Thanks to Morgan Wallen, country music’s popularity has surged
Newer sounds and stars are drawing young audiences to celebrations of rural living
The first songs branded “country” were recorded in Atlanta and sold in 1923. In the century since, Americans have danced and sung to country music with gusto, often sporting stetsons and boots. But today the genre is breaking new records. In August three country songs claimed the top slots on the Billboard Hot 100, America’s singles chart. It is the first time that a trifecta of country songs has reigned since the chart was launched 65 years ago.
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This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “From honky-tonk to TikTok”
Culture September 9th 2023
- Thanks to Morgan Wallen, country music’s popularity has surged
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- Lots of people mourn when famous writers and musicians die. Why?
- Zadie Smith’s new novel revives a 150-year-old court case
- A history of the papacy and its relationship with Rome
- Trevor Noah’s tour spotlights South African comedy
From the September 9th 2023 edition
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