Whose Country Music?

This collection critically examines contemporary country music through feminist and intersectional lenses, challenging traditional narratives and gatekeeping systems in the genre.

Participation in country music culture has historically been governed by entrenched systems of gatekeeping that restrict who can engage with the genre. Whose Country Music? contests these systems and challenges the prevailing narratives surrounding country music. This collection critically examines contemporary issues through the lenses of feminist, intersectional, and post-colonialist theories, reflecting on the urgent societal discussions surrounding racism and gender inequity.

In a time when these topics are at the forefront of public discourse, the contributors to Whose Country Music? explore the complexities of diversity, representation, and identity within the context of country music. They raise vital questions about artist and fan communities, stylistic elements of the genre, and the modes of production that shape the music today. By doing so, they aim to uncover the often-overlooked aspects of contemporary country music culture.

This collection not only addresses the received narratives about country music but also highlights the gaps in existing scholarship that have traditionally emphasized biography and historiography. By expanding the conversation to include new areas of inquiry, Whose Country Music? invites readers to reconsider their understanding of country music identity and culture in the twenty-first century, challenging the limitations imposed by historical gatekeeping.