It was known for taking an approach to music journalism closer in tone to Rolling Stone with an insistence on high-caliber writing and knowledgability, unlike earlier country fan publications that opted to uncritically publicize artists and their work.
The magazine became known for informed, sometimes critical articles and opinionated reviews and also for its advocacy for the early 1970s "Outlaw" movement and its coverage of traditional country artists of the past.
At the magazine's peak from the late 70's until the magazine's 1999 sale, its core of writers included Patrick Carr, Alanna Nash, John Morthland, Peter Guralnick, Ed Ward, Michael Bane, Dave Hickey, Rich Kienzle, Douglas B.
In 1983, Barnard re-acquired the Country Music name, created Silver Eagle Publishers and resumed publication from Westport, Connecticut as a high-quality bimonthly.
By 2000, Sussex had sold it to American Media, who published until folding it into Country Weekly in 2003.