Country Music Has Long Been Political

Country singer Zach Bryan is making headlines after a snippet of his new song “Bad News,” posted on the singer’s Instagram , revealed what some observers have called “anti-ICE” lyrics and unpatriotic sentiments. Many on the right have criticized Bryan. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem found the song “completely disrespectful,” while country star John Rich took to X to express his doubt that country fans would keep supporting Bryan: “Who knows, maybe there’s a large ‘anti law enforcement’ wing of the country music fanbase. We’ll soon find out.”

Permeating the debate around Bryan’s song is the belief that country music, and its audience, are inherently conservative. But they aren't. Indeed, for much of the 20th century, country music furthered liberal politicians and progressive