Country music’s soundscape is evolving. While bro country is alive and kicking with artists like Hardy, new sounds are emerging thanks to singers such as Luke Bryan and Cole Swindell.
Enjoy all this and more from the world of country music with KPBS Passport, our video streaming service designed for members who support $60 annually or more. Find out more now!
Chris Janson
Chris Janson first made a name for himself as an accomplished songwriter for artists such as Tim McGraw and Justin Moore, but over time has developed into one of country music’s most captivating total-package sensations, capable of drawing standing ovations at Grand Ole Opry and engaging listeners through his emotive songs such as Buy Me a Boat’s hit single “Buy Me a Boat”, as well as songs such as Fix A Drink,” Drunk Girl,” and Good Vibes that touch upon various emotions as well.
While Janson may draw inspiration from classic country acts like George Strait and Trace Adkins, his signature baritone voice and harmonica solos make his style truly his own. Additionally, his captivating live shows give audiences an unforgettable experience each time they catch him live!
Janson’s first two full-length albums, Buy Me a Boat and Everybody, both reached the Top Ten on Country charts. Everybody featured several notable guest appearances from Keith Urban and Duff McKagan among others. With Halfway to Crazy he pays homage to classic country with songs celebrating both hard work and celebration of success – in an age when Bro-Country music seems increasingly out-of-fashion, Janson proves there’s much more than meets the eye in country music than cheap beer and commercials alone!
Jason Aldean
Jason Aldean is one of the most influential country artists today. He has won multiple awards and continues to sell records at an impressive pace, as his music appeals to a range of fans from different generations of country fans and his concerts are always energetic and captivating. Additionally, his reputation as hard worker inspires other artists.
He hails from Macon, Georgia and was born February 28, 1977. At three, his parents divorced and he spent summers living with his father in Homestead, Florida. While still young he began performing at local talent shows and venues. Later, in order to differentiate himself from other country artists with similar names he changed his stage name to Aldean (a play on his middle name).
Aldean had almost packed his bags to return to Georgia when Michael Knox, producer for Wildhorse Saloon approached him and gave him the opportunity to perform at one of their showcases – something which ultimately paid off tremendously as Aldean signed with independent label Broken Bow Records and his career has since taken off like no other!
Aldean is an iconic country artist. His albums showcase the wide-ranging genre. On his latest record, My Kinda Party, Aldean collaborated with Nashville’s finest songwriters to craft his unique sound – including cultural references in themes and influences while remaining distinctive in terms of voice quality and musicianship.
Brad Paisley
Brad Paisley is one of the most celebrated country musicians today. His songs often include clever humor and his guitar playing is exceptional. A member of both Grand Ole Opry and CMA Awards ceremonies, Paisley is also a respected figure within his community – being an avid supporter and author. With wife Kimberly Williams-Paisley opening The Store in Nashville as a free grocery store serving those in need!
Brad has an unparalleled talent for storytelling through his lyrics, constantly pushing the limits of country music with each album he releases – even his 2008 instrumental album Play was incredible in itself! Since his debut he’s sold over 11 million albums worldwide, and earned 23 number one hits.
Paisley has an incredible talent for narrowing in on topics that seem too broad or obvious; his song “Be the Lake” demonstrates this perfectly, offering clever suggestiveness while never crossing over into sexual content; an uptempo song about eyeing up girls will have you singing along in no time! Don’t miss this great tune that will get your voice singing along right away.
Luke Bryan
Luke Bryan, born to Georgia peanut farmers, spent his youth immersed in country music – playing guitar and forming bands at bars nearby his Georgia peanut farm. Thanks to his hard work ethic he gained entry into Nashville where he learned his audience while developing the skills that would propel him into becoming one of country music’s biggest stars of 2010.
His songs capture the everyday life of small-town Southerners from hunting and fishing to drinking beer in their backyards. Bryan’s lyrics will likely strike a chord when celebrating a win on the field or grieving over losing a close friend; whether celebrating victory on the pitch or mourning their departure.
As Luke Bryan continues his rise in country music, he remains committed to helping others. He supports charities like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and hosts his Luke Bryan Farm Tour that raises money for farmers.
Bryan has proven his musical versatility through songs with party-hearty country sounds as well as those featuring hip-hop elements, like ‘That’s My Kind of Night.’ By doing so, Bryan demonstrated how having songs with these elements does not compromise traditional country sounds; rather it gives country music room to expand into arena rock and R&B without losing its charm or soul – an expansion which has enabled Bryan to sustain such an extended career in country music.
Kenny Chesney
Kenny Chesney has become one of the biggest icons in country music, making his sun-kissed anthems and emotive ballads a fan-favorite for fans across all generations. Though initially taking some time to find his groove, Chesney ultimately cemented his place on the charts through 2000’s Greatest Hits as well as 2002’s quadruple-platinum No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems which launched a string of Billboard number one albums that continued right through 2020’s Here and Now.
In 2008, Chesney experienced a serious setback during a performance in Columbia, South Carolina. While performing his song Poets and Pirates, Chesney’s boot got trapped between a hydraulic lift and lip of stage surface; crushing his foot completely while leaving severe hematologic injuries from ankle to toe. Yet, despite all this drama, the singer continued performing without missing a beat until closing time of show!
Chesney’s injury inspired him to make changes in his live performances that are designed to reduce potential hazards, while still giving fans ample stage time with him onstage – this has earned him great favor among audiences and increased his popularity.
Shania Twain
Shania Twain stands out as a true crossover superstar. The Canadian singer-songwriter holds one of the top sales among female artists worldwide and her songs have become iconic girl power anthems; Come On Over remains the top-selling female album in music history to this day. Additionally, she was one of the pioneers of country/pop/rock hybridisation that would influence subsequent acts for decades afterward.
Twain was raised in Timmins, Ontario after her parents divorced and her mother remarried Jerry Twain – an Ojibwe tribal member and later adoptive stepfather who would subject them to emotional, physical and sexual abuse from him; music would later help her overcome these traumas while becoming successful despite various tabloid scandals surrounding her life.
Twain’s impact on country music remains evident today, with contemporary artists like Carrie Underwood and Kelsea Ballerini both crediting her as an influence. Additionally, Twain may have helped pave the way for Taylor Swift, who has taken Americana worldwide. Twain and her producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange were pioneers of cross-genre production by offering fans multiple versions of an album depending on whether their taste lay with country, pop or rock; each disc included different production and instrumentation demonstrating her music’s adaptability.