One of the main physical symbols of country music is, by no doubt of the imagination the cowboy hat. The cowboy hat is such a simple item, yet seemingly holds the spirit of America on its rim. It points back to the past of Manifest Destiny, defines the aesthetic of a stylish patriot, and consequently, it exists as the most iconic piece of American fashion. Well, what else is heavily associated with America’s image? Country music, of course, and as a result, country music and the wild west, in a sense, share a synonymous definition in regards to the cultural history of the United States.
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While American country music and the wild west have a shared and rich history, the paradigm has certainly become a huge marketing tool. That being so, it has also become a bit phony, fake, or inauthentic. However, these three contemporary country musicians go against that grain and take you back to the wild west in a fairly genuine manner.
Colter Wall
Colter Wall is not even American, but far more importantly, he is a true cowboy, as the Canadian country singer reportedly lives on a ranch in Saskatchewan, Canada, per his Instagram. Also, he grew up as a rancher and still is a rancher. Nevertheless, his music matches this lifestyle, as the man’s baritone voice perfectly accents the ballads of rural western life he sings about.
Needless to say, this guy is the real deal, and that is seemingly why he is such an alluring figure in country music. He didn’t just pick up a cowboy hat to try and fit in, and his sound is a product of the cinematized wild west lifestyle. In other words, his music, lyrics, and genuine disposition all point toward the past while residing in the present.
Coleman Jennings
Sonically, Coleman Jennings‘ music harks back to a simpler time. It’s certainly Western country music, but it’s also much more. Hailing from Austin, Texas, Jennings’ music stands in the same light as Texas legends such as Willie Nelson, Townes Van Zandt, and Guy Clark.
Jennings’ music is simple and not overproduced; hence, it has the potential to take you back to the Western frontier. And all those dreams about you riding on a covered wagon looking for a plot of land to settle on just might come true in your imagination.
Charley Crockett
Charley Crockett is a jack of all trades. He is not tied to one genre and can switch between Mississippi blues and Texas country on the drop of a dime. Well, concerning the latter of those two, Crockett has a handful of songs that embody the sounds and stories that transpired during the days of the Wild West.
None of these songs are kitschy or trite. Rather, Crockett makes them with an authenticity that echoes in the finer point of sound and the lyrics. In essence, these songs of his are a nod and a perpetuation of the music and stories that filled the air during one of America’s most transformational times.
Credit: Little Jack Films/Courtesy of IVPR
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