Fun fact: I love country music just as much as I love Tool as a band.
I think that the country genre has undergone more changes than any other type of music, especially in recent years. As someone who appreciates both older and newer country, I find it interesting to be able to note their distinctions. Country has moved from its more traditional sound (Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, Dolly Parton) into a more dynamic category. It incorporates other genre influences like rock and pop music, creating "crossover" country. The song "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" by Trace Adkins is a great example of this change - it is an upbeat, fun song with suggestive subject matter. A recently popular group Florida Georgia Line walks the fine line between contemporary country and rock. A country artist like George Strait, however, hearkens back to older country. Jamey Johnson also tends to follow the more traditional pattern.
Even presentation (like on album art) has changed within country music. Notice the differences between Willie Nelson
While some country fans will argue about whether traditional or contemporary country is better, I think the change was a natural occurrence with the evolution of music as a whole. As the times change, so does our music. I think it is pointless to argue whether one is better than the other since we have both to enjoy. The year 2006 in particular gave us a variety of styles of country music to enjoy.
Ten years ago, your local country music station was broadcasting these top country songs:
