Some of the older country songs sound better with a little pop and hiss on the radio

And the more limited audio frequency range of an AM station makes them sound more like they did back in the day. AM stations are limited to 5kHz audio range, while FM are limited at 15 kHz. (My dad was a radio engineer, and owned and operated an AM station in the 50's and 60', and I used to help him do and FCC 'proofs', which included testing the audio range transmitted.)

Of course, when you add in all sorts of audio modern compressors, that distorts the ratio of loud and quiet sounds. I can tell when the compressor is adjusted for loud, crashy rock n'roll or the modern country rap (yes, it is c.r.a.p.); it messes up the old recordings, of all types.