Studying the Songs Behind the Stars
This month, we’re highlighting the work of sociologist Rachel Skaggs, who joined Artisa to work on a monograph based on her long-term research into the country music industry. Drawing from in-depth interviews with songwriters in Nashville, she has been exploring a deceptively simple question: What does it take for artists—particularly songwriters—to build successful, sustainable careers?
Growing Up in the Heart of Country Music
“I grew up in the home of country music—Nashville, Tennessee—and my dad is a country music songwriter,” Rachel says.
Spending time in recording studios and attending songwriter showcases in local bars was just part of everyday life for her (and often boring to her as a child) But it wasn’t until college that she realized how unique that upbringing was. As a sociology student, she began researching the world she grew up in and discovered a topic that would shape her academic life: songwriting as a collaborative art and career. At the time she was collecting her data there were many changes in the music industry which made the topic fascinating.
The Shift Toward Collaboration
Rachel’s research focuses on how songwriting has become increasingly collaborative over time, especially in the commercial country music industry. Despite the romantic notion of the lone genius penning a hit song, the data tells a different story:
- In 2000, the average hit country song had just over 2 songwriters
- By 2011–2015, that number had risen to 2.83 co-writers per song
- The solo-written hit? Almost gone—down from 21% of songs in 2000–2005 to just 5% in 2011–2015.
“It became clear that a sustainable career in songwriting almost always involves frequent collaboration,” Rachel explains. “Even if writing a hit alone might seem more prestigious or lucrative, in practice, co-writing is the dominant model.”
A Research Era Defined by “Bro Country”
When reflecting on what influenced her research, Rachel points to one of the most criticized trends in recent country music history: Bro country
“The period I’m writing about coincides with this era of highly formulaic music,” she says. “There’s a satirical video by Sir Mashalot that blends six of these songs together, and it really shows how homogeneous the sound was at the time.”
Though the trend is often dismissed, she sees it as an important cultural moment—one that reflects broader shifts in music-making and audience expectations.
Rethinking Creativity and Collaboration
Rachel’s research has also changed how she views her own work.
“Even though academia isn’t typically seen as a creative field, it really is. It’s about generating knowledge—and that’s inherently creative. My research has reinforced how much I value collaboration in my own career as well. Connection to other people and ideas can lead to generative, exciting outcomes!
What’s Next: Following the Artists
Rachel continues to explore her central question about artistic success and sustainability. One of her current projects looks at how artists across disciplines experienced the COVID-19 pandemic—and how they’ve adapted since.
“I’m conducting ongoing interviews with U.S.-based artists, beginning in 2020 and continuing into 2023. I hope to do another round soon to check in on their careers, their creative lives, and how they’re navigating the post-pandemic world.”
Stay tuned for Rachel’s forthcoming monograph, and for more insights from the fascinating world of country music songwriting and beyond.
