Nashville Shooting: Musician Calls for Country Music to Confront Gun Culture

Country music star Ketch Secor is adding his voice to the national conversation around gun violence, spurred by the tragic shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville earlier this year. The Old Crow Medicine Display founder, and a parent himself, recently penned an op-ed for The New York Times calling on his fellow musicians to address the issue directly with their audiences, and he unpacked those thoughts in a recent appearance on CNN’s “The Assignment with Audie Cornish.”

Nashville’s Unique Position

Secor, who co-founded the Episcopal School of Nashville in 2016, described the immediate aftermath of the shooting on March 27, 2023, as a uniquely jarring experience. He recalled receiving a text message alerting him to the situation, and the subsequent wave of anxiety as he considered the safety of his own children, ages nine and eleven. “It’s your kids. It’s someone else’s kids,” Secor told Cornish. “You know, the head of school was murdered. The connections between our school are very present, and it’s as a community member in Nashville, this shocking realization. Oh, this thing that happens in other towns has come to our town.”

The shooting prompted a city-wide vigil, attended by First Lady Jill Biden and featuring a performance by Sheryl Crow. Secor emphasized the close-knit nature of Nashville, where musicians are often similarly parents navigating the same school systems as their fans. He believes this shared experience gives artists a unique platform to engage in difficult conversations. “When a country singer gets off the road, chances are at 8:00 in the morning on Monday after the big weekend, that guy or gal is in line dropping their kid off at a school in Nashville, Tennessee,” he explained.

A Tradition of Silence?

Secor’s op-ed, titled “Country Music Can Lead America Out of its Obsession with Guns,” argues that country music has historically avoided directly addressing gun control, often opting for nostalgic themes and a celebration of traditional values. He points to the prevalence of pro-gun imagery and messaging within the genre, contrasting it with the silence surrounding the issue of gun violence. He noted the juxtaposition of his hit song, “Wagon Wheel,” often heard blasting from trucks with NRA stickers. “When you make the kind of music that I make with a fiddle and a banjo and harmony singing and a particular style of songwriting, you’re engaging in a community that might be different than your own sort of background,” Secor said.

He acknowledged the potential risks for artists who speak out, referencing the career fallout experienced by The Dixie Chicks (now The Chicks) in the early 2000s after criticizing then-President George W. Bush. Rolling Stone detailed the backlash the band faced, including radio boycotts and public condemnation. However, Secor believes the current moment demands a different response.

Beyond Nostalgia

Secor argues that contemporary country music often avoids grappling with the realities of modern life, instead focusing on idealized narratives of the past. He contrasted this with the genre’s roots in storytelling and social commentary. “Country music really especially is a real safe space for us to not talk about political divisiveness and not talk about things of substance,” he stated. He believes that by addressing the issue of gun violence, country music can reclaim its role as a cultural force for change.

He pointed to Nashville’s history as a hub for social justice movements, including the Civil Rights Movement, as evidence of the city’s potential to lead the way. The National Park Service details Nashville’s pivotal role in the early days of the movement, highlighting the city’s commitment to nonviolent protest and social change. Secor believes Nashville can once again serve as a catalyst for progress, this time on the issue of gun control.

A New Song, A New Call to Action

Secor has place his words into action, writing a new song titled “Louder Than Guns” in response to the shooting. He performed a portion of the song for Cornish, offering a glimpse into its emotional core. The lyrics call for a collective voice that rises above the sound of gunfire, demanding change and honoring the victims of gun violence. “I’m calling on every town,” he sings in the song, “Louder than guns.”

He described the songwriting process as deeply emotional, admitting he “wept through the whole thing.” Secor emphasized that his intention isn’t to dictate a specific political solution, but rather to encourage a broader conversation and to challenge the silence surrounding gun violence. He’s been reaching out to fellow artists, urging them to join the movement and use their platforms to advocate for change.

What’s Next for the Conversation?

Secor acknowledged that changing the culture within country music won’t be easy, but he remains optimistic. He pointed to the inclusion of Americana artists in a benefit concert for The Covenant School as a sign of progress. He also noted that some mainstream country artists are beginning to engage with the issue, albeit cautiously. The success of “Louder Than Guns” and the broader response to Secor’s op-ed will likely play a role in shaping the future of this conversation. The Tennessean reported on the initial reaction to Secor’s piece, noting the mixed responses from fans and industry insiders. The coming months will reveal whether Secor’s call to action will resonate with a wider audience and spark a meaningful shift within the country music landscape.