The Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider recently shared his strong sentiments about Beyoncé’s foray into country music. In an interview with the right-wing One American News Network, he didn’t hold back in his criticism. Let’s dive deeper into what he had to say.
Schneider, a 63-year-old actor, expressed his frustration over Beyoncé’s fans wanting her new song, “Texas Hold ‘Em,” to be played on a country music radio station in Oklahoma. During his conversation with OANN host Alison Steinberg, they discussed how the country genre has evolved over the years.
Steinberg remarked, “The lefties in the entertainment industry just won’t leave any area alone, right? They just have to seize control over every aspect, don’t they?” to which Schneider responded with a colorful analogy. He likened Beyoncé’s venture into country music to “a dog peeing on a tree” to mark her territory.
According to Schneider, artists like Beyoncé, who has won 32 Grammy Awards, should stick to their usual genres and avoid crossing over into country music. However, the anticipation still lingers as Beyoncé is set to release her album, “Renaissance: Act II,” on March 29, 2024, with speculation suggesting it might be a full-fledged country album.
Schneider’s concern extends beyond Beyoncé to other pop stars exploring country music. Post Malone and Lana Del Rey, among others, have also expressed interest in delving into this popular genre. With approximately 76 million Americans enjoying country music weekly, it’s no surprise that these big-name artists want to tap into this vast fan base and expand their appeal. Schneider’s view reflects a broader concern within the country music community about the influence of pop on the genre.
While some may find it surprising that Schneider is voicing these opinions, he has a substantial background in country music. In the 80s, he made his mark in the industry with nine studio albums, a greatest hits collection, and eighteen chart-topping singles. Hits like “I’ve Been Around Enough to Know,” “Country Girls,” “What’s a Memory Like You,” and “You’re the Last Thing I Needed Tonight” solidified his success. Even now, Schneider continues to perform, and in 2023, he participated in season ten of The Masked Singer as “Donut.”
Unsurprisingly, Beyoncé’s fans did not take kindly to Schneider’s harsh words. Many labeled his remarks as racist and hateful, particularly for comparing Beyoncé to a urinating dog. Some fans even took to social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to express their dissatisfaction, highlighting the fact that country music was originally created by black artists and that crossovers are not uncommon. They also mentioned other notable artists, such as Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones, who have explored the country genre.
Undoubtedly, John Schneider’s comments on Beyoncé’s venture into country music have sparked a debate among fans and observers. What are your thoughts? Feel free to share your opinions in the Facebook comment section!
