Country & Petty

Growing up in Florida, surrounded by country music, it’s only natural that some of it seeped into Tom Petty’s musical groundwater.  Petty’s main influences (Roger McGuinn, Bob Dylan, and The Beatles) all flaunted their country influences much more than Petty ever did.

McGuinn blended country and rock with The Byrds.  Dylan shocked the world by recording with Johnny Cash. The Beatles covered Buck Owens’ "Act Naturally" and no fewer than three songs by Carl Perkins—who straddled the line between country and rockabilly his entire career.  

Petty's influence can be heard in the contemporary country artists who undoubtedly grew up listening to him.  There’s more Tom Petty than Norman Petty in most country acts today.  He didn’t so much play country, as he influenced the direction that country music took.

Like Neil Young and Bob Dylan, who also have unusual singing voices, Petty seems to drench every song he sings with his pure Petty-ness, and to turn a song into a Tom Petty song more than a specific style of music.  That’s one of the measures of a great recording artist: to be instantly recognizable no matter what you’re singing.  

So pop a piece of grass in your mouth, let the sun warm your face (keeping one eye open for gators on your lawn) and experience The Country Side Of Tom Petty. - Stinky