Comment was infuriating!!

Tom Olson · Post by **Tom Olson** » 5 Nov 2005 11:22 pm

The reason is changes in the values of society as a whole. Instant gratification is where it's at, now, man. Don't save for the future -- don't waste your life studying and learning and working toward something with deep meaning -- that's old fashioned, man. Get it now, do it now, just do it, man. Do your own thing, be a non-conformist. Everybody is different. Diversity is where it's at man. Diversity is beautiful. Don't let anybody tell you that you can't be different. Just do what you feel. Be the most outlandish you can be. Shock them, baby, shock them. Show 'em what you got. You're bad, dig?

Oh well.

Ron Sodos · Post by **Ron Sodos** » 6 Nov 2005 1:50 am

I have played guitar professionally playing rock, jazz, funk and hippie rock and now play steel and play hard core country. There is alot of talk on this forum about new country and the old ones have to get used to it. Listen bad is bad and good is good. The fact is most of the stuff now is just bad music and it has nothing to do with new or old. There is some real good music like Joe Nichols and various other artists. It has nothing to do with country or rock either. There is good rock and bad, good country and bad. The fact is most of the stuff coming out of the big labels is just crap and the kids haven't a clue. They buy what the big labels dictate and that is the whole story.....

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 6 Nov 2005 3:03 am

we don't have to get used to it.

There are plenty of fine Quality Country acts out there looking to get a gig with a national act.

The main act should be notified and KNOW what you think.

two dueling Les Pauls IS NOT to be considered a NEW AGE Country act. Far from it. They are a rock band looking far a gig anywhere they can get one.

Just becasue they are on the show does not mean they are getting paid well..Deals are made..thats how they get on the tour.

Opening acts should always compliment the headliner.

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 6 Nov 2005 4:40 am

I thought it was fairly standard these days for opening acts (their record labels anyway) to pay the headliners for the privilege of being on their tour? It's likely Dierks Bentley was never even asked about his preferences.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 6 Nov 2005 6:14 am

I was talking to Bush yesterday and mentioned this thread. Johnny has a pretty dim view of most rock and roll, but he likes CCR a lot, especially Cody Canada's writing. Also the guitar sound they get on their recordings.

He also feels they cut the best version of "Whiskey River," though he doesn't want to tell Willie about it.

As to the legalizing marijuana thing, they have plenty of company in the country music world that feel that way, from Willie Nelson on down.

BTW, they are quite religious young men with families, who have a prayer circle before each performance. We've opened shows for them here in TX and I've seen it. It's not for public "show," they do it privately so I believe it's genuine.

I know, I know, I hear you saying: Cody said "sh*t" in public! Bear in mind they're not in church or at their moms' dinner table, they're at a concert full of young people. Different demeanors for different situations.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

[This message was edited by Herb Steiner on 06 November 2005 at 06:18 AM.]

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 6 Nov 2005 10:51 pm

They remind me also of most of the new artist,Like they have just crawled out of a dumpster.

Glenn Suchan · Post by **Glenn Suchan** » 7 Nov 2005 7:16 am

As usual, Herb's insight is very accurate. I've met Cody Canada and the rest of the band on numerous occasions and consider them honest hard working musicians as well as friends. There's nothing artifical about the band. Actually, Cody Canada reminds me very much of a young Willie Nelson. He's very talented, has an inate sense of how the music industry works and has the ability to ingratiate and befriend fans, fellow musicians (including the big names) and the music business community. As for the type of music Cross Canadian Ragweed plays, it is unappologetically, more rock n roll than country. They've never actively sought out a country market. More accurately, the "Texas Music" phenomenon of the late 90's early 2000's enbraced them for their highly entertaining shows and musicianship. Regardless of whether it's more country or more rock.

And Joey, their name comes from band members (and childhood friends) Grady CROSS, Cody CANADA and Randy RAGSDALE. CROSS CANADiAn RAGweed. The name is legitimate and not intended to "cash-in" on another band. Coincidentally (or maybe not coincidentally) some of their music is very reminiscent of the late 60's early 70's rock music that was pushing the envelope concerning social and political issues.

As for booking the show with Dierks Bentley (another great entertainer) the promoter probably studied the demographics of his targetted audience and for the most part got it right. There is a substantial overlap of fans for both acts. Granted, there were probably folks that wanted a pure country show just as there were others that wanted a pure rockin' show. But the majority probably enjoyed both acts inspite of the diversity. Believe it or not this makes good business sense from a promoter's end of things. It will attract a broader audience base. And selling tickets to the show IS the name of the game.

Cross Canadian Ragweed is a good band, try to understand and appreciate them for that, not for what you think they should be.

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn[This message was edited by Glenn Suchan on 07 November 2005 at 07:32 AM.][This message was edited by Glenn Suchan on 07 November 2005 at 07:37 AM.]

Ken Thompson · Post by **Ken Thompson** » 7 Nov 2005 8:19 am

Glenn, your point is well taken. I do not mean to keep this thread going forever but since I started it I just want to say this.

They did open for Dierks Bently. I did not want to mention it at first because I did not want anything negative to spill over onto his concert. I have the utmost respect for him and the he put on a great show.

Dierks mentioned several times that Cody was his best friend and that CCR were "Gods" in Texas. As I stated, their songs were well written in terms of melody, style etc. and would, in my opinion, been real good songs with more of a country style.

Both shows were extremely loud. We have played the building and know how difficult it is to get a good sound but more volume was not the answer. That didn't help the SCREAMING Less Pauls. It actually hurt my ears and I am used to playing with a guitarist that plays loud.

I am impressed that they are Christians and give them kudos for that. The crowd was very young and I have heard really good comments about them from the youth. I thought they were very good for a "rock band."

I am sure that the only consumers that were disappointed were those in my age group (40-60). They just weren't what we were expecting to be opening for DB because he is about as country as you are going to get out of the new age country market.

Add to that the comment that was made which really set me off given the scenario I mentioned before.

As has been stated, they were probably an appropriate act for the demographics that they are looking for. It is probably only my generation that are left confused when you mix a rock band with an obvious country headliner.

Possibly a lesson in "tact" and self restraint is in order for acts that may just have a few of us "oldies" in the audience. Promoting drugs and the "in your face" attitude definatly "warmed up" this audience member but not in the way that they intended.

I apologize to those of you that are fans of CCR. I have cooled down now and I will get over it. But again, I will be very hesitant to spend my money on acts that have opening acts that are unknown to me. I will do my research first. They will only get the money I give my daughter to go, NOT MINE. haha

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 8 Nov 2005 10:45 am

CCR are huge in Texas and headliners in their own right. A bit of trivia for y'all...
Their last CD was recorded and mixed by a monster steel player at his studio...

Steve Palousek!

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God Bless,
Steve Stallings

Dale Bessant · Post by **Dale Bessant** » 11 Nov 2005 10:25 am

Dierks Bentley?...all this time I thought they were talkin' 'bout his car! shows u how far out of the scene I am....

[This message was edited by Dale Bessant on 11 November 2005 at 10:26 AM.]