Rascal Flatts at The Garden

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 28 Jan 2008 7:44 pm

Narrow mindedness in the steel guitar community is what is going to kill our instrument.

Wow!You sure put me in my place.
I don't know why when this subject comes up, the insults start and the child always come's out in us.
I don't think I said anything out of the way, especially to be called narrow minded.
Maybe BOB should include this topic as one to be off limits such as polotics, sex and religon

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 28 Jan 2008 7:55 pm

Hi, John

Does Hanna play piano? That song sure sounds as though it was written at the keyboard, as that great piano part is the heart of it.

RR
PS: I've had a talk with Jerry F: it just remains for me to figure out what I want the set-up to be on my Ext. E9.....(it's a scary notion, to be sure, but exciting!)

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 28 Jan 2008 8:09 pm

Bill,

With respect, I don't think Richard's response was at all childish. All music morphs and adjusts itself to changing tastes. I'm sorry, but I find that, as much as I used to enjoy country music from forty years ago, I've moved on myself. Sure - I have some of it on CD for nostalgia's sake, but I can't listen to it for very long without needing something more thought-provoking. I'm not saying that Rascal Flatts are that, exactly, but I find their work meets a reasonably high standard.

There IS a lot of narrow-mindedness right here on this Forum, but we're not alone. I've just spent five weeks working in an orchestra-pit with a bunch of crabby horn players who are just as bad with their own prejudices.

I should know - I was the one holding a banjo!!!

RR

Dennis Graves · Post by **Dennis Graves** » 28 Jan 2008 8:45 pm

I don't think not liking Rascal Flatts music makes anyone narrow minded. I hate this "new" country and will die loving the old whining steel guitar and fiddles.

My grandmother always said if you don't have something good to say about someone, then don't say anything. So, what will I say about Rascal Flatts?

Nothing

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 29 Jan 2008 12:13 am

I didn't mean to insult anyone by the "narrow minded" comment. It is true that you see a lot of people on here who think that music isn't country unless it conforms to the sound of "old country". I happen to prefer "old country" also. Some on here think that music isn't country unless the song has a steel guitar or fiddlein it. That's simply bullcr@p. Look at Johnny Cash. No steel there. Was he country or not?

Unfortunately, people (myself included) seem to think they need to let everyone know what their opinion is about a subject. Truth is, nobody gives a rats butt what I or anyone else thinks country music is.

Basically, if you like the sound of a song, listen to it. If not, then don't. Just like the new stuff, there is a lot of old stuff I don't like. Some old songs sound just like a dozen other old songs, the same as now. I just left a band that only plays old country. There are times when the band leader will play 5 or 6 songs in a row that you think are the same song. Truth is, they are. Just different words.

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 29 Jan 2008 11:36 am

Well, I'm an old guy and I happen to like Rascal Flatts. More power to them for even having a steel in their band, which a lot of old Country singers don't have anymore. A lot of their music is similar to what I play every Sunday in the Praise band at my church. Of course there is a lot of whining about contemporary praise music in churches too, but if there was nothing to play but old country music, I wouldn't be playing at all, I would hang it up. I've heard enough cheatin' and drinkin' songs to last several lifetimes. I don't live like that, so I don't really want to hear songs about it.

Great job Travis, keep it up.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 29 Jan 2008 12:46 pm

Thank goodness someone else agrees with me about some of these run-of-the-mill older country tunes. Some of them are identical! There's a real lack of any musical substance to them - take away the vocal and there's nothing to separate them.

I was doing the odd gig with a Christian group a couple of years back, and they covered a number of then-current country top-40 songs. 'Broken Road' was one of them, and I can assure you that it took a lot of hard work to replicate the accompaniment on the RF record. It didn't hurt that we had an absolutely first-class pianist who nailed the part, but it occurred to me then that today's country (or whatever you guys want to call it) is a lot more challenging than many of the older tunes.

That suits me fine - I still want to learn and improve. I don't regularly play in any country bands, and I prefer it that way; when I play for my living I'm often having to rise to a challenge.

If it was all three-chord old-time country, I think I'd 'hang it up', too!

RR

ajm · Post by **ajm** » 29 Jan 2008 1:02 pm

"If this keeps up the Fiddle and Pedal steel will be instrument's of the past."

If rap keeps going, ALL instruments will be a thing of the past.

And let me see...........
Everyone here seems to hate RF, but they have a pedal steel in the band. Everyone here seems to love the Eagles, but the last time I checked they don't have a pedal steel in the band.

Hmmmm.......

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 29 Jan 2008 1:34 pm

It's just my opinion,But always thought of Mr.Cash as more Rock-a Billy than country,In fact he WAS one of the Rock a Billy pioneers.DYKBC.

Mike Winter · Post by **Mike Winter** » 29 Jan 2008 4:53 pm

Hmmm, let's see. So I should like RF BECAUSE they have a steel, and NOT like the Eagles beacuse they don't? What kind of logic is that? Frickin' retarded if you ask me...whatever. There's no comparison...

Music should be taken on it's own merit...Yes, they have some nice songs...no doubt crafted by some of Nashville's finest session players. I don't think Gary Le Vox (Ha! The voice!) can't frickin' sing. My opinion, of course. I think they're a "country" boy band, not unlike N'Synch, Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block. They're three guys...supposedly a "band," and all the other guys are backing them up and making them sound better...but those three are...the band...RF. Whatever works, I guess. It's a free country. Like I said, I have an off button on my TV and radio...and I use it...instaead of b*tching about it here.

This has gone way past the topic subject. The steel/no steel comment was too funny for words...I couldn't resist. Oh well, it's all in good fun...to a point.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 29 Jan 2008 5:26 pm

Hmmm - nice language; it's clearly time for me to click on that 'Stop Watching This Thread' icon....

RR

ajm · Post by **ajm** » 29 Jan 2008 5:37 pm

To be truthful I'm not even sure what I meant by that steel/no steel comment, except to say that some people seem to like anything with steel and/or fiddle, and here is a band that satisfies that, and yet some people here still REALLY don't like them. I guess it all boils down to personal taste, and within a few seconds of hearing a song you know which way it hits you.

Anyway, like was said, it's a free country, and I'm allowed to be "retarded" every now and then.

And I agree, this topic seems to be discussed a lot, except the names of the performers change about every week. I see that Bon Jovi is coming through town pretty soon. It will be interesting to see if anybody here actually goes to that and what their impressions are.

Mike Winter · Post by **Mike Winter** » 29 Jan 2008 5:56 pm

Yeah, I guess I'm allowed to be retarted every now and then, as well. It's all good...this Forum is awesome. It's been such a great resourse along the way.

Roger -- there is no 'Stop Watching This Thread' icon...

Bon Jovi...

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 29 Jan 2008 9:23 pm

Kent Thompson · Post by **Kent Thompson** » 29 Jan 2008 9:30 pm

It's just my opinion,But always thought of Mr.Cash as more Rock-a Billy than country,In fact he WAS one of the Rock a Billy pioneers.DYKBC.

Very well put.I always felt the same way about Cash.

I have to say in my own humble opinion that if what we are hearing on radio today is country music in evolution then the real artform of it is going to be lost forever. I don't know how many times I've heard from the younger listeners that they don't care for the older stuff because it's crying in your beer music,loneliness,heartbreak e.c.t. All I can tell them is "Well then you don't know or understand what Country Music is about" As far as I'm concerned those types country music has no room for.

It's radio and the major artists of today's responsibility to educate the young listeners about these traditional artists so they know who they are,bring them along on a tour get them out there in public view.

The least they can do is reconsider what they call it,because it's not country music,it's warmed over rock/pop. Here's an idea call it "Nashpop"

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 29 Jan 2008 9:51 pm

I think Roger may have nailed it here with his comment,
"it occurred to me then that today's country (or whatever you guys want to call it) is a lot more challenging than many of the older tunes"

When as many as 90% of all pedal steels ever made and sold are to "bedroom players" and that so many players either only play tab or by ear, it's no wonder that music coming out of nashville is disliked by so many. It really is too challenging.
My personal dislike is pickers that only play "3 chord simple" arrangements that sound so unsophisticated.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 29 Jan 2008 10:00 pm

...it's not country music, it's warmed over rock/pop.

I agree. It's pop music. And it's lame pop music. Like most Top-40 country today, it's trying to appeal to the masses, looking for big record sales.

Today's Top-40 "country" is a mediocre blend of pop-rock-country, over produced, pro-tooled and phony. The result is... it’s Not good pop, it's Not good rock, and it's Not good country. There isn't much honesty or roots in it, in my opinion.

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 30 Jan 2008 5:31 am

Doug, I agree also. The fact that these bands are carrying a steel doesn't do much either. I have been in a couple of top 40 country bands. I spend the night pushing A and B pedals and making the band look like a legit country band. It doesn't do any good to try to play because you first have to get over the top of the VanHalen type guitar player whose only setting is loud, distorted and with tons of midrange. The second obstacle is the loud lead kick drum. If the guys like Travis Toy like it that's ok by me. I can't take the racket. You can call it music if you want, but don't call it country because it ain't. By the way I heard the other day that record sales have dropped off in country music and it isn't all due to file sharing and internet sales. People are getting tired of some of this music being forced down our throats. Ok I will get off the box now.

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 30 Jan 2008 6:09 am

I love it when my soon to be 4 year old nephew, Noah Franklin sings Rascal Flatts!

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 30 Jan 2008 6:32 am

Theresa Galbraith wrote:I love it when my soon to be 4 year old nephew, Noah Franklin sings Rascal Flatts! :)

???????

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 30 Jan 2008 8:16 am

"I love it when my soon to be 4 year old nephew, Noah Franklin sings Rascal Flatts!"

Theresa, RF may have just expanded their demographic ....

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 30 Jan 2008 10:16 am

I love it when my soon to be 4 year old nephew, Noah Franklin sings Rascal Flatts!

Yes, that stuff really appeals to 4 year olds. Fortunately our tastes in music mature as we mature. Unfortunately some people continue listening to 'formula music' their entire lives. They are being sold a product... a shoddy, disposable product that will be forgotten in a few years. The general public falls for this crap, but it’s sad to see musicians buying into it.

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 30 Jan 2008 10:46 am

Doug, Four year olds like Barney, Spongebob Squarepants, and Telle Tubbies,too.

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 30 Jan 2008 11:33 pm

I guess I am a curmudgeon[a crusty,ill-tempered old man]Just because a band has a steel does not always make a country band,On the other hand you can't play REAL country without one.Call it what you want,but,no steel it's not country,The steel is the most recognizable instrument in real country music,Remember playing in a club years ago[before I played steel,was a guitar player]The club owner would ask the steel player to leave his guitar set up onstage,so during the week when people would come in the bar,they KNEW the club had a country band.DYKBC.

Leslie Ehrlich · Post by **Leslie Ehrlich** » 30 Jan 2008 11:41 pm

Richard Sinkler wrote:Country is not just the whiney...

Actually, the 'whiney' aspect of older country music is something I prefer to avoid like the plague. Every time I hear a pedal steel played in a whiney crying E9th style I wince in pain ... it's almost as bad as listening to bagpipes.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Rascal Flatts at The Garden

'God Bless The Broken Road'