I keep seeing the argument that everything's about $ for the country music industry. I think this is true, but not always obvious. For instance, why didn't the industry embrace Old Town Road when it was on its record-breaking ascent? The story has a lot in common w/ these albums.

When Ray Charles released two country music albums in 1962, the records where huge and brought in a whole new audience for country. And yet, the industry failed to embrace Charles as one of its own.

But the industry did not ignore the albums. Instead, in demonstrations to advertisers it heralded them as evidence of country music's modernity & hipness to the times, as seen here in 1963. One of the albums is shown hanging behind Don Gibson, who wrote "I Can't Stop Loving You."

For more on this, see the great Diane Pecknold's chapter on Charles in this book she also co-edited: https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Mix-African-American-Presence/dp/0822351633

The industry's relationship w/ Charles has been similar to Lil Nas X: don't embrace the artists as one of their own, but point to their success as evidence of country's coolness and mainstream appeal. So how's it about $$?

In the case of Modern Sounds, the industry was able to keep its distance from Charles while also reaping the benefits of his success. As it did then and in the decades since, it's been very successful in branding itself as music for white, relatively conservative adults.

Now, the industry could or could have had the opportunity to embrace Lil Nas X and similar artists and branch out racially. But recent events (re: the "Lady A" story) suggest this won't be the case. Again.

For those who might say the industry didn't embrace Charles or Lil Nas X bc they're "not country!" I'll remind you of Justin Timberlake's 2015 performance on the CMAs. After, the industry drooled at the thought he might go country, & "Drink You Away" was played on country radio.