Thursday, 16 December 2021 01:49

WYNN - COUNTRY MUSIC MEMORY LANE - 1990's (Part 2)

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Last week was part one of my series on the 1990's. I hope you've also read the articles I've written about three pivotal years that led to the big 90's boom in Country, 1981, 1986, and 1989, (Click this to get caught up) And Part 1 of this series last week,

The depth of talent we had in those wonderful years was amazing.  Every era has its superstars that lead the way, as did the 1990's.  Garth, Clint, Alan, George, Brooks And Dunn, Shania, McGraw, Faith, Vince, and Martina were the giants of the time. But there have to be others that help drive the popularity. 

Also, there was the amazing genesis of celebrating the country music lifestyle in music.  The fashions that the stars wore became fashions worn in the dance halls and clubs. Line dancing really took off, as did dance mix country songs.  Boots and hats were in. Bonfires were in and suddenly we were all immersed in it.  And the country concert presentation dramatically changed from a universal stationary onstage presence, to gigantic stage shows that are still in vogue today, and still getting better.

The 1990's were loaded with the best stars just outside of superstar status, maybe ever.  Let's look at some more remarkable stars who deserve a whole lot of the credit.  In many cases I've featured them already and I'll link you back to my original article on them.  No order, no ranking - This is three part series and this is part two.  Again, these are the stars just outside of the superstars of the decade that really helped make us great!

Tracy Lawrence - He was a big time hit maker for most of the decade and I have an article planned for him after the first of the year.  His music was heartfelt, country, plus it cut and got right to the point.  Although he really helped the 1990's be huge, in another era with fewer gigantic stars he may have been the decades biggest star.  Great music, 40 hits, eight number ones.

What A GREAT Country Song

 

Jo Dee Messina - Even though she broke through midway through the decade, she wasted no time becoming exceptionally popular. She sang songs people related to and had an energy that was palpable and darn rare.  Her charisma was incredible and her music had a thump. Listeners instantly loved her and with her perfect song choices and relatable image.  She was great for country.

This Song Captures Her Perfectly - And She The Song

 

Tracy Byrd - Make no mistake he was country and he was a player for many years for us.  His music was big on the dance floor, and it always seemed like he had a great song on the radio. I'm From The Country, and Watermelon Crawl are anthems for a huge decade where there were so many great songs. A very underrated career and artist. Big time popular.

What A Great Country Song

 

Mary Chapin Carpenter - Her run on the charts began in 1990 and ran for about half the decade.  I am also going to feature her in January here.  She was a many time award winner from various entities.  She sold millions of albums and had a very large acceptance outside of traditional country.  She was very versatile and gave us music that was unpredictable, which I thought was her strength.  No two songs were ever the same. Sometimes we forget just how much we liked certain artists, and I think she's one of them.

How GREAT Is This Song?

 

Billy Ray Cyrus  -  I know he is polarizing.  But in the 1990's he was a big time player and sold many millions of albums. The Some Gave All album is one of the biggest we've ever had and Achy Breaky Heart was a gigantic song. One of the biggest breaks ever for an artist after the Oak Ridge Boys turned the song down.  There were other singles, and albums that didn't fare as well, but for many reasons he was always visible, viable and brought us a lot of fans.  His appeal was his calling card, and he helped throw open the 1990's flood gates when he debuted in 1992.

This Song Helped Make Him Universally Accepted - Still Get Requests For It

 

Trisha Yearwood  -  I love Trisha Yearwood. I will feature her after the first of the year too.  Perfect voice and knows how to use it still.  Great songs, many hits, a few number ones and extreme relate ability. Approachable, affable, likable, and exceedingly talented.  She never tries to out sing the song, and NEVER tries to impress you with soaring vocals, and needless, overly long held notes.  She fully understands that louder is not better, but that better is better, and she's better.  No screaming or songs that wear out their welcome by being entirely too long.  One of the best singers ANYWHERE still today.

What A Hit - GREAT Debut Song!

 

A YOUNG  Toby Keith -  Hard to remember that he broke through in 1993, and Should Have Been A Cowboy was a number one. But for much of the decade, he was not a huge star. He had good success, a nice following, and a very different look that was nothing like later Toby. But in 1999, How Do You Like Me Now, changed everything forever. His image was new, his look was newer and for the next ten years or so following, he dominated the format. But his roots in the 1900's were important as were Kenny Chesney's. Toby had 4 number ones in the 90's and then 16 in the 2000's. The 1990's was his launching pad.

Different Style And Image - Listeners LOVED This Song!

 

Randy Travis STILL  -  Even though his arrival was a MAJOR factor in country turning a huge corner in 1986, Travis was still a big player for almost the entire decade.  I believe he and Dwight Yoakum really saved country in 1986 and continued for many more years. We all owe him a large debt.  (Who Saved Country Music Part One) - (Who Saved Country Music Part Two)

Still Making Incredible Music Well Into The 1900's

 

Next week, the final part of this series, The 1990's.

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