From recording and posting on YouTube to filling out stadiums on sold-out tours. Success stories are always heart-warming stories to hear. They remind us there is hope in the world, and if that some kid with an iPhone and a dream can do it, why can’t I? That being so, there have been a vast amount of artists who have gained stardom by performing covers. However, with social media being a great platform to promote music, musicians have taken full advantage of the opportunity.
Videos by American Songwriter
In the 21st century, nearly every musician who has risen to fame has had some social media presence. Whether it be Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or even Vine(R.I.P), their music has collected attention through self-promotion. Given this platform, here are three musicians whose YouTube covers helped them climb the ladder of success.
1. Post Malone: “Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright”
Posted 10 years ago, Malone’s cover of the Bob Dylan hit has 14 million views on YouTube. Recorded when he was in high school, Malone posted the video seemingly to showcase his talent. With this intention in mind, Malone thought it would gain some traction, but not nearly as much as it did. Malone also posted numerous videos of original material on his channel, though this goes down as one of the most storied.
Not only did this present the world with Malone’s ability, but it also foreshadowed his current transition into country music. Known to be a country folk fan his whole life, this cover proved to fans that it wasn’t just a fondness for the genre Malone had. Rather, it was an all-out ability to perform this type of music at the highest level. This video and Malone’s guitar skills have come to fruition as his new album F-1 Trillion has already broken records before its release.
2. Zach Bryan: “Dress Blues”
A star whose YouTube presence is arguably one of the main contributors to his discovery posted a cover of the Jason Isbell song six years ago. The video has 2.2 million views and was one of the first videos he ever posted. The video shows a furrowed brow Bryan belting the lyrics that seemingly deeply resided with him due to his time in the Navy. It’s the passion and fervor of the video that has Bryan fans hooked to this day.
Ironically, this song comes full circle for Bryan and Isbell. Bryan, a long-time fan of Isbell, has covered numerous of his songs and also reportedly viewed him as a major influence. However, the tables have turned, as Isbell and The 400 Unit headlined for Bryan in Detroit on The Quittin Time Tour.
3. Colter Wall: “Red Headed Stranger”
Wall’s YouTube recordings and covers come as a bit of a surprise. Often known for being a reclusive rancher, Wall still knew what he had to do to get his career off the ground. Six years ago, Wall released a cover of the Willie Nelson tune on W.B. Walker’s Old Soul Radio Show. As of now, the video has 264 thousand views and has been coined as one of Wall’s most notable covers.
It is the perfect song selection to display Wall’s musical style given his ability to reach low octaves to truly capture that Western sound. Despite already releasing music, it was shortly after this video that Wall released one of his most popular albums, Songs of The Plains.
Photo by Barry Brecheisen/WireImage, Courtesy of Getty Images
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.