Tapping country’s return to story-telling, a new coalition believes Phoenix can take on Nashville.
For a minute in the ’70s, Phoenix was the dark horse pulling ahead of Nashville in a race for the country music crown. Riding the wave of “outlaw country” led by adopted son Waylon Jennings, clubs like Mr. Lucky’s and JD’s served up a rootsy-but-renegade sound that kicked dirt at the formulaic slickness of the country recording industry.
But as the neon sheen of pop-country surged in the ’80s and ’90s, Phoenix’s lead began to fade, its grit overshadowed by Nashville’s glitz and more commercial sound. Now, amid a resurgence of classic country stylings and a growing emphasis on lived experience, a new generation of Arizona artists and promoters is putting Phoenix back in the race.
“There’s a lot of amazing talent here in this state,” says Arizona on The Rise co-host Dennis Petty, who in January launched the Sunday night radio show on 96.3 FM to spotlight local country artists. “We’re giving them a chance to be heard by 850,000 listeners every week.”
“Radio is still relevant in the country genre,” says co-host Shari Rowe, a Gilbert-bred artist who’s got nine singles on the streaming services but has received the most love on traditional radio. “There is still a listenership out there.”
Petty and Rowe are part of a recent push – along with the Arizona Desert Country Music Association and Gilbert booking agency DDP Worldwide – to elevate homegrown acts. “We want to be the Nashville of the West,” says DDP co-founder Diana Blewer. “We want these artists to be seen for everything they’ve poured into their music.”
Jeremy Weeks, AZDCMA co-founder and executive director, credits Yellowstone and the Phoenix media hub Cowboy Lifestyle Network with reimagining the vibe. “The Valley has the right environment – the cowboy lifestyle, the desert, the venues,” he says. “We just needed someone to organize the effort. We’re creating a network of musicians and businesses to help them get discovered.”
Mesa singer Bobby Joe Bell says the timing is right. “When I first moved here, there were only a handful of country music clubs. Now, there’s more than a dozen,” he says. “And artists here – man, they’re the real deal. They live the life.”
Bell, a veteran performer who toured with acts like Night Ranger and Quiet Riot before returning to his country roots, sees an outsider – if not outlaw – spirit returning to the genre. “For a while, country got lost in party songs. But it’s coming back to storytelling – and Arizona’s full of storytellers.”
“We are influenced by where we come from, and these artists have roots here – just like me,” agrees Rowe. “I’m inspired by this beautiful state. It’s been a long time coming to represent it on a larger platform. But I think we’re ready.”
Country Stars with Arizona Roots
Waylon Jennings
Born in Texas, the outlaw country legend was discovered in Arizona, working as a DJ in Coolidge before leading the house band at JD’s nightclub in Tempe. He died in Chandler after 64 years of fabled hard living.
Jessi Colter
Born in Phoenix, Colter is perhaps best known for marrying two Arizona music legends, Duane Eddy and Jennings, but has continued to forge her own musical identity. Her 2023 album was mixed by son Shooter Jennings.
Tanya Tucker
Raised in Willcox, where the only radio station in town played country, Tucker’s big break came when she sang at the Arizona State Fair. In 2004, CMT (Country Music Television) included her as the only female artist in its list of country’s 12 Greatest Outlaws.
Dierks Bentley
Raised in Phoenix, Bentley’s local roots run deep – he even has a chain of namesake bars, Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row, in Scottsdale and Gilbert (as well as in Nashville and Denver).
Ray Herndon
Scottsdale native and guitarist for Lyle Lovett’s Large Band and McBride & the Ride, Herndon helped shape the Valley’s early country sound with his regular gigs at the legendary Handlebar J in Scottsdale.
J. David Sloan
Veteran Arizona country artist whose longtime tenure at the iconic West Phoenix country bar Mr. Lucky’s led to him eventually owning the joint from 1988 until its closing in 2004.
