What is Texas Country?
The divide between Texas and Nashville Country. Find out what makes Texas Country a genre that transcends location.
The genre “Texas Country” refers to a subgenre of country music originating from and most common in the state of Texas. Texas Country is a fusion of Neotraditional Country- classical hardcore country with an emphasis on instrumentals (Alan Jackson, George Strait, Toby Keith) and Outlaw Country- country music from the ‘70s and ‘80s with outspoken, independent themes (Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings). Texas country was also influenced by Tejano music and Red Dirt Country, a country subgenre which comes from Oklahoma and North Texas.
Interestingly, my boyfriend, a Texan, told me that Texas country singers don’t have to be from Texas, they could be from Oklahoma or even elsewhere in the South. Likewise, not all country singers from Texas are Texas Country singers. If it’s not the location per se, what is it that truly defines Texas Country?
Texas vs Nashville Country
The Texas Country genre is actually distinguished by its independence from the corporate Nashville country music scene. Texas country stands out because of its anti-Nashville associations and its rejection of pop influences that are common in what we usually think of as country music today.
The boundaries of country music today are highly debated. Due to the cross-over influence introduced into country music by groups like Florida Georgia Line, and of course, the infamous “Old Town Road” , many die-hard country fans see the new country music as a threat to authentic country, and fear that the country scene has lost touch with what it’s really about, and instead is fading into the realm of pop culture. On the other hand, modern pop and hip-hop influences can help country music reach more people and appeal to larger audiences.
For those who want a return to authentic country music, this is where Texas Country comes in. Texas Country seeks to appeal to a much smaller audience, rather than the country as a whole. Thus, the themes and style are more specific and localized where Nashville country is much more mainstream, generalized, and less truly “country”. Texas country is also more instrumental, gritty, and has a stripped down sound while Nashville country is also more electronic, synthesized and auto-tuned.
Though the two genres have many of the same country themes like faith, the working class, and drinking, it comes across as much more authentic in Texas Country because the singers are actually from that background whereas in Nashville they are national (and sometimes international) celebrities. Nashville country also has themes of excess, like partying, drinking, and vehicles, and glorifies that lifestyle. Consider the music of Morgan Wallen, Jason Aldean, and Blake Shelton. Texas Country on the other hand, tends to promote the value of simpler life in order to encounter what really matters, like in Waylon Jenning’s famous “Luckenbach, Texas”.
Essentially, as my boyfriend explained it, Texas Country is the indie genre of country music and refers more-so to the style, type of singer, themes, and overarching independence rather than the location. There is nonetheless a strong theme of Texas in many of these songs, partly because the Lone Star State out of all places has always embodied the ‘independent state of mind’.
Characteristics of Texas Country
Instruments
Texas country has a simpler sound than modern radio country and always includes acoustic guitar. Other instruments include the distinctive steel guitar, electric guitar, twang guitar, bass guitar, and often fiddle or piano.
Themes and characteristics
Common themes of Texas Country include the working man, state pride, devoted love, heartbreak, loneliness, transportation, and freedom. Often, there are witty or slightly humorous undertones.
Texas country has become one of my favorite genres of music since going to Texas for college. Something about the songs is inspirational and uplifting, even the sad ones. Overall, they have themes of hard work, down-to-earth values, and motifs of the American landscape.
Texas Country Playlist
The following songs are all considered Texas Country and may also fit multiple genres like Neotraditional, Outlaw, or Red Dirt Country.
Texas In 1880 - Foster and Lloyd
Wave On Wave - Pat Green
Amarillo By Morning - George Strait
Neon Moon - Brooks & Dunn
Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys- Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson
Come Back Down- Flatland Calvary
Comal County Blue - Jason Boland & The Stragglers
Live Until I Die- Clay Walker
Outta Style - Aaron Watson
Buy Myself A Chance - Randy Rogers Band
17 - Cross Canadian Ragweed
Oklahoma Breakdown - Stoney LaRue
My Hometown - Charlie Robinson
Meet You In The Middle - Parker McCollum
Mamma Song- Cody Jinks
21 Days - Cory Morrow
Me And My Kind - Cody Johnson
The Road Goes On Forever- Robert Earl Keen
She’s Like Texas - Josh Abbott Band
The Bluest Eyes In Texas - Restless Heart