As the 1970s unfolded, country music evolved further away from its traditional roots. Texas artists like Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson adopted an outlaw aesthetic influenced by Gram Parsons.
Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn show their chemistry as well as the world-weary charm that would cement them as country duet icons. This song showcases this fantastic duo.
Honky-tonk
Honky-tonk country music is its purest form, focusing on working-class life as seen through drinking, cheating, death and loneliness – often depicted by rough nasal vocals that may or may not feature melodies of drinking or cheating – often set against themes such as drinking, cheating, death and loneliness. Popularized during the 1940s and ’50s by Hank Williams, Lefty Frizzell Ray Price Ernest Tubb (all with hit songs that made charts across America); then in the 70s John Prine and Kris Kristofferson gave honky-tonk another dimension with emotive yet heartbreaking and humorous tales of love lost and found through songs.
Honky-tonk music can be identified by its distinct combination of banjo or fiddle with strings and an uptempo shuffle beat instead of traditional swing feel found in previous decades. Honky-tonk songs tell a tale and create a sense of place; many hit records during the ’70s revolved around poverty-related hardships but others explored lost loves, economic distress and alcoholism as themes.
Crystal Gayle was one of the most beloved country stars of the 1970s and had several hits during that era, including her most notable one: “Don’t Make My Brown Eyes Blue,” which became a crossover hit, appealing to both country and pop audiences alike. Since its original release, other artists including George Jones have covered it.
Johnny Cash was one of the biggest country stars during the 1970s. His performances were heavily influenced by neotraditional country, and he wrote many memorable honky-tonk tunes of that decade. Additionally, Johnny helped develop what is now known as Bakersfield sound: an energetic yet gritty style developed in California town Bakersfield during 1950s and 60s by artists from Bakersfield; it typically involved twin Telecasters played through Fender amps to produce high-energy riffs reminiscent of Buck Owens (known as Baron of Bakersfield), Merle Haggard, and Webb Pierce among its major proponents.
Honky-tonk saw its popularity decline slightly during the ’70s as rockabilly and country-pop became more mainstream; however, elements of honky-tonk remain an integral part of country music today; in any establishment that offers live country music performances, you will likely hear some form of honky-tonk music.
Outlaws
In the 1970s, country artists who shunned Nashville’s traditional sound and became known as Outlaws saw great success. These singers used self-reflection, humor and desperado pathos in their music to convey their rebel lifestyles; often their songs covered subjects such as drug busts, divorce and deaths of friends.
Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson are among the greatest Outlaws in country music history. By challenging standard business practices of Music Row and fighting for artistic rights they became some of the first artists to break away from its strict Nashville production formula and find success as they went.
According to the author of Turkey In The Straw, these musicians rebelled against the recording industry’s unwritten rules regarding song length, meter, lyrics content and recording studio methods. Instead they wanted to produce music they enjoyed rather than what producers believed would be commercially viable.
This loosely defined movement profoundly affected Nashville and country music as a whole. Though without an official name, its influence can be felt today through artists like Hank Williams Jr., Kris Kristofferson, Gary Stewart and Waylon Jennings who defied convention in both music and life, shaping modern country music through their actions and battles.
One of the key aspects of Outlaw Country music is its emphasis on personal freedoms. Furthermore, traditional themes like the American West, rambling and family have been enhanced through its presence. Waylon Jennings’ song “Ladies Love Outlaws” stands as an iconic representation of Outlaw country while Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison’s track “Cocaine Blues” tells an archetypal tale of revengeful husband.
Today, modern country singers like Sturgill Simpson and Jamey Johnson continue to push the limits of Nashville with their rebellious lyrics and their signature brand of Outlaw country music. On Friday, The Hall of Fame in Nashville will debut a new exhibit called “Outlaws and Armadillos”, that honors these artists and showcase their impactful legacy in Music Row and country music overall.
Women in country music
One of the greatest successes of country music in the 1970s was that women could make a name for themselves as artists and leave an indelible mark in country music history. Female artists led by Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell were influential pioneers who helped pave the way for other country stars and left an incredible legacy that will not soon be forgotten. Men dominated country music at this time while their platinum hair and miniskirts stood in stark contrast to early singers wearing prim buttoned collars and floor length skirts worn during earlier era singers’ earlier career days. Notable female country musicians include Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and Barbara Mandrell among others.
Loretta Lynn came onto the scene as one of the pioneering female country artists of her era with her iconic hit Coal Miner’s Daughter; it captures perfectly what life was like as a working class woman at this time and became one of her biggest successes ever. Loretta remains one of the great female country artists of all time and remains one of its foremost ambassadors today.
Emmylou Harris was another incredible female country artist of the 1970s, making an impactful entrance into country music in early 70s through her work as a talented folk musician. Her songs were moving and emotive – If I Could Only Win Your Love and The Seeker were huge hits among both country music and pop audiences.
Harris was also a pioneer of country rock and was able to forge her own style that blended different musical genres. Her songwriting skills were unrivaled and voice was unsurpassed, creating music which stood out among its peers and made an impressionful statement about who she was as an artist.
Other country stars of the 70s included Barbara Mandrell and Crystal Gayle. Mandrell was an accomplished crossover performer who enjoyed great success both within country music and pop music environments; her most successful song Rose Garden hit number one in both categories simultaneously. Crystal Gayle stood out amongst her peers due to her distinct and distinctive voice – her music was fun, whimsical, and had its own unique style that set it apart from any other female country artists of that era.
Country music in the 1970s
The 1970s marked a period of transformation for country music as a new generation emerged. Young artists enjoyed more carefree performances compared to their predecessors but still loved traditional country tunes. Country songs began crossing over onto pop and rock radio stations during this time, and female country singers with deep rural backgrounds who could yodel, croon, and sing high and low notes became famous during this era.
The top country stars of the 1970s were an eclectic blend of outlaws and traditionalists, from Loretta Lynn’s revolutionary songwriting about working-class struggle to Tom Petty’s powerful “Coal Miner’s Daughter”. Some artists even won Country Hall of Fame status during this era; their songs often addressed important societal issues through music. Many renowned country music artists – Loretta Lynn is one of them! She wrote and sang songs highlighting this struggle to her millions of fans worldwide; some even received awards like membership into Country Hall of Fame status; some even became Country Hall of Famers! PBS honors!
Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard were two notable stars who did not abide by Nashville’s establishment rules, shredding their leisure suits and growing out their hair to give country music its rebellious image that it needed at that time.
Dolly Parton rose to stardom during the ’70s as one of country music’s premier singers, known for her heartfelt songs about love and heartache that were expertly delivered with her amazing vocal talent. Some of her hits included Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You”.
Parton has also proven herself an accomplished songwriter, having written many hit songs for other performers. Her prolific writing skills have won her numerous awards during her career.
Tanya Tucker’s rendition of Bette Midler’s Delta Dawn song proved to be an enormous hit and helped her rise to the top of country charts. This moving tune tells the tale of a woman who remains faithful in love despite many setbacks.
Conway Twitty was one of the most beloved male country stars of the 1970s, and his song “Hello Darlin'” became an international standard that is regularly covered by other artists. It tells a tale about a woman who has given up her dreams in favor of living her life serving patrons at her bar every night – arriving promptly every night and serving faithful customers until closing time.