Today's Country Music

[davideduardo]

That's exactly what Roy Acuff said about Waylon Jennings. Roy's generation felt anything with electric guitars and drums was rock & roll, not country. Imagine if Roy had banned Waylon's music from country radio.

And by the way, there's a reason why Johnny Cash is in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as well as the Country Music Hall of Fame. Same with Brenda Lee. I'd suggest visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame. There's an exhibit there now about how close rock & rock music was to Waylon & Willie.

In fact, when I was at Stagecoach (last year was better than this year) I chatted with several people who were obviously younger Boomers and they had begun listening to country in the last decade because it was the closest to the Top 40 music of their youth. They mentioned that "you could understand the lyrics" and "they don't need auto-tune to sing" and "the music is fun" among qualities they liked.

 

[vchimpanzee]

Hi all.......Not a fan of the current crop of country music.I fall into the 55 and older club.Love classic country music.Today's country sounds like rock and roll.It sounds like rubbish to me.

Some of it does. Some of it sounds like the junk that is now called "adult contemporary".

There are some good songs.

 

[vchimpanzee]

That's exactly what Roy Acuff said about Waylon Jennings. Roy's generation felt anything with electric guitars and drums was rock & roll, not country. Imagine if Roy had banned Waylon's music from country radio.

And by the way, there's a reason why Johnny Cash is in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as well as the Country Music Hall of Fame. Same with Brenda Lee. I'd suggest visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame. There's an exhibit there now about how close rock & rock music was to Waylon & Willie.

Yeah, but Johnny Cash, Brenda Lee, and Waylon and Willie sound good. I don't even care for a lot of Chris Stapleton's stuff.

I'm amazed at how much I now like what's playing on a 50s and 60s oldies station I recently rediscovered. None of that hippie protest garbage. The only rebels are people like Chuck Berry. Well, and the leather jacket types with grease in their hair.

 

[WPPCProductions]

That's exactly what Roy Acuff said about Waylon Jennings. Roy's generation felt anything with electric guitars and drums was rock & roll, not country. Imagine if Roy had banned Waylon's music from country radio.

And by the way, there's a reason why Johnny Cash is in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as well as the Country Music Hall of Fame. Same with Brenda Lee. I'd suggest visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame. There's an exhibit there now about how close rock & rock music was to Waylon & Willie.

I remember hearing that statement.Love Roy Acuff .At lease Waylon did not dump the true country sound like the currents has.He added an edge to it like Hank Jr did which I like at the time. Meantime today they fired all the banjo players,steel guitar players and the fiddle players and hire rock and roll musicians.

I love southern rock from the 1970's and 80's .Today forget it.

I got to get down to Nashville to see the Hall a Fame.

 

[WPPCProductions]

Some of it does. Some of it sounds like the junk that is now called "adult contemporary".

There are some good songs.

Hahhaaha.Yes the AC stations enjoy playing it.I could do with out Rascal Flats but I do enjoy Lady Antebellum.Not a fan of Taylor Swifts newer stuff but enjoyed her old stuff.

 

[TheBigA]

Meantime today they fired all the banjo players,steel guitar players and the fiddle players and hire rock and roll musicians.

That's not true at all. Lots of banjo, steel, and fiddle in today's country music. All of those records are made in Nashville with many of the same musicians who have been heard on country records for 30 years. Dan Dugmore is one of the most celebrated steel players in the history of the instrument. Joe Spivey is a fiddle legend. You'll see their names in the credits for current hit records. And a lot of today's musicians are insisting on recording in historic RCA Studio A, where Jones and Parton made their hits. Truthfully, today's generation has great respect for the past. More respect than the outlaw folks had. Waylon and Johnny Cash are the guys who fired all the banjo, steel, and fiddle players. You will never hear any of those instruments on any Johnny Cash record.

 

[vchimpanzee]

The real test is whether the songs still sound country with banjo, fiddle and steel missing. To me they just sound like afterthoughts in AC records.

Meanwhile, no one will admit matchbox 20's "Unwell" is county.

 

[TheBigA]

The real test is whether the songs still sound country with banjo, fiddle and steel missing. To me they just sound like afterthoughts in AC records.

Then what makes them "sound country?" If it's not the instrumentation, if it's not the subject matter, if it's not the geography of the singers and the musicians, if it's not the knowledge of the heritage and the history of the music, all of which today's artists have, then what makes them "sound country?" That's when you're applying your own personal bias of wanting to just hear the artists and music you remember, rather than actually seeking out artists who are making that music now. If what you want is classic country, then there are other stations for you to find that.

And as I've pointed out in this thread, there are a lot of songs in the charts right now that could have been released 30 years ago. I'm talking about songs by Midland, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, and the latest from George Strait. You can't expect music today to not have the same freedom that Waylon, Willie, and everyone else were allowed to make when they were current. If THEY were allowed to make rock or pop records then, that opens the door for todays artists to do the same thing.

 

[landtuna]

That's exactly what Roy Acuff said about Waylon Jennings. Roy's generation felt anything with electric guitars and drums was rock & roll, not country. Imagine if Roy had banned Waylon's music from country radio.

And by the way, there's a reason why Johnny Cash is in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as well as the Country Music Hall of Fame. Same with Brenda Lee. I'd suggest visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame. There's an exhibit there now about how close rock & rock music was to Waylon & Willie.

When I was a teen in both Tucson and S.F. there were a number of Country crossovers on the normally "pop" and AM "rock" stations. I haven't experienced that in decades since.

Brenda Lee was a supremely talented singer and did a wide range of song genres. (My favorite is the very unlikely "Rusty Bells" although I am not a bit religious.) She could have had entry into virtually any of the mid-century music museums.

 

[landtuna]

None of that hippie protest garbage.

To me, there is nothing more admirable in a performer than when they put their morals/beliefs into their performances. That is perhaps why I appreciate so much the "protest" songs of the 60's and 70's. Compare those to the drinking/flirting/fighting songs of traditional Country or the puffery of Pop and you have your answer. It makes a huge difference to me also that I was one of the people they were singing about - those of us who did not have a choice of whether we went to war or not and were treated as patsy's by the politicians, gun fodder by the military and garbage minded idiots by the general citizenry of this country when, and if, we made it home.

Although I was never a Hippie I have considerable admiration for those who effectively ended the Vietnam War and threw the corrupt politicians out on their asses. Many of those Hippies also had performing careers.

 

[TheBigA]

When I was a teen in both Tucson and S.F. there were a number of Country crossovers on the normally "pop" and AM "rock" stations. I haven't experienced that in decades since.

Kacey Musgraves song "Rainbow" is being played on both KNIX (country) and KESZ. She won Grammy awards for both Best Country Album and Best Album. So she'd be considered crossover. The duo Dan & Shay have had two songs cross over in the last few months: "Tequila" and "Speechless."

 

[WPPCProductions]

Update post...As I said in earlier posts...It must be an age thing to me as I get older...I jumped off the country music boat years ago when they fired all the banjo,steel guitar,fiddle players and hired rock and roll guitar players.Today's so called country music is rock and roll to me.I rather hear the old school classics from the 1940's to some of the 1990's .Loved the southern rock crossover influence back in the 1970's and 80's. Now its rubbish altogether...........

I'll be more happy to see the Grand Ole Opry to close up shop and go out of biz then inducting any of this new so called country music talent....Its a insult to the Opry family..The so called currents will do better in the Rock and Roll hall a fame up in Cleveland......

 

[TheBigA]

I jumped off the country music boat years ago when they fired all the banjo,steel guitar,fiddle players

BTW they NEVER "fired all the banjo, steel guitar, and fiddle players." This has never happened. I just met Bruce Bouton, a very busy session steel guitar player. In point of fact, Keith Urban is a very skilled banjo player, and plays both banjo and ganjo (which is a banjo strung like a guitar) on all of his records. You can hear more banjo on country radio today than you ever would have in the days of the "Nashville Sound" of the 60s. Johnny Cash never had a banjo or a fiddle on any of his records. If you actually listened to most of the songs in the country Top 30, you'd hear banjo, steel, and fiddle. I'd be glad to point it out to you.

 

[WPPCProductions]

BTW they NEVER "fired all the banjo, steel guitar, and fiddle players." This has never happened. I just met Bruce Bouton, a very busy session steel guitar player. In point of fact, Keith Urban is a very skilled banjo player, and plays both banjo and ganjo (which is a banjo strung like a guitar) on all of his records. You can hear more banjo on country radio today than you ever would have in the days of the "Nashville Sound" of the 60s. Johnny Cash never had a banjo or a fiddle on any of his records. If you actually listened to most of the songs in the country Top 30, you'd hear banjo, steel, and fiddle. I'd be glad to point it out to you.

Thanks for the input.I exaggerated a bit on firing them all.The problem I see is with the overloaded elect guitar on the newer songs.It must be my hearing since it drowns out the steel,banjo and fiddle players. I do listen to the current countdown shows online ,Bob K,ACC,Bobby Bones and Lon Heltons shows . Nevermind the lyrics in the current tunes dont do justice to me...The mute button or the volume knob is my best friend listening to these shows...

I've seen Kieth Urban live with some friends.I do enjoy some of his tunes but seen him live was like seeing a rock concert.I never go see him again...

 

[TheBigA]

Thanks for the input.I exaggerated a bit on firing them all.The problem I see is with the overloaded elect guitar on the newer songs.It must be my hearing since it drowns out the steel,banjo and fiddle players.

Blame Ernest Tubb and Waylon Jennings. Tubb was the first to play electric guitar on the Opry, and Waylon used feedback and other effects that the rock stars used. If it was OK for them, it's OK now.

 

[WPPCProductions]

Blame Ernest Tubb and Waylon Jennings. Tubb was the first to play electric guitar on the Opry, and Waylon used feedback and other effects that the rock stars used. If it was OK for them, it's OK now.

Atlease those two were great and I can hear all the musicians in the mix.Even though ETs music was probably all mono then. Waylon was ahead of his time.I enjoyed his tunes too.Also their music made since .To me It sounds like noise with todays country music.It must be an age thing.Not into it like years ago.. If I was 30 years younger I probably would enjoy the currents.

 

[landtuna]

Atlease those two were great and I can hear all the musicians in the mix.Even though ETs music was probably all mono then. Waylon was ahead of his time.I enjoyed his tunes too.Also their music made since .To me It sounds like noise with todays country music.It must be an age thing.Not into it like years ago.. If I was 30 years younger I probably would enjoy the currents.

I am a lot like you although I have never considered myself a Country music fan. I have always skewed towards rock/pop HOWEVER your post prompted me to go through my rather large music library and I was somewhat astonished to find a surprising number of both classic and more current Country songs, in addition to a bunch of older 50's crossovers. Listing the artists would be time consuming but I found as examples: Faron Young, Patsy Cline, Highway 101, Charley Pride, EmmyLou Harris, John Denver, Don Williams, George Jones, Bobby Bare, Earl Thomas Conley, Jim Reeves and Conway Twitty. Quite a range of years in there and I have left out a ton of others.

I enjoy the steel guitars alongside banjos and modern electric guitars. The music is what's important to me and not whether the song has the 'correct' instruments.

I surprised myself many years ago when I sampled "Hee Haw" and really enjoyed some of the old time pickers and grinners.

I think music in general has reached a point that a lot of the so-called artists are propped up by technology and studio augmentation. IMHO a whole lot of modern popular (and I am including Country and what passes for Rock) music is just noise. There was obviously a ton more skill required and innovation to make a significant song than what passes today.

Then there is Rap which isn't even a valid music genre. But we had warning as far back as 1966. At least back then we could understand the voiceover and there was actual music in the background.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWf3wZWId0I

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

https://radioinsight.com/ross/179178/what-country-did-right-in-its-peak-year/

This was over how Country was like in 2013 over how songs and playlists were released.

Recently, Country Aircheck spotlighted PPM figures from Jon Miller at Nielsen Audio showing that Country shares shot up in June 2013 (428 aggregate shares from 379 the June before). For two more years, they hovered above the 400-share mark. Last year, they rebounded slightly (391-396) before reaching their lowest point (372) this June.

Broadcasters have certainly been hyper-aware of Country’s issues over the last few years, but Miller’s numbers crystalized them. The concerns voiced by Country PDs about the state of their available music have become ongoing themes—too much pop-leaning music, not enough superstars. And that was among those programmers willing to respond to Miller’s numbers on the record.

So what was Country radio doing right in 2013? And what clues does that provide us for the format now? I went back to the top 100 most-played Country songs of the year, according to NielsenBDS Radio. Here are some things worth considering:

There were plenty of (relatively) anonymous male acts in 2013. The issue of consistent but non-superstar male hitmakers is a consistent one. In this strong year for the format, there are still hit songs from Tyler Farr, Randy Houser, Kip Moore, Justin Moore, Easton Corbin, Jake Owen, Chris Young, Lee Brice, Billy Currington, Brantley Gilbert, Parmalee, and David Nail. A few of those are the first of the “bro country” artists arriving on the scene; others had been living comfortably in the format’s second tier for a decade or longer. In good and bad years, that type of artist is among us always. In good years, it just rankles less, partially because….

There were also plenty of stars. The year’s top 10 songs also include Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker, Miranda Lambert, and Lady Antebellum. Following close behind are Shelton, Tim McGraw (with Taylor Swift and solo), Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Zac Brown Band, and Jason Aldean. Besides the instant stardom of Florida-Georgia Line, 2013 also saw the continued ascent of Thomas Rhett.

 

[boombox4]

The "country" music that some think is "real country" (you know, the pre-80's stuff) really isn't.

Now, Grayson and Whitter -- that's real country.

 

[Oldie919]

The "country" music that some think is "real country" (you know, the pre-80's stuff) really isn't.

Now, Grayson and Whitter -- that's real country.

Dolly and Porter.....George and Tammy......Johnny and June.......Heck, even Flatt and Scruggs....NOW we're talkin' COUNTRY!!
IMO....Today's "country music" is just rock 'n roll in cowboy clothes....YMMV (to each his own.....!).....