Country pop is a fusion genre of country music and pop music that was developed by members of the country genre out of a desire to reach a larger, mainstream audience. Country pop music blends genres like rock, pop, and country, continuing similar efforts that began in the late 1950s, known originally as the Nashville sound and later on as Countrypolitan. By the mid-1970s, many country artists were transitioning to the pop-country sound, which led to some records charting high on the mainstream top 40 and the Billboard country chart. In turn, many pop and easy listening artists crossed over to country charts during this time. After declining in popularity during the neotraditional movement of the 1980s, country pop had a comeback in the 1990s with a sound that drew more heavily on pop rock and adult contemporary. In the 2010s, country pop metamorphosized again with the addition of hip-hop beats and rap-style phrasing.
Racheal Lynn Woodward, better known as RaeLynn, is an American singer and songwriter who was a contestant on The Voice in season two (2012). She was eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Maren Larae Morris is an American singer and songwriter. Rooted in the country genre, her music blends in elements of pop, R&B, and hip hop. Morris has won multiple accolades including a Grammy Award, an American Music Award, five Country Music Association Awards, and five Academy of Country Music Awards.
"My Church" is the debut single by American singer Maren Morris. It was released in January 2016 as the lead single from her first studio album, Hero (2016). Morris co-wrote and co-produced the song with busbee. The song won the award for Best Country Solo Performance and was nominated for Best Country Song at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.
"H.O.L.Y." is a song recorded by American country music duo Florida Georgia Line. It is the lead single from the duo's third studio album, Dig Your Roots, which was released on August 26, 2016. The song was written by busbee, Nate Cyphert, and William Wiik Larsen. "H.O.L.Y." was first released on April 29, 2016 by Republic Nashville.
American singer-songwriter Maren Morris has released six studio albums, five extended plays (EPs), twenty-four singles, nineteen music videos and has appeared on seven albums. Her first three studio offerings were issued on independent labels, beginning with 2005's Walk On. It was followed by If That's All It Takes (2007) and Live Wire (2011).
"80s Mercedes" is a song recorded by American country music singer Maren Morris. It was released in June 2016 as her second single. She co-wrote and co-produced the song with busbee during a session where they traded ideas about its title and the numerous influences from that era. "80s Mercedes" peaked at numbers 11 and 12 on both the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts respectively. Also, it reached number 74 on the Hot 100. The song was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and has sold 236,000 units in the United States as of January 2017. It also charted in Canada, peaking at number 17 on the Canada Country chart. It received a Gold certification from Music Canada, denoting sales of 40,000 units in that country. The accompanying music video for the song was directed by Alon Isocianu.
"Craving You" is a song recorded by American country music singer Thomas Rhett featuring Maren Morris. It was released to country radio on April 3, 2017 via Valory Music Group as the lead single from Rhett's third studio album, Life Changes, which was released on September 8, 2017. The song was written by Dave Barnes and Julian Bunetta. The song is notable for its cinematic music video.
Ryan James Hurd is an American country music singer and songwriter. In addition to writing number one singles for Blake Shelton, Lady A, and Luke Bryan, Hurd has recorded for RCA Records Nashville.
"The Middle" is a song by Russian-German record producer Zedd, American country music singer Maren Morris, and American musical duo Grey. It was written by Zedd & Grey alongside The Monsters and the Strangerz & Sarah Aarons with production handled by the former three. The song was released commercially for digital download and streaming on 23 January 2018 by Interscope Records. It reached the top ten of the charts in the US, the UK and several other countries. It was nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.
"Rich" is a song recorded by American country music singer Maren Morris for her major-label debut album, Hero (2016). Morris co-wrote the song with Jessie Jo Dillon and Laura Veltz, and co-produced the track with busbee. It was released to American country radio on February 12, 2018, through Columbia Nashville as the album's fourth and final single.
"Homesick" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Kane Brown. It was released as the third single to his second major-label album, Experiment, on August 5, 2019. Brown wrote the song with Brock Berryhill, Matt McGinn, and Taylor Phillips, and it was produced by Dann Huff.
"Girl" is a song recorded by American country music singer Maren Morris for her second studio album of the same name. Morris co-wrote the song with Sarah Aarons and its producer Greg Kurstin. It was released to American country radio on January 18, 2019 through Columbia Nashville as the album's first single. The song has been certified platinum in the United States and double platinum in Canada.
"To Hell & Back" is a song recorded by American country music singer Maren Morris. It was released on March 30, 2020 as the third single from her second studio album Girl. Morris wrote the song along with Jessie Jo Dillon and Laura Veltz.
"The Bones" is a song by American country singer Maren Morris, released by Columbia Nashville on February 22, 2019, as the second single from her second studio album, Girl (2019). Morris co-wrote the song with Jimmy Robbins and Laura Veltz, while production was handled by Greg Kurstin. It serviced to hot adult contemporary radio on May 20, 2019. A sleeper hit, "The Bones" peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 the following year of its release. It became the second-most successful country song of that year in the US. The song has also received quadruple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and septuple platinum certification by Music Canada (MC).
"Homemade" is a song recorded by American country music singer Jake Owen. It was released in June 2019 as the third single from his sixth studio album, Greetings from... Jake.
"I Hope" is a song recorded by American country music singer Gabby Barrett. She released the single independently following her third-place finish on season 16 of American Idol. It led to her signing a deal with Warner Music Nashville, and it was released on July 29, 2019, as her debut single and the first from her debut studio album Goldmine. Barrett co-wrote the song with Jon Nite and Zach Kale, with Kale and Ross Copperman handling production.
"Chasing After You" is a song recorded by American country music singer-songwriters Ryan Hurd and Maren Morris. It was released on February 12, 2021, as the lead single from Hurd's debut album Pelago. The song was written by Brinley Addington and Jerry Flowers and produced by Teddy Reimer and Aaron Eshuis. It peaked at number two on the Country Airplay chart that November.
"Circles Around This Town" is a song by American country music artist Maren Morris. It was written by Morris, along with her husband Ryan Hurd, Julia Michaels and Jimmy Robbins. It was released on January 7, 2022, as the lead single from Morris' third studio album Humble Quest. The song received positive reviews from critics, earning two nominations at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance.
