Red Dirt is the label assigned to country bands and artists from Oklahoma and Texas. However, it is a historically difficult sub-genre to define. The common thread that links the bands is more about attitude and location than any sonic marker. Overall, it’s part of the larger country music umbrella. However, the bands may also blend rock, bluegrass, Western Swing, folk, or any number of other influences into their sound.
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Some say Red Dirt is about the spirit of the songs, that harkens back the the lives and values of those in Oklahoma and Texas. Others point to the blue-collar elements of the songwriting within the movement. Whatever it is, many can agree that, at the end of the day, it’s just great music. The bands and artists below showcase both the quality and sonic variety within Red Dirt.
1. Bob Childers
No conversation about Red Dirt would be complete without bringing up Bob Childers. Hailed as the godfather of the movement, Childers grew up in Ponca City, Oklahoma, moved to California to study music at Berkeley, and landed in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Later, Stillwater would become a hub of Red Dirt music and artists.
After releasing his sophomore album, Singing Trees, Dancing Waters, Childers relocated to Nashville, where he recorded a pair of albums. Then, he relocated to Austin, Texas, and continued recording and inspiring local acts. He moved back to Oklahoma in the early ’90s and worked with many of the acts he inspired, including the Great Divide and Jason Boland & The Stragglers.
Suggested albums: Circles Towards the Sun, Nothin’ More Natural, I Ain’t No Jukebox
2. The Great Divide
The Great Divide is one of the many Red Dirt bands to hail from Stillwater, Oklahoma. They released their debut album, Goin’ for Broke in 1995 and have been cranking out great music since then. The band saw a lineup change and a brief hiatus over the years. However, in 2011, the band reformed with its original lineup and continued making top-notch tunes.
After nearly three decades of touring, killer records, and inspiring countless musicians, The Great Divide made their Grand Ole Opry debut in 2024.
Suggested albums: Goin’ for Broke, Break in the Storm, Providence
3. Jason Boland & The Stragglers
Jason Boland & The Stragglers have been making smoking-hot Red Dirt country music for more than 25 years. In that time, they’ve released eleven studio albums and a trio of live albums. Over the years, they have become one of the tightest live bands in the country music world.
Jason Boland & The Stragglers are still touring relentlessly and releasing top-tier albums. Their latest release, The Last Kings of Babylon, dropped in March 2025.
Suggested albums: Pearl Snaps, The Light Saw Me, The Last Kings of Babylon
4. Turnpike Troubadours
Formed in 2007 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Turnpike Troubadours have been making their brilliant blend of rock and country for nearly two decades. Their sound, combined with frontman Evan Felker’s songwriting, has made Turnpike Troubadours one of the most popular Red Dirt bands.
The band made major waves in late 2021 when rumors of their return after a three-year hiatus started to float around the internet. In 2022, they announced a run of shows and released A Cat in the Rain the next year. More recently, they released a surprise album, The Price of Admission, in April 2025.
Suggested albums: Diamonds & Gasoline, Goodbye Normal Street, The Price of Admission
Featured Image by Steve Galli/Shutterstock
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