Well, the times are changing. The way you know it’s real is because people like Maren Morris are funded and supported by country music fans despite her liberal activism. It could be argued though, that many don’t listen to the words of their favorite catchy tunes that pop up on their Spotify and Pandora stations.
Sometimes it takes a liberal activist to say “hey look at me!” before folks realize what they’re all about. Even then, music fans aren’t what they used to be. We aren’t living in the time of Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, and Hank Williams anymore, although their music’s popularity rages on.
Let’s be clear, although Morris has alleged sexism and racism in Nashville and country music, we aren’t equating those things to the aforementioned names. On the contrary, in our view, old school country stars tried to stay out of politics altogether, other than singing about loving patriotism, which shouldn’t be political, although it is looked at it as such these days.
Morris has been around for a while and is well known for “My Church”, “Circles around this Town”, and many other songs. She is going out on a limb lately, after previously supporting the group known for being affiliated with the notorious riots of 2020, Black Lives Matter.
Of course, leftists and liberal media aren’t always big fans of country musicians, many of whom have supported Republicans and Donald Trump. So whenever a liberal country singer comes along, you can expect them to fawn over those particular artists. To be fair, Morris is considered a crossover singer, and not a traditional country singer. However, she still wants to “change” Nashville anyway.
From People in part:
In October 2020 Morris released “Better Than We Found It,” a protest song inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement that earned her a Grammy nomination (her second this year and 13th overall), for best country song. It’s evidence of Morris’s evolution into an outspoken, progressive voice in country music, a traditionally conservative industry.
“I didn’t start making music to become an activist,” she says. “I think it was a byproduct of just seeing the inequality in the genre I happened to come up in. Once you become aware of it, you can’t really shut your eyes again.”
Since launching to fame in 2016 with her breakout single “My Church,” Morris hasn’t hesitated to call out sexist double standards and racial inequality in Nashville. And in 2020, she used her female vocalist of the year speech at the CMA Awards to celebrate Black female country artists...
…“It’s not going to be an overnight thing to feel like it’s more inclusive, but I am seeing it change for the better,” she says. “Even if I’ve lost fans along the way, I’m truly willing to put my own ass on the line to stand up for what’s right. When you come to a show of mine, I want it to feel fun and safe. And anyone from any walk of life can show up that night and know that they will be accepted. So if I have to slap off some randos along the way, it’s honestly for the betterment of country music.”
Watch:
It’s unlikely there will be much public pushback, even from country singers who may disagree with bringing left-wing activism into the fold, but it’s likely there are conversations going on behind closed doors about it in our speculation.
As Waylon Jennings would have said, “Are you sure Hank Done it this way?”
From SongFacts.com:
“This song is about how Country music has gone downhill since the death of Hank Williams”
“…Lord, it’s the same old tune, fiddle and guitar
Where do we take it from here?
Rhinestone suits and new shiny cars
It’s been the same way for years
We need a change… Somebody told me, when I came to Nashville
Son, you finally got it made
Old Hank made it here and we’re all sure that you will
But I don’t think Hank done it this way
No, I don’t think Hank done it this way…”
