Welcome back to Country Music 4 Ever! In the 1950s and 1960s, record labels completely controlled country music. The labels chose what songs their artists would sing. They also picked the arrangements for the songs, and they picked which musicians played on the songs. So basically, if you were signed to a record label, you had to go along with what they wanted you to do. This became known as the Nashville sound.

By the 1970s, however, it became clear that the Nashville sound was not working for many artists. It was nearly impossible for new artists to get any attention, and the ones who did were not allowed to write their own songs or hire their own band members.

A group of Nashville musicians felt the need to change things in Nashville because they weren’t happy about the Nashville sound. These musicians became known as the “Outlaws” of country music. The “Outlaws” demanded creative control of their music. Among these artists were Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings.

Because of the “Outlaws,” country music changed in a good way. If it weren’t for the “Outlaws,” artists would still have to do what their labels wanted them to do. I think the “Outlaw Movement” was one of the best things that ever happened to country music. Because of this movement, country singers can sing what they want with whatever musicians they want.

Thanks for reading, I’ll be back soon!