George Strait & Alan Jackson Blast Modern Country In ‘Murder On Music Row’

Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY

When it comes to the the debate of modern country music over tunes that have secured a place in our hearts, there is no shortage of arguments as to whether modern country has driven out the original, classic loving fans. While many artists have addressed the conflict, two country music legends decided to criticize the newer country trends the best way they knew how: through song. 

Alan Jackson and George Strait joined forces to record the 2000 country hit “Murder On Music Row”, a song that, although never released as a single, received so much attention that it landed on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks! The song indirectly criticized the pop-inspired country music transition that many classic artists felt was diluting the genres roots. 

“For the steel guitars no longer cry/ And you can’t hear fiddles play/ With drums and rock ‘n’ roll guitars/ Mixed right up in your face,” the song states. 

Jackson and Strait were not the original singers of this brazen hit, as the first recording was done in 1999 by a bluegrass band known as Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time.

The duet later went on to win a CMA in 2000 for Vocal Event Of The Year, as well as 2001 Song Of The Year. 

Listen to the tune below and tell us what you think! 

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