Country Music and the Problem of Authenticity.

The article focuses on the concept of authenticity in country music, arguing that authenticity should be understood through the lens of "dual-character concepts," where "authentic country music" embodies the core value commitments of the genre rather than being tied strictly to artists' backgrounds or musical features. It situates the ongoing debate between traditionalists and progressives within this framework, describing authenticity discourse as a dynamic "game" through which the country music community negotiates and maintains its shared practical identity. The article critiques existing accounts of authenticity based on artist biography, intention, or musical style as insufficient, proposing instead that authenticity claims reflect alignment with the genre's evolving values—especially a shared commitment to tradition, which both camps invoke in different ways. This approach highlights how authenticity attributions function as social and aesthetic practices that shape country music's identity across generations and subgenres.