20 Artists Who Crossed Over to Country (and How They Fared): Beyoncé, Ray Charles, Tina Turner, Bon Jovi and More
variety.comChris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic Beyoncé is part of a great tradition of artists from the pop, R&B and rock worlds stepping into the realm of country music, whether it’s for one record or, in occasional instances, a whole career shift.
Of course, none of her predecessors made immediate international headlines by releasing a country single, the way Bey did with “Texas Hold ‘Em” (and its companion song, “16 Carriages”).
But at least one can be said to have deeply affected the course of music history: Ray Charles, whose smash 1962 album “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music” has continued to make music fans think about the links between soul and country, and who established once and for all that crossover doesn’t have to be cause for cynicism.
With Beyoncé as an impetus, Variety is taking a look back at 20 other artists who made their bid to have a side career in country, or just ended up dipping in for one project.
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