country music awards

Travis Toy · Post by **Travis Toy** » 4 Apr 2012 6:59 am

Quentin Hickey wrote:Travis, sorry I didnt know that it was you and not Randle but have you even watched the show yet? Everyone except for Brad was in the dark and there were no credits at the end as to who played so how in the heck am I going to know that you played that set? My MAIN POINT is that the sound guys for the most part never get a good mix on these shows Its not as eady as it sounds but it would have been nice to hear any steel at all! I watched that award show 2 times and I'll be darned if I make out wether it was you or Randle or who ever so if that is youre point than yes I agree with you I shouldnt have assumed who it was. Although I don't claim to know everything about music, I do claim that my ears work good, ask anyone who knows me!!!
Here is a comment I found that you made in another post
"A lot of people probably don't realize I also played steel with Brad Paisley on the show. Unfortunately, those were some of the absolute worst TV mixes I've heard in quite some time, and my steel was essentially off. "
So I guess that you agreeg with me.
Have a nice day.

Quentin - I agree with you indeed on the mixes. The only thing more frustrating than you not getting to hear the steel, is me knowing that it was on and clear and prevelant in the house mix, then watching the broadcast and being OFF.

Travis Toy · Post by **Travis Toy** » 4 Apr 2012 7:40 am

After reading my post from last night, I should probably clarify my thoughts. Here's the thing...I LOVE traditional country music. I'm not offended by comments about people's dislike for the style of popular music, and "offended" really isn't the right word to use anyway. I think it's just hard to not take it personally. This is what I do for a living. It pays for my house, my car, provides for my wife and little girl, etc. I take a lot of pride in the fact that I'm able to do that with music. Very few are. When somebody says the industry I make my living in, or the style of music I'm currently making my living in, or even the act I'm currently playing with sucks, it's hard not to take it personally. None of you need to apologize to me by any means, nor do I expect you to. It's all just opinions. The absolute refusal by some to accept anything new is very ignorant, and the refusal to stay with the times musically, especially on steel, will only hurt the future of the instrument.

Junior Knight · Post by **Junior Knight** » 4 Apr 2012 7:52 am

I agree with most of what Travis said. That being said..*I'm glad I'm retired!*..

Travis Toy · Post by **Travis Toy** » 4 Apr 2012 7:55 am

Junior Knight wrote:I agree with most of what Travis said. That being said..*I'm glad I'm retired!*..

Haha!!!

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 4 Apr 2012 8:07 am

I'll be there to catch it Joachim
tom uk

Thanks Tommy, nice to hear from you, please say hello to John for me.

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 4 Apr 2012 9:14 am

O.K.! Wait still next year when I'm on that show with my " Blue Party Cup " with Pop Star Tiffany. Boy, the reaction is gonna kill my Country Career. Music is Music and people or people.Just like cry babies or cry babies. No matter what the Steel Guitar is still alive. So,God morning everyone!

Uncle Leo J Eiffert,Jr. and his Band of Musicians,Ron Epperson,Joey Lee,Jimmy Lester,Mike Torrance,Cleat Wooley,Tommy Shown and so many moo.

Quentin Hickey · Post by **Quentin Hickey** » 4 Apr 2012 10:17 am

Travis Toy wrote:
Quentin Hickey wrote:Travis, sorry I didnt know that it was you and not Randle but have you even watched the show yet? Everyone except for Brad was in the dark and there were no credits at the end as to who played so how in the heck am I going to know that you played that set? My MAIN POINT is that the sound guys for the most part never get a good mix on these shows Its not as eady as it sounds but it would have been nice to hear any steel at all! I watched that award show 2 times and I'll be darned if I make out wether it was you or Randle or who ever so if that is youre point than yes I agree with you I shouldnt have assumed who it was. Although I don't claim to know everything about music, I do claim that my ears work good, ask anyone who knows me!!!
Here is a comment I found that you made in another post
"A lot of people probably don't realize I also played steel with Brad Paisley on the show. Unfortunately, those were some of the absolute worst TV mixes I've heard in quite some time, and my steel was essentially off. "
So I guess that you agreeg with me.
Have a nice day.
Quentin - I agree with you indeed on the mixes. The only thing more frustrating than you not getting to hear the steel, is me knowing that it was on and clear and prevelant in the house mix, then watching the broadcast and being OFF.

Hi Travis, I thought you original post was directed toward me but I went back and read this whole thread and seen the comments that you were talking about!

Good music will always prevail no matter how many people bash it. Alot of people like to hate on people like Taylor Swift but look how many kids want to be her. When is the last time you seen the vast majority of young people idoloizing a country music star? I think it is a good thing in that respect. After all, when you strip it down its a perosn pouring there heart out with the truth! Isnt that what country music is supposed to be folks? Bill Anderson said that. I bet he likes alot of the new country music that is out today.
I may not like every new country artist, I do like most, but I am glad that everyone doesnt sound the same either.

Junior Knight · Post by **Junior Knight** » 4 Apr 2012 12:09 pm

I played almost 4 years with LeAnn Rimes..it was a GREAT time in my career. We played ALL the award shows so I got to see first hand what goes on. Did I like it? ..most of it no..BUT, I tryed to respect it for what it is..MUSIC. Do I like todays country?..most of it..no..but I try to respect it. Friends it AIN"T going back to what we love soooo..get ur popcorn ready and put on ur 33 1/3 records and set back and enjoy...out-of-here!

Ken Morgan · Post by **Ken Morgan** » 5 Apr 2012 3:48 am

On the national scene, I'd agree with your assessment, Junior (and hand me some of that popcorn, please)...but as you've seen with your former boss Jody, at the local/regional level, there are still lots of folks who just prefer the older stuff.

Perhaps its all a difference in how one measures success?

If it matters, I listen to everything from Bach to Bandy, Wagner to Wills to the Who, and play whatever is not too far out there - goes with the job. But just like a house painter, I don't have to like the colors selected by the homeowner to do a good and professional job when painting their house...it all comes down to (and back to) personal choice.

And if it matters #2, no one should get upset if a bunch of old timers poke a little fun or pound their fists for apparently getting left behind in the evolution of pop country music, IMO. Most of us have a choice, and for those of us opting to stick closer to home, its the bed we chose to sleep in - for those opting to expand (bettering their chances of actually getting headline acts, label deals, or being on the receiving end of threads like these), they all seem to be the ones enjoying the last laugh right now. Never seriously knock success.

Six Stringer out...

George Crickmore · Post by **George Crickmore** » 5 Apr 2012 5:17 am

How about that shot that Blake Shelton took at Randy Travis. I know he was trying to be funny but it wasn't. It was Randy Travis that brought real country music back in 80s. Not Garth Brooks.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 5 Apr 2012 6:06 am

I don't have a problem with music changing or anything else for that matter.(Well exclude Gas prices).The Music industry of today does not cater to the over 50-60-70 crowd..Quite simply because that age crowd does not support even their own music ..yes the traditional music they love..There truly isn't anyone in Nashville ,the West coast writing traditional music anymore..Who would buy it except the very same people who let it die??.Many of us loved the old 50s and 60s rock and roll and then that changed..Why?? Enter acid rock and another generation..Country as it is called today would see the Eagles struggling to fit in but in the past they were consided too rock for Country..You could see Country changing with the entrance of Alabama,then Garth Brooks,..The Crowds started getting younger and the Shows were growing attendance..Artist just standing in front of a mike doing their past 20 hits got boring to the new growing generation of converted rock fans soon to make what is called Country the biggest thing since sliced bread....Package shows were disapearing and traditional artist were dropping in the charts.Then Air play, sales started determining who the labels stable of Artist would be
..keyboards were replacing Fiddles and a Steel was on stage, but eccos of it making the sound too Country emerged..So quite simply My only gripe is they did not truly kill the traditional Country music,They just buried it alive..But lets face it,there does not as of yet seem to be any new Merle Haggards,Ray Prices,George Joneses or even a Randy Travis to kick start the move back to tradition..Moreso there is simply not enough interest in venues,investors and labels willing to listen...If we are lucky,we get old..Music is that way too as is everything..Someone on this Forum once made a statement.."They don't sell 55 chevys anymore"..Well that was wrong they still do,they just don't make them anymore...thats Country music Folks..

Most of the complaints on this Forum are from many (not all) who quite simply can't adapt to keep working..Heck that includes myself..I've always been Country and I did hang in for some 40 years..Now I'm enjoying whatever my past popularity brings me..A phone call or two a show to MC and sing on,(thanks to Smiley for asking me to sing on his St. Louis set)and once in a while someone checking to see if I'm still alive..LOL..I am and so is my music..If you play the Youtube site below you will hear my latest recording...Done in 80s..LOL...

Bill Cunningham · Post by **Bill Cunningham** » 5 Apr 2012 6:31 am

Funny thing....a few days ago I was listening to one of George Jones' biggest hits from his prime. He was produced by Billy Sherill and most all his hits (and Tammy's)were washed in surpy strings (not fiddles!) and keyboard with a little tasty Pete Drake to keep it country!

I was thinking about how he sold out because it was a lot different than his early hits, not too much like Webb Pierce and certainly a long way from Hank Williams and much further from the Crook Brothers and Sam and Kirk McGee.

Yep, it's Geroge Jones that ruined country music and stole its identity!

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 6 Apr 2012 7:26 am

It is what it is,

until it isn't.

Greg Stasny · Post by **Greg Stasny** » 6 Apr 2012 9:56 am

As several have said, it really is more about the co-opting of the genre/label "country music", than about talent (or lack thereof).

And criticism of the new artists often comes about because of the label, due to the frustration of seeing the direction the industry (or was it the new fans?) took the music.

The (insert your own number) 10%, 30%?? of country music fans that would enjoy and appreciate something more traditional know the chances are slim to none of those artists being seriously considered for airplay (and one per hour is hardly a draw...).

Sure, many folks don't like change, but I would always have assumed there is plenty of radio bandwidth to allow options to satisfy the various tastes. But nope, the three local FM "country" stations are all cookie-cutter versions, playing the same song lists. Guess I'll never understand music marketing.

Have I mentioned that being in Texas, we still get to see/hear some great bands? We'll be dancin' to Jake Hooker this evening, with some fantastic Rick Price steel.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 6 Apr 2012 11:55 am

Thank goodness we have 3-4 world class country bands here in western N.Y. Real country music.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 7 Apr 2012 8:01 am

Good music will always prevail no matter how many people bash it.

Why would anybody want to bash good music?

Ken Morgan · Post by **Ken Morgan** » 7 Apr 2012 8:08 am

Barry Blackwood wrote:
Good music will always prevail no matter how many people bash it.
Why would anybody want to bash good music?

Because they don't think it is so good...the same reason some years ago people bashed guitar players that used amps onstage and in the studio, instead of 18 space racks full of stuff to emulate using an amp. Or people bash Norman Rockwell paintings, the Bible, authentic Mexican food, or whatever.

Doesn't matter what other people think - it's THEIR opinions that matter, and they will make sure they tell the world (and you) what a jerkwater ignoramus you are for disagreeing with them.

(You related to Brad Blackwood in Memphis?)

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 9 Apr 2012 4:39 am

The one true reality is that good singers don't last as long as their music...Not so good music last as long as it's singers..

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 9 Apr 2012 8:49 am

It is what it is, until it isn't.

Joe, profound and hilarious all at the same time! It's my new favorite saying!
Ken, not related to any other Blackwoods in the music biz.