The Year Country Went Everywhere, and Everyone Went Country | Arts & Entertainment
Country music has long been a genre that largely lived apart from the rest of popular culture. But this year felt like a crossover moment unlike any before. A New York Times critic hit the road to see the phenomenon up close and to understand why country music was inescapable in 2024.
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Tanner Adell before taking stage at the House of Blues in Cleveland, Ohio, on Dec. 5, 2024. Our critic hit the road to talk with Jelly Roll, Shaboozey, Tanner Adell and other artists to understand why country music was inescapable in 2024. (Daniel Lozada/The New York Times)
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VAVO, a DJ duo, perform at Trio Nightclub in Charlotte, N.C. on Oct. 19, 2024. Our critic hit the road to talk with Jelly Roll, Shaboozey, Tanner Adell and other artists to understand why country music was inescapable in 2024. (Travis Dove/The New York Times)
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Tanner Adell performs during a soundcheck at the House of Blues in Cleveland, Ohio, on Dec. 5, 2024. Our critic hit the road to talk with Jelly Roll, Shaboozey, Tanner Adell and other artists to understand why country music was inescapable in 2024. (Daniel Lozada/The New York Times)
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Ernest, a singer-songwriter, before a performance in Nashville, Tenn. on Nov. 20, 2024. Our critic hit the road to talk with Jelly Roll, Shaboozey, Tanner Adell and other artists to understand why country music was inescapable in 2024. (William DeShazer/The New York Times)
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Jelly Roll walks on stage at the Charleston Coliseum and Civic Center in Charleston, W.V. on Nov. 1, 2024. Our critic hit the road to talk with Jelly Roll, Shaboozey, Tanner Adell and other artists to understand why country music was inescapable in 2024. (Kristian Thacker/The New York Times)
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Jelly Roll walks on stage at the Charleston Coliseum and Civic Center in Charleston, W.V. on Nov. 1, 2024. Our critic hit the road to talk with Jelly Roll, Shaboozey, Tanner Adell and other artists to understand why country music was inescapable in 2024. (Kristian Thacker/The New York Times)
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Jelly Roll walks on stage at the Charleston Coliseum and Civic Center in Charleston, W.V. on Nov. 1, 2024. Our critic hit the road to talk with Jelly Roll, Shaboozey, Tanner Adell and other artists to understand why country music was inescapable in 2024. (Kristian Thacker/The New York Times)
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People listen to VAVO, a DJ duo, perform at Trio Nightclub in Charlotte, N.C. on Oct. 19, 2024. Our critic hit the road to talk with Jelly Roll, Shaboozey, Tanner Adell and other artists to understand why country music was inescapable in 2024. (Travis Dove/The New York Times)
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Jelly Roll, right, leads his band and crew in a prayer before their set at the Charleston Coliseum and Civic Center in Charleston, W.V. on Nov. 1, 2024. Our critic hit the road to talk with Jelly Roll, Shaboozey, Tanner Adell and other artists to understand why country music was inescapable in 2024. (Kristian Thacker/The New York Times)
People wait for Tanner Adell to perform at the House of Blues in Cleveland, Ohio, on Dec. 5, 2024. Our critic hit the road to talk with Jelly Roll, Shaboozey, Tanner Adell and other artists to understand why country music was inescapable in 2024. (Daniel Lozada/The New York Times)
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