Why is Country music so popular in a left of center country?

[Anonymous]

Alexandria Va lifelong resident here and I love all kinds of music including country.

SXM Channel 56, The Highway, is where I discovered Sam Hunt and Maren Morris. I loved Dixie Chicks, Reba, Clint, and Martina growing up. Love Taylor Swift’s older music (Mean, Red, Sade and Siund) as much as her newer music.

Mainstream country does have a pop quality to it now but I like it. Lady A, Sugarland - don’t love all their songs but quite a few catch my ear.

I despise Trump and country isn’t political to me. It’s rooted in storytelling and folk music. My favorite songs tap into common themes of love, loss, and strength.

Just do you and stop conflating and confusing things.

[Anonymous]

^^ Safe and Sound not Sade and Siound

[Anonymous]

Half of country singers are liberals.

Tim McGraw was in town and said let’s sing this song loud enough for “the guy down the street” can hear it. It was humble and kind.

I live country music and I’m most definitely left on most issues.

[Anonymous]

^^^ PP here, almost forgot some favorites including The Wreckers and Maddie & Tae.

I also love Dave Matthews Band, Nirvana and Tool, and The Notorious BIG and Nas. Love Portishead, Radiohead, and Jamiroquai. Love Janet Jackson, No Doubt, and N Sync. Love Mana, Juanes, and Bomba Estereo. Etc etc.

Don’t be so shallow

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It does seem like a very large number of country music fans, don't fit the stereotypical demographic of being a red-neck. I'm wondering what the appeal of the music is.

Beer? Partying? Relaxing?

That's the only things I can think of. I have lots of liberal, non-redneck relatives who love country music and go to lots of concerts each year. It seems like the tailgating before the concert is just as much a part of the experience as the show. Kind of like sports. Which, now that I think about it, those relatives are also huge sports fans.

Maybe it's just a party mentality? Like, M-F they are buttoned-up professionals in the corporate world, but then the weekend comes and going to a country concert is an excuse to get drunk and let loose?

I've been to plenty of non-country concerts and with the except of Jimmy Buffet, there's really no pre-gaming/tailgating at those shows.

[Anonymous]

You know that suburbs white kids fueled the popularity of 90s rap right? Music knows no boundaries.

[Anonymous]

The lyrics are better written and more fluid. There is a strong storytelling element to county music and the production allows you to hear the lyrics being sung more easily than most pop songs.

Country isn't just big in the US. It's popular in Canada, Australia, parts of the Caribbean, and more.

[Anonymous]

This country is not left of center. Where are you getting that from?

[Anonymous]

Have you ever been anywhere besides your bubble?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you ever been anywhere besides your bubble?

Not to mention your obvious stereotyping, I don't think you are even aware how this looks, your messaging that is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Half of country singers are liberals.

Tim McGraw was in town and said let’s sing this song loud enough for “the guy down the street” can hear it. It was humble and kind.

I live country music and I’m most definitely left on most issues.[/quote

This is a vast overstatement

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It does seem like a very large number of country music fans, don't fit the stereotypical demographic of being a red-neck. I'm wondering what the appeal of the music is.

Beer? Partying? Relaxing?

That's the only things I can think of. I have lots of liberal, non-redneck relatives who love country music and go to lots of concerts each year. It seems like the tailgating before the concert is just as much a part of the experience as the show. Kind of like sports. Which, now that I think about it, those relatives are also huge sports fans.

Maybe it's just a party mentality? Like, M-F they are buttoned-up professionals in the corporate world, but then the weekend comes and going to a country concert is an excuse to get drunk and let loose?

I've been to plenty of non-country concerts and with the except of Jimmy Buffet, there's really no pre-gaming/tailgating at those shows.

Interesting. That would certainly explain the appeal more than the music. Kind of like the Grateful Dead. No way do I believe that most of their fans really liked their music. The appeal was dropping acid at the shows.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous[b wrote:]The lyrics are better written and more fluid. There is a strong storytelling element to county music and the production allows you to hear the lyrics being sung more easily than most pop song[/b]s.

Country isn't just big in the US. It's popular in Canada, Australia, parts of the Caribbean, and more.

But the twang. Ugh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you ever been anywhere besides your bubble?

Actually yes. I'm from southeastern Virginia, and when I was growing up most country music fans were rednecky. It wasn't until the early 90's before it really became mainstream, and I could never understand why. I'm probably more "rednecky" than the vast majority on DCUM, and I can't stand country music. I really can't see why those not from that environment would be into it.

[Anonymous]

aren't a lot of the up-and-comers far less old-school, flag-waving and a lot more inclusive? kacey musgraves, kelsi ballerini, etc.?