Just one of the best things about loving country music is the keen US geography skills, developed thanks to an appreciation and proliferation of songs about states. From Hawaii to Georgia, there are plenty of places to dream of on the countdown to Country to Country 2024.
Here are 19 songs celebrating the state of mind that is country, from artists all appearing on UK stages next month. One US state is so beloved it’s mentioned by three different acts (hint: it’s not the one you think it is).
‘One Mississippi’ and ‘I Love Country Music’ (Kane Brown)
Brown has an undeniable ear for music, and features twice on the playlist, one for his nod to Mississippi and two because ILCM is something we can all appreciate as we head towards our nearest C2C24 stage. Both songs have great swagger and arm waving potential with their infectious choruses.
‘Country Nation’ (Brad Paisley)
Let’s face it, whatever our taste in country music, whether we mix our genres, we’re traditional, alternative, pop, legendary or there for socialising with flannel-minded friends – for the weekend we’re all one country nation.
‘Florida Boy Forever’ (Brian Kelley)
Brian Kelley, off of Florida Georgia Line, shares his love for the Sunshine state in this ballad, which I hope is part of the setlist, especially as he’s on the stage just before Florida lad Jake Owen.
‘New York at Night’ and ‘Hawaii’ (Old Dominion)
A second double-entry in the state of mind playlist is Old Dominion, probably the most far-reaching with the nod to the vibrancy of a night-time in NY and giving the best kind of island vibes on Hawaii, reminiscing about being as “happy as a ukulele”; thanks for this beautiful simile, lads. Will be using it as often as I quote “jumping off a rope swing…”
‘West of Tusla’ and ‘Milwaukee’ (Wyatt Flores)
His home state of Oklahoma gets a mention in this traditional, fiddle-playing ballad, from main stage and after-party presence Wyatt Flores. Stunning and hypnotic vocals on Tulsa and also on ‘Milwaukee’ (one of the less-often mentioned states in country music). Flores is one to watch across the weekend. Read more about Flores’ latest EP here.
‘Ohio’ (Elle King)
This banjo-infused ballad acknowledges the state the LA-based King grew up in, and where she discovered her love of music. The song opens her album from January 2023, Come Get Your Wife.
‘4 Mississippi’ (Chapel Hart)
Our favourite trio, who featured a couple of times on the last playlist, delve into one of country music’s favourite states, their Poplarville home state with this beauty of a harmonised ballad.
‘Night Train to Nashville’ (Ben Chapman)
If you’re a fan of the Lukas Nelson or Brent Cobb school of music and thought, then you’re going to love catching Ben Chapman at one of his several appearances. Talk about disappearing into sublime music.
‘Kentucky Jelly’ (Brad Paisley)
For bluegrass instrumental fans, Paisley’s uptempo Kentucky Jelly made the playlist. We may hear a section on the main stage.
‘Mr Atlanta’ Fancy Hagood
Another name to pay attention to is Fancy Hagood, who’ll appear on the Indigo and Bluebird Café stages. This ELO-sounding track, celebrating one of Georgia’s favourite cities, is the right kind of infectious. Hagood has collaborated with Kacey, Sean McConnell, Ariana Grande and Meghan Trainor.
‘Tennessee is Mine’ (Alana Springsteen)
On the back of a successful appearance across The Long Road in August 2023, Springsteen (no relation) will perform several times across C2C, including a Saturday after-party show. This earnest ballad is likely to make an appearance, too.
‘I Hate Alabama’ (Connor Smith)
One of the US’s favourite music states doesn’t usually receive this much anguish, but Smith delivers with such passion that you can’t help but love the song. Appearing as part of the Introducing Nashville set on the main C2C stage.
‘Mississippi in July’ (Charlie Worsham)
Enigmatic on disc or on stage, Worsham’s return to the C2C stages is very welcome (absolute understatement). With several appearances planned across the London stages, Worsham has an effortless ability with audiences and guitars. Follow him on the socials to see what impromptu messages he releases. Oh, yeah, and who doesn’t love this lose-yourself-in-music masterpiece celebrating Mississippi?
‘Tennessee Bound’ (Sinead Burgess)
Australian Burgess will make her debut appearance at C2C24. Her vocals and stage presence will ensure she continues to build her fanbase in the UK. I’d just returned from CMAFest2019 and rocked up to a Paul Young show in Torquay. Burgess opened and I thought five days of country music had meant I heard Nashville everywhere I went. Burgess is indeed country.
‘Georgia Dreamin’’ (Ben Chapman)
Oh yeah, Chapman’s back on the state of mind playlist, thanks to this blues-infused, soulful homage to the iconic state of Georgia. Captivating music to make a person smile with glee.
‘Devil’s in NOLA’ (Drayton Farley)
The last song on the playlist goes to traditional country-with-fiddle singer-songwriter Drayton Farley, who’s wandering around Louisiana’s New Orleans. Think an early Stapleton with vocals and a Drake White/Willie Nelson ‘70s approach to music.
Did you spot the hat trick state of Mississippi in the tracks? More countdown playlists coming soon. Did you miss your workout with the first C2C24 Countdown Focus playlist?
