Joshua Hedley’s Timeless Sound Attracts The Praise of Country Legends
Joshua Hedley’s just-released record Mr. Jukebox is just about the most accurate portrayal of the Countrypolitan era we’ve heard from a modern artist in quite some time. And though many traditional country fans are singing Hedley’s praises, some have been skeptical of just how sincere his reverence for the music can be. Since modern memory is so full of supposed “hipsters” playing country music only to turn around and betray their fan bases in some capacity, suspicion has worked into the minds of some listeners.
But when it comes to some of the older legends of country music, there’s no question in their minds. Joshua Hedley is the real deal, and they’re beyond happy someone has arrived up to help carry on the musical legacy.
On Friday evening (4-20), Joshua Hedley made his Grand Ole Opry debut—the day he released Mr. Jukebox. Carrying a picture of his father who wasn’t there to see the the moment, he first sang “I Never (Shed A Tear),” and then his album’s title track for the Opry audience who burst into applause. Country Music Hall of Famer Connie Smith, who was standing stage side, was definitely impressed as well, and was warmed to see a young man helping to keep the spirit of timeless country music alive like the songs she made during the beginning of her career.
“He’s really good and really genuine,” Connie Smith said about Hedley. “To see him walk out in a rhinestone suit and sing a really country song did my heart good. I loved it.”
That wasn’t the only compliment paid to Josh Hedley by a country legend. Country traditionalist Gene Watson, who was also in attendance, had positive things to say about Hedley the next day. “Enjoyed getting to meet Joshua Hedley last night,” Watson said on social media. “It was his Grand Ole Opry debut. Appreciate him for performing real country music. We need these young artists to continue in the footsteps of George Jones, Merle Haggard and our great country singers who have gone on. Thanks Joshua and keep it going.”
Some may be having a spirited debate with their buddies, or even inside their own heads about just what they think about the throwback 50’s and 60’s sound of country music being recreated by a 33-year-old. Is he real? Can he be trusted? First moving to Nashville when he was 19, Hedley’s been playing traditional country music at Robert’s Western World in Nashville and other places around town for years. He certainly has the skins on the wall, and has paid more than his fair share of dues. Now he’s winning over the hearts and minds of the most important, and most difficult skeptics—the artists he’s taking the torch from to make sure classic country music makes it to the next generation.
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Joshua Hedley will be playing at the Stagecoach Festival this weekend, and then will be touring extensively behind Mr. Jukebox into the fall.
April 25, 2018 @ 8:58 am
This guy seems to be the real deal and would be a huge let down if he indeed went Mainstream bro-shit. The fact that he played fiddle with the Don Kelley band has more credibility in the Country music world than any bullshit story than Midland could ever make up!
April 26, 2018 @ 6:42 am
I hope he doesn’t do something crazy like collaborate with a rapper.
April 26, 2018 @ 11:42 am
He’s already done that.
April 26, 2018 @ 8:07 pm
But, did he do it authentically?
April 27, 2018 @ 6:55 am
I have to admit that I like this song.
https://youtu.be/WePB9mUMvSE
April 25, 2018 @ 9:20 am
This guy is great. It was ridiculous to see all of the complaints leveled his way for not being “authentic” simply because he’s a younger guy. My ears tell me this is good stuff, and in the fight against the hellish demon that is bro-country, that’s what matters. I really enjoy listening to the album; despite some flaws and limitations, it feels genuine. I hope this guy’s career takes off.
May 4, 2018 @ 3:32 pm
That is the song that introduced me to him, I think he also did one with Yellawolf. They arent the big poppy rap songs though. Not quite the old school “spoken word country,” but both songs are a far cry from the crap that most Country Rap is.
April 25, 2018 @ 9:34 am
I think he made a great record. It feels genuine and authentic to me as well. No hipster irony at all.
April 25, 2018 @ 9:39 am
To be honest, I love the sound but am not in love with the lyrics. Maybe repeated listens will change my mind and I know he’s just getting started, but right now it feels more like an imitation than a second coming. I still have high hopes, but I’ve been fooled before. I’m definitely rooting for him.
April 25, 2018 @ 9:56 am
Best album of the year so far and who cares if he is a hipster or not? Good music is good music.
April 25, 2018 @ 10:00 am
“Bill Anderson quickly dismissed the praises by his fellow Opry members.
“He’s a hipster,’ remarked Anderson. It’s hard to take him seriously when he wears clothes from the era in which I started my career.’”
/sarcasm
April 25, 2018 @ 10:11 am
Although I know Daniel Romano isn’t “authentic” but his album “If I’ve Only One Time Askin” is probably my favorite “Countrypolitan” sounding modern album.
April 25, 2018 @ 1:59 pm
Daniel Romano immediately came to mind when I read this article. That guy had three amazing albums. Two of them are almost “too” country, with “Askin” starting to trend towards a folk sound. His outfits put him over the top. Good music either way, and while he’s not “authentic” persay, I believe he has/ had a real reverence for country music.
April 25, 2018 @ 3:08 pm
Exactly. I don’t care about hokey metrics of reality.
IIOOTA was really well performed and well done and I enjoy the album a lot even now years after I got it.
Who cares that he went and did something else later?
As far as I’m concerned, artists who express a desire to make different types of music are one thing. artists saying “this genre needs to change” or “this genre is constricting” are just after the money.
If I want to play rock, I play rock. If I want Bluegrass, I play some. I don’t need to make Bluegrass more like rock.
because I’m a real musician not some hokey grown-ass adult who sings with help from a computer who can play more than one type of music
April 25, 2018 @ 10:13 am
I’m glad he is not the male version of Maren Morris. One good first single & the album is trend-chasing nash-pop.
Will his next three albums sound like Mr. Jukebox? Hopefully not. The field of classic-traditional-outlaw-real-authentic country music is big enough for a whole career & more new-young-country-music-loving artists.
April 25, 2018 @ 10:40 am
I DON’T TRUST HIM. HE’S CULTURALLY APPROPRIATING MY IDOLS.
April 25, 2018 @ 10:50 am
I would be able to take this guy more serious if it wasn’t for the combo Nudie suite, tattoos, beard and shaved head. I know you listen to music with your ears and not your eyes..blah blah…but this cat just rubs me the wrong way for some reason. If he wasn’t trying so hard to portray a retro image to go along with his retro sound, then I would be more apt to believe this is who he really is. right now, he just seems like a novelty act to me.
April 25, 2018 @ 11:08 am
Like most retro hipsters they feel compelled to play dress up and pretend to be lumberjacks (?) or business men from the 1950’s (?) or in this guys case an “homage” to 1950’s country.
Can’t say that I blame the hipsters though. Have you seen the current culture? Why not emulate something better.
April 25, 2018 @ 11:15 am
what’s wrong with just normal fitting jeans and properly sized t-shirt? let the music do the talking,
April 25, 2018 @ 11:38 am
All is that is missing is some plugs in his ear lobes. Then it would complete his bitch look.
I’m just being harsh. Going to check out his music soon.
April 25, 2018 @ 11:15 am
I’m sorry never really liked the beginnings of country to much unless it was Buck Owen’s. The stuff is done alright I guess but it just puts me to sleep. I am ten times more excited for Randall Kings new album on friday. Now precede yo RIP me apart. I’m sure I you guys will but for some of us this is reaching to far back. Much rather hear the styles of the Damn Quails or Micky and the motorcars or just go a Josh Ward way with it.
April 25, 2018 @ 11:45 am
A question that came to my mind after listening to several cuts: at what point does traditional become retro?
April 25, 2018 @ 11:52 am
I should add this isn’t necessarily a criticism. Am enjoying some of his older, more straight-forward cuts on youtube (eg, Broken Man, Sweet Memories). They show a guy who isn’t bullshitting.
April 25, 2018 @ 12:37 pm
I don’t consider this traditional country. I consider this classic country. You can still make traditional country with modern themes. This is country music made in the style of classic themes. However according to Joshua Hedley, he just wants to be considered “country” with no qualifiers. This is a stance to say that all the other stuff being called “country” these days is only close approximations, and this is what country should sound like. Though I don’t 100% agree, I appreciate the pluck and sentiment behind that answer.
April 25, 2018 @ 3:01 pm
what do you mean you don’t 100%?!?!
How can you not be 100% on board to make this the mark against which Country Music is judged?
I DO 100%.
This is Country Music.
No Shania, Reba, Swift, or Bro, no computers, electronics, or people associated with any genre outside of Country Music.
no pop producers, no pop radio producers.
and by not 100%ing this you’re basically saying “I don’t know how bad I want Country Music to get rid of any outside influences. I want less Luke Bryan but I still want some just to be safe, so no I don’t 100%”
Not me.
I want Luke Bryan scourged, expunged and expelled from Country Music anbd made to issue a public apology.
April 25, 2018 @ 11:46 am
That hat tilt is on point.
April 25, 2018 @ 11:52 am
It’s so good that even I can’t play devil’s advocate.
April 25, 2018 @ 12:43 pm
I saw Trigger’s review via Gene Watson’s Facebook page when he shared it and knew I had to give it a listen. It’s been on repeat since Saturday. I don’t care what he looks like or what he wears. All I know is his music transports me back in time and I find it enchanting. I’ve been playing it back to back with Ray Price’s “Nightlife” and they blend seamlessly. It’s my first time commenting here although I’ve been reading your blog for 8 years. Thanks to you I’ve found many new artists that I probably never would have been exposed to. I appreciate all your hard work. I hope it’s ok to comment here from time to time although I don’t have a fraction of the musical knowledge that so many of the folks commenting here do.
April 25, 2018 @ 12:47 pm
Thanks for reading Tara. Comment away. If folks get mean, I’ll put them back in line 🙂
April 25, 2018 @ 4:10 pm
Tara you really hit on all cylinders here. The reference to Nightlife is spot on! Thanks for voicing something positive. Josh is very legit, he’s been playing country music in real honky tonks for years. I mean he plays Bob “freaking” Wills. He plays Hank! He plays Webb Pierce! The dude lives and breathes country western music. Roberts Western World isn’t hipster and neither is Nashville Palace. These were the places he learned his skills and paid dues. I have tried in my own way to help folks understand where he’s coming from and it’s always ” he’s a fake” he’s so hipster, I hate his hat, what’s with the outfit etc.
Finally, what’s wrong with playing retro?????? Haven’t you folks heard of The Derailers, BR549, Big Sandy and The Fly Right Boys and so many others before Josh who gave nods to vintage styles? Sure, playing retro or old school may never put you on so called country radio, but who cares. If people like it, they will support it. Its after all entertainment! Anyhow , great comment, please weigh in more often.
April 25, 2018 @ 6:46 pm
If you like the sound and style of Joshua Hedley, check out the single by Canadian musician Sean Burns & Lost Country – Farewell Parties.
April 26, 2018 @ 2:20 am
I’ll check him out . Thank you .
April 25, 2018 @ 1:33 pm
All this “Can he be trusted?” business I find kind of trying. What would it mean for him to betray their trust, anyway? I really doubt that Joshua Hedley is going to make a bad pop country album anytime in the future. But if he wants to make country music (or any music) outside the bounds of this interpretation of Countrypolitan would that be so bad? I really like this album but I almost like his old Green Eyes EP better, as his performance seemed more sincere and a bit less bound by the style. Seeing performers hit with all these expectations of trust and broken trust related to the style of their music helps me see the appeal of artists (like Dylan and D Romano) who seem to take some pleasure in intentionally confounding their fan base.
April 25, 2018 @ 4:39 pm
I’m still on the fence, probably for petty reasons.
Hedley is like Wynn Stewart: very good, but lacking the story, literary skill, good looks, and voice of Merle, who quickly eclipsed him.
When the next Hank/Dolly comes, it will take us all by surprise.
April 26, 2018 @ 9:27 am
I disagree that Merle was a better singer than Wynn.
Carry on, Corn Diggity.
April 25, 2018 @ 7:06 pm
I just bought and listened through once. I think this is a very good effort, really enjoyed it and will listen more. I’ve always been turned off with vibrato used on longer notes and I’m wondering if anyone else here has the same opinion. To me, great country singers don’t use a lot of vibrato. Maybe just my favorites don’t do it? Or maybe they are just more subtle about it.
April 26, 2018 @ 8:19 am
For me it depends on the artist. I don’t mind vibrato in Dolly or Tanya Tucker’s voices but can’t stand it in Gary Stewart. I don’t hear an overly strong one with Headley..
April 25, 2018 @ 8:44 pm
Did anyone else hear Barry Mazors Acme Radio segment today. I’m hoping either I get to Nashville when he’s in town or we can get him to Memphis next year.
April 26, 2018 @ 8:22 am
For me it depends on the artist. I don’t mind vibrato in Dolly or Tanya Tucker’s voices but can’t stand it in Gary Stewart. I don’t hear an overly strong one with Headley..
April 26, 2018 @ 8:54 am
GP did the ironic Nudie suits 40 years before. Better writer too (im not a GP fan). Met this guy playin fiddle for another country hipster Corndawg years ago and he seemed like a smug hipper-than-thou douchebag. I get the same impression today. The record is great musically my issues are vocals, phrasing and writing. I compare throwback records to the era the record imitates. As a countrypolitan lover this is 2nd likely 3rd rate due to weak writing and phrasing. But if we compare to country today it is top-tier I suppose. And there is the dillema – why listen to hipster throwbacks when can put on the real deal? His tunes sounded way too close to old classic tunes which just makes me want to hear the original and not a 4th generation copy. Same applies to hipster Daniel Romano.
On a positive note hopefully this exposes folks to real countrypolitan and the incredible voices, songs and writers that made up the era. Gives them a taste for real country beyond Hank and Cash. It IS a country record thank God.
April 26, 2018 @ 9:24 am
This is approximately what’s I’d have said, if I said something.
April 26, 2018 @ 10:41 am
So… lemme get this straight.
We complain complain complain about modern Country Music.
We get somebody who plays Country Music the way it’s supposed to sound.
We complain that he doesn’t sing well (because apparently we forgot that Faron Young didn’t either) and we complain that he’s not doing it for the “right reasons”
what are the “right reasons” somebody would make a record like this that would satisfy people?
for me, I got what I asked for.
An actual Country Record that sounds like I expect Country Music to sound like.
Because I’m not bogged down with elitist holier-than-thou attitudes that say “you can’t make real Country Music because you’re not authentic enough”
what has to be done to please people like this?
If you want Country Music, buy the damn album already because it doesn’t get better than this and if you actually cared about rescuing Country Music you would buy this album to prove that this kind of Country Music sells.
because the alternative is Puke Bryan.
You only dislike it because you’ve spent however many years conditioning yourself that everyone in Country Music is your enemy because you’ve built walls to prevent yourself from being letdown by the bean counting fopdoodles on music row and you’re so committed to your victim complex that you can’t admit to liking anything because if you do then you’d have to face the realization that not everything is bad, you’re just trying really hard to complain.
this record is the most Country sounding record this year, the most Countrypolitan record in decades, and possibly the most authentic record in ten years.
Hedley is the real deal and the only people calling him a hipster are just upset that they aren’t getting what they wanted which was apparently an album JUST of Hank Locklin covers over something else oddly specific.
it’s a common psychological dismissal that amounts to “If I can’t get something I want, I’ll pretend that it was never worth having.”
and frankly people not supporting this record are just proving that traditional Country Music doesn’t sell and are actually hurting the cause.
I said for years that the guy with the Louvin Brothers belt buckle who knows every Hack Locklin song by heart doesn’t exist and won’t show up and make a record and save Country Music.
that person doesn’t exist.
but here’s a fiddle player in a Nudie Suit and that’s the closest we’ve come to what we need and frankly either get on board or get out of here.
Because for all you people thinking there’s a better, more Country record around the corner. you’re drunk.
you won’t get a better Country Record.
this is it.
Cody Jinks won’t release an album like this, he’s going to be more like Waylon.
Roo Arcus won’t
Stapleton, Simpson, and Isbell won’t
if you want a record like the old Bill Anderson and Charley Pride days, this is it.
pay attention because you won’t get another one.
April 26, 2018 @ 5:58 pm
Oh it’s a great record for sure. Great album done in the style of the 50’s and 60’s Nashville sound. Definitely country. And it’s not that I don’t support it, I just tend to gravitate more to the Bakersfield sound and the edgy 70’s Outlaw sound. That’s the kind of music I’m looking for mostly.
April 27, 2018 @ 3:35 am
That’s not what I’m talking about.
I’m talking specifically about people who call this hipster music and complain about it.
I prefer the honky-tonk shuffles of Don Walser and Jean Shepard to this any day but this is still good stuff
April 27, 2018 @ 11:06 am
Are you talking to yourself or an imaginary friend? Can you explain to me why a record that would be average at best if released in the era it is imitating deserves unreserved praise in 2018?
There is no shortage of music with a sound I like and people like Luke Bryan or FGL dont even register in my mind when it comes to country so perhaps I have different standards. The food in the Soviet gulags may have been better than the food at the Nazi camps but neither are winning any culinary awards.
I consider country music to be timeless so being better than your contemporaries, as Mr. Hedley surely is, doesnt really cut it for me in the grand scheme of things.
And its not him being a hipster that detracts from the record its the vocals, phrasing and writing I thought were lacking which I made clear in first post.
So il give it 9/10 compared to Luke Bryan and FGL while it gets a 6/10 when judged on its own merits. Hopefully this is clear enough for you.
April 27, 2018 @ 11:54 am
Hey.
Be thankful a record like this even happened.
Because if Scott Bullshitta had his way there would be no records like this and the old ones would be rounded up like in Farenheit 451.
If we don’t buy this record we are proving that this music doesn’t sell and enabling the Devil himself on Music Row to further destroy Country Music.
I don’t care if you don’t like it.
But you’re shooting yourself in the foot by not voting with your dollars. because the people actively seeking to Destroy Country Music want this record to fail, and if we don’t buy it they will have proof to the effect that this music doesn’t sell.
Take one for the team and realize how special it is that this record even happened.
and frankly? it’s far better than most of its contemporaries.
It’s better than Cody Jinks’ “not-as-badass-as-Waylon” Goth Country.
It’s loads better than any of the female singers.
It’s frankly the most accurate Bill Anderson-esque record we’ve seen in thirty years
April 29, 2018 @ 8:57 am
Lol ok I get you. I bought this on iTunes which is where I heard it so I did my part yes? I agree wholeheartedly that faux-Waylon Goth country is NOT the answer. I just dont think novelties are the answer either. Its as novel as a Wheeler Walker album in a good way I suppose. I dont think this is as good as it gets but I assume you dont either really and the hyperbole is more about supporting the record as it is pretty traditional in its modes.
Anyways im bettin on Leroy. He seems to be the only one with the talent, creativity, wit and persona to shake things up. Artists today have no personality or charisma. You have lukewarm unoffensive family men like Isbell, Stapleton and Sturgill who have no character or personality besides this reserved humbleness which is boring as fuck and fails to bring about any excitement. Leroy however has that upbeat fun charismatic personality you see in Jimmie Rodgers and Hank Sr. Cocky but can back it up.
April 26, 2018 @ 9:21 am
Offtopic but it’s a sign of my age (without the maturity!) that I can’t see his name without thinking:
“Heddy Lamarr!”
“That’s Hedley!”
April 26, 2018 @ 1:25 pm
It’s not your age. Gorgeous gal, and smart as a whip.
April 26, 2018 @ 9:41 am
Would this guy have a record contract in the 50s? Not a chance. I can’t believe people think this is more than a novelty. Like Nashville Star with Faron Young and Ray Price songs. Ironically imitating the Nashville Sound that almost destroyed Country Music. Sure have been a lot of pictures of guys with short-brimmed cowboy hats and beards featured lately. Nothing destroys a good thing like a fad.
April 26, 2018 @ 10:54 am
Have to decide if I want to go out on a Tuesday nite and see him.
April 26, 2018 @ 4:04 pm
I’m going to see him next Thursday and will pick up the CD at the show. I’ve streamed it a few times and really dig it. Of course, he’s a hipster; basically anyone making good country music these days is some kind of hipster. Haha.
But his previous music (look for an EP from 2014 on Youtube) is definitely in the Americana vein so this isn’t a case of boy band making country or a pop band making country. He’s got a connection.
April 27, 2018 @ 7:34 pm
I’ll take the opinions of real country artists I respect over the opinions of anyone else besides myself
April 28, 2018 @ 7:44 am
I listed to the entire album and was disappointed. I love the classic country sound but it doesn’t seem sincere because the lyrics aren’t there. I think I was expecting some deep, creative, revolutionary or even comical lyrics and it didn’t include any.. seems like an act that I’m not buying..
April 30, 2018 @ 4:40 pm
I love the whole damn record, couldn’t care less what he looks like or what his motivations are.
May 3, 2018 @ 9:50 pm
The show tonight was great. I recommend seeing him live if he plays near you. His voice is great. The songs don’t change tempo very often, which would be my only complaint. But that’s minor since we’re talking about 75 minutes or so. He took requests at the end and I think you can hear the difference between his songwriting and the “greats” (Willie, George, Lefty) but I think he’s on the right track. The songs that have been used for videos are really good in my opinion.