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The Shady Acres saloon, located about eight miles north-west of Beyoncé’s hometown of Houston, Texas, is a small and unassuming country dive bar. On a Wednesday night, some pickup trucks can be seen parked out front. Inside, the bar is made of wood and the ceiling is covered in dollar bills. On tap are popular Texas beers like Shiner Bock and Lone Star, and the nearby pool table is accompanied by a jukebox playing songs from artists like Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Jeannie C Riley’s Harper Valley PTA. However, Beyoncé’s newest single, the playful country song Texas Hold ‘Em – which recently made her the first Black woman to top Billboard’s country charts and is currently at number one in the UK for the second week in a row – is not included in the playlist.
Beyoncé has always been open about her pride in her Texas roots, but her decision to explore country music on her upcoming album has sparked discussions about her authenticity in the genre. While some radio stations have refused to play her new song, a backlash from fans caused one station in Oklahoma to change its stance. Despite some criticism, it is important to recognize the influence of Black artists in country music and Beyoncé’s personal connections to the genre, such as her song “Daddy Lessons” in her 2016 album “Lemonade” and her history wearing Stetsons with Destiny’s Child. In fact, Beyoncé’s mother Tina Knowles has even shed light on their family’s background in rodeo culture, and country legend Dolly Parton has praised Beyoncé’s success and expressed excitement for her upcoming record.
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The customers at Shady Acres have conflicting opinions. Cliff Boatwright, age 55, remarks, “Take a look at this establishment we’re in.” He is dressed in jeans and a baseball cap with a camouflage design, and is enjoying some beers with a companion known as Jim, age 47. Jim jokingly says, “I highly doubt Beyoncé has ever visited this place.”
It is likely accurate, as Beyoncé cannot enter a local bar without a group of security guards. However, the important inquiry is not about Beyoncé’s presence in country bars. The real question is whether her new music will be accepted by the regular patrons who enjoy listening to artists like Willie and Waylon on the jukebox, and may not necessarily be fans of a famous figure who rose to stardom with R&B and pop tracks such as “Say My Name.” Boatwright and Jim have both been exposed to Texas Hold ‘Em and concur that Beyoncé has the freedom to pursue any genre of music she desires. However, this does not necessarily make the song country in their opinion.
According to Boatwright, as an artist, Beyoncé has the freedom to explore different elements without feeling restricted. However, in his opinion, this deviates from the traditional definition of country music. It’s not just about the distinctive sound of the guitar or dressing up in western attire and riding a horse, especially if it’s a hologram horse like Beyoncé’s. Rather, country music is about storytelling and connecting with the working class through music that resonates with the soul. Beyoncé’s overwhelming success has separated her from the everyday struggles of regular people, according to Jim.
It is irrelevant that you are originally from Texas. What truly matters is if you are truly embracing a country lifestyle. I am concerned about the fact that her song is being referred to as country.
Although Beyoncé is the first Black woman to reach number one on the country music charts, she is not the first Black country singer to achieve a hit. In the year of Beyoncé’s birth, 1981, Charley Pride also had a popular song on the chart, alongside other artists such as Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, and Hank Williams Jr. Linda Martell holds the title of the first Black woman to break into the country music scene and perform on the prestigious Grand Ole Opry stage. Mickey Guyton, who hails from Texas, is also making waves in the country genre, and Darius Rucker, frontman of Hootie and the Blowfish, has successfully transitioned to country music. So, what is the reason behind all the debate surrounding Beyoncé’s authenticity in the country music world?
At Shady Acres, 42-year-old Colin Goodnight, a musician from Houston, fully supports Beyoncé’s recent musical direction. He appreciates that she is exploring different styles and genres. Bryant Bell, a fan of Beyoncé, may not be a fan of her latest song, but that doesn’t mean he believes it isn’t country. His friend Melissa Higginson hasn’t had the chance to listen to it yet, but is planning to do so. She admires Beyoncé’s vocal abilities and applauds her for pushing boundaries.
At Bandits Dancehall later on, situated approximately two miles away from Beyoncé’s childhood residence, a group of around 20 individuals wearing boots are receiving a lesson on the dancefloor for the two-step. Bartenders Payton and Darian mention that they have not yet heard the song played at Bandits, but Payton is familiar with it from TikTok. The Armadillo Palace is a large eatery and dance hall adorned with plaques engraved with the names of notable Texas musicians such as Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, and Lightnin’ Hopkins on its floor. Graphic designer Risa Marie, 37, enthusiastically proclaims her love for Texas Hold ‘Em over the loud music blasting from the speakers. “I can listen to it on repeat. Beyoncé is an incredibly talented musician. As an artist, I am inspired by various styles and genres, and I believe Beyoncé should have the same freedom to explore different types of music.”
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The obvious answer seems to be: because she’s Beyoncé. While she appears untouchable in some ways, in others, anything she tries will get picked apart and criticised. Weldon Henson, a country musician living outside Austin, listened to the new song to see what all the fuss was about. “This is a free-market society and people can do whatever they want, but everything is so mixed together now, it’s almost impossible to label country at all any more,” he says.
According to Henson, Beyoncé does not need support from country legend Dolly Parton because her music is still popular and successful without having a strong country influence. While he has respect for her as an artist, he does not necessarily view her as a genuine country musician. Henson believes that country music is about storytelling and representing the average person, which he does not believe Beyoncé’s music does. Despite her status as a pop icon, he argues that her music cannot be classified as country.
Henson is correct in noting how genres are blending together, unlike in the past when they were strictly separated, as seen with Linda Martell and Hank Williams. Lil Nas X’s hit song “Old Town Road” caused controversy among country music traditionalists due to its combination of rap and country elements, leading to its exclusion from the Billboard country chart. However, it is undeniable that contemporary country music, particularly from white male artists such as Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, and Sam Hunt, is greatly influenced by rap.
Returning to Shady Acres, Boatwright concluded his lecture on the definition of “authentic” country music by mentioning Beyoncé. He acknowledged her for venturing into other styles and remarked that perhaps he was stuck in the past.
Source: theguardian.com
