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90's Country |
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Alan Jackson The Foundation Discography Patty Loveless Enduring Traditionalist Discography Alison Krauss Prodigy Discography Country Music Interests The story of the Class of 89 A Brief Synopsis of 90's Country Home Home |
90’s Country
From 1990 to 1995 country music experienced unprecedented commercial growth. Sales of country music surged from $460 million in 1989 to $2 billion in 1995. Who were the artists who ignited and carried this surge? They were a group of talented, unique individuals who converged on the country music scene almost simultaneously. Below are brief synopsis of top ten individuals.
Garth Brooks The biggest star in country music history, the pudgy Brooks drove the 90’s country music explosion. Massive hits like “Friends in Low Places” and “The Dance” helped Brooks sell over 100 million albums and win a record 4 CMA Entertainer of Year Awards. Brooks was the first country artist to debut at #1 on both the pop and country album charts simultaneously. A dynamic performer, Brooks has vowed to retire in 2002 to spend time with his family.
Alan Jackson Easily the quietest country superstar, Jackson’s music spoke for him. With mega hits like “Chattahoochee” and “Don’t Rock the Jukebox”, Jackson amassed over 40 million in sales, plus 40 top ten singles and the 1995, 2002 & 2003 CMA Entertainer of Year. An unrivaled songwriter, Jackson adherence to traditional country helped him maintain his superstar status through the present.
Reba McEntire The 80’s superstar morphed into a 90’s country diva complete with elaborate concerts and stirring power ballads. Alan Jackson, Vince Gill, Travis Tritt, and Brooks & Dunn were just some of the acts who experienced their first big tour opening for McEntire in the early nineties. Part cowgirl, part show-person, McEntire has moved into television and Broadway spending less time on her slowing country career.
Brooks & Dunn Brooks & Dunn became the most successful duo in country music history. Put together by a record label executive, their driving turbo-tonk sound and wild live show help them sell over 20 million records. After some stale years in the late nineties, B & D music’s was reinvigorated in 2001.
Vince Gill Gill amazing voice, skilled guitar playing and impressive songwriting help him to record 18 CMA awards including Entertainer of Year in 1993 and 1994. Amazing he won only 4 ACM awards. Considered by many to be the finest vocalist of his age, the suave Gill has sold over 20 million albums and scored 25 top ten singles.
George Strait The man who inspired Garth Brooks to take up country music continued his superstar success from the 80’s. Multi-platinum albums and chart topping singles keep coming at a point in a career when most artists are in decline. Strait achieved his 38 #1 singles and over 60 million in sales without deviating from his traditional country sound.
Wynonna Judd After a highly successful stint with her mother in the Judds, Wynonna debuted as a solo artist with the first country album by a female to debut at #1. “Wynonna” sold five million copies or five times more than its follow up. Subsequent albums sold less and less. No longer a major figure in country music, Judd is now experimenting in other musical forms.
Clint Black Black ‘s triple platinum “Killin’ Time” album was credited with starting the 90’s country boom. For a brief moment he rivaled Garth Brooks for top star status. A handful of mediocre albums and well-documented feud with his manager caused his star to erode. He know is part owner of an independent recording label.
Travis Tritt This long hair, country rebel mixed country rock with tender ballads appealed to young people and produced over 10 million in sales. His candid opinions made him enemies in and out of the industry causing damage to his career. He is now recording on an independent recording label.
Mary Chapin Carpenter The Ivy League educated Carpenter found major success with cross over fans new to country. While her sound bordered on pop rock, her lyrics were country. When country boom faded in the late 90’s Carpenter faded with it. Won back to back CMA Female Vocalist of the Year in 1992 & 1993. Other notables - Trisha Yearwood, Dwight Yoakam, John Michael Montgomery, Patty Loveless, Pam Tillis, Tanya Tucker, Collin Raye, Lorrie Morgan, Billy Ray Cyrus, Mark Chessnutt, Diamond Rio, Tracy Lawrence, Alabama, Randy Travis, Diamond Rio, Dolly Parton, Doug Stone, and Sawyer Brown
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