Country music has increased exponentially in popularity in recent years. Thank artists who expand their popularity to TV shows, like Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan. Their roles, along with the global popularity of artists like Morgan Wallen and Lainey Wilson, helped make the genre so well-known.
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Still, singing all the words to "Whiskey Glasses" or "Watermelon Moonshine" doesn't make a true country music fan. These four signs will help distinguish fair-weather fans from those who are true country music fans.
1. They Know The Deep Cuts
A true country music fan knows all of the songs on an album, not just the ones that are the most popular. Like "Jesus 'Bout My Kids," the final track on Bryan's Mind of a Country Boy record. Or, "Good Morning from Mexico," on Riley Green's latest Don't Mind If I Do album, a song he wrote by himself.
Any true country music fan can cite all the songs on a record. And be able to recite at least some of the lyric.
2. They Know the Country Music Legends
True country music fans don't just know names like Waylon Jennings and Dolly Parton. They know their music. Sure, anyone can sing "I'm a Ramblin' Man" or "9 to 5" at a karaoke bar. But what about songs by Reba McEntire, Lee Ann Womack, George Strait, and so many more?
A true country music fan will immediately be able to cite plenty of songs, not just the most noteworthy ones, by artists who helped make country music what it is today.
3. They Know Who Is And Isn't In The Country Music Hall of Fame
Most people assume that if an artist is successful enough, and advanced enough in years, they are automatically in the Country Music Hall of Fame. Only a true country music fan knows that artists like Vince Gill, Garth Brooks and Tanya Tucker are in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
They are also probably a little bit upset that artists like Trisha Yearwood, Jeannie Seely and Keith Urban are not in the Country Music Hall of Fame. Not yet, anyway.
4. They Know The Music Of Independent and Lesser-Known Artists
Most people can quickly rattle off several names of artists who are part of country music. But there is another subculture of country music. This one is reserved only for the most diehard fans, who are just as excited - and maybe more - about the less popular artists.
Artists like Jason Isbell, Ryan Adams, Blackberry Smoke, Margo Price and more can sell out places like the Ryman, and even larger venues, without ever having a radio hit or a major record label deal.
