The Winter 2022 issue concludes our year-long celebration of the Oxford American’s 30th anniversary.

This winter, we return to the roots of country music in order to celebrate the radiant essence of “countrified” sound. For our 24th annual music issue, we’ll cover performers, songwriters, instruments, scenes, and the ambient noise that make a song glow with the heat and authenticity of our region. Our writers find soulful resonance in bird cries and Hank Williams ballads, Tanya Tucker’s luminous “Delta Dawn,” Patsy Cline’s “Walkin’ After Midnight,” and Olivia Newton-John’s Bob Dylan cover. Elsewhere, they listen for the country in the Karen harp’s six strings, and keep time with Buddy Harman, “the original country drummer,” who made records with Elvis, Brenda Lee, Ray Price, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, and more. Contributors Sarah Smarsh, Imani Perry, and Jason Kyle Howard examine love, femininity, homegoings, and homecomings in the sonics of Tracy Chapman, Big K.R.I.T., Mickey Guyton, Millie Jackson, and Solange. We’ll feature new work from previous contributors Justin Taylor and Carter Sickels, as well as a new short story from Ashleigh Bryant Phillips. Plus, a host of new contributors reflect on classics, covers, traditions, and so much more. 

In addition to a curated Spotify playlist, we are thrilled to announce that the Country Roots issue will include a free companion CD. Stay tuned for more information about this exclusive supplement to the issue.

Pre-orders of the Winter Issue will ship in late-November and will be available on newsstands in mid-December.