Neotraditional Country

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Neotraditional country, also known as "new traditional" country, is a country music style that rejects most elements of modern Top 40 country music. Neotraditional country emphasizes the instrumental background, and often even the dress and fashions, of country music of the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s. Some neotraditional artists are frequently associated with the alternative country movement.

Contents

1 History
2 Neotraditionalism vs. Alternative Country
3 Artists Considered Mainstream Neotraditional Country Performers
4 Artists Considered Alternative Neotraditional Country Performers

History

Neotraditional country was born as a reaction to the perceived blandness of mainstream country music, and is a stylistic throwback to a time when virtuosity and musical integrity were more important than image. New (or "neo-") traditionalism looked to the elders of country music like Ernest Tubb, Hank Williams and Kitty Wells for inspiration, and was a precursor to the more general categorization known as New country.

In the mid-1980s Ricky Skaggs, a picking prodigy who took his inspiration from Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley (Skaggs was a Clinch Mountain Boy as a teen), went against the tenor of the time and helped bring country back home to its roots.

The old was not only new again, it was a welcome relief. Skaggs was not alone, however. Artists like Randy Travis, George Strait or the The Judds used vintage musical stylings, covers of classic country material, and carefully crafted vocal delivery to help bring New Traditionalism to the vanguard of country music for a time.

In 2000, George Strait and Alan Jackson recorded a song titled "Murder on Music Row" which spoke directly to the rift between neotraditionalists and new country artists. Among the lyrics are brazen barbs at the Nashville establishment such as "Someone killed tradition and for that someone should hang."

Neotraditionalism vs. Alternative Country

Though believed by many, Alternative Country is not the same as Neotraditional country. Alternative country artists reject mainstream country music completely and generally have a more rough sound. On the other hand, many Neotraditional Country artists are considered "mainstream" musicians (George Strait, Alan Jackson, Randy Travis...) that merely adhere to a more "traditional" and "pure" country sound.

Furthermore, many Alternative Country artists are even heavily influenced by punk and rock music, something that is completely rejected by real Neotraditional country music, which is rather influenced by folk and bluegrass music.

Artists Considered Mainstream Neotraditional Country Performers

Artists Considered Alternative Neotraditional Country Performers

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