Cowboy Boots and Bass—the New Country

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Country music is not a singular expression. It is a compilation of many influences reaching back many decades that at times has converged into uniformity, only to burst at the seams into a kaleidoscope of musical expression. We seem to be amid one of those harmonic detonations. Many of today’s country music artists are expanding the genre to include elements of hip-hop, R&B, punk rock, and pop, creating sounds that are at once twangy, nostalgic, and unexpected.

As country expands and seeps into other music genres, it’s attracting a diversity of artists and fans from the far reaches of the globe. Of course, there was the release of Beyoncé’s Country Carter album, but that was only one of many worthy crossover attempts. Mainstream rock artists, such as Celtic punkers the Dropkick Murphys, have also released country ballads and collaborations with industry icons. Meanwhile, traditional darlings, such as seven-time Grammy winning artist Kacey Musgraves, are making efforts to make music that is inclusive of a wider audience. After all, what is more country than the bold exploration of new frontiers? Briefings introduces the artists kicking up dust on the old country road.

• Frank Ray
  With high-spirited performances, this crossover artist is resonating with both English- and Spanish-speaking audiences.
• Waxahatchee
  Singer-songwriter Katie Crutchfield, was raised in Alabama with musical roots in punk, blends Americana and 90s indie rock.
• Billy Strings
  His music is a tie-dye explosion of soul, jam-band bluegrass, colorful rock flourishes, and psychedelia. 
• The War and Treaty
  The husband-and-wife duo is earning Grammy nominations and Billboard Top 100 glory by blending gospel, blues, and country.
• Try the Pie
  Led by a Tongan-American vocalist, this band intertwines Polynesian influences with country melodies and poetic lyrics.
• Denitia
  CMT has called this Texas-born and New York-influenced roots artist one of the next women of country.

Photo credits: smodj, DenisTangneyJr/Getty Images