I see there's a lot of hate for today's country, yet under the same breath people are saying they like Kenny Chesney and Chris Stapleton. I find this ironic because both of those artists are part of today's country. Listen to American Kids by Kenny Chesney and tell me how that isn't part of the same country pop you hate. Personally, I not only enjoy the song, but a lot of the music that people consider country pop. If it has a good beat, or there's some good instrumentals, I'm going to enjoy it. I love listening to a 6-string.
Btw, it's it me, or is Kenny Chesney's American Kids a sequel to John Mellencamp's Pink Houses? Both of these songs I enjoy.
But, if you held a gun to my head and told me to pick a modern country band to listen to for the rest of my life, I'd have to go with Old Dominion. They have a lot of great songs, and have written a lot of great songs for other artists. One of my best concert experiences ever was at the Patriotic Festival in Virginia Beach, VA when Old Dominion played. Sun was setting, storm clouds threatening, lightening out in the distance, and my son and I enjoying the concert of his choice. The song I love to sing in my car the most is One Man Band. You'll never convince me this isn't a true country song an old timer wouldn't enjoy.