Making That Song Sound Country

Joe Miraglia · Post by **Joe Miraglia** » 23 Oct 2000 11:42 am

Steel guitar--YES. Fiddle--YES. Keyboard--YES. Drums, etc.--YES. But all these instruments can sound non-country. Now how does a singer make it sound country (especially traditional)? The voice makes it sound country. Jim Reeves, Patsy Cline, Eddie Arnold, Ann Murray made country recordings, but at that time they weren't considered traditional country. Webb Pierce, Kitty Wells, George Jones, Loretta Lynn and others are truly traditional because of the sound of their voice and southern accent. Not everyone has that sound but many singers like to do country songs even though it doesn't sound the same. My thoughts are the trouble with today's artists is many of them start out with traditional country and use their natural voice and come out with one or two big hits, sound traditional and then try--I mean TRY--to sound pop or rock. And they try to cover their original sound by screaming YES-YES-YES. Joe I'm sorry I think the words are,Kiss-Kiss-Kiss.[This message was edited by Joe Miraglia on 23 October 2000 at 12:49 PM.]

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 23 Oct 2000 11:52 am

Joe,
I agree. If an artist wants to sell records which every artist wants to do, they have to put out what will sell.
End of story.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 23 Oct 2000 1:13 pm

Yes...put out what sells! LeAnn Rimes couldn't give that first record away! What was the name of it again? Wasn't it "Blue" or something...with a lot of old-time steel and semi-yodling in it? Hummph! Nobody would buy a song like that...shades of Patsy Cline, who's been gone for 37 years, yeah, THAT was it! That's why it didn't sell!!!

No wonder she switched to the "New Sound"!

[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 23 October 2000 at 05:18 PM.]

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 23 Oct 2000 1:26 pm

I personally didn't like her version. I like the stuff she's doing now!

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 23 Oct 2000 2:44 pm

Jim,
Thanks for the reply. This is just my opinion. Paul will never be out of work and dad will only stop building guitars if he's unable to do so. Please continue to play what kind of music you prefer!

Joe Miraglia · Post by **Joe Miraglia** » 23 Oct 2000 3:39 pm

I don't believe all country singers have the tone or voice to cross over to pop or rock or even new so-called country. I'm not saying that is bad or good. My feelings are that Reba McIntyre sings a fine country song but when she switches over, it just doesn't sound right--"Cathy's Clown" for example. It doesn't come close to the way Karen Carpenter sang that song. But I will add that many of the country artists have sung the National Anthem with much soul--LeeAnn R. comes to mind. Joe

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 23 Oct 2000 4:19 pm

Country is what one thinks it is. I personally listen to the song and music. I draw from that. It doesn't have to have steel to be country.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 23 Oct 2000 4:24 pm

Theresa,

Why didn't you like LeAnn's version of "Blue"? Was it her voice you didn't like, or just the music?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 23 Oct 2000 4:32 pm

Never say never.Nothing last forever,take good country music for instance.

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CJC

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 23 Oct 2000 5:36 pm

Donny,
I guess I like LeAnn being LeAnn! Plan and simple!
dixie flyer,
Country is what one thinks it is. Today's music is as country as can be. Listen to the lyric, it's true and can touch the heart! It may sound different in some ways. You have to listen in order to hear and learn. It's just my opinion! [This message was edited by Theresa Galbraith on 23 October 2000 at 06:50 PM.]

KEVIN OWENS · Post by **KEVIN OWENS** » 23 Oct 2000 6:03 pm

"Country is what one thinks it is"
That is the same comment that I replied to in another post by another person.
Music types have to have guide lines or everthing starts sounding the same. I don't know why this is so hard to understand. It's really ashame that people who like real country music have to defend it, on this forum, all the time. If you say one thing bad about the new stuff you are labeled as some throwback with no insight to music whatsoever and this is the steel forum, the instrument most assoiated with real country music. People need to learn that everything new is not good just because some record company pumps $$$$$$$$$$$$ and tells you that it is.
Some people on this forum don't like real country music, that's fine, but don't try to put down or belittle the music that made Nashville what it is (or was).

Kevin

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 23 Oct 2000 6:22 pm

This is my last reply to this subject.
I like some of the traditional that I grew up with.
I personally think the country I've heard in the 80's, 90's and now are far more better musically than in the past. Just my opinion!
Theresa
Let the flames begin! Lol

BJ Bailey · Post by **BJ Bailey** » 23 Oct 2000 6:49 pm

must be time to wash those dish's, I mean put them in the dishwasher?
Somebody put some Gene Watson on

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BJ Bailey

David Pennybaker · Post by **David Pennybaker** » 23 Oct 2000 7:31 pm

People need to learn that everything new is not good just because some record company pumps $$$$$$$$$$$$ and tells you that it is.

Music is good when I think it is. If I don't like it, it's not "good music" to me. But it probably is to somebody else.

Just because music is "old" or "traditional" doens't make it good, either.

And, I think that many of today's songs "tell a story", too. Not just the old stuff.

There's plenty to love and to dislike in both the old stuff and the new stuff. I prefer to dwell on what I like to listen to.

If I say I hate so-and-so's music, I'll have some agree with me, but I've also "attacked" music that others like. So, I try (and don't succeed often enough) to stay away from disparing music I don't happen to like.

If I don't like it, that's all it means. Music is personal.

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The Unofficial Photographer of The Wilkinsons

Lem Smith · Post by **Lem Smith** » 23 Oct 2000 9:20 pm

I personally think the country I've heard in the 80's, 90's and now are far more better musically than in the past. Just my opinion! Theresa

Theresa,
I know you said that was your last post, but if you don't mind, I'm curious about one thing.

Is it because during the years you mentioned, Paul was/is the number one steel player on call for the big sessions, and therefore it's most likely him on the songs you prefer? This is NOT a flame, but an honest question.

And before someone thinks otherwise, NO NO NO NO!!!!, I am NOT saying anything against Paul Franklin as a player or otherwise!!! I happen to agree with those who think he's one of the greatest players who ever sat down at the steel. I'm just curious as to whether or not you think that's a factor.

Regards,
Lem

Rick Schmidt · Post by **Rick Schmidt** » 24 Oct 2000 12:31 am

I don't know why everybody keeps complaining about this!

I don't think that country music has got the market cornered in the "bastardized by the big money & lawyers dept." ...

Anybody listened to any jazz in the media lately? How 'bout top 40 rock? Forget about R&B.....& then of course there's rap & hip hop......

By and large, most of it is insipid pap with very little nutritional value....unlike the...... heavy sigh........good old days.

Almost anything with any depth, dimension, & a sense of roots on radio today is being played on non-comercial privately funded stations...Thank God classical stations don't have to answer to Burger King's ad men!

Actually...all things considered.....I think modern country music is actually the lesser of many evils going on over the airwaves today. It certainly has some of the more "musical" moments being thrust upon us by the demographic people working for the "big boys". I think Paul F. is a real hero here! Everything that he puts into tape is a cut above what most session players of any persuasion get to play these days. I think most producers are so mystified by the pedal steel that they havn't figured out how to squelch it down yet.

Although I must admit, as I'm driving in my car, I usually pass by the country stations pretty quick on my radio...unless I hear Paul playing a fill etc.

One trend that I do find disturbing in country music, is where almost every song HAS to have multiple writers collaborating on it in order to pass the money guy's tough requirements on what a "good song" is.
There's not alot of singular Hank Williams's or Harlan Howards' or Roger Millers' or Merle Haggards' coming up with inspired masterpieces in the tortured confines of their lonely bedrooms. At least not without HAVING to run their inspired music by all the self serving revisionists on Music Row first.

Oh well.....could be worse I guess. Whenever you hear good music being played anywhere, take a moment to thank God for letting that one slip by.