The September 11 attacks of 2001 and the economic recession helped move country music back into the spotlight . Many country artists , such as Alan Jackson with his ballad on terrorist attacks , " Where Were You ( When the World Stopped Turning ) " , wrote songs that celebrated the military , highlighted the gospel , and emphasized home and family values over wealth . Alt-Country singer Ryan Adams song " New York , New York " pays tribute to New York City , and its popular music video ( which was shot 4 days before the attacks ) shows Adams playing in front of the Manhattan skyline , Along with several shots of the city . In contrast , more rock-oriented country singers took more direct aim at the attacks ' perpetrators ; Toby Keith 's " The Angry American ( Courtesy of the Red , White and Blue ) " threatened to " a boot in " the posterior of the enemy , while Charlie Daniels 's " This Ai n't No Rag , It 's a Flag " promised to " hunt " the perpetrators " down like a mad dog hound . " These songs gained such recognition that it put country music back into popular culture . The influence of rock music in country has become more overt during the late 2000s and early 2010s as artists like Eric Church , Jason Aldean , and Brantley Gilbert have had success ; Aaron Lewis , former frontman for the rock group Staind , had a moderately successful entry into country music in 2011 and 2012 . Also rising in the late 2000s and early 2010s was the insertion of rap and spoken-word elements into country songs ; artists such as Cowboy Troy and Colt Ford have focused almost exclusively on country rap ( also known as hick hop ) while other , more mainstream artists ( such as Big & Rich and Jason Aldean ) have used it on occasion
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Country music