LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: Beyoncé accepts Best Dance/Electronic Music Album for “Renaissance” onstage during the 65th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

The big game on Sunday (2/11) was more than just football, commercials, good food and drinks, and the halftime show. It was also when Beyoncé announced her next era of music, and we’ve since learned that her new album will be country-influenced.

RELATED: Miranda Lambert And Enrique Iglesias Team Up For New Collaboration

I, for one, am thrilled that Queen Bey has released her two new country songs, “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages,” and I need to step up my hat game immediately. Both songs have been on repeat since the second they dropped and while she is known for her (iconic) R&B and pop music, it proves that country music is for everyone.

Beyonce shared the announcement of the tracks on Instagram with her more than 320 million followers and it has been the topic of about every discussion of “country” ever since.

Now that Beyonce has officially introduced her country era, we have to give credit where it’s due to the songwriter behind it all. Beyonce is, in fact, a co-writer on “Texas Hold ‘Em” alongside Brian Bates, Elizabeth Lowell Boland, Megan Bulow, Nate Ferraro, and Raphael Saadiq, as well as “16 Carriages,” with Saadiq and Dave Hamlin.

Throughout the years, country artists have been covering her songs live while on tour including “Crazy In Love”  (Kelsea Ballerini and Lady A’s Hillary Scott),” Halo,” (Maren Morris), “Say My Name” (Sam Hunt), and more.

While Beyonce’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” will impact country radio next Tuesday (2/20) with support from Columbia Nashville, it will be the lead single from her upcoming album, Renaissance: Act II.

Beyonce sings it’s a “real life hoedown,” and it got me thinking of which country artists I believe she should collaborate with in the future. Scroll below to see my personal top 5 choices and let me know who you’d want to see added to the list.

  • 5. Old Dominion

    Old Dominion is a multi-platinum-selling band with whom I have been a fan of for years. Together they have released hit after hit including “One Man Band,” “Hotel Key,” “Written In The Sand,” and “Snapback,” among others since they formed in 2007. They have previously collaborated with Blake Shelton (“Ain’t Got A Worry”), Megan Moroney (“Can’t Break Up Now”), and Little Big Town (“Stars In The City”).

    With their infectious sound and exhilarating live performances, I think a collaboration with Beyonce could pan out one day for Matthew Ramsey, Brad Tursi, Trevor Rosen, Geoff Sprung, and Whit Sellers. Old Dominion certainly has what it takes to perform with just about anyone, but something with Queen Bey would be amazing.

  • 4. Kane Brown

    When I thought about Kane Brown collaborating with Beyonce, I said to myself, “I Can Feel It.” The Nashville singer-songwriter has worked with H.E.R., Lauren Alaina, Swae Lee, Khalid, blackbear, Chris Young, and more throughout the years.

    Brown has always been at the top of my mind when I think of collaborations for the country genre. His sound is like no other and he’s created some of the biggest country hits to date with “Heaven,” “What Ifs,” and “Thank God.” Now, between Queen Bey and Kane Brown, I believe it would be something special that fans would talk about for years to come.

  • 3. Luke Combs

    As someone who has seen both Luke Combs and Beyonce perform live, I can honestly say this pairing would be unbelievable. Between the stage presence, country sounds, and their fan bases along, together it could be the new country song we’ve all been waiting for.

    Combs has released four studio albums to date, including his more recent, Gettin’ Old. The album features his highly praised cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car,” and we all witnessed how epic that live performance was at the recent GRAMMYs. He was also featured on Ed Sheeran’s third single from his “Subtract” album, “Life Goes On,” which they performed together at the 2023 Academy Country Music Awards.

  • 2. Lainey Wilson

    Lainey Wilson is on top of the world now that she has won the CMA Award for Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year (Bellbottom Country), and Female Vocalist of the Year, as well as the GRAMMY for Best Country Album. With the 31-year-old stating facts in her new single, “Country’s Cool Again,” she would be the perfect duet partner for Beyonce’s country era.

    Wilson previously exclaimed how glad she is that the country genre is “gettin’ a lil more recognition and love these days.” For her, it’s also a way of life, and I think she would welcome and cowgirl or cowboy to join her party, especially Beyonce.

  • 1. Chris Stapleton

    Chris Stapleton has one of the most powerful voices in country music and to even imagine him singing with Beyonce is beyond chilling. There have been times where he’s left me speechless after shows and if you’ve ever seen him perform life then you know exactly what I’m talking about.

    Stapleton is also one of the most respected artists in the genre and has been named Entertainer of the Year at the ACM Awards and Male Vocalist of the Year at the CMA Awards. He has worked with some of the top stars in all of music including Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake,  Bruno Mars, and many more.

    Throughout his career, he has even taken the stage with Mavis Staples for a live performance of “Friendship” and “I’ll Take You There,” H.E.R. for “Hold On,” and Stevie Wonder for “Higher Ground.”

Sign me up for the Backstage Country email newsletter!

Backstage access to the top names and rising stars of Country Music and more delivered to your inbox.

*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.