Anyone who resides in the USA will be very much aware of how SEGREGATED the taste in music is, between what white people listen to, and what blacks record and enjoy hearing. For me, the vocal harmonies found only in country music, are a glimpse of heaven that lift me up and set my mind sailing off into the mystic, if I may borrow the title of a Van Morrison song.

Country Music is by definition "White People's Music", which most self-respecting American blacks would NEVER be caught dead tuning in on their car radio, talk less of buying in DVD form, yet, there are a small handful of black country singers, such as Charlie Pride, and Darius Rucker, who have released truly beautiful songs over the years.

My personal favorite country singers range from Alison Krause, the woman with the voice of an angel, Vince Gill, her male counterpart, Ricky Skaggs, the guitar virtuoso, and of course many of the old school country singers ranging from Willie Nelson to Merle Haggard, to "The Possum", George Jones. Some of these singers still grace the stage today, and some are remembered only be the string of classic hits they left behind, before heading off to that great stage beyond the sky.

Nigeria is a black nation, so only a very small handful of Nairaland readers will appreciate country music, BUT, that being said, I still recommend that y'all check out at least SOME of the timeless country songs whose links I have listed below, and hey, if you hear one you like, let the world know that you ain't ashamed to be a black country music connoisseur ha ha.


Darius Rucker " Wagon Wheel"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvKyBcCDOB4

Alison Krause "The Lucky One "

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcRZ_J_VgNc

Alison Krause "I will fly away"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BPoMIQHwpo

Alison Krause and Tom Waite "Lay Down Beside Me"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06NmutNGF44

Merle Haggard " Today I Started Loving You Again "

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PY2yW9Biyo

Vince Gill " Look at Us"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-NwLH25-9o

Vince Gill " Pocket Full of Gold"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6SF9XY6cBw

No mention of black Country singers would be complete without adding a song from Aaron Neville, whose distinctive "yodel" singing style defined the sound of the New Orleans-based Neville Brothers.

Here Aaron Neville renders the classic song about a newly broken home, that was made famous years prior, by the legendary George Jones.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhUlQ_Cay74


Country music boasts of some of the most delicately crafted, multi-layered vocal harmonies known to man. Here below is a fine example, featuring Patty Loveless, and Travis Tritt, singing about old lovers about to break marriage vows. These harmonies are just too sexy. Check it out.

Patty Loveless and Travis Tritt : Out of Control Raging Fire

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-jQHsFn7nA

Jakumo:
No mention of black Country singers would be complete without adding a song from Aaron Neville, whose distinctive "yodel" singing style defined the sound of the New Orleans-based Neville Brothers.

Here Aaron Neville renders the classic song about a newly broken home, that was made famous years prior, by the legendary George Jones.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhUlQ_Cay74


Country music boasts of some of the most delicately crafted, multi-layered vocal harmonies known to man. Here below is a fine example, featuring Patty Loveless, and Travis Tritt, singing about old lovers about to break marriage vows. These harmonies are just too sexy. Check it out.

Patty Loveless and Travis Tritt : Out of Control Raging Fire

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-jQHsFn7nA

Thanks for blessing this thread with wonderful country music. The songs you have posted has made me a borderline fan in the last 24 hours. Who ll have thought African American make good country music

Ogbeche77:
Thanks for blessing this thread with wonderful country music. The songs you have posted has made me a borderline fan in the last 24 hours. Who ll have thought African American make good country music

Ogbeche77 I thank you kindly sir, for stopping by to listen in on some good old country music. This type of music will never be hugely popular in most black societies, and that is a loss, in my view, because some wonderful classics to last the ages, were written and sung by country music artists.

Another reason I enjoy country music is that it is usually very simple in construction, using just 3 guitar chord changes most of the time, so folks like me who enjoy playing guitar at home to relax, can easily learn a song or two from the greats such as those I have listed above, and many others.

Speaking to the old timers in Nigeria, I learnt that country music was at one time very popular in Africa, and in Nigeria, way back when singers like Jim Reeves and Don Williams gained popularity all over Africa.

It is paradoxical that songs about very sad subject matter, can turn out to be works of gentle, sublime beauty, that reach deep into the soul, soothing, and setting the mind of the listener free to fly endless skies. Primarily, country music is story-telling music, and the one linked below is one of those with a sad story line. Hear Brad Paisley, and Alison Krause weave their voices together into a melody that lingers long after the music stops. Here the story is of a soldier returning home from combat duty, only to find his fiance in bed with another man, thus dashing the hopes that sustained the soldier as he made his way home.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuzZBDh8U5w

For anyone wondering what the difference might be, that distinguishes Country music from Bluegrass, a video of some Bluegrass is in order.

This is Union Station, the backing band for Alison Krause, accompanied by Vince Gill, whose vocals are as polished and versatile as any in the genre, in addition to being a guitar player of great renown.

Vince Gill and , Alison Krause and Union Station " Blue Trail of Sorrow"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOTvk36Tr6s

Same band Union Station, singing a song from a movie sound-track, called "Man of constant Sorrow. This is another example of 100% pure Bluegrass. Listen to this and tell me your toes ain't tappin, if you a liar ha ha.

Union Station " Man of Constant Sorrow."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBVnKYOvWcs


Veering back to Country music again, the velvet baritone voice of the late Keith Whitley imparts some real magic to this song for the ages, entitled, "I'm no stranger to the rain". Listen to the simple yet emotive lyrics that Country music writers serve up :

"I'm no stranger to the rain
I'm a friend of thunder
Friend is it any wonder, lightening strikes me."

Keith Whitley sings "I'm no stranger to the rain".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwOfWwo5WIw

I actually had a tear in my eye looking at Youtube video showing Randy Travis bravely attempting to sing on stage, after his stroke some years back. That golden voice that had launched a whole bunch of Country hits, was no more, leaving music fans with only songs of yesteryear, to remember the greatness of this country giant, back in his heyday.

Randy Travis sings about resisting temptation to cheat on one's spouse, in his own trademark way. Here is "On the other hand."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wB49C5cV3sg

Randy Travis sings " Deeper than a holler."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oujc2KG0tVA

Randy Travis : "Forever and Ever Amen"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXkhuLLmajs

Ogbeche77:
Thanks for blessing this thread with wonderful country music. The songs you have posted has made me a borderline fan in the last 24 hours. Who ll have thought African American make good country music

Aaron Neville is undeniable. I started following his music after "I bid you goodnight" was played at a friends funeral. The guy music dey enter body.

Ibime:


Aaron Neville is undeniable. I started following his music after "I bid you goodnight" was played at a friends funeral. The guy music dey enter body.

The guy is good. I am organizing a playlist of just AA country musician. It's like I discovered gold.

Long time bros. How is the family & work?

Ogbeche77:
The guy is good. I am organizing a playlist of just AA country musician. It's like I discovered gold.

Long time bros. How is the family & work?

We dey bros. How is Deutschland treating you. You done marry that your German smallie?

Ibime:


We dey bros. How is Deutschland treating you. You done marry that your German smallie?

lol.. If you know, you know

Everything is going on well.. I can't complain

Ricky Skaggs plays guitar, banjo and mandolin like the seasoned Bluegass hit machine he has been over the decades, yet his singing voice is arguably his finest musical instrument, tuned to perfection by a lifetime of jam sessions.

Here are a few low-badwidth audio recordings of Ricky Skaggs. If you love to hear three-part vocal harmonies to melt your heart, look no further than the many masterworks of Bluegrass prodigy Ricky Skaggs.


Wouldn't change you if I could. Ricky Skaggs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mE-iMNmMEA&list=RD6mE-iMNmMEA&t=13

Ricky Skaggs I don't Care

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFfaJcvpt0M

Ricky Skaggs Your Old Love Letters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQG9KcnHGEE

Don't Let your Sweet Love Die

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awkxHW-Wl8o


You've got a lover

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RbkNZpZ0vs

I keep coming back for that Country music fix in large part for the way Country song lyrics are crafted like the work of a master sculptor, who works the curves of his creation until every single word is filled with levels of meaning.

From Steve Wariner's song "Life's Highway", in the clip below, the lyrics start out thus:

Sun is up
Time's at hand
There's a stir, across the land
And so begins another day
On life's highway

On city streets
Down country roads
Like a stream, the people flow
There's bread to win, and tolls to pay
On life's highway


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iF4h42P9UyE


The chorus of this song resonates for me. So much meaning in so few words.

"There is hope, with every turn
A bridge to build, a bridge to burn
Here's hoping you
Never go astray
On life's highway."

E get as e be.

Even dogs have been known to tune in Country music stations, whilst cruising in their automobiles, and partaking of Cali bud.

Everyone knows most country musicians and listeners are racists,white supremacists,uneducated,narrow minded,hill billy,inbred red necks. I don't think any of them would even want a black man to be there fan or listen to them.

ERORR404:
Everyone knows most country musicians and listeners are racists,white supremacists,uneducated,narrow minded,hill billy,inbred red necks. I don't think any of them would even want a black man to be there fan or listen to them.

How then would you classify black country singers like Charley Pride and Darius Rucker ?

I just checked your post about the dance music track you produced on your laptop.

103 views, and not a single comment on your musical creativity. Don't quit your day job. The music business is extremely competitive.

Jakumo:


How then would you classify black country singers like Charley Pride and Darius Rucker ?

I just checked your post about the dance music track you produced on your laptop.

103 views, and not a single comment on your musical creativity. Don't quit your day job. The music business is extremely competitive.

Firstly I'm a student in the University and i just make edm for fun on my laptop,i don't even have a studio

ERORR404:

Firstly I'm a student in the University and i just make edm for fun on my laptop,i don't even have a studio

That is cool my brother. You could strike it rich with this hobby, and I wish you well.

Jakumo:


That is cool my brother. You could strike it rich with this hobby, and I wish you well.

Thanks you too

Good morning Jakumo.
Thank you for bringing back memories.
My Dad has in his collection, Jim Reeves of which I can sing by heart.
Then i am reminded of a Man Of Constant Sorrow... I had heard covers of this song before, and yet this is refreshing.

firestar:
Good morning Jakumo.
Thank you for bringing back memories.
My Dad has in his collection, Jim Reeves of which I can sing by heart.
Then i am reminded of a Man Of Constant Sorrow... I had heard covers of this song before, and yet this is refreshing.

Glad to awaken some old memories of your father's taste in music, Firestar.

Most black Americans would be amazed to learn that Country music was once loved by Africans, back in the day when "Gentleman"Jim Reeves, and "Gentle Giant" Don Williams could be heard on the radio throughout much of West Africa.

Maybe one of these days a newer generation of country stars may find a newer generation of Africans who again appreciate the beauty in the simple, story-telling style of Country music.

To me, most music is universal, and unbounded by race, skin color or geography.

Do you listen to Luke Bryan and Eric Church also?

PRESENTATION:
Do you listen to Luke Bryan and Eric Church also?

Luke Byran and Eric Church are names that have never shown up on my radar, in all my years of listening to country music. I'll check these two out on youtube.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luke_Bryan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Church

Never too late to discover new talent. Thanks for the input, Presentation. It is rare to find anyone with black heritage who happens to enjoy country music, but truth be told, there are a lot of common links between country music and the blues, which started out an exclusively black music genre, before It was given a global stage by masters like Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and many other guitar heroes past and present.

Matter of fact, now that I think about the blues , I might be forced to create yet another thread in this forum, about my favorite blues guitar practitioners, ranging from Robben Ford and Matt Scofield, right on back through time, to include greats like B.B King, Albert King, and others too may to mention here.

Jakumo:


Luke Byran and Eric Church are names that have never shown up on my radar, in all my years of listening to country music. I'll check these two out on youtube.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luke_Bryan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Church

Never too late to discover new talent. Thanks for the input, Presentation. It is rare to find anyone with black heritage who happens to enjoy country music, but truth be told, there are a lot of common links between country music and the blues, which started out an exclusively black music genre, before It was given a global stage by masters like Eric Clapton, Jimi Hnedrix, and many other guitar heroes past and present.

Matter of fact, now that I think about the blues , I might be forced to create yet another thread in this forum, about my favorite blues guitar practitioners, ranging from Robben Ford and Matt Scofield, right on back through time, to include greats like B.B King, Albert King, and others too may to mention here.

Would be great having such threads here.

This beautiful ode to the fleeting nature of our youth is captured by this collaboration between Country star Brad Paisley and new rising BLACK country singer Jimmie Allen.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgvNtz_XXE4


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25ys0vc4tTI

Country music songwriters paint such vivid pictures of the human condition and coupled with those haunting vocal harmonies, some tunes linger in one's mind long after the last note fades.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV7EsL3H8Bw

Within me, there's a prison
Surrounding me alone
As real as any dungeon
With its walls of stone.

I know running's not the answer
Running's been my nature
A part of me, that keeps me, movin' on

I was born the running kind
Leaving always on my mind
And home, was never home to me, at anytime

Every front door found me hoping
I'd find a back door open
There just had to be an exit
For the running kind

Down every road, there's always one more city
Well I'm on the run
The highway is my home

Harmonies sung by between two and four voices in any language reach deep into the soul and resonate powerfully. Here are two different renditions of the same beautifully crafted classic tune from dinosaur folk-rock trio Crosby, Stills, and Nash way back when. Now far more recently fresh young voices pay homage to this soaring ode to the elusive and fragile nature of dreams and aspirations.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEt0oLO9sSE

Hard to decide which version sounds the smoothest but here's the second version of the same tune.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HJ8kQpm6DU