CMA Awards--Big & Rich

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 12 Nov 2004 7:28 pm

Thanx Don! May be pretty cool! A copy will popup amongst my pickin' buddys and I'll check it out! I also grew up with sixties and seventies rock, and love it. I just happen to really really love traditional country, and might I add w. swing. I just can't relate to rap.

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 12 Nov 2004 8:05 pm

Gaylon - I was just kidding. You should be fine. Check your e-mail.

Lee

Mike Winter · Post by **Mike Winter** » 13 Nov 2004 10:35 am

James P & Gaylon M -- Congratulations on your respective gigs, and kudos to you for having fun and getting paid for doing something that you love. (Bob Dylan once said, "A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between does what he wants to do.") Sometimes it takes folks like B & R and Gretchen to kick Nashville from time to time...usually something positive happens after a good shakeup. Have fun.

Donald Dunlavey · Post by **Donald Dunlavey** » 13 Nov 2004 3:10 pm

Well it looks as though county muic has become a venue for a lot music types to break through, but wouldn't this be attributed too the people willing to back them, Record copanies, managers,etc based on the possiblility that they will break through and have large sales, making someone money. Or should musicians having played a certain type of music for 20 or 30 years and with no success not take the opurtunity to break in with another direction. I distinctly remember living in Nashville for 2 years in Early 70's and because we had long hair and played blues and Rock we were shunned, almost exiled, Lived out on Lake Hickory, I was raised in country music. My Dad was pro for 40 years. Country and bluegrass and I was around many country players, don't remember treating them that way because they played country. Somebody explain these attitudes to me. Jealousy, resentment, don't like change, what's up? I've been playing 42 years and I think if you have an ear you know whats done well. If you like the style or not is another story.
Help I'm drowning.

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 15 Nov 2004 5:03 am

IMHO there's no bad music out there. Music has a purpose! It's usually to entertain, sooth, infuriate, or whatever to the listener. What it boils down to is personal preferences. Some folks dislike new country, some hate jazz, etc. but that doesn't make anything bad. It's just what you like or dislike yourself. Your likes don't makes a song or a style of music good or bad. I like a lot of different types of music and as such can appreciate some of the things going on in the Big and Rich show. You've got to admit that the musicians are of a very high caliber on the recordings and the live show especially. Those guys lay down a groove that kicks your @ss! I liked the black dude doing the rap thing with them. I don't like rap at all usually but for some reason unbeknowst to me, I liked that one. All in all, I think Big & Rich are great and I wish I had James Pennybaker's gig and he had mine! I'd be as happy as a pig in whatever. Next let's take a look at Montgomery Gentry with the mike stand swingin' Eddie Montgomery. I like them too and think they put on a helluva show. They've got great pickers on their records and live act as well. I remember back when Eddie was "road toading" for his brother John Michael, I'll bet ol' John Michael wishes he was in Eddie's shoes right now with the success he's having. Just pay attention to the lyrics of some of their songs ever now and then. The song "This is My Town" is pretty nostalgic and brings back some memories of where I was raised. Finally, let's just cut these boys some slack. You may not like what they're doing but a whole lot of other folks do (including Me)do, and they're out there making a whole lot of money doing what they love while most of the folks who bitch about them are pickin' in their music room to pre-recorded practice tracks. Nuff said, eh?....JH

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Livin' in the Past and Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

Toby Rider · Post by **Toby Rider** » 15 Nov 2004 11:23 am

All roads lead to "Big & Rich", or so it seems

They've come up multiple times in just about every country music forum on the web that I participate on.

Let me preface the sharing of my opinions on this here thread by stating that I'm one of those 30-year-old guys who grew up in rural West Texas, listening to 8-tracks of George Strait, John Anderson and Ernest Tubb in a rusty old pickup. So my point-of-view is certainly colored by my background.

B&R have definately managed to get alot of attention, both from us musicians and country music fans in general. All in a pretty short period of time. Got to commend them for that. Especially in light of the fact that there's really talented guys who perform, record & tour for years in obscurity. I'm not sure whether that has to do with marketing, or their music, or both.

Still, I'd rather see more talk about them, and less talk about Shania and all the saccharin pop singers who seem to have invaded country music in the last 5 years. At least the B&R album demonstrates that they're grounded in real country, even though they've decided to make a few radical departures from it.

Personally I don't really care for the rap stuff and I don't care if that's the thing with inner city youth. When I was a kid listening to country, some of the kids I went to school with were listening to Vanilla Ice & Debbie Gibson.. They're gone, but country still lives on.

I'm into country music for the long haul, and I calculate that gives me another 55 years of productivity as a musician & fan. So I'm certain some things will continue to change, but as long as there is some grounding, then I'm cool. Besides, it's good to try things as a musician, some ideas will work, some will fail. Just as long as you have that grounding in the tradition, then you've got a solid point-of-reference.

I was pleased that most of their album isn't like that. I also don't think those boys are taking themselves too seriously, which is cool.

There's some solid cuts on that album, including "Kick my a**" which is both incredibly tongue-in-cheek & traditional sounding, at the same time.

I am also pleased that they have the foresight to hire some top notch musicians. IMHO, we don't get the appreciation we deserve.

Toby Rider · Post by **Toby Rider** » 15 Nov 2004 1:16 pm

"IMHO there's no bad music out there. Music has a purpose! It's usually to entertain, sooth, infuriate, or whatever to the listener. What it boils down to is personal preferences."

When you start playing your stuff for the I chord over the V chord, and the drummer starts speeding up & slowing down or insists on hammering that ride cymbal during a slow ballad, and the bassist thinks he's playing a different song then he actually is, and the singer forgets the words to a song he wrote. Well, there's only one word for that: BAD!

I think we've all been there at least once.

Jim Walker · Post by **Jim Walker** » 18 Nov 2004 7:54 pm

Can't we all just get along?

LOVE EVERYBODY

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97' American-Fender-Tele-Bender-Blaster-Caster
Line 6 Amps
Jim Walker

Chris Forbes · Post by **Chris Forbes** » 19 Nov 2004 3:37 am

Just because someone is "still in the bedroom learning mansion on the hill", does that make their opinions any less valid? A fellow forumite came out to one of my gigs a couple of weeks ago and we chatted for a bit. I respect his opinions on music as much as I would Lloyd Green's. Would I "agree" with all his opinions, or for that matter, all of Lloyd Green's? HECK NO!! But I would respect them. I certainly wouldn't try to belittle him because of his level of playing.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 21 Nov 2004 7:14 am

Chris, I like you already!

Randy Carson · Post by **Randy Carson** » 21 Nov 2004 8:23 am

I STOPPED WATCHING THESE THINGS ALONG TIME AGO.

thanks for whoever said turn the T V because
Country just isnt Country anymore, i dont even know who these guys are, better yet DON'T CARE!!!

Garth showed the city slickers that Nashville could be Cashville, therefore this kind of crud will continue.

I just hope we can find a venue for the music we love, and eventually the music will win.
Randy

Chris Forbes · Post by **Chris Forbes** » 21 Nov 2004 9:29 am

Aw, shucks!!

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 21 Nov 2004 12:41 pm

Believe me. There is more bad music out there now than there's ever been. Affordable instruments you know.

Rick Garrett · Post by **Rick Garrett** » 21 Nov 2004 1:54 pm

I heard a song by B&R today called Holy Water and I gotta say it was really pretty good. The band sounded tight and its way yonder more country than that rap they played on the CMA's.

Rick

Tom Olson · Post by **Tom Olson** » 21 Nov 2004 2:15 pm

Anybody see the parody of Toby Keith on SNL last night?

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 26 Nov 2004 8:58 am

I caught most of the show in a replay last night. I thought it was a fairly decent show. Of course, I am not locked into the theory that the only good country music as a 4/4 3 chord shuffle (flame on boys). Seems there was more bands/artists playing that in previous shows I have seen (although I haven't really watched any award shows for some time.

As for Big N Rich, haven't seen much I care for from them (although I admit to not hearing their CD and may like it). The first thing I thought of when I saw them was, am I watching Comedy Central?? And, I didn't even notice the dwarf. Too busy checking out the chain guitar strap (actually thought it was cool).

James P. , Congrats on the gig with B&R. It seems you are having a lot of fun. Isn't that what music is all about...FUN????

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Carter D10 9p/10k, NV400

Bill Llewellyn · Post by **Bill Llewellyn** » 26 Nov 2004 9:28 am

I just heard "Holy Water" on the radio for the first time yesterday. It's a rather emotional tune, well written and sung with lot of heart. It is the first time I really got to hear these guys and I think they did a great job on that song. (Though it lacked steel, unfortunately....)

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Bill, steelin' since '99 | Steel page | My music | Steelers' birthdays | Over 50?

Bill cole · Post by **Bill cole** » 27 Nov 2004 10:32 am

Now I'm not saying the bands around Buffalo are bad but there are a lot of them selling saying there country when they don't even know what a country song is or was. But it seam like that's the way it is today say one thing and do something else

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 27 Nov 2004 11:49 am

Bill, I have to agree with you. All of the players that I play with are former rock players, and I am the only one who will be listening to the Louvin Brothers and Buck Owens when we are not playing. It is a shame that the younger generation is not exposed more to REAL country music. Still I am glad to be playing every weekend.

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 28 Nov 2004 1:25 pm

Guy, you ain't heard or seen nothin' yet. Wait til next year. The show will be televised from NEW YORK City. NEW York City!!!!!!. I will not dignify this years show by commenting.Jody.

Mike Sweeney · Post by **Mike Sweeney** » 29 Nov 2004 3:35 pm

I hate that James P. got offended here but I understand why. No one here is saying anything about him accept that they are glad he has a gig. It also looks like more people are taking up for Big And Rich than putting them down and that's o.k. too. My point was that John Rich made the statement more than once that he was going to stay true to his roots and not "sell out". This was over 10 years ago and a guy's got to do whatever it takes to make a living. I play on countless demo sessions of watered down rock and roll and do it with a smile every time because it pays the bills. That doesn't mean I like it. I think my biggest problem with this whole deal is calling what they did on the CMA's country. Just because something has a steel or fiddle on it don't make it country. If that was the case the Nashville Symphony would be playing square dances.

Mike

Joe Miraglia · Post by **Joe Miraglia** » 29 Nov 2004 6:50 pm

Bill how have you been? Bill and Kevin I also have to agree,Country has changed,not like it should be .Bill it was fun setting in for you,on a few songs. Jon Anderson and the boys play that real country music! Kevin the band I work for, the players where rock before foruming The Willow Creek Band. We willing be playing in Buffalo next year- Jan. and in March. Joe[This message was edited by Joe Miraglia on 29 November 2004 at 06:56 PM.][This message was edited by Joe Miraglia on 29 November 2004 at 06:59 PM.]

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 29 Nov 2004 10:28 pm

Joe, please let me know. I will come and see you. We play "Save A Horse" every weekend and the place always goes wild. We also do "Mama Tried". As I said before I think that the Big & Rich Cd is VERY innovative. James P., I think you've got a great gig![This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 29 November 2004 at 10:36 PM.]