Who would have guessed that Charles Barkley would be going through a country music stage?
The “Chuckster” always has a lot to say, whether it be with the NBA on TNT program (which will be moving to ESPN) or his podcast that he shares with Ernie Johnson called The Steam Room. Evidently, there’s a lot that goes through Barkley’s head, and one of those things – at least as of late – is country music.
Recently, Charles played in a Pro-Am ahead of a PGA Champions Tour event taking place in Birmingham, Alabama. If you aren’t familiar with the Champions Tour, it’s just a tour that’s specifically for golfers over the age of 50. Those on the “Senior Tour” are preparing to play in the Regions Tradition, which is one of five major tournaments on the Champions Tour.
During some media availability during the day, Charles Barkley talked with news crews about helping Auburn and the state of Alabama, losing weight, his thoughts on college athletics and NIL (he called the NCAA “a bunch of idiots”), and his current golf playlist. Specifically, he was asked who would be making it onto his “out on the links” playlist for some summertime golf.
Barkley said he was getting into country as of late, but then sort of double-crossed himself (golf term) when he said who exactly he was listening to:
“I’m going through a country (music) stage now, with Dan + Shay and Kane Brown. Those are my two (favorites). I had a chance to have Dan + Shay on the podcast recently. They’re probably my hot group right now. But I’m also really loving Kane Brown. So I’m going through a country music stage right now. It’s pretty cool.”
CHUCK NOOOOOOO.
I don’t want to totally discredit the fact that Charles Barkley gave a shout out to country music right there… but Dan + Shay and Kane Brown are borderline country music. They are about as pop country as it gets. Him saying he’s liking country music, then naming those two artists is like someone saying they are vegetarian right before they tell the server they want the double cheeseburger with extra bacon.
Charles… if you are reading this, it’s not too late to fix things.
Judging by your taste (I’m speaking directly to Charles Barkley at this point), it seems as though you are looking for more “modern” country music to listen to. I could go on all day about how you should dive into the extensive and expansive catalogues of country greats like Alan Jackson, George Strait, Clint Black, Reba McEntire, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, or Dolly Parton, but I’ll instead highlight a couple acts that are “in the now,” so to speak.
Sturgill Simpson/Johnny Blue Skies
Two artists in one Chuck! You can pick and choose from the more traditional, outlaw, and sometimes psychedelic sound of Sturgill Simpson, or throw it over to the yacht-rock-ish southern stylings of Johnny Blue Skies. Both I’d still consider country… much more than the other two artists that you name dropped in your interview.
For my money, there’s not a more versatile artist in the industry right now. Simpson might not get the radio play that Kane Brown and Dan + Shay do, but that’s the best part… Sturg isn’t even the least bit interested in that. You’ll hear that attitude loud and clear in “Life Ain’t Fair.”
Red Clay Strays
Charles, I’ve got a feeling this group is the one you’ve been searching for. I simply don’t understand how the Red Clay Strays aren’t winning any and every award under the sun right now (looking right at you Old Dominion). Led by Brandon Coleman, the group out of Alabama (your home state Chuck!) simply doesn’t miss.
No one comes close to their impassioned live performances, and for a band that didn’t form all that long ago, they’ve already got a treasure trove of hits, like “God Does,” “Wanna Be Loved,” and “Wondering Why,” which I linked below for you to check out:
Zach Top
I find this to be a fitting choice for my last recommended artist for you, Sir Charles Barkley. Why? Because “I Never Lie” when it comes to turning people onto good country artists. There’s not another name in country music right now that’s as hot as Zach Top. He burst onto the scene last year with his debut album Cold Beer & Country, and he’s not ever looking back.
If there’s any part of you, Charles, that yearns to go back to the 1990s (when you played a majority of your 16 seasons in the NBA), this mustachioed guy right here will take you back those oh-so-wonderful times:
