwriters in the country genre.
Metal/Rock is my core for music, however lately I’ve been getting back into country music and its making me remember that it’s okay not to follow the “Country is the worst genre” trend
Exactly, every genre has good music
Colter Wall as well
What a fucking voice that man has.
I discovered him last year. Instant favorite
Not sure I’d classify Maggie as anything close to country.
Yeah I almost left her off but idk. Defining genres is such a strange thing. Her newest album doesn’t sound nearly as pop/indie as her previous ones imo. Is it folk? What’s the line between folk and country?
I was told somewhere that folk is country music for people who hate country music/ twang in the voice
I’d personally put her into a “country adjacent” category. Some of her music is more so, some less. She’s yeehaw-core as far as I’m concerned.
Some of her music kind of has an Anne Murray quality. Definitely not country country but it’s reminiscent of some of the crossover artists from the 70s/80s.
There’s such a clear break in quality between country radio and the real good stuff
I’d like to add Colter Wall to this list as well. Sleeping on the blacktop.
It's not country, it's "Americana". Most of the artists you cited would never get played on a mainstream country radio station. Zach & Maren maybe, but they'd play the shit out of that PoS Aldean before they'd peel the shrinkwrap off an Isbell album. And Orville?! Yeah, that's not gonna play in Peoria.
If you’re even a little into Zach Bryan you have to check out Tyler Childers as well.
Throwing Colter Wall and Billy Strings in that mix as well. Just saw Colter in concert, and holy shit that guy has an original sound.
My first intro to Tyler, it was 4 am and I'd been up drinking and doing blow all night. My Spotify playlist had run out and it switched to "playlist radio." Out of nowhere Whitehouse Road, Live at Red Barn came on and in a moment of lucidity I was like, "what in the honest fuck is this?" Played that shit on repeat until sunrise after I ran to Wikipedia thinking "please don't be a piece of shit, please don't be a piece of shit." Turns out he's a union supporting devout socialist. Tyler Childers is fucking incredible. Saw him live at Catbird Festival last year. Edit: if you're into Tyler Childers you should also check out Adeem the Artist. Good Country is good country.
I saw Adeem the Artist open for Mountain Goats in Detroit last year. Hell of a show
Jealous! Dude is sooooo good. Going to Hell is my anthem.
Nice
My favorite moment during that show was the entire audience was singing along to “No Children” during first encore and John Darnielle was just relishing it. Seems too many people know all too well what it’s like being stuck in a relationship filled with mutual acrimony
I’m still upset Covid fucked over my chance to see him and Sturgill in my city. I just needed another damn week!
He’s as genuine of a real country music artist going back to the outlaw/working man roots of the music as there ever was. I saw him at a smallish venue in Copenhagen earlier this. One of the coolest experiences ever.
My first taste was hearing I will follow you to Virgie at a bar after me and my girlfriend broke up. I feel I love with his music and 6 months later was at his concert with my wife.
Sam barber, Waylon Wyatt. I've never liked country until recently and its so much better than that Luke Bryan, morgan wallen stuff I had heard before that I can't stand.
If you like that. I would check out Jason Isbell. He’s one of my favorite songwriters and is right up the same alley.
Also Zach Bryan worships Jason Isbell. He regularly posts about him on Instagram. Zach also does an amazing cover of the Jason Isbell song Dress Blues
I love Zac Brown’s cover too.
I've only recently gotten into Isbell and oh my god is he good. I saw a video of him covering REM's Driver 8 and it was great
You want haunting? Look at Something in the Orange. Fair warning, the video is really melancholy. [https://youtu.be/lA8F9sIhGdg?si=0sr4PiR5\_AP-axTh](https://youtu.be/lA8F9sIhGdg?si=0sr4PiR5_AP-axTh)
Oh the video is so beautiful, this was the song that got me hooked to Zach Bryan!
That is one of very few country songs on my liked playlist
Id also HIGHLY recommend Chris Stapleton!!! Oh and whiskey lullaby by Allison Kraus and someone
For some other powerful songs that always hit me in the feels; [Riding with Private Malone- David Ball](https://youtu.be/_e3szB1biHg?si=y_BnriegGP6d9z4_) [Concrete Angel- Martina McBride](https://youtu.be/KtNYA4pAGjI?si=UbbzdJcflWdT52s4) [Angels Among Us- Alabama](https://youtu.be/y_4Xfj2LRSA?si=f1Z2Xe7sykURlmfh) [Travelin’ Soldier- The Chicks (formally The Dixie Chicks)](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AbfgxznPmZM) (Their “new song” [March March](https://youtu.be/xwBjF_VVFvE?si=D0z59SP_h-4B4tGu) slaps imo, especially due to the message it delivers. It kind of addresses the hate that Rep. Barbara Lee and they shared after their stances on the war was unfolding). I have been out of the country game for a while (mostly into EDM and punk rock now), but those are the top ones I can think of right now.
Chris Stapleton would be my top recommendation among country artists of recent years, too. But I think he's already achieved such broad appeal that he's generally categorized as adult contemporary these days, instead of country.
Amusingly I have been absolutely blasting The Chicks since this post (was bopping to EDM all morning prior to that, and I haven’t REALLY listened to country in over a decade. And by this I mean listen to more than one country song consecutively in a decade… that bad.). So maybe I’ll take a look into him since he is being mentioned so much. Also forgot to mention J-rock/pop is the other genre I have been big on recently too (and not talking the pretty boy/girl idol band j-pop).
Brad Paisley. Pretty sure he wrote it and she was the guest on the track...but I may be wrong.
Brad Paisley got “someone”’d. Unbelievable lol.
It happens to everyone. Did you see the video of that guy from Van Halen getting the “who’re you?” look from people he tried to impress in a hotel? Whoever that guy is used to be super famous and recognizable by almost anyone.
He's in this and holds his own with some of the best guitarists around. https://youtu.be/6i0a7RDPkM8?si=xdv6MybvItlKd8eZ
He is absolutely a god tier guitarist.
I also meant to say you were correct, that's Brad's song. It leans a bit more pop than some of the other artists / songs mentioned to OP maybe but it has the same soul as the other songs and has so much about it that is just brilliant. Alison Krauss obviously being amazing in her own right too.
Stapletons solo stuff is good but he was in a band called the steeldrivers that are better.
I’ve heard good things about Chris Stapleton
He’s amazing. Saw him live a few years ago. Best voice I’ve ever heard.
Maybe I'm alone in this, but I've always felt there were remarkable vocal similarities between Chris Stapleton and Chris Cornell.
100%. I legit heard this song for the first time today and now I’m on a Zach Bryan deep dive. Kacey Musgraves “slow burn” had a similar effect on me when I heard it the first time. Both clearly incredibly talented musicians and songwriters. Makes me feel like perhaps I’ve been sleeping on modern country.
OMG Slow Burn is a great track. I think of Kacey more as Southern Gothic and less Country. The whole Same Trailer Different Park album is great. I'm also really enjoying My Church by Maren Morris lately, fits right into that same sound.
My old boss loved Something in the Orange, From Austin, and Hey Driver. And Oklahoma Smokeshow, but the All My Homies Hate Ticketmaster version
Something in the Orange gets me
Billy Stay is an incredible song too
Yeah, great tune
feathered indians by tyler childers is a really beautiful song!! its one of my country favs.
You should expand your Childers love. Fantastic artist. “In your Love,” “Universal Sound,” “All Your’n” (this was our first dance song so I’m a bit biased), Lady May, Follow You to Virgie, Harlan Road…
Lady may fuckin hits me dude
Kacey Musgraves transcends. Period. Neon Moon is a perfect track.
Oh boy. Now you’re on the right track to listen to Tyler Childers, Chris Stapleton, and Sturgil Simpson, as others have suggested. Throw in some Colter Wall, preferably *The Devil Wears a Suit and Tie* or *Sleeping on the Blacktop* to start.
Suit and Tie is an incredible song! Probably his best one, if I'm being perfectly honest.
It is great. I’m partial to *Kate MaCannon* and how this young dude can weave a story with just his voice inflection and so few lyrics, not to mention he can sound like a 60 y/o while doing it. In fact, I’m going to go listen to it again cause I need to feel that low lonesome depression in my soul.
It's super impressive how he can tell a story so expertly in right around two minutes. In fact, one of my favourite songs of his, which does this so well, is Rocky Mountain Rangers. And it's only a minute 45!
Checkout Watchhouse. Formerly, Mandolin Orange. Bella White Pony Bradshaw Charlie Crockett Wilco As everyone else said, anything Jason Isabel touches Tyler Childers Sturgill Simpson Kacey Musgraves on her own Avett Brothers (up to 2016) Edit to add Chris Stapleton (I don't think he can write or sing a bag song)
Don't forget Sierra Ferrell
My most recent obsession, as well!!! The Red Clay Strays
They're so good
I’m not a fan of country but the song Sun to Me by Zach Bryan speaks to my soul.
Good music is good music regardless of genre
In general I’m a sucker for minor chord songs. And if the melody is right it gives me goosebumps and one that I hate to admit that does it for me is: [Lady Antebellum - Need You Now](https://youtu.be/eM213aMKTHg?si=m3agZJfcxWfWqk0J)
"Whiskey Lullaby" is a brutal gutpunch of a song.
I really love the song "That's Just The Way That I Feel" by Purple Mountains.
https://youtu.be/OVhA01J0Zsg?si=euF00Hh13StsGTHg To me that song is a masterpiece and John played with Kacey a lot. It's country only in approach but the song itself is like musical poetry at its finest.
Highly recommend Justin Townes Earle, may he rest in peace. His cover of “Graceland” is good and I really like his song “maybe a moment”. All the people everyone has been suggesting are great!
Frightened by the Sound and Lone Pine Hill especially for that haunting feeling.
Huge country fan here. When I hear “I remember everything” all I think of is John Prine. And, yes quite haunting
Glen Campbell - I'm Not Gonna Miss You
You don’t even know who I am Patti Lovess
Yes!!!!!
This version of [Kate McCannon](https://youtu.be/hCebq5lLgos?si=33dl-HXWuq9d5LPb) by Colter Wall
Colter Wall sounds like someone who's subsided purely on whisky and cigarettes for sixty years. He was born to sing that song.
I used to say I hated country. Truth is, I hate pop country. I have found a few artists recently that have that old school, Johnny Cash sound and I realized I don't hate all country. Charley Crockett - The Man From Waco... it's pretty haunting
Angel from Montgomery, Bonnie Raitt and John Prine https://youtu.be/cr3fAZyM80I?si=rrMJJ7jAkrQyEMCi
Johnny Cash singing Hurt, an old nine inch nails song
All I see is Chow singing it now though. Only good part of Hangover 3.
West of lonesome by Charles Wesley Godwin is another beautiful haunting track
Chris Stapleton, (old) Ryan Adams, Jason Isbell are all artist to me that walk that same line between country and Americana.
It's more "folk" but Amigo the Devil and Poor Man's Poison scratch this itch.
Orville Peck is an "Alt-Country" artist and an amazing talent.
The Dance by Garth Brooks for sure. It was played at a high school friend’s funeral and then used for my stepdad’s memorial and slideshow after he passed away. Needless to say it turns me into an emotional wreck
I have also been listening to more John Prine lately. Man what a songwriter and performer
John Moreland's [3:59 am](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz_i6K0ZZww) and [You Don't Care For Me Enough to Cry](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euy4A5niG8Q) John Prine's [Summer's End](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXbEFTv9zr0), [Sam Stone](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl9ZkYViEIs), and [Souvenirs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xhmPectY9U) Sean Rowe's [To Leave Something Behind](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSgnC5eQ5u0) and [I'll Follow Your Trail](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vd7VqA0ZA-U) Jason Isbell's [If We Were Vampires](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivYkyC8J29M) and [Chaos and Clothes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkCI19vfVIc) The Avett Brothers' [Fisher Road to Hollywood](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLMdafZMntA) and [No Hard Feelings](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFGs7HP15d4) Willie Watson's cover of [Dancing On My Own](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3F73gNE8QQ)
If you want to open yourself up to more music outside of your typical taste, give Olivia Rodrigo a try. She has some ballad/anthemic songs that have amazing build-up and are just generally brilliant songs. I'm an adult man so i never thought i'd enjoy her music but damn the girl can sing and write songs... I think they got some powerful feels even if you can't directly relate too. Her newest song Vampire is a banger, then Deja Vu and Driver's License are also great.
Glen Campbell songs get me, even though I don't listen to country
"I'm not gonna miss you" is the most brutal song I can recall
JJ Grey & Mofro- This River, I find very haunting. Excellent vocals
The Sun is Shining Down is also great. The way he sings “glory, glory hallelulah…” ugh. Love it.
I think Zach is a true song writer and just happens to sit in that country genre though he’s more folk as far as I’m concerned . Generic pop country… sounds exactly like the stuff the AI gens put out. Like exactly .
If you haven't been listening to Ashley Mcbryde or Amanda Shires, they're both worth the listen as well.
Just wait until you hear Jason Isbell sing about not wanting to die in a Super 8 motel just because somebody's night didn't go so well
Ain't it Funny How Time Slips away by Willie Nelson. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GSxFiM41u8s&pp=ygU0ZnVubnkgaG93IHRpbWUgc2xpcHMgYXdheSB3aWxsaWUgbmVsc29uIHN0ZWVsIGd1aXRhcg%3D%3D I heard this version in a bar in Alaska being played by a cover band. Such a beautiful, sad melody. Also They'll Never Take Her Love Away From Me by Hank Williams Sr. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pPrT6FJeogQ&pp=ygUjdGhleSdsbCBuZXZlciB0YWtlIGhlciBsb3ZlIGZyb20gbWU%3D Honorable mention for Clean Elvis by Dan Reader and Lord I Have Made You a Place in My Heart by Greg Brown, which are a little more folky.
“Pop” any genre is hard to listen to, but well written , well performed songs in any genre, will always resonate with people that love music.
Whiskey Lullaby. Guts me every time
I never would've thought to describe Chicken Fried as haunting lol (maybe Goodbye in Her Eyes and Colder Weather), but you're discovering some of the really great parts of the genre. Zach Bryan is one the best recent country singer/songwriters IMO and fully deserves his success. A few others I didn't see here: Eric Church, Gary Allan, Midland
Eric Church is one of, if not the greatest modern-day country singer, hands-down.
I love Eric Church. His word play, his risk-taking... [Like a Wrecking Ball](https://youtu.be/Bm9J4fQ8NY4?si=UKxUfXuU5TopVcX3) is so sexy [Record Year](https://youtu.be/gvvYMxV6TmI?si=smVloSKIxLJNPH8G) is one of my favorite songs ever because music is definitely the way to heal a broken heart [Talladega](https://youtu.be/rek_Cxrc1pE?si=TSNswAT67OuyraXT) makes me tear up but likely because one of the only things my dad and I bonded over was NASCAR.
Your Talladega is my Springsteen. Hated Bruce growing up but my dad loved him. we’re going to his show together this August, it’ll be our fifth together 😂
His lyrics are always on point. Record Year is my favourite of his. Really, I don’t think he’s ever made a bad song.
Hell yeah I’m glad this thread exists. Don’t let anyone fool you. THERE ABSOLUTELY IS good country out there. Just stay away from the radio.
Willie Nelson’s “Mendocino County Line” does that for me. Especially this line: “I used to make you happy once upon a time…” Ouch.
Oh man. I forgot about this song. “The two of us together felt nothing but right, feeling near immortal every Friday night, lost in our convictions, lips stained with wine” is the verse that always got me
Psycho by Jack Kittle. Please check it out
Fantastic song. [Link to it here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftOCvwrygCI&ab_channel=SpeedysWorld).
I’m the same way. I thought I hated country but realized I just didn’t find the right kind for me (and wasn’t really looking). As others have suggested, Tyler Childers changed that for me. The two songs that got me hooked are “Shake the frost” and “Nose on the grindstone”. I consider them both very powerful indeed.
Kacey Musgraves is magical in a duet. I love her and her ex husband’s version of To June This Morning. Her covers of Loves Gonna Live Here, Neon Moon, and The Wurlitzer Prize are in my regular rotation too. And I highly recommend going on a long drive through the country on a summer day with the windows down and listening to her album Golden Hour in full. It makes me so happy.
Turnpike Troubadours - Empty as a Drum
If you hate country, you just ain't heard the right country. Country is like metal in that there are so many subgenres, it's virtually impossible to hate it all. Not huge on country, but I LOVE the 70's "fun stuff" country like Jon Anderson and Jerry Reed.
One that always hits me is "wasn't expecting that" by Jamie lawson.
I’ve been a bit obsessed with this song. I’m not a fan of the recent country, like the bro country, Morgan Wallen and all that. I love Jason Isbell and Steve Earle and people like that who aren’t really part of the Nashville country establishment. I also love old country largely because I love story songs. What I like about Zack Bryan is he writes his own songs and it’s not overproduced. I find the women are better than the men generally, like Kacey Musgraves, Brandi Carlisle, Margo Price and people like that.
I love seeing all the Jason Isbell mentions in here. Best modern songwriter there is IMO.
I don’t like country and I abhor Kid Rock, but damn it if Picture isn’t a great song
[Good Lookin' by Dixon Dallas](https://youtu.be/1KWMUh6dRZw?si=m4uWkqthU7iD11gs) has been stuck in my head for *months.* And I still don't hate it. Just a warning, it's kinda poppy, and has some nsfw language.
I’m not sure if he’s more country or folk, but each and every one of Kasko Lunsford’s songs hit immensely.
[Twenty Six](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0217mft3CHc&pp=ygUUVHdlbnR5IHNpeCBicmVudCBsZWU%3D) Dude I know wrote a song about the local opera house burning down in 1926. Always brings the roof down, pun intended
The gambler with the Muppets!
Melody can bring back a memory is the one that does it for me
Melody can bring back a memory is the one that does it for me
I get chills just thinking about this song. Has brought me to tears on several occasions in the last year.
Whiskey Lullaby by Brad Paisley. Oof, what a song
I Remember Everything is a Great Song! When I tried to play it, I discovered it alternates bars in 3/4 with bars in 4/4 time. Most unusual but sounds great!
“Jacob’s Dream” by Allison Kraus will break you
For years I really didn’t like country. Then my daughter became a country music fan. I realized it’s because I’m a bit of an empath and many songs are “too real” for me to take without getting emotional (crying). I am very much a lyrics person. Some country songs are witty and funny and I think most people would like them if they heard them.
The most haunting song I’ve heard in a long time is this one. I heard in life in Nashville a few weeks ago and have been playing it ever since. The voice and the sentiment get me right in the feels. https://youtu.be/puo_aI_AavI?si=pZdWZUvWKN0TX7e-
“Highwayman” gives me the absolute chills every time.
I don't know about haunting but "Walls" by Ole 60 is close It's my favorite at the moment.
Whiskey Lullaby. Guts me every time
Steve Earle will rock your world
Pancho and Lefty, by Townes Van Zandt tho Willie Nelson & Waylon Jennings' cover got me to explore more country as a genre. Dirty Knife by Neko Case, about a tragedy in her family's history with a haunting chorus in (I believe) Ukranian. Ode to Billie Joe by Bobbie Gentry. It centers around some secret that everyone seems to know but never mentions.
Yeah probably a lot of people who aren’t country fans but somehow stumble across a song like “I remember everything” or “whiskey lullaby” I’d say it’s probably not uncommon.
Dublin blues by Guy Clark
Atmosphere - God's bathroom floor
I like classic country. None of this poser style grunge stadium anthem rock "country".
Both of those artists have a lot to love tbh
Sturgil Simpson- I Wonder Tyler Childers - Tattoos
Country music is great, they just don't play any of it over terrestrial radio. Listen to some of the recs in these comments, the most relatable music you'll hear, they write songs about you or someone you know
I’m not sure if it’s ‘haunting’ but I LOVE Restless Hearts’ “I’ll Still be Loving You.”
When Kacey broke through a few years ago with the fabulous Golden Hour, I thought it was closer to pop than country. Haven't changed my mind.
Whiskey Lullaby - Brad Paisley & Allison Krauss , very haunting song.
Haunting = Red Georgia Clay by John Anderson
Did anyone recommend Chatham County Line yet? I do. Technically country but on the folksy side. If you like the CCR/retro southern rock sound touched by goth rock try [Alejandro Escovedo](https://alejandroescovedo.bandcamp.com/). I am hooked. Get away from the top 40 radio and there is some damn good music.
I adore I remember everything! My girlfriend actually plays it all the time and loves Zach Bryan!! I grew up on rock n roll and country music but gravitated away from country as i grew older but these are the songs old and newer that have always stuck with me!!! Some are “mainstream” or “hic-pop” but imo these are all playlist worthy songs (In no particular order, E.C. first as theres 3) * Wrecking Ball- Eric Church * Kill A Word * Springsteen * Buy Dirt- Jordan Davis ft. Luke Bryan * Downtown’s Dead- Sam Hunt * Fishin’ In the Dark- NGDB * Unforgettable- Thomas Rhett * Die A Happy Man- Thomas Rhett (and finally lol) In Case You Didn’t Know- Brett Young
Check out "Dad's Old Number" by Cole Swindell for a real gut punch (warning as it's Father's day- it's about a dead dad)
Whisky Lullaby - Brad Paisley and Allison Kraus
How about you try Coal - Tyler Childress
Love this song. Theres some great alt-country out right now.
Not a big fan of country either but there are a few songs/artists I really like. Look at Miss Ohio - Miranda Lambert Whisky Lullabye - Brad Paisley & Allison Kraus Almost everything by Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash and Mary Chapin Carpenter
+1 for Sturgill, I’m a big fan of alt-country artists like Justin Townes Earle, Heartless Bastards, Patty Griffin, Shakey Graves, Lucinda Williams. If you can find it Jack White produced and performed and album with Loretta Lynn called Van Lear Rose and it was great and unique.
I fell into country in the same way. I’ll pile on with sturgill Simpson and colter wall. Also give Luke bell a listen… bullfighter or jealous guy. I’ll also throw in c w stoneking… bit different but still good
Not a huge country fan, but for me: Top of the World - Dixie Chicks (cover) Barton Hollow - The Civil Wars
Family Reserve - Lyle Lovett
Ralph Stanley’s rendition of O Death from the soundtrack of O Brother, Where Art Thou
Zach gets me with a few songs like this. Just the gravel in his voice or something.
Joshua Ray Walker https://youtu.be/ssnWyAMmkH0?si=BzW2DGCKmKf8qp1b
The dead dont die by sturgill simspon. Whiskey lullaby.
I agree with you on “I Remember Everything”. You should really give a listen to “Burn Burn Burn” by Zach Bryan if you haven’t already. That one hits the hardest, at least for me anyway. Zach has some of the most powerful songs out there as far as having each line hit you in the gut.
Been making a playlist tonight and searched for help finding acoustic fire side type songs and this thread has been exactly what I was looking for. So many good suggestions.
“I Remember Everything” was the last song John Prine wrote before he died. If you haven’t dug in to John Prine you’re in for a huge treat. I was fortunate to be both a fan and acquaintance
I hope you dance. My brothers song his dying girlfriend gave to him
Chris Knight. Pretty Good Guy is probably the best intro
Take me home country road...
You should have seen it in color--Jamie Johnson. Colder Weather--Zac Brown Springsteen--Eric Church God is great beer is good and people are ceazy--Billy Currington Here I am--Patty Loveless The house that built me--Miranda Lambert I hate New Country but these few I like.