Charley Crockett, who cut his teeth in Dallas, isn’t shy about speaking his mind. Neither is Gavin Adcock.
DALLAS — We have a fresh country music beef in the ongoing war of scenes between Texas and Nashville, and who doesn’t love that?
It’s probably a bit more nuanced than that, so let’s try to unpack it.
We’ll start with Charley Crockett, the prolific Texas country artist who cut his teeth in Dallas. Crockett has a new album out, “Dollar a Day,” his ninth studio album since 2020. Whether it’s part of the new record’s promotion (it can’t hurt), or just Charley being Charley (probably the latter), Crockett has been extra vocal lately about his place in country music — and some of the problems he has with the industry.
This is nothing new. Last year, Crockett dropped a single, “Mr. Nashville,” taking direct aim at the mainstream country music machine.
“When you talk bad about Austin,” Crockett sang, “you’re talking down to me.”
So let that set the stage for what Crockett posted on Instagram this week:
His complaint here, if you’re still with us, is that even the most country of country music records — like Crockett routinely produces — will get labeled “Americana” if it’s not part of the Nashville mainstream.
But Crockett took his ire for the industry to another level a day later, when he called out “the machine” and “bro country” for the criticism aimed at Beyoncé’s country album last year.
“Hey country folks, @beyonce ain’t the source of your discontent,” Crockett posted. “It was 25 years of bro country.”
“The machine points to a black woman who’s making a statement about marginalized people being removed from the conversation altogether, and somehow we all act like the entire pop industry didn’t just ambush roots music,” Crockett posted. “These “country boys” been *singing* over trap beats for years. So what’s different now? Authenticity … I don’t need to put down a black woman to advance my music. That’s just embarrassing to the idea of America and I got no respect for it.”
Well, this awakened the attention of Georgia-born country star Gavin Adcock, even though Crockett didn’t mention him by name.
Adcock drew attention earlier this summer by declaring “that s— ain’t country music” while talking about Beyoncé’s album. He doubled down on that stance in an interview with Rolling Stone this week.
After Crockett’s comments on Instagram, Adcock, without mentioning him, fired off a post on X, alluding to Crockett as a “cosplay cowboy.”
Somebody needs to tell the “act” that has let out (the cover) of James town ferry 6 times he should just work on letting out quality original music
I got more cowshit under my pinky then you have seen your whole fuckin life.
Hank sr called and asked about the cosplay cowboy
— Gavin Adcock Music (@GavinAdcock) August 20, 2025
Judging by the ratio, the post didn’t exactly land like Adcock was hoping for, not that he changed his tune.
On Thursday night, he posted: “Praising a guy that said Beyonce is country proves we live in a broke world.”
Adcock’s late-night missive came after what seemed like a peaceful resolution, or at least a moment of levity earlier Thursday. He posted a video saying Crockett (allegedly) sent him a few dozen roses and a vinyl copy of his latest album.
“So shoutout to Charley Crockett,” Adcock said with only a tinge of sarcasm. “Appreciate you buddy.”