On Thursday, the 18th of January, I had the pleasure of interviewing a variety of people about the topic of today’s country music. I interviewed two current sophomores of Tahoma High School along with one of the English teachers, Mr. Tucker. This group of three is a very diverse but very much alike behind closed doors. This group all claims to listen and be interested in the same genre of music but some had a different opinion than others.  The conversation that was lead included a series of questions and answers about the thoughts of older and less hip-hop sounding country music between the three people;

Do you like today’s mainstream country, or do you prefer older country?

Jaiden: “Today’s country music is my ‘ish’”

Hunter: “I prefer older country music”

Mr.Tucker: “Older”

Have you heard of the term pop country? And if you have what do you think about it?

Jaiden: “Yes I like it. I think it’s a good mix of two good genres.”

Hunter: “Yes very much so, and I think it’s ruining country music today, and it’s getting confused as real country and the young minds of today are getting brainwashed”

Mr.Tucker: “I think it exists, but I don’t listen to it much, but if I’m really listening I want something with poop on the boots.”

Do you think today’s mainstream country music sounds too ‘poppy’ or ‘less country’?

Jaiden: “It sounds good”

Hunter: “I have to agree with that statement that it is too ‘poppy.’”

Mr.Tucker: Yes, country at its roots is a reflection of wide open spaces and hard working people, and it’s getting ruined with glitter and glam.”

What do you think of Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Sam Hunt, whose music is commonly referred to as ‘pop country’?

Jaiden: “I really like them, Sam Hunt is my favorite country artist.”

Hunter: “I despise them very much, and I think they are ruining country music and passing it as something that isn’t country.”

Mr.Tucker: “If people want to buy it they can cause it’s a free market, but I’ll hold on to my early 90’s crusty country.”

Do you like new artists like Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, Cody Jinks, Jamey Johnson, and Tommy Ash, are trying to bring back real country music and fight against pop country?

Jaiden: “I haven’t heard of any of them.”

Hunter: “Yes I have, I enjoy them very much, they are the only new people I listen to. I enjoy Chris Stapleton and Jamey Johnson very much.”

Mr.Tucker: “Chris Stapleton, it’s back to the original, it’s new but reflects some of its old roots.”

Do you ever listen to older artists such as Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Merle Haggard, or Hank sr. or Hank jr.?

Jaiden: “Johnny Cash, yes.”

Hunter: “Yes I do. I would say they take up 90% of what I listen to. My father has influenced my taste very much.”

Mr.Tucker: “All of that. I grew up listening to that, my dad has about 2 feet of vinyl records. I was raised in Fort Worth, Texas.”

At the end of the day, out of the three people questioned, 2 of the three believed that today’s country music should not be defined as ‘real’ country music. Performing these interviews is a good way to step back and realize how in today’s world, not many people have the same interests and most have finally accepted that it is okay to be different, even if it is something as simple as music taste. While I personally prefer older 70’s country music, I understand why people can enjoy newer country music so much. It takes a true older, more classic soul to understand the history and importance of older country music.  While all country music is different than others, it is a good way to express oneself. Whether it be newer country music, showing that one is more modern styled and hip, or older country music having an older soul, all music impacts people in different ways and makes them who they are today.

Sophomore Jaiden Noel, 16 years old

Sophomore Hunter Beddingfield, 16 years old

English Teacher Matt Tucker, 50 years old

Interviewer Jace Sheridan, 16 years old