Blast from the past.
The 90’s were an exciting time for country music with artists such as Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, and the Dixie Chicks at the forefront of the scene. And although the sound may be coming back thanks to guys like Zach Top and Braxton Keith, it seems that we are removed far enough from the 90’s to the point where modern country artists are commonly covering songs that are now considered “classics.”
Let’s take a look at some of the best 90’s country covers by today’s artists:
Brand New Man – Luke Combs (Brooks & Dunn 1991)
The chart-topping singer has been vocal about his respect for Brooks & Dunn in the past, and his solo performance of the song absolutely does their original justice.
Whenever You Come Around – Chris Stapleton (Vince Gill 1994)
During a CMT Giants event honoring the great Vince Gill, Chris Stapleton covered this classic 90’s tune in front of the “giant” himself.
Stapleton’s smooth tone matches that of the original but, per usual, he brings a little extra firepower in terms of a vocal standpoint. It’s truly a performance that makes you wish Stapleton would record his own version of the song, and he clearly makes Gill proud with his tribute.
This is one of the greatest vocal showings in recent time, which is even more impressive considering it’s not a song from his own discography.
Carrying Your Love With Me – Parker McCollum (George Strait 1997)
Texas native Parker McCollum pays homage to the King in this twangy cover of the country music legend’s 1997 number one hit. Releasing the tune across streaming platforms, McCollum succeeds in offering a fresh, modern-sounding take on the classic, delivering it in a way that doesn’t take any magic away from the original story.
It’s clear that Strait has been a major inspiration for the Handle On You singer and hopefully this strong cover has exposed some younger “Gold Chain Cowboy” fans to go listen to the King.
Cowboy Take Me Away – Carly Pearce (Dixie Chicks 1999)
Back in 2020, Carly Pearce gave her fans a recorded, re-imagined version of the classic Cowboy Take Me Away by the Dixie Chicks. Pearce brings her own distinct feel to the ’99 number one hit while remaining true to the essence of the original.
Despite her softer, stripped-down approach to the song, it effectively conveys the story with a similar level of emotion as the Chicks’ louder, more powerful delivery. It’s a solid rendition that can resonate with both longtime fans of the original and those discovering it through Pearce.
Honky Tonk Man – Jon Pardi (Dwight Yoakam)
This song could absolutely be a Jon Pardi song based on its overall feel and sound, so it makes perfect sense that he released his own recording of it on his 2020 Rancho Fiesta Sessions.
Pardi is one of the quintessential “honky tonk” country singers in modern Nashville. Much of his discography feels straight out of a honky tonk jukebox, which is why this cover feels so natural for him. He adds his remarkable authenticity, breathing new life into this classic 90’s country song. His cover not only pays homage to Yoakam, but also stands as a testament to his abilities as a performer.
Youngstown – Charles Wesley Godwin (Bruce Springsteen 1995)
While this obviously isn’t a country song and Springsteen isn’t a country artist, this steely tune sounds pretty darn country. Instrumentally and melodically, it fits the bill and it’s much closer to country than not.
Charles Wesley Godwin is one of the most talented independent artists to hit the country/folk scene in recent years, and he absolutely nails this Springsteen cover. His acoustic, solo rendition is soulful and gives the song a whole new feel which, when covering an artist, can be a gamble. He’s able to transform it into something that’s authentically his- showing off what’s gaining him so much popularity.
My Next Broken Heart – Brad Paisley (Brooks & Dunn 1991)
After kickin’ off this list with a Brooks & Dunn tune, why not add another? After all, the duo is such an iconic piece of 90’s country, it only makes sense.
During a tribute event, Brad Paisley showed off his phenomenal guitar skills while crushing a rendition of My Next Broken Heart. He is able to perfectly mesh his style with the upbeat energy and sound of the original, making for a knockout performance. It’s tough to take a Brooks & Dunn tune and make it sound fresh, but Paisley cracks that code with this one.
Outside of this list, there are plenty of live performances covering 90’s songs that have either been recorded by artists for social media or by concertgoers at their shows. Here’s some other great cover performances to watch that fall under that category: