General Music Chat

In my humble opinion, this stuff on today's "Hot Country" radio isn't Country Music anymore. I don't know what it is. It's not good Rock, and it's certainly not good Country! I call it "Nashville Product."
For one thing, it's too "wordy." If you listen to old Hank Williams tunes, you'll notice that almost every word is one-syllable. Simple and beautiful, yet powerful. It still holds up well today.
Another beef: All these so-called stars on radio all sound alike. Back in the day, it was easy to tell Marty Robbins from Johnny Cash from Buck Owens from Roger Miller. Same thing went for the ladies. Where are the Patsy Clines, Loretta Lynns, Tammy Wynettes, and Dolly Partons?
On a more positive note: Today's Bluegrass is fabulous! It's the real "Country Music" now.
Can anyone here come up with something more clever than "Nashville Product" to call this abomination?

How about "modern mediocre?"

or,
.
"Grade - C Coun -try?"
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"Tepid Tunes?"

They play what is popular to reach a broader younger audience these days. I consider it more like country rock or alternative country. Being a young musician I appreciate all good music. It doesn't matter what genre. I listen to it all from Elvis to George and Tammy, Loretta and Conway, Nat King Cole to Pavarotti and everthing in between. Believe it or not my favorite artist of all time is Johnny Mathis. Kinda odd for a 20 year old who plays rock.

Thanks for posting that, Mike; I need to hear that kind of thing.
I know my last post was tongue-in cheek.
And I do realize there are those of us with more eclectic tastes . . .
. . . and I'm always glad to hear from them.

All thread's are viable, In my own personal opinion, Right or wong. Today's modern country is 'True' country, And will always progress to the best of country music. We would all like things to stay the same, But history will not permitt it. Rascal Flatts, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, etc. -True Modern, Classic, Rock, Funk, Orchestra, etc.... (TODAY"S TRUE COUNTRY) As it will be 10yrs from now, As long as there will be country music. Influence's, Of our history of country artist, Will always influence, progress, And simply, Be country music period. [An American Heritage]

Don't get me wrong, I know as well as anyone else that things can't "stay the same." I also know that there a lots of young people creating colorful and interesting Country Music even as we speak. They just don't get played on the Clearchannel FM monopoly.
If you want to hear what I'm referring to just go to:
www.wdvx.com and listen to the great stuff that's out there that you'll never hear on your local FM Clearchannel station.
Some people feel that the internet and other new technologies are the future of popular music. Maybe they are, but there's still lots of FM radios in everybody's cars. FM is still a big player. Too bad it went to hell years ago.

Brute I agree with you. I grew up here in the desert west, in a house that played "real" country - Merle Haggard, Hank Williams (the first one) etc. What is tagged as "country" today is warmed over country with a lot of rock glitz thrown onto it in order to please those who have to have pyrotechnics in order to enjoy music. I really am not drawn to listen to much of it for that reason.

Real country had a certain...mmm...wisdom and wit to it. Sounded like it came from people who had lived the life and really knew how to turn a phrase. It is a cool mix of heartache and humor from a particularly American perspective. "Nashville product" as you call it (great term by the way) doesn't even come close to that.

I agree with ya'..zz all, My point was , Style, Era, etc. Concerning country music. I reallize the subject was about the 'core' of country music. Dang....I like it all, And can't wait for what towmorrow will bring! (All Styles) "Wish I were a computer, Maybe I would be able to keep up with, Atleast most of the different styles out there" Later everyone. Peace!

but it seems to me that country and other mainstream genres are not as redeeming as they used to be because of music television. Those "artists" that make it big in any mainstream music have to look good in the videos. The quality of the musicianship is secondary to the visual effect. It seems to me that whoever is popular today will probably not be listened to thirty years from now. Who thirty years from now would LISTEN to a Britney Spears CD? I'll admit there's some good country still being created, but the majority of it sounds like "bubblegum country." It has no personality. Someone on this thread mentioned that what is labeled bluegrass today is excellent, and perhaps the real country music. I agree with that. I don't know of too many bluegrass music videos out there. If I was to put a label on country today I would call it "plastic country." Would someone thirty years from now LISTEN to a Shania Twain CD? I agree she's awfully nice to look at. Later...fisherman bob (Anyone seen my lead guitarist?)

I agee Bob, Jimmy Rodgers was a country great in his day, The Osburne Brothers, The Carter Family, Flatt & Earl Scruggs (Bluegrass) etc. Over 30yrs + ago, And the only ones that even have heard, Let alone listen to them, Are us old timers. Yet still....Today's Country should be label'd as so, 'Modern Country'. The way the music industry is today, Writing music at the style of 30yrs ago, Rarely gets the attention that they deserve. [Producers, etc.], They want artist that are with the times. & MONEY$. [Modern Country]. 30yrs from now, And as you said, And even more so. The best of today will not be rememberd. [As so..], On & on with time. And like. With my favorite style's, Influence's, Talent, etc. I label alot of today's music. "BUBBLE GUM" Country, Rock, Pop, etc. Well....Enough for my 'Jimmy Swaggart' sermon. Which by the way, Modern Gospel of today's music. [The 'CORE' of it all]. Is..Blues, Country, S. Rock, Outlaw, Boppers, Motown, Rock, C. Rock, A/M Rock, Pop. And all other style's of music combined together. [All in one]. And the same with all the other different style's of music. (In my own personal opinion, Of course).

I suspect that what made the original country music so much better was that it WAS from the county.
Not the city, (and its make believe 'cowboys'), It takes more than just a hat and boots . . .
No plastic, no production studios . . . just a guy or girl with talent and their guitar . . .
And true heartfelt stories. Stories that had the ring of truth in them.
From the open country, where the style originally took it's name. And which became known for country wisdom, and insights into people and life . . . .
The countryside; plains, mountains, pastures, . . . where things are slower, and one has more time to think. Hey, isn't that where a lot of wisdom comes from; thinking?
No dancing. No bare stomaches.
And no "City-cowboys." I'll bet 99% of those 'cowboys' and 'cowgirls' don't know how to even milk a cow, let alone herd one along . . .
.
Country music was Blue-collar music. Music not dictated by the white collars . . .
Just good, real people playing real music about real life.
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How many of those city-cowbys/girls actually know which foot to put in the stirrup first?
And how many of them have actually cooked a meal over a campfire? More likely, the're sipping Pina Coladas in the Jacuzzi, after the show.
.
How can one possible expect the same messages/songs out of these two very different classes of people?
Perhaps hollywood, uh, I mean 'the music industry,' is finding it's country singers in the wrong places.
Whatever the reason - both of these styles of music are here to stay.

That's one reason why I'm such a fan of Johnny Cash. Not only could the man write and sing, but he wasn't just making stuff about shooting a man in Reno just to watch him die....or pulling a stint at Folsom prison. He LIVED it. And it was painfully clear.

hey, I agree, you need to listen to hankiii he has many songs on this subject on his newest alblum omm

I, Myself. Through the years of observation, & experience at music, I see as. (For example). World war two, Brought out the best of. The heart, Technology, People of all race's, etc. 'We were the best of the best', United. And With a little luck, & timing, etc.. [Vietnam? Well..], Desert Storm, And today? Iraq & Afgan. [Ask the question]? "If only we had the technology during WW.II, That we have today?" Music, Could be viewed as the same. Technology, With all of the same aspects, + more. Could somehow apply to the music industry, Country music? 'Rascal Flatts' - Country Music!

I got news for ya Irminsul. Johnny Cash never killed anyone and never served a prison sentence.