2019: It’s Time for Music Row to Open Their Eyes

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Welcome to 2019! How great was 2018 for Country Music? Such an amazing year with releases from longtime fan favorites, breakthrough artists, and debuts. We witnessed the artists from the Texas music scene release one stellar album after another, we have west coast artists that are stamping their name on the country label once again, women in the industry are making their voices heard and refusing to be told how to make their music, and we have my lovely state of Kentucky with amazing artist after amazing artist coming to light and making some of the biggest waves in the industry. The underground scene in Nashville has been a breath of fresh air with local events (Honky Tonk Tuesday Nights, Bluegrass Wednesdays, etc) and artists are making a name for themselves at these shows. We had the rise of Tyler Mahan Coe and his, universally acclaimed, podcast ‘Cocaine & Rhinestones’ and Chris Shiflet has continued his work at giving artists a platform on his podcast ‘Walking the Floor’. None of these things are what they are without the people that weren’t ashamed to voice their displeasure with the direction that the country music industry had been headed. We have seen an amazing influx of great music steadily for the last several years, but it’s at a boiling point now and I believe 2019 is the year that Music Row doesn’t just listen, but starts acting. I understand that these artists play music because they love it and that is why their albums come out so genuine and relatable, but they also deserve a piece of the pie. They’re touring nonstop, taking time away from friends and family, just to stay afloat. I’d love for these musicians to finally be played on local radio stations across the country and be able to reach a more diverse audience. I understand the hate for corporate radio, but I also understand the fact that it’s still how most people get their music daily. My hope is that there is a breakthrough in the way songs are played on the radio and that money from a big label is not the driving force it once was. It’s a big hope, but I firmly believe that Music Row is finally starting to see the shift in their, once tried and true, methods. I’m thankful for artists that demand attention from everyone, but refuse to sell their souls, for a record deal and a paycheck, and I believe that attitude is going to pay off. Sold out venues, rave reviews, and the genuine and down to earth connection these artists have with us, the fans, is what will carry them on for years to come. I’m looking forward to 2019, I want to see this culture continue to grow and change the way outsiders view country music and I don‘t think we could ask for a better crop of artists to lead the way.