BIG FROG 104 » country music history

Southern Rock Bands Influence Todays Country

Matt Herkimer — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 14:08:29 +0000

Ask many of today's hot country artists who their influences were and, unlike past era's, not many are likely to reference "Old Hank" and Merle. The artists that influenced many contemporary artists such as Zac Brown and Eli Young tend to be more country-rock than pure country and include many of the great "southern rock" bands of the 70's and 80's. Here are a few of the truly great ones.

Country Music Then and Now

Matt Herkimer — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:28:44 +0000

While working out this morning I was listening to one of my cassette tapes (OK, I can hear the snickering) and heard "Waterloo" by Stonewall Jackson. I started thinking about how different country music was 25, 30 or more years ago. Today's country artists are influenced more by pop or southern rock artists like the Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd than Merle, Patsy, Loretta and "Old Hank". Then, the music was aimed primarily at an older blue collar and rural audience while today it crosses over countless demographics. Just look at the list of number one country songs from 1986, a mere 25 years ago.

Number One Country Songs On This Day In History [VIDEO]

Matt Herkimer — Mon, 02 May 2011 13:50:36 +0000

Music provides the soundtrack to our lives. A song can instantly bring on a memory, maybe an old flame, a happy time in your life or some other special occasion. Here are some of the chart toppers on this day, May 2, in years past. See how many you remember and then enjoy watching the late Marty Robbins do a classic number one from 1961.