Year: 2021

“That isn’t country.” How many times have you heard a song and had someone with you say that? Probably anytime artists like Luke Bryan have come on. The truth of the matter is no artist is safe from this, as even Kane Brown doesn’t think Johnny Cash or Merle Haggard is country. Here at “Beats, Beer, and Bonfires” we aren’t going to try to decide what country music is because the reality of the genre is that it isn’t one genre anymore. Ryan Upchurch and a few others have recently created country rap. Luke Bryan is probably the king of pop-country. Justin Moore recently has turned to a traditional 90’s sound. That is only the tip of the iceberg, as bluegrass, Texas, outlaw, and Americana are all subgenres under the country umbrella. To judge if a song is country here, we are looking for just a straightforward thing. Does the song tell a story related to the everyday blue-collar worker? This might seem like a simple thing to accomplish; however, it is something that a lot of artists miss the mark on right now.

           First off, people will be pissed off sometimes on this site. Artists such as Luke Bryan, Cole Swindell, and Florida Georgia Line will be recognized as country artists. This does absolutely not mean we are calling them George Strait because that isn’t the case. The case is that as gimmicky as some of their songs can be, they do attempt to make music that can be related to blue-collar folks. (More to follow) This doesn’t mean that everything on the radio today is country. For example, Dan and Shay don’t make songs for blue-collar people; they make it for pop radio. (See more about this here) We aren’t going to produce articles that slander the names of artists we don’t think are country. Dan and Shay are amazing singers, but they aren’t country. That’s why we are making separate sections for separate subgenres. Wanna read about George Jones but not Morgan Wallen? Then just go to the classic country section. The reality is that we can’t drive the genre, but we are going to separate what we think is good from what we don’t like. It’s up to you to separate the content you like and read that.

           Now that we have decided what is and isn’t country, we will determine what are and are not good country songs. “Chillin it” by Cole Swindell isn’t a George Strait song. We recognize that, but if you have never driven in your pickup truck with the windows down jamming to that song, then you haven’t listened to it the right way. This is a country song that is a jam. It might be checklisty and pander to a specific audience, but that’s ok because sometimes those songs are what we need in life. “Dirt Road Anthem” is a country song with a rap in it, but around a bonfire, it is what you want to hear. No one ever says this, so I am going to; ITS OK TO LIKE COUNTRY JAMS. Sometimes you aren’t in the mood for a song like “Hurt” by Johnny Cash because you don’t want to be sad. Music needs balance, and many of the best jams today are the ones that people often say isn’t country. So finally, this is someone saying, go out in your truck, crank up whatever your guilty pleasure is (Mine is Thomas Rhett), and jam out because it is ok.

           The other part of country music, and the ones that all the people who claim nothing else, but this is country, is the real storytelling songs. My current favorite example of this is “Maggie’s Song” by Chris Stapleton. If you have ever had a dog that you love die, and you want to have feelings, go listen to “Maggie’s Song.” Another example of this “Die from a Broken Heart” by Maddie and Tae. It has all the elements of an excellent traditional country song, from the instrumentals to the heartbreak story and the detail in the writing. These songs are designed to make you feel closer to George Strait than Florida Georgia Line. “Remember When” by Alan Jackson is a love song. Still, it isn’t a song like “Worship you” by Kane Brown, which is just over the top and is about putting a girl above religion. Jackson sings a song about nostalgia and the natural growth of a relationship. He tells a story about two people growing up together, getting married, breaking each other’s hearts, and mending that. Then they have kids, grow old together, and are celebrating life. That is a country love song.

           Country music is different for every person, and that is what is up for you to decide. Do you think that Ryan Upchurch, rapping about growing up in rural America, is country, despite hip hop beats and delivery? Do you believe that nothing is country after the turn of the century? Do you agree with me and think that Luke Bryan is country, just not cut from the same cloth as the widely regarded greatest country artists? We are not here to tell you what is and isn’t country; we are here to support the music and artists we love. Right now, country music is at a historical crossroad, and the artists that audiences really stream online, and support are the ones that might start the next country music generation.

Artists today are trying to look for ways to make profits in ways besides music. Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, and Dierks Bentley, among other things, have opened restaurants and put out alcohol to make money. However, some artists don’t have that sort of brand yet to pull off, so they look at other ways to have a side hustle. Jon Langston started pushing his farm, Ozora Farm, on Instagram last April, as an outdoor escape for his family, friends, and other recognizable names. He sells merchandise for the farm, with donations from that going to the Live to Hunt foundation. The Ozora Farm is a fantastic way for country artists to get out into nature, show off their outdoorsman skills, and increase their creditability as country people.

Jon Langston isn’t on the fast track to success like some artists seem to have been lately, and that is a shame for fans of rock-influenced country music. Langston started making music in 2013 when he played small bars and frat parties and has been organically growing a loyal fanbase from his experiences. He released songs like “All Eyes on Us” and “Right Girl Wrong Time,” which are both really good but never really made any noise since they were released independently.

Finally, Luke Bryan came along and offered Langston a record deal, so his music could be more widely heard. The debut single under Bryan’s label was “Now You Know,” which peaked in the mid-’30s but is an absolute jam. His follow-up single, “Happy Ever After,” is another rock-influenced song but should be able to get higher than his last single. Langston has released songs here and there, but his fans really crave the full-length album, which will hopefully come out in 2021.

Ozora Farms first popped up on Instagram last April, about a month into the pandemic. At first, the page posted about merch, but soon after, Langston started showing pictures of the game he killed on the farm. He has killed turkey, coyote, deer, and duck throughout the past eight months while also catching bass in the pond on the farm. The progress of goats and ducks that Langston grew has been documented as well. Langston looks to continue to grow the Ozora Farm brand, and as his music career progresses, it will be cool to see what the farm can become.

Although we couldn’t find exactly where the farm is located, multiple pictures were tagged with Tennessee. As a result, it seems like Langston should have plenty of special guests drop by, and he hasn’t disappointed. Morgan Wallen was the first artist to appear on the Ozora Farm Instagram page. Wallen had a beer in hand and a fire in the background. A few days later, Travis Denning and Mitchell Tenpenny were at the farm, unsuccessfully turkey hunting. In the music video for “Damn, I Need a Dirt Road” (a great song) featuring Langston at the Farm. The members of Lanco stopped by at one point to hang out recently as well. With the farm being in Tennessee, expect to see more stars head out to the farm as well.

2020 seemed to be the year of collaboration on social media. TikTok stars have the hype house where they get together and make videos together. Some Nashville-based artists came together to form the 615 house, where they do the same thing. However, likely, none of them will actually have successful careers besides their online following. As a fan of people who do the things I do, I want to see the Ozora Farm turn into something like that. I want to see Travis Denning fishing and Langston out hunting deer. I want to see Morgan Wallen fishing by day and shotgunning beers by night. Music is much more enjoyable when you support genuine people you feel you know on a more interment level. Good work Jon Langston and keep up the excellent work. Below you can take a look at the farm in the music video for “Damn I Need a Dirt Road.”

            The following information is straight from a Houston Bernard press release. I didn’t write any of it, but I feel comfortable sharing it because I have seen Bernard live and think he is fantastic. Bernard played in the Comix Roadhouse at Mohegan Sun a few years back. Anyone could tell by his stage presence and how well he entertained that he just didn’t fit into playing a small bar. Bernard belongs on bigger stages, and I enjoy seeing how he works his way up. I was sold when he started playing Cody Johnson, who is a more prominent name now, but at the time was a hidden gem from Texas. His latest song, “People We Are,” is a super relatable song; anyone who reads this page knows about the hardworking grassroots people Bernard is singing about. Enjoy the rest of the information from Houston and listen to his entire discography.

“I write a lot of my own music but I’m always open to recording others and when my manager asked me to listen to this song I knew it was right for me,” HOUSTON BERNARD says of his latest track, “People We Are,” which was released today due to growing demand and after the song’s popularity on Social Media.  After sharing clips of the single on TikTok and other social media channels, Bernard began to see a growing number of fans sharing, requesting, and relating to the song. “People We Are” is written by Kim Penz (Lady Luck Publishing) and Cole Taylor (Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan, Cole Swindell) The single was produced in Nashville with Bill McDermott (George Strait, Tim McGraw, Vince Gill, Billy Currington, etc)  “To me this story upholds all the philosophies and ethics of the Bernard family, growing up on the farm in Oklahoma generation after generation my Dad’s family was all about these standards: Doing the right thing, being self-sufficient, living within their means, and building something that will stand the test of time.” The song is now available worldwide on all streaming platforms and was added to New Music Nashville Spotify Editorial Playlist.  Listen to “People We Are” here. 

“People We Are” has that traditional country music sound, with relatable lyrics and catchy hooks, such as “We’re a little bit of hell yeah, and a little bit of amen” and, “a whole lot of work hard and throw in a little bit of playing.” Bernard is no stranger to hard work. His family, originally from Norman, Oklahoma grew up on a farm and were also musicians. “My dad told me that when he was growing up on the farm, they were still using an outhouse when he was a small boy and eventually putting their own plumbing and electricity in the home. They had a large farm in Norman Oklahoma. It was a small community at the time and my father was still going to a one-room schoolhouse. It seems like that would be 100 years ago but it was not.”

This isn’t the first time the Boston based singer-songwriter has achieved success through social media or radio. Bernard’s first single, “American Dream” charted on both New Music Weekly and Music Row and held the #1 spot on radio in the central region for 6 weeks on New Music Weekly. The music video was featured on CMT, and news outlet Country Rebel. That video can be seen on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDGoJ0L2HYE.

Houston Bernard is already carving a path to success, having already released a number of popular singles. The talented singer offers a blend of relatable lyrics, powerhouse vocals, and a touch of twang. Several of those singles have been nominated for The New England Country Awards and the Josie Awards.

As Bernard continues to grow a loyal fanbase, his ultimate goal is to perform at the Grand Ole Opry and Stagecoach Festival, as well as to tour nationally. Houston has shared bills with country superstars like Luke Bryan, Old Dominion, Granger Smith, Montgomery Gentry, Marshall Tucker Band, and Clint Black.

With his previous releases, Bernard has already accumulated over 450k+ streams and is looking to break that number with this song. “I’m proud to carry the same hard work ethic and outlook into my life and music. Quality over quantity and I’m proud to represent the Bernard family and I think this song does just that. I’m hoping others will connect with it as I have and I’m blessed every day to be able to share my music with anyone who will listen.”  And people are listening. In fact, New England Country Music Blog said Bernard is on the fast track to becoming a contender for great country music today. His sound, a little bit country, a little bit rock-n-roll, has attitude and depth.”

Follow Houston on his musical journey on his various socials, including Instagram, Spotify, Facebook, and Apple Music.

Drew Green is an up-and-coming artist that you need to know about. If you haven’t heard of Drew Green, look him up right now. The first time I saw him on Apple Music, he gave me Chase Rice vibes. When I listened to him for the first time, I got Florida Georgia Line vibes from Green. He is definitely cut from that cloth, he probably isn’t going to release a George Strait type song, but there’s still plenty of room for him in the genre. Green dabbles in a sound between radio-friendly and country hip hop. Green is signed to Cornman Music, which is associated with Warner Chappell Nashville.

Green really got his name on the map, ironically with Florida Georgia Line. He wrote “Colorado” with Hardy and Hunter Phelps. Hardy, we have mentioned many times as one of the top writers in Nashville right now. Phelps has penned several hits as well, so the fact that Green has worked his way up to getting in the room with them is a testament to his skill. “Colorado” never got to the radio, but FGL put it into their setlists on tour, and it was a great moment in the show.

Green released his debut EP, Dirt Boy Vol.1, last year, and it has some absolute bangers on it. The first song and single from the EP is “She Got That,” which is featured on many charts such as Today’s Country on Apple Music. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this song pop up on the country airplay chart, as it infuses how much Green loves a girl with a cool beat. The EP’s second song is “Woods,” which sounds like a Florida Georgia Line hit. The song’s wordplay is fantastic and gives me personally Hardy vibes, which is a massive compliment to Green’s writing. One of my favorite lyrics of the many I like is “5, 4, Dale, 2, 1”, a reference to Dale Earnhardt. I don’t know if I have ever heard Dale dropped instead of the number three, but I really like it. The song has all the bro-country music elements, which is fine because the world needs them, and this song sounds really good bumping from the truck speakers.

The third song is “Little More Be Alright” which is a slowed-down song about growing up and living life. It starts out with Green taking care of animals and then going fishing. The song’s chorus talks about how he is happy with everything he has, but a little more would be alright with him. This sentiment is cool to me because people often glorify not having a lot to write music, but for people who have been there, this song should hit differently. It makes sense to me because people who work there assess off to make it by usually do the most essential jobs, but at the same time, why do it if you don’t have to? 

“Fine by Me” should hit for anyone who has a girlfriend who likes taking rides around. This is one of my favorite things to do with my girl, so I quickly clicked with it. Sometimes it just doesn’t matter what you do; whatever she wants to do works. The first verse of the song hit so hard for me.

“Go one and flip the station. I don’t like that new stuff like you like that new stuff but, I know you gonna change it, and that’s fine by me; we’ll be rollin’ up the windows, trying to keep your hair down, trying to keep the dust-out…”

           I think every guy with a pickup has been in this situation; when we go for a ride, I have Alan Jackson on; usually, it gets changed to Morgan Wallen really quickly. It’s a perfect song for that Friday night where you are just happy to do nothing as long as you are with your girl.

           After a brief interlude, Green breaks out “Dirty Money,” a country rap song. The song is more “Dirt Road Anthem” than Ryan Upchurch. I like the idea behind “Dirty Money” because it has a very work hard play challenging theme to it. I think that it sounds really good with the windows down. It is similar to “Woods” in my opinion, only it rocks a little harder, and it is more about doing shit with the boys than being with a girl. The lyrics are the opposite of “money doesn’t grow on trees,” money actually does grow out on the farm. You just have to go out and get it.

           The EP’s final song is “Right Where I Be,” which is an upbeat love song about how Green is happy as long as he is with his girl. He is ok with blowing off a party to go out into the country and be with his girl. This is another jam song, not as heavy as “Woods” or “Dirty Money” but still works with the windows down. The song’s music video features a former “Bachelor” contestant Danielle Maltby, which doesn’t hurt the song. The song deserves more praise than I’m currently giving it, but go listen to the entire EP. Drew Green is coming, and I cannot wait to see it unfold.