In the movie, he’s clearly selling out large venues (including being the headliner of a festival it appears), big enough to make Ally go viral after their duet of “Shallow,” and has enough respectability to be tapped for a Roy Orbison tribute at the Grammy’s. Someone with the lyrical ability of Jason Isbell but with a greater ability to connect with mainstream listeners.

In an ideal world, there would be an artist in the Americana world who could appeal to the mass audience like Jackson Maine. Jackson’s duets with Ally were also special, from the smash of the movie “Shallow” to the soundtrack album cut “Music to My Eyes.” His songs travel the entire scope of alt-country from inward-looking compositions about the human condition (“Maybe It’s Time”), dark rockers (“Black Eyes”), and instrument-driven ballads (“Too Far Gone”). While remembering Maine is a movie character, it’s impossible not to dwell on the best characteristics of his artistry. In fact, Jackson Maine is America’s first alt-country superstar. Yet Jackson Maine’s music is distinctly alt-country. And Bradley Cooper’s performance as Jackson Maine in A Star Is Born is the ideal vision of a modern alt-country artist.īradley Cooper is on record saying much of the inspiration for Jackson Maine’s artistry in terms of look and mannerisms came from Pearl Jam’s legendary lead singer Eddie Vedder. It’s not just about trying to be different for the sake of being different. See, alt-country isn’t just about recording something that’s different than Nashville. But authentic alt-country always rises to the top.

Some of it is liked simply for being different. Yet alt-country nonetheless receives critical acclaim almost consistently. Not entirely embraced by the rock community. Not entirely accepted by mainstream Nashville. With songwriting contributions from artists like Lori McKenna and Jason Isbell plus musical direction from Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real (who also played main character Jackson Maine’s backing band), A Star Is Born launched alt-country into the spotlight.Īlt-country has always rested on the outskirts of music. Alternative country finds itself with a rich depiction in the recent box-office and critical smash A Star Is Born.

A star is born soundtrack covert art