It Sure Ain't COUNTRY Anymore

Nick Reed · Post by **Nick Reed** » 5 Jun 2008 6:55 pm

This new stuff they call country simply doesn't fit my taste. I like the classic country by Merle Haggard, George Jones, Conway Twitty, Mel Street, Loretta Lynn, Faron Young, Mel Tillis, Connie Smith, Johnny Bush, Ray Price, Buck Owens, etc. Even though I hear alot of Steel Guitar in the new songs, they just don't appeal to me. Guess I look at things the same way Dale Watson does. I like the sound of those country shuffles from the 60's & 70's
Here are some of the newer Artists I'm referring to and really don't care for.

Trace Atkins
Tim McGraw
Faith Hill
Shania Twain
Big & Rich
Julie Roberts
Taylor Swift
Rodney Atkins
Gretchen Wilson
Mongomery Gentry
Kenny Chesney
Tracey Lawrence
Rascal Flatts
Jeff Bates
Phil Vassar
Brad Paisley
Keith Urban

This is CMA Music Fest (Fanfair) Week here in Nashville. We went down on Broadway last night and again I was very disappointed. What they are calling Country nowadays, to me ain't Country!

> a honky tonk a donkey donk < OOOOOhhhh Please

Brian Kurlychek · Post by **Brian Kurlychek** » 5 Jun 2008 7:03 pm

Wow. Strong Statement. On the flip side, every new country artist you named have inspired me to purchase my first steel and learn how to play. Different Strokes for Different folks i guess.

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 5 Jun 2008 7:16 pm

Nick,I agree with most of what you said,But I think a lot of the problems today is in the writing,I heard some EARLY Trace Adkins the other day,He has a great voice,on ballards,etc,But then came absolute crap such as Honky tonk bo-donk-a donk[or whatever the hell that is]Batter,Batter,Batter,or girls like Country boys.But as long as people buy this &^%$ I'm sure they will keep putting it out.The name of the game today is the money,to hell with the music.DYKBC.

Alvin Blaine · Post by **Alvin Blaine** » 5 Jun 2008 7:34 pm

Nick Reed wrote:This new stuff they call country simply doesn't fit my taste.

What they are calling Country nowadays, to me ain't Country!

So what is it, that doesn't fit your taste, and causes you to believe all those artist not country?

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 5 Jun 2008 8:19 pm

Nick,this is gonna get heated,But I agree with you on MOST of the ones you listed.DYKBC.

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 5 Jun 2008 9:44 pm

Okay,it's not gonna get heated up Charles. We can talk about this matter with respect to each other.The truth is,all these Artists that " Nick Reed " named are nothing but a piece of real estate in flesh,as well as other Artists in other styles of Music to the Industry Music Business heads.Us old dogs can't fix it to Educate the young kids of today who don't understand what they think they know. That is also why you won't and never will see the real pro- Musicians,and," I know who they are on this forum ",answer anything with Public value,because most of the folks wouldn't have a job. All of us do not have equal talent,But all of us should have an equal oppportunity to develop our talent. Our human rights is to be right with each other called respect. I wish we could say what we really feel and it would fix the real matters of why everybodies so unhappy about what is and what isn't. Sincerely in Country Music and all Styles. Leo J.Eiffert,Jr.

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 5 Jun 2008 9:50 pm

Nick, I feel the same way as you. The vocalists just don't have it and neither do the writers. But it is all about money. The folowing was in an article a few years back by Buck Owens reference a record exec interviewing a real sharp looking contract hopeful : Record exec : Do you mind wearing T-shirts or muscle shirts on stage?. Contract hopeful: No. Record exec : Do you mind wearing jeans with holes in the knees ? Contract hopeful : No. Record exec : Do you mind letting your hair grow long and letting your facial hair grow out and have a total unkempt look ? Contract hopeful: No. Record exec : Sign here. Oh, by the way, can you sing ? Jody.

Alvin Blaine · Post by **Alvin Blaine** » 5 Jun 2008 10:06 pm

Jody Sanders wrote:Nick, I feel the same way as you. The vocalists just don't have it and neither do the writers. But it is all about money. The folowing was in an article a few years back by Buck Owens reference a record exec interviewing a real sharp looking contract hopeful : Record exec : Do you mind wearing T-shirts or muscle shirts on stage?. Contract hopeful: No. Record exec : Do you mind wearing jeans with holes in the knees ? Contract hopeful : No. Record exec : Do you mind letting your hair grow long and letting your facial hair grow out and have a total unkempt look ? Contract hopeful: No. Record exec : Sign here. Oh, by the way, can you sing ? Jody.

So it's they way they look and dress that makes them "Not Country"?

Andy Greatrix · Post by **Andy Greatrix** » 5 Jun 2008 11:22 pm

It seems music is now a spectator sport. Even though the studio and touring musicians are first class top drawer pickers, what they play is just background for the spectacle.

Leslie Ehrlich · Post by **Leslie Ehrlich** » 6 Jun 2008 12:00 am

Nick Reed wrote:What they are calling Country nowadays, to me ain't Country!

Then don't listen to it!

Larry Miller · Post by **Larry Miller** » 6 Jun 2008 2:25 am

I don't know if those nubile twenty something females in tight blue jeans and tank tops would care for 60's and 70's country

Dennis Graves · Post by **Dennis Graves** » 6 Jun 2008 3:33 am

Nick,

I agree 100% with you. I hate the crap they're playing now. I don't like the way most of them act on stage...looks like rock and roll

None have a distinct voice. No good songs. Just a bunch of loud guitars and drums.

They call themselves country, but I wonder how many have ever had cow or chicken @#it between their toes !!! I know that doesn't make a person able to sing country, but these folks don't have a clue what country is.

Let's hear it for VERN GOSDIN !!

Brian Kurlychek · Post by **Brian Kurlychek** » 6 Jun 2008 4:21 am

So the theme song for today's music should be "I'm an old cowhand"?

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 6 Jun 2008 4:50 am

What is called "country" today is aimed at the under 30 (maybe under 20) crowd. They were brought up on heavy metal, headbangers, etc and have no concept about the traditional country. The only thing today is produce whatever product will create $$$.

Many of the singers and musicians are very talented and could make it in many different venues of music. Just that us "old farts" that were brought up with traditional country music can't stand the current product. The lack of professionalism in their stage appearance doesn't help either. We still have "band uniforms" in our band that we wear.

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 6 Jun 2008 4:54 am

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 6 Jun 2008 7:10 am

I guess accepting change is the hardest part...But being real Country music has always been changing we did it,and it continues now...Simply its numbers that dictate the changing...More people support what is out now than what most traditionalist say truly is Country...I wanted to go forever and every now and then someone remembers me and I get a call to do a show...I know even tho I can still do it my material is not recognized by anyone not near my age...When I was working at my peak popularity I credit the fact that we always stayed current and worked what was popular on the charts...Each week we would add new material and were able to do what people came out to hear...It was a diference of playing to 100s vs thousands...Recently Trace Atkins was responsible for the Rays baseball team to sell out a saturday night to which he did a concert after the game ....Usually the Rays have a problem drawing 15000 fans...This night 34000 stayed after the game...Trace is a good Country singer that records what will keep him selling and working....If one hears "Something burning at home" it would be hard to say this man is not Country...I'd say he's versitle...Country has changed ,But what music hasn't?..I thank god that he gave me an ear to like many types of music but to be true to what I personally could do...I had my time and I still find some great new Country recordings with plenty of steel..(Singletary-Chestnut-Time Jumpers-Strait ect).What makes todays music dificult for many old timers, they did not take the time to continue to adapt..When the music as it changed some players did not or simply would not...This is not a bad thing I respect loyalty and Love the traditional stuff as much now as I did then...But then again thats why I drive a 64-1/2 restored Mustang...It was easier to restore than traditional country...Traditional Country music may now be history and those of us that love it are preserving it by still doing it when we can or buying it when we can...There may be many with a lot less talent than their sales reflect...But the bottom line is someone thinks they are good enough to support and sell out concerts...I listen to those I like and don't listen to those that I don't...But Music will always evolve now even in our time by its support or lack there of...I commend people like Jack Stoner who continues to find ways to spread the sounds of Country working with Nashville artist of the past and to full houses when doing so....There is still smigions of oportunities out there that can be found...

Dick Wood · Post by **Dick Wood** » 6 Jun 2008 7:25 am

Nick,

I completely understand where you are coming from but nothing stays the same.

The 40's doesn't sound like the 50's and the 60's like the 70's etc etc.

You like many of us has zeroed in on a particular time that brings back good times and memories that you long to be a part of again. The reason you started playing in most likely deeply rooted in that time period and you feel it slipping away.

You listened to a music that defined a certain period in time and now people are listening to music that defines their time.

Time marches on...Hey,didn't Tracey Lawrence do that tune and use steel...lol

While you may not like the artist you listed,they all used steel in their music to a great extent so it's hard to fault them for that.

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 6 Jun 2008 7:38 am

I like any artist that can sing and record without having computer software correct his pitch....oops that sure narrows the list of newer artists down. It isn't that the music has changed, it's that the songs are less creative and compelling. And the singers lack any kind of outstanding vocal talent or delivery. And the bands lack dynamics.

There's still pockets of great music out there. You don't have to buy or listen to mainstream music. There's a ton of great Texas artists and other sources for whatever flavor of music you want. I've got it all on my Zune player just like having your own personal radio station. Even YouTube has volume of great music that is more easily viewed than any medium we had even 10 years ago.

A great example of a good country CD is Porter Wagoner's latest with Marty Stuart on guitar and Fred Newell on steel. Great songs, super dynamic range and very little compression. I just bought the Marty Stuart album with Ralph Mooney for $3.49 used on Amazon. The sources for this stuff are endless. But it's not "mainstream"

Greg

Steve English · Post by **Steve English** » 6 Jun 2008 7:43 am

Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder.

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 6 Jun 2008 7:48 am

Some years ago I followed a documentary series about the history of C&W - from what I understood Jim Reeves wasn't considered "real country" and caused quite a controversy back then?

Then don't listen to it!

Yep, seems like the most logical solution..
Play the music you care about and stop worrying about the rest...

Steinar

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 6 Jun 2008 8:12 am

Popular music is and has always been a reflection of the popular culture, and that culture has changed significantly in 40+ years. It is inescapable that the music would change significantly, and it has.

Want to change popular music back? Change the culture back.

Luckily, there is an extensive archive of pretty much any style of music made in the last 50-60 years, and even quite a bit before that. We are not limited in any way to what's on the mainstream popular culture outlets like radio and TV - the internet puts an unimaginable amount of music of every style in the hands of anybody that has a computer and internet connection. Give it time - music that has universal staying power will find an audience as long as a wide audience has a chance to find it.

I still think there needs to be an organization to promote traditional country music. It is a complete waste of time to expect the current "country" organizations to do that. It would have to be about music, not money. If enough people believe in something enough to do it without primarily being motivated by money, it will happen.

My opinions, of course.

Ron Whitfield · Post by **Ron Whitfield** » 6 Jun 2008 10:46 am

See #5 in Gerald Ross' post in Sw/oP per Good Gravy

Ken Thompson · Post by **Ken Thompson** » 6 Jun 2008 10:59 am

Intersting discussion. I am 56 and play in a band where the next youngest guys is 50. (six piece band) We play as often as we want but typically do about 2 gigs per month. The show/dance/coorporate party type stuff so we do a ton of variety. Everything from Jones to AC DC. I grew up on and love the traditional stuff but I also like doing the other things. If you want to work you have to play variety to accomodate everyone from 70+ to very young (shows).

Now, that said. During the Christmas season I played a party with another band that was thrown together for the party. We did much older and more traditional stuff. The crowd was early twenties to seventy. I thought the crowd would leave early and in fact they stayed very late. Comments we heard was that they never hear music like that any more. And they were right. And you won't in a club. Most of these folks don't go out much so there you have it. That is not the crowd that will frequent a club and pay to hear the older music.

I also think that many, or at least some on that list have done some great country. Kenny's "When I Close My Eyes" is a great song. McGraws latest, "Kristoferson" is a real country song. Brad and Tracy have both done some real traditional country. It is still out there albeit not as much as I would like. Just my 2cents guys....carry on.

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 6 Jun 2008 11:42 am

Buy them books, send them to school, and they eat the covers. Jody.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 6 Jun 2008 4:10 pm

This is just an observation, so no flames.

The state of "Country" music today is just a microcosm of the state of North America at large. Money rules and the average Joe does not have a say anymore. There used to be a semblance of "democracy", as such, in Country music; the people who used to control the Country music business from the '50s to the early '80s seemed to have a sense of what was "real country", and seemed to cater to what the fans expected (for the most part). Now it's just the bigwigs with the big bucks, force-feeding the public a bunch of cookie-cutter crap. Unfortunately, some people have been so beaten down with advertising that they just open their beak and let the crap flow right down their throats. Same with politics, television, etc. It's all intertwined in one big ugly mess. The founding fathers of country music would be just as disgusted with today's country music scene as the founding fathers of our constitutions would be with the corrupt nature of government today.

I did not intend to steer this into a political arena, but just wanted to put a larger perspective on the mess of commercial Country music today.

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