In the final section of this miniseries (and series in general), we discuss technological evolutions within country music, who is and isn’t underrated as well as what makes country music “country,” and also share some final thoughts on these last 30 years.

In this section, we debate bro-country, champion some independent talent, discuss Taylor Swift and predict which acts will have huge careers in the 2020s.

Revisiting parts one through three of ‘A Modern Country Music History’ … albeit in a much more heated manner!

Trying to untangle my mind, I guess.

In the grand finale to this series, we check back in with Miranda Lambert, discuss some new names and faces, Black artists in country music, Kentucky and Red Dirt, Boyfriend country, the rise of Luke Combs and Ashley McBryde, Old Town Road, and the Highwomen.

Everything I used to make this project come alive, because there’s always room for more country music knowledge!

The shortest part of this series explores more independent names that had banner commercial and critical years, a Kentucky native’s breakout moment, Lori McKenna’s ode to kindness, and the important friendship shared by Sturgill Simpson and Merle Haggard.

As bro-country invaded mainstream airwaves, a new class of independent talent rose to find a little light at the end of a long white line.

Country music’s story in the latter half of the 2000s is less about the events that shape it and more about the artists – new and old – who rose to prominence during the time period. And as Gretchen Wilson proved unable to maintain consistent success and longevity within the genre, two women emerged from newly growing mediums to foster a way forward.

Part two explores the rise and fall of one of country music’s biggest trios, plus delves into the genre’s messy post-9/11 politics and the changing business practices that impacted the entire genre. Along the way, as both Garth Brooks and Shania Twain exited to focus on family, the spotlight turns toward the rise of certain artists that are still consistent hit-makers to this day.