That became familiar to us when we talked to Kendra and Krista Slabaugh of sister-duo Tigilly about their new EP ‘Blonde’ and how songs like the title track and ‘Shot of Tequila’ try to cut a bit short into country music. Chart-topping country music has become a little navel-gazing in recent years, and it’s always gotten us thinking about the relationship between comedy and country music.
Known for its heartfelt lyrics and soulful melodies, country music has a long tradition of incorporating humor and humor into its songs. The genre’s ability to blend relatable stories with lightheartedness has been entertaining audiences for decades. This report explores the role of humor in country music, highlighting its importance, popular artists, and its influence on listeners.
The origins of rural music can be traced back to traditional songs sung by rural communities. These songs often contain humorous stories, providing a respite from the drudgery of everyday life. In the early 20th century, country music began to embrace comedy from vaudeville and minstrel shows. Humor further cemented its place in country music, with artists such as Jimmie Rogers and Uncle Dave Macon incorporating humorous anecdotes and jokes into their performances. Perhaps the most comically influential piece of culture similar to country music is the television show ‘Hey Haw’. The show ran for 655 episodes between 1969 and 1993 and was hosted by country music artists Buck Owens and Roy Clark. An absolute industry behemoth, ‘Hey How’ was not only popular in the South, but also had a strong following in cities like New York, LA and Chicago. It is often used to refer to the “halcyon” days of country music, with a desire to see a return to simpler times and less obscure country music.
Another famous actress whose name is associated with quality comedy and quality country music was Sarah Ophelia Coley Cannon, but you may know her better by her stage name Minnie Pearl. She entertained music and comedy fans during her 50 appearances on the Grand Ole Opry and ‘Hee Haw’. Pearl’s comedy was a gentle satire of rural Southern culture, often called “hillbilly” culture. She lives in the fictional city of Friends. Pearl always wears cute “downstairs” dresses and a hat with a price tag on it that shows the price of $1.98. Her signature greeting to her audience is an extended “Hello! I’m proud to be here!” It came from the heart holler. After becoming a superstar, her greeting became a call-and-response with audiences everywhere. Pearl’s often self-deprecating humor includes her failed attempts to attract the attention of “friends” and her later years. She is also funny with her “ner-do-well” relatives, especially “Uncle Nabob”, his wife “Aunt Ambrosia”, “Lucifer Hucklehead”, “Miss Lizzie Tinkum”, “Doc Payne” and, of course, “her brother”, who is also slow. And he was wise.
It’s not just comedians who blend country music, but many country songs use humor and social commentary to poke fun at different sections of society. Artists like Brad Paisley and Roger Miller have masterfully woven humor into their lyrics, addressing topics such as politics, relationships, and everyday life. Country music often uses clever wordplay and double entenders to create funny moments. This technique adds depth to the lyrics, allowing listeners to appreciate the humor and underlying meaning. Artists like Kacey Musgraves and Blake Shelton (‘Some Beach’) excel at using wordplay to provoke laughter, and the narrative structure of country music lends itself naturally to comic storytelling. Artists such as Ray Stevens and Clydes T. Judd are known for their humorous fairy tale songs, which captivate audiences with funny stories and fun characters.
Known for his stunning playing and clever wordplay, Roger Miller has produced hits such as ‘King of the Road’ and ‘Dang Me’. His songs combined humor with catchy tunes and won him widespread acclaim. Brad Paisley showcased his comedy skills with songs such as ‘I Miss You’ (The Fishin’ Song), ‘Online’ and ‘Alcohol’. Even songs like ‘Tan Working On’ are light-hearted that seem to have disappeared from mainstream country music now. His ability to blend humor with relatable themes has made him a favorite among country music fans.
Big and Rich were a breath of fresh air after releasing their debut album ‘Horse of Different Colors’ at the turn of the century, which featured songs such as ‘Save the Horse (Cowboy Ride)’ and even the King of Country, George Strait on ‘All My Exes Live in Texas’. Songs sometimes worked with a little comedy. In recent times, Dierks Bentley’s side band, The Hot Country Knights, has become a staple of live comedy in country music. They recently roped Lainey Wilson into a hilarious ‘fallout’ to take Darla McFarland’s mantle, while ‘When It’s Raining’ Luke’s combing had more than its fair share of comedic intent. Ashley McBride’s stunning ‘Lindeville’ album contains some true throwback moments such as ‘Hey How’, some of the Southern lifestyle and attitudes, especially ‘Brenda, Bring on the Brah.’ Radio personality Bobby Bones also tries to put some comedy on the airwaves with his daily radio show, live shows and parody band Bobby Bones and the Raging Idiots.
The recent passing of Leslie Jordan united Nashville in a way not often seen. This talented actress and comedian, still known as the incorrigible Beverly Leslie from Will & Grace, makes her Opry debut in May 2021, supporting the great talents of Vince Gill, TJ Osborne and Charlie Worsham, singing and telling stories. A posthumous tribute show featured artists as diverse as Maren Morris, Tanya Tucker, Jelly Roll and Eddie Vedder.
The inclusion of comedy and humor in country music has several effects on listeners: Humorous country songs provide listeners with a sense of relaxation, allowing them to temporarily escape the pressures of life and enjoy light-hearted fun. The humorous elements of country music often explore universal experiences, allowing listeners to relate to the lyrics and take comfort in shared laughter. It’s fair to say that comedy makes concerts and live shows at country music shows more fun for fans.
As country music grows and changes in this tumultuous century, genre boundaries are shrinking and the industry is becoming a little more inclusive, which can only be a good thing. However, the flip side of that is that ‘hillbilly’ humor is often seen as something ‘redneck’ and backwards, well-worn. New artists like Jelly Roll, HARDY and Bailey Zimmerman have brought a rock-leaning sensibility to the country music section of the charts, meaning the genre is now heavier and more visceral than it has been for some time. Texan artists like Randy Rogers, Wade Bowen, Drake Milligan and Randall King are still keeping some of the comedic flourishes and tongue-in-cheek elements of the genre alive, which is important, as major labels on Music Row push harder and harder. A genre sound that doesn’t lend itself to parody or self-deprecation, as much country music has done in the past. Check out the songs that made it to the top of the charts in the last 6-9 months: Zac Bryan, ‘Something in Orange’, Morgan Wallen, ‘You’re Proof, ‘Last Night’, Jelly Roll, ‘Sinful Child’, Jordan Davis, ‘What My World Goes Around’ ‘, Natty Smith’s ‘Whiskey On You’ and Ken Brown’s ‘Thank God’ – all very heavy and very powerful songs. Morgan Wall’s rise to domestic prominence coincided with a more serious slant in the angst genre, which doesn’t lend itself to light-heartedness or frivolity.
Jokes and humor have long been a staple of country music. From the genre’s folk roots until now, artists have used humor, satire, and clever wordplay to entertain audiences and create memorable songs. Combining laughter and melody, country music uplifts listeners and provides moments of joy. We hope that the artists will continue to merge the two fields in the coming years and that society will avoid comedy for fear of destruction and that what is being shown in media such as cinema and television will not stifle the use of comedy. In country music for good.
