Lately, it seems like controversial country artist Gavin Adcock is getting a taste of his own medicine. Recently, country artist Charley Crockett mentioned Adcock while going on a tangent about the state of country music, and it feels very reminiscent of Adcock's rant about Beyoncé a few months back. It seems like everyone is tired of this saga, including Aaron Watson, who told the country singers to "duke it out" with a real fight.
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It all started in June, when a slightly intoxicated Adcock shared his thoughts on the "Cowboy Carter" album, and, spoiler alert, none of them were positive. He addressed the fact that his upcoming release sat below Queen Bey's on the charts, and got on his soapbox to tell fans how he really felt. He told the crowd, "You can tell her we're coming for her f***ing a**. That s**t ain't country music, and it ain't ever been country music, and it ain't gonna be country music."
Now, Charley Crockett, a neotraditional country singer-songwriter, is coming for Adcock with his own opinions. On August 19th, he shared on Instagram that he didn't think Beyoncé was the problem.
Crockett shared on social media, "Hey, country folks. @beyonce ain't the source of your discontent. It was 25 years of bro country." He even referenced Morgan Wallen, saying, "The number one country artist on earth listens to nothing but rap. Openly says he doesn't really know any country music. Gotta respect his honesty."
Crockett was referencing a recent interview where Wallen shared that he doesn't really listen to a lot of country music. While on This Past Weekend With Theo Von, he said, "I don't listen to country music a whole lot. I think I've always kind of been that way."
Adcock and Crockett's Internet Feud Continues
Things got a little sticky when Crockett went on to defend Beyoncé. "The machine points to a black woman who's making a statement about marginalized people being removed from the conversation altogether, and somehow we all act like the entire pop industry didn't just ambush roots music. These 'country boys' have been singing over trap beats for years."
Then, calling out Adcock, Crockett preached, "I don't need to put down a black woman to advance my music. That's just embarrassing to the idea of America, and I got no respect for it."
If you thought it ended there, think again. Gavin Adcock has never been one to hold back a personal opinion.
On his Twitter account, a little bit later, Adcock called Crockett a "cosplay cowboy" and shared this statement. "Somebody needs to tell the "act" that let out (the cover) of James Town Ferry 6 times, he should just work on letting out quality original music. I got more cowsh*t under my pinky than you have seen your whole f***ing life. Hank sr called and asked about the cosply cowboy."
Charley Crockett hasn't said anything in response to this, but Adcock has had no problem calling him out further, even going so far as to call him his "dipsh*t of the week" on Instagram. Although this debate was seemingly no longer just about country music, the question of "real country music" remained unresolved. That is, until country singer Aaron Watson decided to step into the ring and give his input.
Watson Tells Adcock and Crockett To 'Duke It Out' in the Boxing Ring
Aaron Watson, whose claim to fame is making the first-ever country record to chart at No. 1 independently, weighed in on social media. His response was to tell these country boys to "chill the flip out."
Watson said, "I am so blessed, and I get to do this for a living. And that's what I want to say to Charley and Gavin." Watson said, "Y'all get to do this for a living! Stop pissin' in each other's Cheerios and talking about who has the bigger...hits."
The independent singer went on to discuss his experiences working with "bro country" singers like Luke Bryan and Thomas Rhett, and how his perspective has evolved over the years. "What [working with them] made me realize is at the end of the day, whether you're a hip hop artist, a rap artist, a pop artist...we're all just trying to make a buck so we can put diesel in the bus and diapers on my babies. So Gavin and Charley, you guys kiss and make up because that's what Jesus wants you to do. Or put on the boxing gloves, and y'all should duke it out for charity."
We haven't heard a response from Gavin or Charley, but we must admit that seeing them in the boxing ring would be fun, and it'd certainly give a little more meaning to all of this arguing. As long as there are Gavin Adcocks and Charley Crocketts in the world, the question of what "real country music" is will probably continue; however, maybe Watson is right - the petty insults don't have to.
Photo By: Getty / Joshua Applegate
