Kenny Rogers to the Rescue...

David Weaver · Post by **David Weaver** » 5 Jun 2001 7:15 am

Could it be that Kenny Rogers is the popular guardian of traditional country with steel guitar? His latest song ("You Amaze Me"...?) has lots of steel and a country sound.

------------------
Sho-Bud Pro II Custom, Sierra Artist S-10, Fessenden S-10, Session 2000

Leroy Riggs · Post by **Leroy Riggs** » 5 Jun 2001 8:00 am

Guardianship of traditional country will not come thru Kenny Rodgers. Brad Paisley (spelling?), Alan, Randy, George, etc, that's where COUNTRY is at.

David Pennybaker · Post by **David Pennybaker** » 5 Jun 2001 10:47 am

Don't forget Darryl Worley

------------------
The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 5 Jun 2001 12:36 pm

David,
I agree Kenny can sing anything. He just records good material and I hear he's a great boss! Theresa

BJ Bailey · Post by **BJ Bailey** » 5 Jun 2001 10:01 pm

Kenny Roger's can sing,But he dose not sing country.John Denver proved he could sing a countrysong enough to win a grammy also.But he was not a torchbearer for countrymusic.
Even the rocker Sherle Crow has a steel in her band ,but that do'nt make her country.
In my humble oppinion,Kenny Roger's will be known for singing traditional country about as well as Jessie Jackson will be known for being a whiteman.Even Burl Ive's could have sung a song like ,you took a fine time to leave me Lucille,But Burl was consider'ed a pop and folk recording artist.If John Huey puts steel behind the singing voice of Ray Charles ,dose that make Ray country ?????[This message was edited by BJ Bailey on 05 June 2001 at 11:12 PM.]

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 5 Jun 2001 10:31 pm

Why do we have to put labels on music before we will admit that we like it? I like music that sounds good to me. I really don't care whether it matches some definition of "country" or "jazz" or not. It either sounds good to me or it don't.

------------------
<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/b0b.gif" width="64" height="64">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (E9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (F Diatonic)
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6)

David Pennybaker · Post by **David Pennybaker** » 6 Jun 2001 10:20 am

Why do we have to put labels on music before we will admit that we like it?

Don't have to.

However, on a scale from pure country to pure pop, I'd say Kenny's closer to country. (Others are free to disagree). I assume that's why he's labeled as country.

The only reason we have labels is so they know what section to put the artists in at the stores, and what radio stations to play them on. And even THAT gets ignored somtimes.

------------------
The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons

BJ Bailey · Post by **BJ Bailey** » 6 Jun 2001 10:27 am

Why the need for a label? Why the need to be differant?I guess untill all the people of my generation and older are dead and gone,there will be label's.A people who have heard the art of pure country music.
And loved it.You might used this, to compare as an example.Why do vary's culture's of people wan't to teach their children, their on cultural history?Why it's for the fear of loseing it up in the mix of life.We that still hold to the traditional roots of country,not only want a label, but also wish we could be set free from the mixdown of rock,pop rythym and blues.I also like other kinds of music,but I'll leave it at that.My true love is real down to earth country.And just cause someone plays a steel behind one singing,That does not label him or her a true country music artist.Do you think Brayn White is a country music artist?/Not so,they just stuck the title,or label on him.Do you think the young kid Billy Gilliam is country????Not so,they just hung the label on him.We want our label and our music.And we do'nt want it lost in the mix.[This message was edited by BJ Bailey on 06 June 2001 at 11:37 AM.]

Ray Jenkins · Post by **Ray Jenkins** » 6 Jun 2001 10:49 am

B.J.,take a pill my man,your starting to make sense too me.

Ray

------------------
Steeling is still legal in Arizona

KEVIN OWENS · Post by **KEVIN OWENS** » 6 Jun 2001 5:12 pm

The biggest hit in Kenny Rogers' career (chart wise) was "LADY" #1 for 6 weeks on the POP CHARTS. He always sang folk or pop. His voice does not have the inflection of a country singer, the same problem that 99% of the "country" singer have today.
have a nice day and flame away
Kevin

Leroy Riggs · Post by **Leroy Riggs** » 7 Jun 2001 8:23 am

Guardianship of traditional country will not come thru Kenny Rogers.

I guess I should not be so definitive in making this statement. In retrospect, I remember when Conway crossed over from rock/roll (yes, I am that old) to start singing country. I said "no way will he be country!".

BOY, was I wrong!!!

I think Conway was always a closet country singer anyway because he turned out to be so natural and real.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 7 Jun 2001 8:54 am

*[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 01 May 2002 at 05:45 PM.]

David Weaver · Post by **David Weaver** » 7 Jun 2001 9:39 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>I guess I should not be so definitive in making this statement. In retrospect, I remember when Conway crossed over from rock/roll (yes, I am that old) to start singing country. I said "no way will he be country!".

BOY, was I wrong!!! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Leroy.. (I'm that old too!..)

Good point. Like you said, he did successfully cross over...and key is the fact that he brought a lot of fans to country with him.

BJ Bailey · Post by **BJ Bailey** » 7 Jun 2001 1:32 pm

And when Conway Harold Twitty Jenkins cross that ditch between the good, the bad, and the ugly.He already had the good's to deliver,a song that could reach the heart.a voice that I will never grow tired of.I am most definately a Conway Twitty fan.I beleive Conway will be an Icon that will be heard for along ,long time.Sorry Kenny Rogers ,I know you've got your place, talent,Your fame and fortune and Lucille.But it would have to be free for me to come to a concert of your's.And I would pass that up ,if I were playing that same night in some smokey old bar room For the beer and chunk change.Damned it's hard for some folk's to reconize good talent,,,,What wrong with the way ,I sing Ray

[This message was edited by BJ Bailey on 07 June 2001 at 02:34 PM.][This message was edited by BJ Bailey on 07 June 2001 at 02:39 PM.][This message was edited by BJ Bailey on 07 June 2001 at 02:41 PM.]

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 7 Jun 2001 2:22 pm

* [This message was edited by Gene Jones on 01 May 2002 at 05:46 PM.]

David Weaver · Post by **David Weaver** » 7 Jun 2001 2:31 pm

To me it's a "half-full or half-empty" question. When a pop artist does a country song it can be interpreted as 'exploitation' or it can be interpreted as a compliment to the venue.

When Kenny Rogers creates a popular hit, maybe he isn't bringing all pop fans completely into the room called country music, but he is sure bringing them to the door. When Ray Charles sang country (or Leon Russell for that matter)... they brought their fans with them and gave them a look at a style of music that they may have otherwise not enjoyed.

Kenny Rogers sure helped Dottie West's career (and she, his). The parts of the show they put on that I watched on TV looked great. I wish I could have seen their show.

A little success, popularity, and flair isn't all bad.

George Jones has recorded James Taylor, Alan Jackson has recorded the Eagles. Crossover goes both ways.

------------------
Sho-Bud Pro II Custom, Sierra Artist S-10, Fessenden S-10, Session 2000

Leroy Riggs · Post by **Leroy Riggs** » 8 Jun 2001 8:24 am

David,

I think you are right. Good music is good music. In addition to my favorite-- country--I like a little jazz, the old 50's r/r, and played a little Bach on the violin at one time in my younger life.

Good music can come in several forms.

Leroy