Is Algorithmic, TikTok Fame Replacing Authentic Honky Tonk Talent?

Nashville, Tennessee is one of the biggest hubs for country music, if not the biggest. Notably called “Music City”, country artists from all over flood Nashville, hoping to find the opportunities that propel them into stardom. The maintained atmosphere of authenticity and love for music has been a special quality that Nashville has possessed and held near for many generations. With the rise of TikTok and the use of the app as a marketing tool, are there country stars yet to be discovered getting drowned out? 

Delving into the history of Nashville and Country Music, the word “authenticity” has adapted a new meaning in Nashville’s music industry today, with social media in consideration. Breaking into the industry today looks more like going viral and having a song ‘blow up’, which allows you to receive more recognition. Artists breaking into country music in past generations were based on personal connections and playing gigs. From Music Row songwriters, radio play popularity, and building a fanbase through consistent gigs, artists were able to crack through and capitalize on the small successes they had. 

With TikTok being a home base for going viral and ‘blowing up’, the authentic philosophy from the previous generations of country stars has been flipped on its head. Now, instead of capitalizing on small successes and building up, an artist is expected to maintain a heavy social media presence and sometimes become an overnight sensation before any recognition is shown their way. 

For the Honky Tonk pickers across Nashville’s bars today, this sort of marketing and building in one’s career is backwards and against the grain of what country music has looked like for years and years prior. Live show culture used to be the way to develop for the artist and the fanbase, not relying on certain social media platforms and hacking an algorithm, which leaves authentic country pickers drowned out by social media growth and country breakout stars. 

While social media is a great tool for an artist to reach far and grow a fanbase worldwide, the live show artists in Nashville should be appreciated more for how they keep the authentic charm of Nashville alive. Nashville still maintains a lively, exciting live show scene, and it is important to connect with those venues and the artists that play them. The charm of Nashville’s Country Music scene relies on these musicians and venues, so go out, line dance, and listen to the best live music Nashville has to offer.