Jon Pardi Shares His Thoughts on the Changing Landscape of Country Music: “I’m Not Sure What Country Music Is Anymore”
By Website Content Manager
“Everyone is incorporating the music they grew up with, and it’s amazing…”
The sound of country music is evolving more than ever before. The change has been so drastic that even artists like Jon Pardi are finding it difficult to pinpoint what country music truly represents these days.
In a recent conversation with Esquire, Jon Pardi reflected on the shifting sounds within country music, acknowledging how the genre’s expansion has prompted him to reassess his place within it. He highlighted artists like HARDY, Beyoncé, Morgan Wallen, and Jelly Roll as key figures driving these changes.
Pardi admitted, “Honestly, I don’t know what country music is anymore. We’ve got HARDY’s heavy-metal country, Beyoncé country, Morgan Wallen country, Jelly Roll. Everyone’s incorporating the music they grew up with, and it’s amazing. If it’s a great song that moves the soul and retains some essence of country, we’re calling it country music.”
Jon Pardi’s journey to success was originally shaped by a traditional sound, which helped pave the way for other artists like Luke Combs and Midland who lean towards classic country styles. However, with the rise of a new era of country music that has attracted fans from various genres, Pardi is realizing that the evolution isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Rather than resisting the changes in country music, Pardi has embraced the movement, pushing his creative boundaries as he works on his fifth studio album, Honkytonk Hollywood, set for release on Friday, April 11.
“I thought, ‘Well, hell, let me try some new things,’” Pardi reflects. “Maybe it’s time to step out a little.”
For this project, Pardi completely shifted his approach, and the collaboration with Grammy-winning producer Jay Joyce played a significant role in helping him evolve as an artist. Joyce’s influence allowed Pardi to experiment with a fresh sound.
“When I say ‘rock ’n’ roll,’ I’m talking about the way we made it,” Pardi explains. “We didn’t tour or move studios; we just hunkered down. We drank whiskey after sessions, just like you’d imagine when thinking about the records on every poster you had on your wall.”
Pardi will showcase his growth as an artist across 17 tracks, including previously released songs like “She Drives Away,” “Love The Lights Out,” and his current hit, “Friday Night Heartbreaker.”
While Pardi is clearly exploring a fresh direction with this new project, he’s not concerned about whether his fans will continue to support him on this new journey.
“We’re poets, we’re writers—we make you feel what we’re feeling,” he shares. “I loved being a ’90s throwback in 2015 because that’s what resonated with me. But you grow and make more records. If we just keep repeating the same thing, we’re not really being artists.”
Fans will still get to enjoy Jon Pardi’s signature party anthems and drinking songs, along with some of his new material, during his HONKYTONK HOLLYWOOD TOUR.
The tour kicks off on April 25, with performances at arenas and amphitheaters across the U.S. through June. He’ll be joined by support acts Kassi Ashton and Corey Kent on select dates.