Nadine Hubbs

Narrating new histories, tracking sonic migrations, and amplifying first-hand accounts of Mexican American country music lovers, this project argues that country music is Mexican American music. Recent work by scholars and musicians, including Beyoncé’s 2024 “Cowboy Carter” album, has underscored the importance of African American contributions to country music. Mexican Americans, too, have long been active as country listeners and creators, especially in the Southwest borderlands. And Mexican American influence has structured country music throughout its history, as in the 1930s embrace of the singing cowboy, 1940s western swing craze, and 1970s rise of country’s first Mexican American stars, Johnny Rodriguez, Freddy Fender, and Linda Ronstadt. Country artists’ sparkly Nudie suits originate in the Mexican charro horseman’s costume. Country’s western boots, hats, belts, and themes come from the Mexican working cowboy, el vaquero, and mirror those of Tejano, banda, and norteño music. In the Southwest, country music is already a frequent element in Mexican American life, and across the United States, Latine country audiences are growing rapidly. “Border Country” rewrites the standard story of country music by showing how Mexican-origin people and culture have engaged with and shaped this emblematic genre in the United States.