Since its early 20th-century beginnings, Country Music has morphed from being a genre exclusive to the US South to a global phenomenon. If you’re one of the many music fans who appreciate country music or artists, this guide can provide you with handy resources to explore your favorite music genre all day. The list isn’t exhaustive, but it can let you in on some of the biggest hotspots for country music today. Here are some notable free music resources for country music lovers.
Country Music Podcasts
Country music podcasts let you in on popular country music pieces and artists in a highly relatable and engaging manner. Consider checking out any of these podcasts if you love sitting with unfiltered discussions surrounding the genre from some of the genre’s best reviewers. Here’s a list of popular country music podcasts to note.
- Wickey Riff Raff: Hosted by Steve Gazibara and Wes Langeler, this podcast features unapologetic reviews on country music with footprints across Apple, Instagram, Facebook, and X.
- Get Real with Caroline Hobby: Hosted by Caroline Hobby, the podcast offers heart-to-heart conversations with recording artists and other global thought leaders.
- WSM Radio’s Coffee, Country & Cody: A long-running morning show on Nashville’s WSM Radio, and globally at WSMRadio.com. It is hosted by Bill Cody and Kelly Sutton, and has footprints on Facebook, X, Instagram, and Apple.
- Country Heat Weekly: Hosted by Kelly Sutton and Amber Anderson, who explore Amazon Music’s Country Heat playlist every week. Find them on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
- Boots & Whiskey Podcast: Here, host Jim Belisle interviews local and national country music acts to fans’ delight.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Collections
A holistic list of country music resources would not be complete without the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, TN. The center provides details on the genre’s long history and constantly changing traditions, with an emphasis on its preservation and interpretation.
The center, which began in 1964, has hosted one of the world’s largest music collections, with many notable country music pieces dating back to its roots in American folk culture. Country music fans can visit to explore collections like handwritten song lyrics, stage costumes and accessories, fan letters, vintage musical instruments, business documents, instruction booklets, and more.
It also maintains over 500,000 images tied to country music history, from the 1920s to the present day. The photo collection displays prints, negatives, and transparencies from photographers, publishers, and talent agencies. Elsewhere, the museum holds nearly 250,000 Bob Pinson recordings, including live performances, radio broadcasts, interviews, and virtually all commercially released country music recordings before World War II.
That’s not all. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum displays unique architecture with a general brass-clef look and sports front windows that resemble piano keys. Over one million country music lovers come to see the vast collection on display annually, highlighting the center as a major country music repository.
Also, look out for digital libraries of this and similar museums for a first-hand virtual contact with some notable country music pieces. They can go a long way in helping you better appreciate your favorite country music, artist, or story.
Streaming and Radio Platforms
Popular streaming and Radio platforms have tons of country music pieces for fans. Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music are the most popular streaming services with country music. But you can always find a personal favorite (popular or not) from the many available choices.
YouTube Music offers exciting opportunities to listen to your favorite country music artist. Search for your favorite artist in the search bar and check out recommendations of similar songs or artists as the song plays. Meanwhile, some users have found the “The Nashville Network” cable TV channel invaluable alongside the more local “Austin Music Network.” DittyTV also offers free streaming of hosted country music songs.
If you love radio, you can check out some exciting live radio options and online stations like Radio Garden, The Big 615, and 181.FM Kickin’ Country. Otherwise, many large cities have country radio stations that stream both online and offline. Consider checking a resource like Radio Garden to spot foreign radiation stations beyond your location.
Online Communities and Social Media
One of the most popular social media pages for country music lovers is the Twitter-based “Modern Country Music That Doesn’t Suck.” The Countryvsmetal channel on socials has an impressive repertoire of independent country artists from across the country, while Savingcountrymusic.com could get you and your friends more excited about country music than you thought possible.
Also, check out platforms like TikTok for viral country music content or Instagram for artist engagement. Then you have a number of ubiquitous country music communities on Facebook that provide regular updates on content and events.
Conclusion
Various online communities, social media platforms, podcasts, and music museums provide regular updates on country music songs, artifacts, and more. Consider checking out any of these resources during your free time to explore the genre and (possibly) better appreciate your favorite country music artists, performances, and pieces.