It started with Josh Turner. More specifically, it started with his song “Would You Go with Me” released back in 2006. The upbeat love song has been trending on TikTok, being used as an audio for cute couple vids and your typical "country boys" and "country girls" performing their typical "country tasks" to typical "country songs". As the song gained traction, though, we started seeing a different, not-so-typical kind of country folk.

TikTokkers like @turkeytank9000, who were born and raised in the South and Appalachia, feel both a connection to and disconnect from the culture of the rural areas they live in. Even though they may not share the same political and social views that other people in more rural areas typically do, they still have a love for certain aspects of the small Southern town lifestyle. As more and more of these alternative folks started sharing their own stories on TikTok, a small but ever-growing community started to emerge. They call themselves "y’allternatives".

The #yallternative trend has drawn all kinds (including LGBT+ folks, goths, leftists, and everyone in between) to an open and accepting community of people who appreciate the music, art, style, and heart that puts the "y’all" in "y’allternative". The trend has blurred the lines that are normally drawn to separate people based on their lifestyles and aesthetics. It redefines the age-old words of wisdom: Never judge a book by its cover.

While mom and pop shops, Southern hospitality, and America’s angel Miss Dolly Parton are all amazing, it seems as though it’s the music that brings everyone together. Country music takes its fair share of criticisms and hillbilly jokes (a lot of people are quick to say it’s not their cup of tea) but, like we’ve seen with Josh Turner’s song on TikTok, no one can resist a good early 2000s country chart topper. Even the most adamant “I listen to everything but country” person will find themselves entranced by the catchy hooks and feel-good vibes that the best country music gives. The same goes for ‘y’allternative’ folks; it doesn’t matter what you look like now or how you’re different from everyone else, all that matters is the love you have for where you’re from.