There are some things you can learn just by looking at the world around you, but some truths only reveal themselves when you take the time to crunch some numbers. This is especially true if you want to learn about country music fans. With millions of country music lovers across the world there is is no way to tell whether or not someone loves the country just by looking at them.
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The music business is getting rid of country music like Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert and stick with other music genres like rock music (like Linkin Park) and pop music (like Katy Perry). Not only that, other music like hip-hop music (like Nicki Minaj) is dominating the music business while country music like Brad Paisley continues to. You are not authorised to view the member list or profiles.
Finding out the real and sometimes surprising facts about country music fans takes some serious research. We’ve dug into the numbers to confirm some suspicions and reveal some surprising truths about country music fans.
Country music fans love the radio
Around the time that MTV came out, a famous song announced that video killed the radio star. But while other genres abandoned the radio country music fans have remained remarkably loyal. Since country music hit the radio in 1924 with “National Barn Dance” the genre has been growing on radio waves across America and around the world.
Number of Stations Playing Country and Western Music
- 1944: 600+
- 1964: 2,000+
- 2016: 4,000+
That’s a lot of stations broadcasting country music! To put it into context, the FCC reports that there are around 15,000 radio stations in America. This means that around 37% of the nation’s radio stations play country music! That’s some serious radio domination!
It’s also worth noting that country music fans aren’t just casual radio listeners. Just look at this survey on how country fans consume music.
How people listen to country music
- 70% listen to country on the radio
- 20% listen to country on online streaming services
- 20% use CDs
- 15% use iTunes or other digital formats
- 5% listen to country music at concerts or other live events
- 3% listen to it on vinyl
- 7% listen to it using other methods, like watching music channels on TV.
In this day and age where more music fans are getting their favorite tunes digitally, it says something about country fans that they are sticking to their guns. You have to add up every other method to even match the sheer power of country radio!
Country fans tend to be successful
If you consider yourself to be a fan of country music, then you are in good company. Stereotypes would have you believe that country music fans are all living in trailer parks, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Country music fans are actually some of the most successful music fans.
Country fan financial facts
- 75% of country fans own a home
- Country fan’s homes have average value of $228,586
- 50% of people with an income of $100,000 or more are country fans
These country fan financial stats don’t mean that you can get rich just by tuning in to your local country station, but it does suggest that if you want to get places in life, it might be a good idea to start networking at your local country music venue.
Country Fans Love Garth Brooks
OK, you don’t need to do any surveys to figure this out. It’s easy to tell that Mr. Brooks is one of the most beloved artists in all of music, not just country. But still, you can’t really appreciate the full reach of Garth Brooks until you look at some facts related to him.
Top-selling country albums
- Garth Brooks – “Double Live” 21 times platinum
- Shania Twain – “Come on Over” 20 times platinum
- Garth Brooks – “No Fences” 17 times platinum
- Garth Brooks – “Rope in the Wind” 14 times platinum
- Dixie Chicks – “Wide Open Spaces” 12 times platinum
It’s easy to see that Garth Brooks dominates this chart. He doesn’t just get the top spot; he gets three out of the top five! To get platinum certified an album has to sell one million records. This means that the five albums listed sold 84 million records in total, and Garth’s albums account for 52 million of those sales. That’s 62 percent! Even when you account for the fact that double albums like “Double Live” count for two it’s still an insane achievement.
And we’re just getting started looking at Garth’s dominance!
Top-selling country artists
- Garth Brooks, 138 million.
- George Strait, 69 million.
- Shania Twain, 48 million.
- Kenny Rogers, 47.5 million.
- Alabama, 46.5 million.
When looking at the most commercially successful country artists of all time, Garth Brooks absolutely dominates. George Strait and Shania Twain are both legends in their own right, but together their 117 million records sold falls 21 million short of Garth Brooks’ total.
Some would argue that Garth’s success on these lists is because he peaked during the 90s, when record sales were much higher than they are today. But that doesn’t account for the next fact.
Top Selling Concert Tours of 2017
- Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood
- Ed Sheeran
- Bruno Mars
- Lady Gaga
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra
32 years after the start of his professional music career Garth Brooks is still drawing fans to his concerts like acts half his age. Chart toppers Ed Sheeran and Bruno Mars weren’t even born yet when Garth Brooks started playing honky tonks, but the country legend is still outperforming these international superstars when it comes to concert sales.
Country music fandom is getting younger and more diverse
Many people like to caricature country music fans as overwhelmingly old and white, but the truth is that country music fans come from every age, ethnicity, and walk of life. Country crossover stars like Taylor Swift often get accused of using country music to grow their own fan bases, but at the same time, they have also helped to grow country music and expand its reach.
Facts that show country music is getting younger and more diverse
- 54% increase in country listeners between the ages of 18 and 24 since 2006
- 25% increase in Hispanic country listeners since 2010
- 70% of nonwhites surveyed reported listening to country music at least weekly
Some country critics and genre purists would have you believe that the genre belongs to the past, but the facts show that this isn’t the case. Country music has a power that can connect people from different ages, genders, races, and nationalities.
Of course, if you’ve been going to country music shows you probably already knew this already. But it’s nice to have the facts to prove just how far country music can reach.
The number of reasons to love country music is so great that sticking to only 7 will definitely be a challenge. But country music is also one of my favorite types of music, so I might be a bit biased in that statement. But how can I not love it? Every song has a unique tone and they always make me feel like putting on my cowgirl boots and grabbing my cowgirl hat! If you like to get a little country sometimes too, check out some of my favorite reasons to love country music.
1. It is Relatable
Whenever I’m in a bad mood and I just want to cry, all I have to do is turn on the country station and I start to feel better instantly. One of the best reasons to love country music is that there is a song for whatever you’re feeling. When I’m feeling happy or excited, I automatically turn on 'She’s Country' by Jason Aldean. The beat in this song can make anyone want to jump around and sing right along! But even when I’m sad I have someone who will cry along with me. When I listen to 'What Hurts the Most' by Rascal Flatts, I never feel like I’m alone in the way I am feeling. Country music is an easy way to let you know that you’re not alone either, and someone out there feels the same way you do!
2. Clear and Understandable
Another reason why I love country music is that I can always understand what the artist is singing or trying to say. In some other types of music I have trouble deciphering what words are actually being sung, which ultimately results in some meaning being taken away. When I can understand what is being said, I understand the meaning that much more! And to me, a song is all about the meaning!
3. Meaningful
Speaking of meaning, country songs are chock full of it! A country song doesn’t just have one meaning though. The words may mean one thing to the author but those same words might symbolize a completely different thing for someone else. The song 'God Gave Me You' by Blake Shelton can be taken many different ways. A child might think of this song with their parents in mind while an adult might think of a spouse or child instead. The meaning is really in the eyes of the beholder!
4. Unique Sound
Everyone knows that country music has a tone like no other. It’s full of big voices and lots of twang! But just because country singers have a distinct sound, that doesn’t mean that all country singers sound the same. That’s what makes country music so great. You can tell when a country song is playing but you can also tell the difference between artists and the way they interpret the meaning of a country song. Miranda Lambert and Luke Bryan are both prominent country singers, but you can clearly hear the difference in each one’s style. This gives you even more variety while still listening to an awesome genre!
5. Attractive Artists
Although the way a person looks should have no effect on their music or success, it’s still a plus when they are easy on the eyes! And these country singers are easy on the eyes and the ears! Male artists that many women swoon over include Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Kip Moore, Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw, and so many more! And there are also some fierce country ladies like Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, and Kimberly Perry from The Band Perry. So not only can you enjoy some awesome music, but you can enjoy an awesome view at the same time!
6. It’s Loads of Fun
I’ve heard that country music gets a bad rep sometimes because 'it all sounds the same' or 'it’s not as fun as other genres.' Well I think that any song that gets you up and makes you want to dance around is a lot of fun and most country songs do just that. Country singers know how to have fun and they want you to have fun dancing along with them! If you ever get the chance to go to a country concert, you’ll know exactly what I mean. There is so much dancing and singing that you can’t help but join in!
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7. It Gives You a Workout
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I’ve mentioned that country music makes you get up and dance, well dancing is a form of exercise! Shaking it to 'Country Girl (Shake it for Me)' can definitely slim down that honky tonk booty and get you moving! Just another perk of listening to country music!
Country music can sometimes be left out or forgotten about because of music that tends to seem more modern or new. But country music reminds us of good old fashioned fun with a splash of some good morals thrown in, along with some good-looking artists and a sound unlike anything else! There are so many more reasons to love country music but those were some of the best! Are there any I missed? What are some of your reasons for loving country music?