In the world of country music, there are many disparate regional influences — think Red Dirt in Oklahoma, and of course, the Nashville sound — that influence the genre. But few have had the outsized impact of the Bakersfield sound, a mid-20th century era in which rockabilly, honky-tonk, country, and rock influences melded together into a totally unique musical vibe.
Flip through the slideshow below for 15 songs that exemplify the Bakersfield sound, including legendary artists like Buck Owens, Jean Shepard, and of course, Merle Haggard.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!