Country fans have argued about what's real country for decades now. Even in its peak form, traditionalists felt like something was missing from it. Ultimately, I'm not sure how much it matters anymore musically. You're always going to have a difference in taste. Really, it's just a matter of whether or not they come by the genre and lifestyle earnestly instead of cynically. Someone like Waylon Jennings is probably one of the few legitimate sources we had in deciphering what 'real country' truly is. Back in the 90s, he thought the women were reigning supreme.
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In an old interview captured by the Video Stock Archives on YouTube, Jennings dishes on the state of country circa 1995. There, he stresses how the genre exists as 'the basics' and how important it is to keep the core identity of country. "I think country music is a really important thing, but they've got to come back around to what country music has really always been. That's truth. Through history, if you look back at it, every time rock and roll self destructs, they come back to the basics," Waylon explains.
Waylon Jennings Names The Two Female Artists Preserving Country Back in the 90s
Jennings continues by listing three names he felt would still be around, preserving true country. "That's what country music is... the basics. I think they are going to do the same thing with this and there are going to be some good ones. Travis Tritt will still be there. I think Wynonna Judd will be there. And Trisha Yearwood," Waylon says.
Additionally, Jennings particularly highlights the women in country music. He finds that a lot of the guys were either overly concerned with their look or too busy impersonating greats like Merle Haggard. Conversely, he finds the women to convey the truest essence of country. "But the thing is... the girls are not under pressure to be objects anymore. Now, they're finding the great songs and singing them and making the great records," Waylon states.
In fact, I've talked to some of the girls and they've said, 'It's about time' and 'Now (the guys) are on the chopping block. They have to wiggle everything to get people to pay attention to them.' They're laughing about it, a lot of the girl singers," Waylon adds.
