Although I was raised by a former cowgirl mother and a country-loving father, I have been a lifelong hater of country music. Growing up, every time I heard that twang come on the radio, I would roll my eyes and cover my ears. I used to tell people, “All country music is just men talking about beer, girls and trucks. It’s too simple.”
But a couple years ago, my music aficionado younger sister took up country music. It started with the occasional Morgan Wallen song and eventually grew into a major portion of her playlist.
At first, I resented it. Over time, I started to enjoy how much fun she had listening to country songs. She would put on her best Southern accent and belt out lyrics like she was the one who wrote them. I started feeling the urge to join in whenever she took the aux.
For a while, I had a moral dilemma every time I sang along. I always thought country was nationalistic and monotonous. Suddenly, singing along to “Knockin’ Boots” and “When it Rains it Pours” became a guilty pleasure.
Part of this change in taste is because I used to view country music as an exclusive club of mostly white “all-American” men making a culture of music only they could relate to. Over the last few years, the stark lines of who is allowed to participate in country music have been blurred.
We all remember Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” spending 19 consecutive weeks on top of the Billboard Hot 100. Lil Nas X has since turned out to be a multi-genre talent who breaks the country mold.
I have listened to Shaboozey since 2017, long before he broke the internet with “A Bar Song (Tipsy).” I don’t think I viewed his album “Lady Wrangler” as country back then. Now, he’s a country sensation.
Beyoncé stepped into the arena in the spring. Her album “Cowboy Carter” made her the face of American patriotism during the Summer Olympics, when she welcomed the Paris Games with a commercial in Cowboy Carter form.
Post Malone’s recent album “F-1 Trillion” was inundated with features from country royalty. The pop star’s energetic and emotional performance paired beautifully with the career country vibe.
It’s not all banjos, fiddles and trucks anymore — country music is not limited to one brand of listener. Frankly, I think country music as a genre has gotten more enjoyable since I was a little girl wishing my dad would turn off 107.3 FM Mountain Country.
Sometimes I still find myself skipping the less-than-20 country songs I have on my playlist. I mostly save enjoying country for time with my sister. When we do listen, I am not ashamed to say that I give the songs my entire vocal capacity like I am headlining the Country Music Awards.
I still believe country music comes with controversy. The stereotypical ideal country is supposed to be is hardly inclusive yet. But as the genre continues to welcome progress, it will earn my ear.
Graphic by Livi Davis.