Now They're Killing Country

[Mark Roberts]

This gets back to what I said about classical music. There are people in every genre who don't like modern music. They believe classical music should be more than 100 years old. On the one hand, there are people who want music to be more relevant to current events. On the other hand, there are people who want music to ignore the present and stay stuck in the past. The fact is that what kills a genre is when it stops attracting fans. That hasn't happened in country music, because the music stays current.

I've long thought that, if I were to run a radio station, the very last format I would ever consider would be classical. True, you're dealing with an engaged audience. Problem is, you're dealing with an engaged audience that seems to have 50 thousand contradictory opinions on what music you should be airing, who will be vocal about it, and who will threaten never to listen again if you don't appease them. They will constantly complain and harp about their favorite composers not being played. I remember reading many complaints about KDFC in San Francisco on ba.broadcast 20-25 years ago. Since then, KDFC has moved from a signal with decent coverage to a pipspeak signal that misses most of the East Bay and probably Marin, albeit with a good signal in the South Bay on a repeater station. Happy now, classical listeners?

 

[davideduardo]

Trying to watch the ending of USC vs Colorado so my use of "50 years" wasn't perfectly calculated. My apologies.

BTW, Hitler's lies actually began in the early 20's, a decade before he was appointed head of state.

Yes, and then he was put in jail, result of which was his dreadful "Mein Kampf".

 

[davideduardo]

Oooh, has Godwin's Law just been brought into play here? This one skirts the line...May need a judgement call.

In this case, the reference to Hitler did make a valid point about telling a lie repeatedly to people who want to believe it can totally disguise the lie as truth.

 

[TheBigA]

Problem is, you're dealing with an engaged audience that seems to have 50 thousand contradictory opinions on what music you should be airing, who will be vocal about it, and who will threaten never to listen again if you don't appease them.

But that also applies to every other genre of music. Look at the never-ending battle about alternative. You have one group that wants more new music, and another that wants more classics, and neither will be happy with the results. I call it the "goldilocks syndrome," where the porridge is either too hot or too cold.

 

[davideduardo]

I call it the "goldilocks syndrome," where the porridge is either too hot or too cold.

But, BigA, it is indeed at the right temperature. It just has too much salt!

 

[landtuna]

Oooh, has Godwin's Law just been brought into play here? This one skirts the line...May need a judgement call.

Not sure if Godwin's Law applies since I did not initially mention his name (intentionally).

 

[landtuna]

Yes, and then he was put in jail, result of which was his dreadful "Mein Kampf".

Very true. And his Brownshirts grew into the NSDAP from there.

 

[davideduardo]

But that also applies to every other genre of music. Look at the never-ending battle about alternative.

And whoever wins will have their own private Pyrrhic victory.

 

[landtuna]

And whoever wins will have their own private Pyrrhic victory.

Pyrrhic it might be but bear in mind both songs to which I referred were produced by people within the industry and are shared by a great many more (although the actual number is most probably unknown). Although I do agree with the principle, if not the details, it isn't, and wasn't, my sole or original opinion.

My guess is it depends upon which side of the bread your butter is on. Those with no dog in the fight can afford to criticize the current state of music. Those whose living depends all or in part cannot.

I might conclude though that there are certain advantages to being "old". I worry not about global warming or whether the gubmint will mandate EV's or whether Taylor Swift's elevator music will fall out of favor.

 

[TheBigA]

Those with no dog in the fight can afford to criticize the current state of music. Those whose living depends all or in part cannot.

One doesn't need to have a living depend on it to be a fan. The millions who attend concerts don't get paid to do so.

We see lots of posts here from fans of various genres or artists, and none of them get paid to do so. That's why they're fans

 

[davideduardo]

One doesn't need to have a living depend on it to be a fan. The millions who attend concerts don't get paid to do so.

And there are plenty of older people who go to concerts of current artists. I've been to a number in the past decade where I was not the only senior there and the younger people would "high five" us when they saw us getting into the songs and singing along. Not every oldster only likes the hits from their youth; I outgrew most of them but love a lot of the new songs in numerous genres.

We see lots of posts here from fans of various genres or artists, and none of them get paid to do so. That's why they're fans

I know many programmers who manage successful stations but who have enormously wider personal playlists and collections at home.

 

[landtuna]

One doesn't need to have a living depend on it to be a fan. The millions who attend concerts don't get paid to do so.

We see lots of posts here from fans of various genres or artists, and none of them get paid to do so. That's why they're fans

While what you say is true it is also very unlikely a true fan would criticize the modern condition of their preferred genre.

 

[kfbkfb]

Here's something new to write a country song about (thanks to a post on social media by my relatives in WY):


Kirk Bayne

 

[Daryl Lynn L.A.]

Those of you who have read my past posts on the state of modern pop/rock music already know that IMHO today's music is nowhere as good (however you measure it) as it once was. There are many people on both sides of this discussion. Although not a great Country fan I have felt much the same way about Country music. Today I heard the referenced song for the first time as my Country music listening has declined greatly over the past several decades. It may be 25 years old but it still speaks true.

Seems the only genres not significantly affected are B/EL, Classical and some forms of Jazz.

If you like traditional country music, you would like KWPX Cowpoke Radio expertly programmed by fellow Radio Discussions member David Jenkins. It’s not just the music, but the jingles, the I.D’s, the ads- everything. It’s a pretend internet station, but it is so well done, that it will take you right back to your youth. Find it easily on Google.
KWPX thinks that George Strait is “contemporary “ . LOL.😀 For fiddle and steel guitar music, they lean towards Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Chet Atkins , Johnny Gimble, etc. They play Mother Maybelle Carter on the autoharp. It will do your heart good. 😀

 

[landtuna]

If you like traditional country music, you would like KWPX Cowpoke Radio expertly programmed by fellow Radio Discussions member David Jenkins. It’s not just the music, but the jingles, the I.D’s, the ads- everything. It’s a pretend internet station, but it is so well done, that it will take you right back to your youth. Find it easily on Google.
KWPX thinks that George Strait is “contemporary “ . LOL.😀 For fiddle and steel guitar music, they lean towards Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Chet Atkins , Johnny Gimble, etc. They play Mother Maybelle Carter on the autoharp. It will do your heart good. 😀

Thanks for the tip. I will give it a listen.....along with my granddaughter (an she better love me for it!!!!).