I was thinking about what the first "country" artist I found through Chorus and I'm pretty sure it was Sturgill after reading @Craig Manning's review for Sailor's Guide. I remember being blown away after my first listen and needing to find more music that sounded like that.
I don't mind saying I like country, but I know I tend to want to distance myself from the country genre / establishment when shit like the Morgan Wallen situation happens and then he's right back on country radio. That makes me want to have nothing to do with 'country' ever again and I can see wanting to say Americana after that. It becomes a whole thing and much more than just the music. I love banjos in my music though. Whenever a banjo shows up in an Avett Bros song or old Band of Horses I lose my shit. Love me some banjo.
Still one of my favorite reviews I've written. And, fun fact, the first new review ever published on Chorus.fm after it launched.
My view is that this type of music is closer to country than most modern radio country. I'm also a fan of broader genre inclusion
He’s playing stadiums and arenas and his openers include Jason Isbell, Turnpike Troubadours, and Sheryl Crow. Insane.
Wait, hold up - Jason Isbell is opening for him??? I was under the impression that Zach Bryan was opening for Jason Isbell...
Zach Bryan is never gonna play anything smaller than a stadium or large amphitheater for a long time. Isbell plays like 6k rooms I’d guess (at least in Indy). He’s famous but not like mega star famous.
Isbell is more respected than famous imo, and he has a slightly broader audience than many country/folk-based songwriters.
I don't pay super close attention to this type of thing, but I definitely would have guessed it was the other way around. Huge fan of both of them though.
I understand Isbell’s reputation, and it’s rightfully deserved, but in todays market there is no world where Zach is opening for him. He’s just massively popular right now.
I’m just glad he’s bringing out Isbell on tour. A good thing. 27 years old, so music ahead. Seems to have a really solid head on his shoulders. Honestly feels too good to be true some times. Very exciting.
The pop stans seem really mad about this, though. Seeing a lot of "Does anybody even know who this is?!" reactions online, I think from Taylor/Doja Cat/Miley stans.