Neotraditional Country

Description

Neotraditional Country is a subgenre of country music that emphasizes traditional instrumentation and vocal styles, often featuring fiddles, steel guitars, and a honky-tonk influence. It is characterized by its return to the roots of country music, with a focus on storytelling and authentic, heartfelt lyrics.

History

Neotraditional Country emerged in the mid-1980s as a reaction to the pop-influenced sounds that dominated country music at the time. Artists in this genre sought to revive the traditional sounds of country music from the 1950s and 1960s, drawing inspiration from legends like George Jones and Merle Haggard. The movement was spearheaded by artists such as George Strait, Randy Travis, and Reba McEntire, who brought a renewed focus on classic country themes and sounds.