Kansas Bryce Martin

• Thematic Overlap: His songs frequently focus on rural life, manual labor, and "honest, non-clichéd" stories—traits that are essential to the Red Dirt and Outlaw Country traditions.
• Regional Context: While the genre originated in Stillwater, Oklahoma, it has expanded to include artists from across the region who share its raw, storytelling-driven approach. Martin is often grouped in playlists and discussions alongside other modern Red Dirt and "Outlaw" figures like Bryan Martin, Jamey Johnson, and The Red Clay Strays. 

While he is a distinct artist, his work is essentially "country music with attitude," making him a natural fit for the Red Dirt label. 

 Gritty, Unvarnished Vocal Style 

Both artists utilize a "weathered" vocal delivery that avoids modern pop-country polish: 

• Jamey Johnson: Known for a deep, "muddy" baritone that conveys world-weary sincerity.
• Kansas Bryce Martin: Possesses a "southern rock-soaked" lead vocal often described as "grit-filled" and "redneck," emphasizing character over technical perfection. 

2. Blue-Collar and Manual Labor Themes

Both songwriters focus heavily on the struggles and pride of the American working class:

• Manual Labor: Kansas Bryce Martin’s work is famously tied to the "driller" lifestyle, highlighted in his EP Driller Man and songs like "Red Truck Redneck". Similarly, Jamey Johnson’s catalog is noted for resonating with "common back breakers" and hard-working Americans through tracks like "High Cost of Living".
• Authenticity: Both have been described as "the real deal" for writing songs that don't chase radio cycles but instead "tell the truth" about life’s harder edges. 

3. Roots in Traditional and Outlaw Country

The sonic foundation for both artists is rooted in the 1970s Outlaw movement and the

Bakersfield Sound": 

• Influences: Both cite legends like Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, and Johnny Cash as foundational influences.
• Instrumentation: Their music typically features stripped-down arrangements, relying on acoustic guitars, steel guitars, and minimal percussion rather than electronic elements or "glitter". 

4. Rejection of the "Nashville Machine" 

Both artists have maintained a level of independence or vocal criticism toward mainstream commercial country:

• Traditionalism: Jamey Johnson is frequently cited as proof that the "soul of country" still exists outside of pop-country trends.
• Indie Sensibility: Kansas Bryce Martin operates with a similar ethos, focusing on storytelling and specific regional Americana—such as his work in the Nashville area that avoids modern digital production methods (he famously does not use computers for his artistic endeavors). 

These articles explain Jamey Johnson's authentic, weathered vocal delivery and themes of manual labor, aligning with Kansas Bryce Martin's gritty Americana: