Can’t we all just be friends?
If you’ve paid an ounce of attention to country music media this week, then there is a high chance that you’ve seen the feud between Charley Crockett and Gavin Adcock. The back and forth between the two artists began when Charley took to social media and unleashed an epic rant on the state of country music, targeting “bro country” and while more or less defending Beyoncé against critics who accused the pop star of ruining country music. Crockett also called out Morgan Wallen for admitting that he doesn’t listen to much country music, but credited him for at least being honest about it:
“Hey country folks. Beyoncé ain’t the source of your discontent. It was 25 years of bro country. The number one country artist on Earth listens to nothing but rap. Openly says he doesn’t really know any country music. Gotta respect his honesty.
The machine points to a black woman who’s making a statement about marginalized people being removed from the conversation altogether, and somehow we all act like the entire pop industry didn’t just ambush roots music. These ‘country boys’ been singing over trap beats for years.
So what’s different now? Authenticity. Many of those business folks called me early on. They had whole albums pre-written and recorded ready to just plug me in. I have receipts. It’s harder than ever to keep the public’s attention. They said and I quote, ‘We wanna get into country music where you have audience loyalty.’ Hot today, forgot tomorrow.
I don’t need to put down a black woman to advance my music. That’s just embarrassing to the idea of America and I got no respect for it.”
Many country listeners interpreted the last part of Crockett’s rant as a shot toward Gavin Adcock, who recently spoke about his distaste surrounding Beyoncé’s crossover into country music. At a show earlier this summer, Adcock shared with his audience his thoughts that the Cowboy Carter album should not be considered “country.”
“There are only three people in front of me on the Apple Music country charts. And one of ’em is Beyoncé. You can tell her we’re coming for her f***ing a**. That s**t ain’t country music and it’s never ever been country music and it will never be country music.”
@creightonmarsh1 Does this don’t need a caption@GavinAdcockMusic @Beyoncé ♬ original sound – ️
Of course, Adcock has never shown remorse for many of his statements that led to backlash, and his comments about Beyoncé were no different. Adcock doubled down on his opinion and trolled fans who were telling him he needed to apologize or think more carefully before speaking.
@gavinadcockmusicI guess I’m just a hogmog♬ original sound – GavinAdcockMusic
After Gavin caught wind of the shot from Charley Crockett, he took to social media to respond, calling Crockett a “cosplay cowboy.”
“Somebody needs to tell the “act” that has let out (the cover) of James town ferry 6 times he should just work on letting out quality original music. I got more cowsh-t under my pinky than you have seen your whole f—in life. Hank sr called and asked about the cosplay cowboy.”
But it didn’t stop there. Over on Instagram, Gavin called Charley his “dipsh-t of the week,” while also comparing him to the Ghoul from the Fallout television series. Which, obviously, was not a compliment to the “$10 Cowboy” singer.
It appeared that the two might be on a path to finding peace after Charley Crockett left Gavin Adcock a gift at a Kansas venue. The night before Gavin Adcock was set to play WAVE in Wichita, Kansas, Charley Crockett was there the night before almost seeming like destiny for their paths to lightly cross. Although the two did not meet face-to-face, their shows, being back-to-back nights, allowed Crockett to leave a peace offering.
60 roses and a vinyl copy of his latest record, Dollar A Day.
@gavinadcockmusicWhatcha say buddy
Gavin is still throwing a little bit of shade at Crockett in the video, but it was a classy move on Crockett’s part for these two men to co-exist peacefully. Well, that was until Gavin Adcock took to Twitter/X after his show and threw more shade Crockett’s way. Gavin certainly seems like a “gotta have the last word” kinda guy:
“Praising a guy that said Beyoncé is country proves we live in a broke world”
It will be interesting to see if Crockett responds to continue this spat or if he will leave it be after extending (what appeared to be) an olive branch. I think it’s safe to assume, though, we won’t be seeing these two in a room together anytime soon.
