History of American Pop Music
Chapter 41: Post 9/11 Country Music

Chapter 41: Overview

Complete & Continue Next Lesson Learn More

Chapter 41 examines how country music responded to the September 11 attacks, the War on Terror, and the changing political climate of the early 2000s. While artists such as Alan Jackson expressed grief and reflection, others, including Toby Keith, embraced patriotic and military themes, as the Dixie Chicks sparked a national debate over free speech, politics, and dissent within country music.

Important Terms

Roots Revival - A movement in country music that returned to bluegrass, Appalachian folk, honky-tonk, and other traditional American styles.

Bluegrass Revival - Renewed public interest in bluegrass music during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Honky-Tonk - A traditional country style associated with dance halls, working-class themes, and prominent steel guitar.

Murder Ballad - A narrative song telling the story of a murder or violent crime.

Appalachian Folk Music - Traditional music from the Appalachian region emphasizing acoustic instruments and storytelling.

Roots Music - A broad category including early country, bluegrass, folk, blues, and gospel traditions.

Alternative Country (Alt-Country) - A style blending country with rock, folk, punk, and Americana influences while emphasizing artistic independence.

Country-Pop - Country music using polished production and pop songwriting to reach wider audiences.

Bluegrass Instrumentation - Traditional acoustic instruments such as banjo, mandolin, fiddle, guitar, and upright bass.

Telecommunications Act of 1996 - Federal law that relaxed media ownership restrictions and encouraged large-scale corporate consolidation.

Communications Decency Act (CDA) - Part of the Telecommunications Act intended to regulate indecent material on the internet.

Corporate Consolidation - The concentration of ownership among a small number of large companies.

Media Consolidation - The process through which fewer corporations own a larger share of media outlets.

Playlist - A scheduled collection of songs selected for radio broadcast.

Radio Blacklist - An informal or formal decision by broadcasters to stop playing an artist's music.

Patriotic Song - A song expressing loyalty, pride, or support for one's country.

Artists Discussed

Alan Jackson - Country singer-songwriter whose “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” became one of the most recognized songs after 9/11.

T Bone Burnett - Producer of the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack.

Alison Krauss - Bluegrass and country singer whose career benefited from the soundtrack.

Lee Greenwood - Singer of "God Bless the U.S.A."

Whitney Houston - Singer whose performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" returned to prominence after 9/11.

Toby Keith - Country singer associated with post-9/11 patriotic music.

Darryl Worley - Country singer known for "Have You Forgotten?"

Pat Garrett - Country singer known for "Saddam Stomp."

Dixie Chicks (The Chicks) - Country trio whose criticism of President Bush became one of the biggest controversies in country music history.

Natalie Maines - Lead singer of the Dixie Chicks.

Songs Referenced

  • "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" – Alan Jackson

  • "God Bless the U.S.A." – Lee Greenwood

  • "The Star-Spangled Banner" – Francis Scott Key (performed by Whitney Houston)

  • "The Rising" – Bruce Springsteen

  • "What Goes Around" – Nas

  • "Home of the Brave" – Mr. Lif

  • "I'd Love You All Over Again" – Alan Jackson

  • "Don't Rock the Jukebox" – Alan Jackson

  • "Chattahoochee" – Alan Jackson

  • "Drive (For Daddy Gene)" – Alan Jackson

  • "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" – Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett

  • "Remember When" – Alan Jackson

  • "Country Boy" – Alan Jackson

  • "Should've Been a Cowboy" – Toby Keith

  • "He Ain't Worth Missing" – Toby Keith

  • "A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action" – Toby Keith

  • "Wish I Didn't Know Now" – Toby Keith

  • "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)" – Toby Keith

  • "Have You Forgotten?" – Darryl Worley

  • "I Raq and I Roll" – Clint Black

  • "Saddam Stomp" – Pat Garrett

  • "There's Your Trouble" – Dixie Chicks

  • "Wide Open Spaces" – Dixie Chicks

  • "You Were Mine" – Dixie Chicks

  • "Goodbye Earl" – Dixie Chicks

  • "The Thunder Rolls" – Garth Brooks

  • "Travelin' Soldier" – Dixie Chicks

  • "Landslide" – Dixie Chicks (cover of Fleetwood Mac)

  • "Not Ready to Make Nice" – Dixie Chicks

Albums

  • O Brother, Where Art Thou? (Soundtrack) – Various Artists

  • The Rising – Bruce Springsteen

  • Here in the Real World – Alan Jackson

  • Don't Rock the Jukebox – Alan Jackson

  • A Lot About Livin' (And a Little 'Bout Love) – Alan Jackson

  • Greatest Hits Collection – Alan Jackson

  • Greatest Hits Volume II – Alan Jackson

  • Drive – Alan Jackson

  • Toby Keith – Toby Keith

  • Unleashed – Toby Keith

  • Wide Open Spaces – Dixie Chicks

  • Fly – Dixie Chicks

  • Home – Dixie Chicks

  • Taking the Long Way – Dixie Chicks

  • Court Yard Hounds – Court Yard Hounds

Films / Television

  • O Brother, Where Art Thou?

  • A Tribute to Heroes

  • Shut Up and Sing