You may not be familiar with what red dirt country music is. Per Wide Open Country, "...Red Dirt music is classified by a rebelliousness, a refusal to bow to Nashville standards. It is a fusion of musical stylings, often heavy with rock, blues, and folk." To me, that sounds very reminiscent of the outlaw movement pioneered by Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, and Johnny Cash.
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Like red dirt music, it was a reaction to the slick commercialism and superficiality of the Nashville establishment. In a way, both movements circled country music back to its original earthy, homespun roots. Here are some classic and contemporary proponents of the red dirt sound you should be aware of.
Bob Childers
Per the Oklahoma Historical Society web site, "Robert Wayne 'Bob' Childers is often called 'the godfather of Red Dirt music' or 'the Dylan of the dust' for his primary role in establishing the Red Dirt genre of Oklahoma music." This subgenre tends to be nostalgic and sometimes wry, with a decidedly small-town sensibility. It is safe to say that Childers put his stamp on the music of Oklahoma. He is enshrined in a trio of Halls of Fame - the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, the Woody Guthrie Festival Music Hall of Fame, and the Oklahoma Music Awards Red Dirt Hall of Fame. Scores of notable singers have covered Childers' songs.
Hudson Westbrook
Per Holler, Westbrook "is leading the way when it comes to neo-traditional, red dirt country...." His breakout track was "5 to 9," which, thanks to TikTok, helped to establish his music industry and popular reputation. According to texaslifestylemag.com, this gifted young man has come a long way from being a Texas Tech student who was employed in a Lubbock feed store. Westbrook emphasizes his authenticity. "I want the people who knew me prior to this to know I am still the same person I was before. It's always going to be very important to me to stick to my roots."
Stoney LaRue
LaRue is a Texas native who grew up in Oklahoma. Per his web site, he is considered "a cornerstone of the Red Dirt and Texas Country music scenes." LaRue's standout LPs such as Velvet, Aviator, Onward, The Red Dirt Album, and Us Time put a sheen on his exceptional reputation that has endured for years. Per allmusic.com, LaRue's music has been called "rootsy," "swagger[ing]," and "moody." You could also add words like "powerful" and "gutsy."
Wyatt Flores
Per the Grand Ole Opry web site, Flores, ho is 24, takes a surprisingly fatalistic and world-weary stance about life - and death. He speaks like someone much older than his years. "I'm only getting one chance at life, so I try to be present. There's more to existence than what the average person experiences. Death is always riding in the passenger seat... I choose to be friends with it." The New York Times declared that Flores' "superpower" is "tapping emotions."
