Back when I worked in music retail (early-mid 90s), I had to be conversant with all types of music - Country included.
Of course, I was big into the main acts, like Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill and the like. My brother and I would also watch CMT to listen to more of the less mainstream artists.
After awhile, I kind of got away from country music....until just recently.
The radio station where I used to work played "Take Your Time" by Sam Hunt from time to time. It was a cross-over hit that made its way onto the popular radio stations. I downloaded that song, as well as "House Party".
Hayley Orrantia, who one may know as playing Erica Goldberg on the ABC hit show "The Goldbergs", is on the way to launching a great solo career. The songs I have downloaded from iTunes have that country twang to them. I LOVE the song "Love Sick".
As well, I was on the way to a garage sale with my father one Saturday morning, and I had the radio set on the country station. A couple of songs that played that I downloaded later were "80s Mercedes" by Maren Morris and "Cherry Bomb" by River Town Saints. I found out later that River Town Saints are Canadian (from Ottawa).
Another great Canadian band, eh?
In short, I've been getting more and more into Country music lately. It may be because most of the new stuff.....sucks.
Finally, I include a couple of country songs on a summer compilation that I make. I do it to annoy a friend of mine. There are two things he absolutely despises:
1) Montreal Canadiens, and
2) Country Music
Since I am a BIG Montreal Canadiens fan, I don't know how he's still friends with me.
Joker's Wilde