The battle against bro-country is not a new argument in the country music space. While it has recently been radio-streamed artists versus independent artists, there are still some similarities between the differences in sound, which play into the argument.
If you’ve been tuned into the country music world recently, then I’m sure you’ve seen the feud between Gavin Adcock and Charley Crockett. 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,” while more or less defending Beyoncé against critics who accused the pop star of invading country music. Crockett pointed out that the biggest star in country music, Morgan Wallen, makes pop music too, and Morgan also admitted that he doesn’t listen to much country music. Charley 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.”
Of course, Adcock has never been one to not speak his mind about anything, 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.
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 of 60 roses and a copy of his latest record, Dollar A Day. While Adcock made a video thanking Crockett for the gift, while still shading him slightly, it was clear that he wanted the last word and continued to throw dirt on Crockett’s name.
After receiving the gift, he got on Twitter and threw more shade Crockett’s way.
“Praising a guy that said Beyoncé is country proves we live in a broke world.”
And then Gavin followed up again, sharing a video about Charley’s days busking in New York City, a far cry from the country stylings that you see from Charley today.
“Let me expose the cosplay cowboy for the last time. Nobody’s putting on a bigger act than this guy. Idk what you wanna call this, but legends would roll over in their grave if you called this country.”
Of course, several Charley Crockett haters like to point out that he was rapping in his younger days as a way to discredit his catalog now, but he was very transparent about it on a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
In a since-deleted Instagram post, Crockett responded to Adcock not apologizing for any of his statements and standing behind his words.
“Black music made me. I will not apologize. Raised by a single mama. I am not ashamed. Many men have tried to destroy me. I will not lose.”
While I think it’s safe to say that these two will not be in a room together anytime soon, the online feud has sparked a bigger conversation among other independent artists, who are calling out those chasing the “bro-country” sound or playing the radio game.
Benjamin Tod has spoken out on the matter at hand, chiming in on the Crockett and Gavin situation, noting that:
“We’ve got to stop glorifying aggression and conflict. There are people who have earned authority in this community, and we must hold reverence for them. So, that’s my position. Take it or leave it.”
Tod admitted that he’s had great encounters with both artists and respects everyone having different opinions, but he does not jive with the personal attacks. After the drama, Tod then decided to share his thoughts on the state of the industry with a reel that read, “PISS ON BRO COUNTRY,” on the video’s on-screen caption. In the caption of the post, Tod aimed at “spoiled little boys playing pop music with southern drawls,” clearly a shot at Morgan Wallen, before name-dropping the “Last Night” singer later in the caption:
“It’s been a few years of peace between the roots movement and the commercialized side of the industry. I myself can say this has been a moment of reflection for my purpose here. I will not yield the culture of country music to people who don’t listen to it and don’t know it’s history. I will not convene with these spoiled little boys playing pop music with southern drawls. There is a lot more at stake here than anything money can buy you. It’s time to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Waylon wouldn’t piss on you or your girlfriend, Morgan, if you were on fire. He’d probably piss on bro country, though.”
In response to a comment simply reading, “Morgan Wallen,” Tod didn’t mince his words, replying:
“…is an embarrassment.”
However, if you really wanna make a stand against bro-country, take it to the streets.
Back in 2022, Wheeler Walker Jr. stood outside of the Country Music Hall of Fame and protested Florida Georgia Line having an exhibit in the museum. A worth cause if I do say so myself. Wheeler stood outside the doors holding a sign that read “FGL does NOT belong here.” He also asked those exiting the Hall of Fame how bad the exhibit was, and chanted the following:
“Florida Georgia Line does not replace us! Florida Georgia Line does not replace us! You saw pop music. That wasn’t country, that was pop. Real country music only!”
He took the protest inside and was quickly removed from the building:
Of course, Wheeler Walker Jr.’s character is meant to shock beyond his lyrics, and he’s known for not holding back when sharing his thoughts. When Post Malone announced his crossover into country music, he compared him to “Florida Georgia Line with face tattoos.”
While I think we can all agree that mainstream country music has gotten a lot better in recent years, and that “bro country” is nowhere near as popular as it was at the height of the craze, it is a fact that country music is very divided on what sound is considered “country” these days. Traditionalists will argue that music played on the radio is far from country, and those who play on the radio will likely argue otherwise. Either way, I don’t see it ending anytime soon… might as well fire up a little Wheeler Walker Jr. while you’re here.
