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.
Josh Kear is a multi-Grammy Award winning songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee.
Gabby Bernadette Barrett is an American country music singer. She finished third on the sixteenth season of American Idol. Her debut single "I Hope" was the first top 10 Hot Country Songs debut by an unaccompanied woman since October 2017. It became a top three hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been certified 7× platinum by the RIAA. Her debut album Goldmine was released on June 19, 2020. Country Now called Barrett "country music's next female superstar".
"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.
"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).
"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.
Lainey Denay Wilson is an American country singer-songwriter. She performed at an early age, before going to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue a career as a country performer. In 2014, she released her first album on Cupit, followed by a second on Lone Chief in 2016. Wilson secured a publishing deal and later released an extended play (EP) in 2019 which included the song "Things a Man Oughta Know". In 2020, it was issued as a single through the BBR Music Group and eventually reached number one on the American country songs chart.
"Things a Man Oughta Know" is a song recorded by American country music singer Lainey Wilson. It was released in August 2020 as the second single from Wilson's Redneck Hollywood EP and would later be included on her 2021 album Sayin' What I'm Thinkin'. The song was written by Wilson, Jason Nix and Jonathan Singleton, and produced by Jay Joyce.
The discography of American country music singer–songwriter Lainey Wilson includes five studio albums, three extended plays (EPs), seven music videos, 11 singles, and ten promotional singles; she has appeared on two additional albums. While still in high school, Wilson self-released an EP of songs on her Myspace account called Country Girls Rule. In 2014, her self-titled studio album was issued on the Cupit label and was later followed in 2016 by her second studio offering Tougher. The latter disc was her first to make Billboard Top Country Albums.
"Never Say Never" is a song by American country music singers Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson. It was released on November 19, 2021, as the second single from Swindell's fourth studio album Stereotype. Swindell co-wrote the song with Jessi Alexander and Chase McGill, and it was produced by Zach Crowell. It peaked at number one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in April 2022, becoming Swindell's seventh number one single, and Wilson's second.
This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 2022.
"Pick Me Up" is a song recorded by American country music singer Gabby Barrett. It serves as the fourth single from her debut album Goldmine. Barrett co-wrote the song with Jon Nite and Ross Copperman. The official music video for the song premiered on May 5, 2022.
"Heart Like a Truck" is a song recorded by American country music singer Lainey Wilson. It was released in May 2022 as the lead single from her third studio album, Bell Bottom Country. It was written by Wilson, Trannie Anderson and Dallas Wilson, and was produced by Jay Joyce. Described as a "song about triumph", the track has received praise for Wilson's passionate and powerful vocals and for its poignant and raw lyrics. The song reached number 2 for two weeks on the Country Airplay chart.
"Wait in the Truck" is a song by American country music singer Hardy featuring American country music singer Lainey Wilson. It was released on August 29, 2022, as the lead single from Hardy's second studio album The Mockingbird & the Crow. The song is a murder ballad about a male protagonist killing an abuser. It is his highest charting single in the US.
"Thank God" is a song by American country music singer Kane Brown. It is a duet with his wife, Katelyn Brown. It was released on September 12, 2022 as the fourth single from Kane Brown's third studio album Different Man.
Bell Bottom Country is the fourth studio album by American country singer Lainey Wilson. Released on October 28, 2022, by BBR Music Group, the album serves as the follow-up to her third studio album, Sayin' What I'm Thinkin' (2021). It was preceded by the single "Heart Like a Truck". Sonically, the album combines country with elements of '70s rock, funk and soul.
This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 2023.
"Wildflowers and Wild Horses" is a song recorded by American country music singer Lainey Wilson. It was released on November 13, 2023, as the third single from her third studio album, Bell Bottom Country. It was written by Wilson alongside Trannie Anderson and Paul Sikes, and was produced by Jay Joyce. Wilson performed the track live for the first time at the 57th Annual Country Music Association Awards.
"Hang Tight Honey" is a song recorded by American country music singer Lainey Wilson. It was released in May 2024 as the lead single from her fifth studio album, Whirlwind. It was written by Wilson, Jason Nix, Paul Sikes, and Driver Williams, and was produced by Jay Joyce.
