20 Albums That Shaped My Music Taste

Y'all know I love country music, but there are so many albums and artists that have made me the music fan I am today. So, after being inspired by a challenge on Instagram -- I'm looking at the albums that have influenced me. I hope you enjoy!
In this video...
Avett Brothers - Emotionalism
Various Artists - Now That's What I Call Music
Relient K - Anatomy of the Tongue in Cheek
Weird Al - Bad Hair Day
Randy Travis - Old 8x10
Garth Brooks - No Fences
Various Artists - Pure Funk
Shaggy - Hot Shot
Eiffel 65 - Europop
Toby Keith - Unleashed
Jason Isbell - Southeastern
Creed - Human Clay
The Lone Bellow - Self Titled
Eric Church - Mr. Misunderstood
Joni Mitchell - Blue
Patty Griffin - Children Running Through
Paul Simon - Graceland
Twenty One Pilots - Vessel
Honorable Mentions
Patreon: / gradywsmith
Merch: gradywsmith.threadless.com
Spotify: open.spotify.com/playlist/5SB...
Subreddit: / countrymusicstuff
Cameo: www.cameo.com/gradywsmith/
Instagram: / gradywsmith
Facebook: / gradysmithwriter

[@GradySmith]

Justice for Creed!

[@jtlovescodelyoko]

This is not about ssseeexx SEXXXXXXX!!!!!! THAT MEME BY ROCKED IS AMAZING!!!!!

[@noahbieniek4795]

Appreciate the Linkin Park reference, that was my “Creed” band. Hybrid Theory and Minutes to Midnight are so hard to choose from personally

[@justinreeder3514]

Creed was amazing!!

[@jacklineescobar1700]

Grady I think you and I would be really good friends. I love a lot of the music that you talked about in this video. Love Reliant Kay, you also mentioned that you love simple plan, evanescence, Lincoln Park, I love those as well. Taylor Swift album red is also my favorite Taylor Swift album. Oh and don’t let me get started on Mr. misunderstood from Eric Church absolutely love that album I would played all the time so much so that it would annoy my ex-boyfriend.

[@danhathaway7984]

Stapp may have been a tool but Creed doesn't remotely deserve the crap they get. My Own Prison and My Own Prison were first-rate albums.

[@SuperCasino77]

You giving "All Too Well" the credit it deserves makes me so happy to hear. One of the most powerful songs I've ever heard.

[@harryyrrah9942]

I know, right? It's one of my favorite songs of all time.

[@stevedapirate5]

SSSSSOOOOOO GOOOOD!

[@nknd8630]

Yessss, all my friends love 22 and never getting back together but I bring up how great all too well is and I get a "I don't know that song" look

[@saratalkscountrymusic]

YES!!

[@clarajays]

Her voice on that one is incredible !

[@emileebeimers732]

Me- “finally... Grady posted on KZbin”

[@kamdenrhodes5863]

I agree but why the quotation marks when talking about yourself Edit: sorry if that sounds passive aggressive

[@madelynb9185]

Every time

[@mallorieself4147]

me too

[@SpyderMadeKaSog]

Relient K! I never, ever, in a million years, thought I’d see them on this channel! They’re pretty much the soundtrack to my middle school early high school years.

[@kevindykstra3409]

They're pretty great stuff, I haven't met anyone outside of my siblings that like them

[@robertmace4501]

This won’t get the credit it deserves

[@jess_athome2018]

Me too! I loved them in high school.

[@jesscrawford9716]

I just went through and listened to all of Taylor Swift’s albums in a row in 1 sitting and it had a weirdly meaningful and powerful. I’m planning on writing something about it once I get all of my thoughts together. It was cool to listen through and realize how significant her music has been throughout my life! Also, Florence + The Machine is amazing! I need more people to listen to her music

[@fairyprincess815]

@countrygirl countrymusiclover Mam,I don't mean to be rude but, it sounds like you need to learn to respect other people's opinions. Their was no need to give this girl crap for her music taste. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with expressing your honest opinions on music(I'd be a hypocrite if I did) but, when you actively belittle people who have different taste than you, that's when it becomes a problem. I don't mean to insert myself into anyone's business but, if you're seriously considering not going to your cousin's wedding because she likes Taylor Swift then frankly, that's not a problem with Taylor that's a problem with you. I dislike some of the artist you said you like but, that doesn't mean I think you're dumb for liking them so please try to be nicer to people with differing opinions. Also, I'm just going to assume this was unintentional but, you used the pronoun "he" to describe Taylor when I think you meant to use "she".

[@denniscallahan6005]

Jim Croce "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" 1972. It made me want to write. Be safe and stay Country Y'all.

[@sarasommers3588]

Photographs and Memories, one of the best albums of all time. Jim was taken much to young.

[@denniscallahan6005]

@@sarasommers3588 Photographs was on You Don't Mess Around...Jim Croce🙏

[@mattbailey7500]

Too true

[@sarasommers3588]

@@denniscallahan6005 In 1974 a greatest hits album was released, titled Photographs and Memories. It is one of my favorite albums.

[@CPTurner]

When COVID shutdowns started, I had my middle school kids do a "Soundtrack of My Life" project, and they really clicked with it! I think everybody should take some time to sit down and go through their lives, and listen through those key albums again. You get an A btw.

[@sarrongkimbey5980]

Pageant Material by Kacey Musgraves was my gateway to country music. Really liked that album.

[@SneakerShow24]

Like if Ashley Mcbryde should be the next to cover Harper Valley PTA

[@thebayoudiaries8389]

That’d be awesome!

[@junkie.9208]

So happy to see Red here!!!

[@joshuablank1]

Dude, I've been watching your videos for years now, and I gotta say how stoked, but shocked I am that RK's album was on your list. Anatomy is when I first got into them, and I've listened all the way through til the last one in 2018. Phenomenal band, in my top 3 all time.

[@MadisonS415]

Eric Church's Carolina album is one of mine. I remember hearing my older brother listening to that album on repeat when I was growing up and before that I didn't know who Eric was. I was instantly hooked on his music and he is still probably my favorite artist. Country has always been mostly the only thing I listen to because that's what my family listened to and that's what I like but his music just hits you differently. His music is so easy to relate to and in my opinion he is one of the best songwriters of all time.

[@pamelaparker7032]

Totally agree

[@brandenrobinson3708]

Anderson East’s Encore, kasey’s Golden Hour, Tim McGraw and the dance hall doctors, counting crows August and everything after, Eric church’s mr misunderstood, Cody Jinks adobe sessions, old crow medicine show big iron world, Travis trits greatest hits so many more!

[@TheCraftBin]

Kind of actually love Relient K. I LOVE that punk pop rock sound and never could figure out how to decribe it. Also, "In Like a Lion" is such a good Christmas song because I very much love Narnia.

[@jockoaccidente]

If you love All To Well, her semi-recent NPR Tiny Desk rendition of it is amazing.

[@darrenwildeman5276]

Yes! I was so happy you mentioned Taylor Swift's Red. That's legit one of my favourite albums ever. The songs for that album are so well crafted and I love All Too Well so much.

[@ktthethrifty9425]

I just got reminded today of the song "there's no I in beer" haven't jammed that hard in a long time!

[@lindseycoomer2550]

10 Albums that shaped my music taste Speak Now- Taylor Swift Carolina- Eric Church Patsy Cline’s Greatest Hits Mountain Soul- Patty Loveless The 20/20 Experience- Justin Timberlake Hell on Heels- Pistol Annies 12 Stories- Brandy Clark Wide Open Spaces- Dixie Chicks Pageant Material- Kacey Musgraves Jagged Little Pill- Alanis Morrissette

[@cartermize6651]

speak now is actually so GREAT!

[@NicoleMarieDay]

You have great taste.

[@willchapman._]

Albums that shaped my music taste: 5th Gear- Brad Paisley, Continuum-John Mayer, No Fences- Garth Brooks, American Saturday Night-Brad Paisley, Always & Forever- Randy Travis, Fearless- Taylor Swift, Room For Squares- John Mayer, Mud on the Tires-Brad Paisley

[@mommad9863]

I love that you put Creed on here. I dated a boy for years when I was much younger. The funny thing was that I liked hanging with his awesome Mom more than I did him. She was the mom that my mom wasn't after a brain injury. She took me shopping, taught me how to cook and cooked me all my favorite foods, treated me like the daughter she was yet to have. I was there for all the parties, triumphs, and losses, going on every vacation with them like I was just another person in their family and no matter how many hours it took to get to wherever we were going, Creed's first album played over and over in the CD player of her green Jeep Cherokee. Like young love does, her son and I split. I'd see her out year after year later and she'd say "You'll always be my favorite daughter-in-law. Even though I never technically was. She is still, to this day, my favorite mother of someone I've dated. She shot herself Halloween last year. It broke my heart. I hadn't heard Creed in years, but a few weeks after her funeral I heard it playing as I walked into Walmart and it made me happy as can be. I'll always think of her when I hear a Creed song!

[@gabbydavis6349]

Some albums that shaped me were good time by Alan Jackson, Taylor Swift title album, the band perry title album and many more

[@larissafrey3362]

Relient K's The Anatomy of The Tongue and Cheek! That takes me back. 😂 Met them once at a small college campus concert in like 9th grade.

[@kendra0015]

I loved Relient K back in the day! “Let It Snow Baby... Let It Reindeer” is top 5 Christmas albums all time 😂

[@socc4298]

Lonestar, Garth brooks, Mongomery Gentry, Brooks and Dun, Toby Kieth, Tracy Byrd, Diamond Rio, Tim Mcgraw, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Alabama and many many more are all special reminders of my childhood.

[@cailinbary7806]

I love that your first ever concert was Weird Al.

[@jeffschwietert9647]

So good Grady...loved it all took me so far back. For me in country...it was...”Any man of mine”...I know looking back but I was 16, and she “Shania” was so different. That eventually led me to realizing there were so many different sub genres in county...like for me Nickel Creek, and Mindy Smith. But I too had an equal love for Toby Keith and Dixie Chicks. Times just seemed so simpler then... Definitely miss those 90’s early 00’s days. College for me. Country just seemed so expansive then, maybe life did...not sure but I miss them days. I am going to go back to the one, the best album of late country in my book...btw it wasn’t country...Martina’s Emotion album. Have you listened to it front to back, I so wish she had stayed on this path. Honestly from recent interviews I think she does too. Any way if you haven’t listened to it beyond “I Love You” do! You are so spot on wish I could grab a beer with you, and chat. You perspective is so good!! Keep it up!! PS Get with “my girl Martina some time”, make sure to ask her about that contact they offered her back then...that Joe Galtae has referenced so many times. I want to know!!!!

[@nknd8630]

Getting the thumbs up purely for the All Too Well shout-out

[@camdenmacek43]

Anyone watch the Garth docuseries on Netflix? As a gen z I knew Garth was big in the 90s but I never realized just how popular he was not just in country but the whole world. Highly recommend

[@klash813]

I watched that the other day! I enjoyed it quite a bit!

[@JamesWadePlus]

It's weird being in my late 30's and knowing people who have seen the peak of Taylor Swift did not get to see Garth at his peak. NYC was something nobody had seen before and just seemed like Garth being Garth.

[@willthorson4543]

I saw him in Germany in 95. The DVD of him playing there...im somewhere in it. He gave free tickets, actually really good seats to soldiers. He found out my unit was coming back from a deployment and he had 20 tickets for us. It was cool back then, Dwight Yaokam did that so did many others. Concerts are a lot if fun when you are 21. Lol

[@AllySheehan]

Grady I truly love the variety across your taste!! Especially agree about All Too Well being one of the best written songs of our time, I could tear up just thinking about the chorus in my head. The albums that shaped my music taste are: Greatest Hits - James Taylor (1976) Dreams - The Corrs (2006) Jonas Brothers - Jonas Brothers (2008) Greatest Hits - Jackson Five (1971) Fearless - Taylor Swift (2008) MKTO - MKTO (2014)

[@mimibelta259]

The albums and songs that have shaped my music taste Anyone by Demi Lovato 25 by Adele Taylor Swift by Taylor Swift Firework by Katy Perry Some hearts by Carrie Underwood

[@christinafazeera740]

My top 20. I live in a country where they think Taylor Swift is the epitome of Country Music even to these days. So dont judge me. lol (in no order) now 1 (hey Grady, i see you!) my first introduction to English-speaking music. max 5 - my first time obsessed with compilation album fefe dobson self titled - the first album i bought with my own money! still love it maggie rose cut to impress - album that convert me into country music lover ♥️ switchfoot the beautiful letdown evanescence fallen dixie chicks home - my introduction to bluegrass. awesome album. katharine mcphee unbroken taylor swift self titled - my introduction to pop country bubblegum delta goodrem born to try panic at the disco first album skye sweetnam noise from the basement come away with me norah jones - my lullaby album the civil wars self titled 3 days grace life starts now my chemical romance the black parade carly rae jepsen emotion - best pop album of last decade the pretty reckless light me up red breathe into me - best christian hard rock album ever stripped christina aguilera - my all time fav. album that helped me going thru a lot during my teen years.

[@BrittsBites402]

Justice for the Civil Wars!!!

[@alexhendl859]

It’s crazy to think about buying an album back then without hearing it. That’s not something my generation has to deal with. Streaming has its pros and cons, but I always wonder how music would impacted me if I was born at a time where listening music wasn’t as easy and attainable. Great video, Grady

[@krystalh21]

Back in the day you could listen to an album on headphones in the record store

[@alexhendl859]

Krystal Howard I didn’t think about that, but compared to back then, music is way more attainable. Still a crazy concept

[@TinyLittleHobbit97]

I'm really finding comfort in your videos, during all this crazy (Apparently softly picking apart music calms my brain), so I thank you for that.

[@Wolverine_onYTTV]

It amazes me with every new video how much it seems like me and Grady grew up and remember the same songs and artists. He helps take me back to that time.

[@Rem62098]

It’s nice to see what albums shaped Grady’s musical taste(s). Also, it’s interesting to see how his opinions surrounding songs and artists shift and evolve.

[@ALtheMage]

I'm right there with you on Southeastern. I was fortunate enough that my sister had an extra ticket to go see him locally right after Something More than Free came out. I didn't have a lot of expectation, I didn't figure he would be my cup of tea and I started to distance myself away from country music prior to that. I got sick that night but made myself go so she wouldn't have to go alone and It was one of the best concerts that I had ever seen in my life. Gravitated to Southeastern right after that and I listened to it on repeat in my jeep on my way to and from college. Several years later and he is one of my favorite artists and has really started me back on track to listen to what I think real country music should sound like.

[@Matthanna90]

Definitely agree with you about All To Well. Love the throw back songs and popular music when we were younger.

[@JTMayo803]

Love ur stuff Grady! First album was Bel Biv Devoe “Poison”, also a Pure Funk fan!! Lol...Colin Raye’s “Love Me” was the first country song that moved me. Sister Hazel’s first album with “All For You”. OutKast Aquemini is a classic. Keith Urban Golden Road. Eric Church Mr. Misunderstood his strongest album beginning to end. Just a few!!

[@jessicabray3425]

So glad you mentioned Lone Bellow. One of my favorite bands. Also, super cool that you know them!

[@katiegurksnis160]

Great video Grady! I also really liked Weird Al as a kid, and honestly, I still do. He’s still funny. And I did and still do love Garth. I’ve been listening to his music all my life. My mom loves to tell a story about me singing “Nobody Gets off in this Town” off his first album, riding in the car in my car seat. And finding out that I shared a birthday with him was pretty awesome as a kid. I can totally relate to your feelings on Jason Is bell’s album too. That’s how I feel about Cody Jinks. No particular album. Just being introduced to his music made me want to discover more red dirt/Texas music and ultimately more independent music as well. And I believe searching him on KZbin is what led me to your videos. Thanks for always making the best recommendations.

[@aslanmonn86]

You have great artists here. As always, Randy Travis. Old 8x10 is an awesome album, has great songs on there! And Weird Al is awesome and hilarious as well. Love Amish Paradise. God bless you, Grady! Love the videos

[@calebsmith7684]

Man, I really enjoyed this video. So many of these albums were a huge part of me growing up. And as a 90s baby from the east side of VA, hearing you mention Weird Al at King’s Dominion was wild!

[@crumpmakecountrygreatagain425]

Wow when you said "first country song I remember hearing" it got me in the heart. I'm gonna do some thinking to see if I can remember the first country song I remember hearing. As classic as it gets for me. I usually remember where I was anytime I heard a song for the first time, even the ones I don't like. But I can't say I ever thought about the "first country" song that just made me fall in love with it. Thanks for this video man

[@brooklynanderson1025]

Weird Al is a great concert! I saw him last July in Iowa and he has always put on a performance! On of my favorite concerts ever!

[@edvaira6891]

Brooklyn Anderson I’ve seen him six different times, from 1986 opening for THE MONKEES!!...through 2016 when I finally paid $275 for a meet and greet and got to thank him for being such a positive part of my life for thirty years, and he was so kind to me about it!

[@fishgeneral0222]

Can you tell me your thoughts on Justin Moore’s Bait a Hook from like 8 years ago? And your thoughts on Trace Adkins’s new song Mind on Fishin’

[@meghanjohnson1440]

Yesssss!! I’m so glad that you love TAB. I’m so jealous you saw them in a small venue. I saw them for the first time at Red Rocks in 2014!

[@bk_truth9143]

Thank you for introducing me to Jason Isbell! The whole Southeastern album is my current obsession and I just love his voice and his songwriting skills are absolutely amazing. Thank you Grady and keep up the great videos!!

[@Tonkaman13]

I love listening to your reviews. Oh and you're easy on the eyes and ears too.

[@erino7960]

wow, Deeper Than the Holler by Randy Travis was my first country song too. My sister came back from college listening to country radio, and that was the first song I started to recognize and look forward to. Good memories!

[@jaredjudnich]

I'm an old guy (47) but so many of your faves are on my list too. I suppose that;s why I tend to appreciate your perspective so much. When I got to the Vessel part, I was SHOCKED. My 19 year old daughter has been OBSESSED with these guys forever. Tyler and Josh are super talented guys and the kind of famous person parents love to see their kids look up to.

[@ItsKimOlson]

This is so fun to take a walk down my own history! 💖 The first country songs I remember listening to are "Chattahoochee" and "Little Bitty." I was, at most, 3 years old riding in my dad's truck. "One Way Ticket" - LeAnn Rimes is the first song I LOVED and sang along to. I was, again, 3. "Austin" by Blake Shelton was one of my first loves. I was a bit older by that point - 7. Toby Keith's "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue" used to be one of my favorite songs. Singing along in my dad's truck, my brother (7 years old) and I (9 years old) would always SCREAM "Put a boot in your ass!" The country album that shaped me most would have to be "Lady Antebellum," because it was the first and I've been here since the first day they were on the radio, but especially specifically "Need You Now." There's also "Some Hearts" - Carrie Underwood. *LIGHT BULB!* I cannot close this out without talking about Phil Vassar, specifically "Six Pack Summer." We would always turn the radio up when it said. (Also "Wave on Wave," by Pat Green - but really just that one song.) I cannot close this out without talking about Rascal Flatt's first four albums! From age 11 - 13, I would fall asleep every night listening to these albums play through my stero. If you wind me up I can keep going! (& this is just country!) There's also Britney Spear's "Oops... I Did it Again" and Aaron Carter's "Party." (I was 7.) Lifehouse, maybe specifically "Smoke and Mirrors." "Now That's What I Call Music 11" is the first one of those I had. It was a gift from my crush in 4th grade. TV Soundtracks: "The OC" and "Instant Star." Movies: "Orange County" and, most recently, "Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2." My taste is ECLECTIC, which is why I say I really like everything except (most) rap & classical!

[@mlmooney]

I must say I cheered for Relient K when mentioned. One of my favorite artists in high school!

[@cartermize6651]

really really REALLY love the relient k shout-out here. listen to Matthew thiessen's album Wind Up Bird

[@whiskeyjam9069]

love it man!!!! very thorough & honest. we know you better now

[@chandlerd.7512]

Another fantastic video. Keep it up man!!

[@ashleyjustice3008]

This is cool: I have a similar story to yours of how you were introduced to country music and "Deeper Than the Holler" became your favorite country song. My dad also introduced me to country music when I was real young (you and I are the same age, Grady) and I distinctly remember several Saturday mornings/afternoons when we would run errands around town and he would sing along with "Brand New Man" by Brooks & Dunn. Now, that song is my absolute favorite country song! #dadswhointroducetheirkidstocountrymusic

[@brittneyhorn4414]

As someone who LOVES pop punk, I was so excited to see you say you loved it as well 🤘🏼😊

[@dippst]

i've been subjected to country most of my life. i remember riding in my aunt's van in the 90's listening to slow, sad songs that i now recognize as songs from alan jackson, tanya tucker, dolly parton and reba. the first country song that i remember listening to that i actually enjoyed was save a horse, ride a cowboy. from there i slowly ventured into country through the mid-late 00's. trace adkins, toby keith, jamey johnson, kevin fowler, lonestar and montgomery gentry all bring back memories of my early-mid teens. in my late teens, i began to venture into the likes of randy howser, frankie ballard, jason aldean, sugarland, the band perry, brantley gilbert, blake shelton. early twenties brought me into classic and heavier music. hank jr, willy, waylon, merle, david alan coe, billy joe shafer and hank III. now in my mid-late twenties, i find myself venturing into rock and metal. seether, theory of a deadman, shaman's harvest, hellyeah, light the torch, disturbed, all that remains, killswitch engage... but still enjoy a good bit of current and classic country. chris stapleton, cody jinks, cole swindell, dirks bentley, luke combs, whiskey myers, morgan wallen, the white buffalo and home free.

[@trentonskinner8893]

Creed and Nickeback were the shit and I’ll never be ashamed for jamming to either of them.

[@ashleyjustice3008]

I agree about Nickelback. People give them such shit/hatred, but I've always liked them and am not ashamed to say that or to still listen to their music!

[@jarodantonovich5722]

Nicklebacks nonpop songs are so much better than their songs like Rockstar.

[@creekfreak05]

Its pretty clear to me, especially after watching this video, how I ended up on this channel so long ago. 15 of those 20 you focused on have been so much of the soundtrack of growing up and through my 20s to now at 33. Southeastern, Red, anything Relient K...it all resonates deeply with me.

[@chloehaug7218]

Grady, my albums that helped shape me would have to be TLC CrazySexyCool, Creed My Own Prison, and REM Out of Time. I started listening to country in college and Tracy Lawrence was HUGE into keeping me a fan. Love your videos, keep up the good work!

[@jacksonroberts2205]

As a younger country fan have to throw You Get What You Give by Zac Brown Band out there. Really all three of their early albums were phenomenal

[@songnotes]

*Kings Dominion represent!* Grew up in Maryland and this was the big destination park we'd go to every couple years.

[@BrittsBites402]

Yaaaaas I'm from Hanover county and that shout out made me fist pump too. Lol

[@dragonkfg]

Albums that changed my taste: Moonshine in the Trunk-Brad Paisley, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers(any album, namely Damn the Torpedoes), Bob Dylan- Blonde on Blonde, and The Traveling Wilburys Volumes 1 and 3!

[@steveconelley4434]

I first heard the Lone Bellow when my wife and I went to Stagecoach in 2015. On the shuttle bus back to our hotel, there was a random mix CD consisting of songs by artists performing at the festival that year. The ride turned into a big karaoke event, and Green Eyes and a Heart of Gold was one of the songs. I was immediately hooked.

[@Moviewhiz1]

You and I have had practically the same Weird Al journey. My first concert back in 2008, he got me to appreciate versatility in music, and I adored the wordplay.

[@happycheese5135]

What first got me into country music was the band Gloriana. I just remember thinking their song *Wild At Heart* was so awesome and it sucks that they broke up because they had real talent!

[@Roflmao0001]

Yes dude!!! The first live concert I ever went to was Weird Al, in like 2006 in New Zealand on the Straight Outta Lynnwood tour lol

[@comandermcgarrett7795]

Rodney Atkins If your going through hell was always my fav. The sound track to the original Pixar Cars Movie. Alan Jackson's 2001 hit CD. George Jones greatest hits like Corvette song and White lightning. I also was shaped a lil by all of FGLs music. Especially Sun Daze

[@wendyhaun2559]

So many memories in this video.... definitely, you should check out "Tapestry" by Carole King. She's an amazing songwriter!

[@hannahsolo27]

Nice, I’m looking forward to this!

[@robertallison1850]

Man, Mr. Misunderstood came out a few days before my second deployment. I listened to that album every single day all 8 months. So many memories along with that album.

[@rockpaperscissors82]

Born in 1982, I'm on the "elder millennial" side of the millennial spectrum. I resonate with all of this -- Relient K, Weird Al, Creed -- the stuff of Christian kids in the mid-late 90's. Perhaps given that I'm a bit older, my first album was Dave Matthews Band's 'Crash', and I distinctly remember the grunge era, even though I was barely 9 years old when it emerged at the popular level with "Smells Like Teen Spirit."

[@benski8610]

Dc talk and Newsboys were my favorites in the late 90’s

[@bradleybroom6446]

I never expected to hear about Relient K on this channel! I absolutely love them

[@jft-69]

The one album that has influenced me the most has got to be "The Late Great Townes Van Zandt". It includes his more popular songs but they've all shaped how I and many others write.

[@Spitfirethedragon]

You should cover today's artists who are related to country artists from the past. Thomas Rhett, Dillon Carmichael, Walker Montgomery, Hank the III, Holly Williams, Lukas Nelson and others. Plus Colbie Cailat's (Gone West) father is a record producer in Nashville.

[@hunter12211]

When you said The Avett Brothers was your "soul band", that really resonatated with me. I've listened to them since I was 8 or 9 years old, and I'm 21 now and still to this day I find them being a band that truly changed not only my musical tastes but my life. The way their lyrics explained how love, friends, family, and faith are all important things that you need to hold dear to your heart.... It's how I live my life. While I don't listen to them as much as I used to, and while I don't think their new music is their BEST stuff, they will forever be my "Soul Band". And yes Emotionalism is the best album. That is a factual statement.

[@jonathancyr1746]

The first song I remember from my childhood was "what was I thinking" by Dierks Bentley, I was about 6 at the time. I was with dad in the tractor when it came on the radio, and I remember him explaining to me what "peppered my tailgate" meant. I also remember Shaggys hotshot album that you mentioned. My mom played track 5 and 10 on repeat for a whole afternoon... at the time 8 or 9 year old me was fed up with it and never wanted to listen to shaggy again. But now that I'm older I've learned to appreciate the album, and I enjoy the music

[@harryyrrah9942]

Vessel is a masterpiece. I can't find an album more perfect and that I can relate to as much as I do when I'm enjoying it.

[@jakegodman]

Dude!!!!!! My dad has Pure Funk on cassette! I still listen to that compilation 👍👍

[@danielb7744]

Grady, have you ever explored country dance music? The kind of stuff you two-step to (among other styles). One thing that's frustrating about popular country music produced in the last decade is that it's hard to dance to (in the style of two-step, etc.). Snap track beats especially.

[@stylesgroove6517]

NASHVILLE BOOTS

[@noahc527]

love the vids man thanks for all the awesome vids!

[@markk6151]

my top 5 that shaped my taste Jesus Freak - DC Talk (grew up christian and this was like our Sgt Peppers lol had pop/rock/rap) They're Only Chasing Safety - Underoath (my intro into punk and heavy music, felt like my own music and not my parents) Where The Light Is - John Mayer (Blew my mind, started expand to blues, jazz, soul, singer songwriter artists) Late Registration - Kanye West (one of the first hip hop artists id get into and would go on to be my fav) Live - Alison Krauss & Union Station (my dads favorite. Really encapsulated the style country/southern music id gravitate towards)

[@courtneyroberts3203]

Yessss, I am here for the Relient K love!

[@edvaira6891]

Thanks for the love for WEIRD AL!

[@courtneyrodifer2991]

Hey Grady! I would REALLY love if you could review Fanny Lumsden's Peed in the Pool!!! Its from a year or two ago, but I think that you will really like this song

[@michaelm7349]

Just few days back, I added few of the Relient K songs in my Playlist

[@jaycee945]

You've been to South Africa?! That's awesome. Hello from a South African country fan!

[@GradySmith]

Baie dankie!

[@NicoleMarieDay]

THANK YOU GRADY. Red is Taylor's best album lyrically. And All Too Well is a masterpiece. It's one of the best written songs of all time. So I really appreciate you mentioning it. Taylor is an amazing songwriter.

[@farmboyswaterfowlin9116]

Was a huge fan of Reliant K as a kid!

[@cholepriccee2069]

grady, i gotta say that 75% of the reason i watch your videos is to learn the meaning of new words. your vocabulary is impressive

[@macoyreiber4482]

Hey Grady, I would love it if you could review Clint Black's new album Out of Sane. His story in creating that album is very interesting, and the music is appropriately very Clint Black-like. I would love to hear your take on it. Also, Mark Chestnut's I found another you (and she hates me too) Edit: If you included Willie Nelson's new song, you could do a sorta Retro Roundup. Folks might enjoy that.

[@StephanieMT]

adele and queen got me through some difficult times. queen is my favorite band so im always listening to their music. dolly and reba get me through cleaning my house. i have a few country songs on my anxiety playlist

[@jtlovescodelyoko]

Here is are my 20: 20. Steven Universe: Soundtrack Volume 1 19. Taylor Swift- 1989 18. Utada Hikaru- Deep River 17. Shania Twain- UP! 16. The 1975- I like When You Sleep For You're So Beautiful, Yet So Unaware Of It. 15. Lea Michele- Louder 14. Celine Dion- Taking Chances 13. Bjork- Homogenic 12. Shakira- Donde Estas Los Landrones? 11. Livetune & Hatsune Miku- Re: Package 10. Gorillaz- Demon Days 9. Sting- Brand New Day 8. Harry Styles 7. Owl City- Ocean Eyes 6. Lady Gaga- The Fame 5. Kacey Musgraves- Golden Hour 4. Poppy- I Disagree 3. Nostraightanswer- Specters 2. Sia- 1000 Forms Of Fear 1. Cher- Believe

[@emmahaven3164]

Pure funk is one of the greatest compilation albums of all time! My dad was in a funk band in college and he lived by that album we used to listen to it all the time.

[@jrice6874]

I’ve been waiting for this notification all week. 🔥

[@jonathanmolik4397]

Little more country than that by Easton Corbin was my gateway into country music.

[@ramblinwreckt]

Yes! Relient K was awesome. Sadie Hawkins Dance was one of my original punk pop jams

[@therese514]

20- Patsy Cline the greatest hits 19- Kenny Rogers the gambler. 18- Wolfe Tones on the one road. 17- Big Tom Four Country Roads 16- Elvis Golden Records. 15- Ray Lynam the best of 14- Dubliners 13- Daniel O’Donnell The boy from Donegal. 12- Margo O’Donnell Grádh mo chroí. 11- Alan Jackson who I am. 10- Brooks & Dunn hard working man. 9- Christy Moore ride on. 8- Derek Ryan Gods Plan. 7- Garth Brooks No fences/any Garth album. 6- George Jones Tammy Wynette All there music can’t pick. 5- George Strait Strait from the heart. 4- Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison. 3- The Judds number 1 hits. 2- Loretta Lynn Coal miners daughter 1-Reba McEntire For my Brocken heart (and every album have them all ). And way more

[@artverse188]

Martina Mcbride, Gretchen Wilson, Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Rascal Flats, Faith Hill, George Strait, Buddy Jewel, Reba, Brad Paisley and Tim Mcgraw raised me