Red Dirt Music is a sub genre of Country music but is more often referred to as Alternative Country or Outlaw Country. It is definitely not main stream country music. This is a bit ironic considering that most followers proudly boast that red dirt is real country music, not what is being played on top 40 country radio today. Most of these Artists have a Traditional Country sound while others are what I would call Southern Rock. It is a mix of Traditional Country, Classic Rock and Blues.
What strikes me about this kind of music is the total disregard for what the Nashville Major labels are producing as modern country music. If you are tired of what the radio stations are pushing on you as country music then red dirt is what you ought to be listening to. You should be warned though, that this music is sometimes irreverent, politically incorrect and may contain language not suited for the kids. Hey, it's songs about real life.
Texas is the only state that has red dirt radio stations you could actually listen to in your vehicle. Other than that Internet radio is the only place you can find regular broadcasts. Skydog's Red Dirt Radio on Live 365.com is the most popular and the only one dedicated to playing all Red Dirt Music.. Although most of the terrestrial radio stations in Texas have an Internet broadcast as well.
While this genre has its roots in Stillwater Oklahoma, where the iron oxide in the soil gives it its red color, Texas is where this music has found its home away from home. Independent Bands and Artist are free to be as creative and original as they want without the restrictions of the Major Recording Labels. Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson made their move back to Texas in the 1970's when they found themselves unhappy with the Nashville creative control.
This music is a lot about the lyrics and the stories. It is the common working people's music. There is less emphasis on big production and more focus on the feeling. It's like the traditional country music story telling with present day themes. There is a no holds barred approach. The music tells it like it is without censorship.
Some of my favorite Red Dirt Artists are:
• Cross Canadian Ragweed
• Jackson Taylor and Los Sinners
• Mike McClure
• Scott Copeland
• Jason Boland and the Stragglers
• Robert Earl Keen
• Rich O'Toole
