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Rich Men North of Richmond #1

Bill Betten said:
You are incorrect sir,,,you avoided my question, imagine that.
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Not true. I restated my position that it's a stereotype. That's my answer to your question.

You didn't respond to my point about government support of billionaires and rich corporations.

There's a lot more wasted money going to rich people than to poor people.

Rules about food stamps:

Individuals aged 18 or over and under 50 are limited to three months of SNAP benefits every three years unless they are working or in a work or training program at least 20 hours a week.
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TheBigA said:
Not true. I restated my position that it's a stereotype. That's my answer to your question.

You didn't respond to my point about government support of billionaires and rich corporations.

There's a lot more wasted money going to rich people than to poor people.

Rules about food stamps:
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Homeless have different set of standards for SNAP qualifications,all government is a money grab. They want the left (you) and right (me) to fight and never come together,,for the better good.

MODERATOR WARNING: This is going to far outside of a radio topic. It is sociopolitical and not what RadioDiscussions covers.
 
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TheBigA said:
By the same token, it stands out among the typical country songs about love, trucks, and drinking.
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It also stands out for the power of the singer's voice and his rootsy, country blues sound as well as its spare instrumentation. This guy would be being hailed as the next Chris Stapleton and exciting all the strident critics of the Nashville pop-country machine if it weren't for those few lines in the middle of "Rich Men." Instead, the power and artistry aren't even part of the discussion. Aldean is part of that machine; his singing is nothing special, nor is the song's production and instrumentation. Anthony -- unless he is a Nashville plant (and there are parts of his "official" bio that seem too perfect a fit for the narrative to be genuine) -- could be a guy who transforms country radio IF he signs with a major label and agrees to fill out his sound without sacrificing the impact of his performance style.
 
TheBigA said:
I'm saying it's a stereotype. The SNAP program (food stamps) is primarily a factor in red states such as West Virginia, Louisiana, and Alabama. From what I've seen, it's used by senior citizens to augment social security. The issue of welfare fraud was battled in the 1990s by Newt Gingrich, and he inserted lots of language in the laws to restrict who gets aid. Because of numerous changes in the laws, it's not as big a problem as some would like to make it. This is the right wing side of the discussion, that ANY aid to poor people is a handout and therefore wrong. The reality is that even red state conservatives know that they can't just shut down all federal aid to poor people, because it would hurt their constituents.
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The only argument that Anthony is making is that people who are depending on food stamps ought not be using them on crap food. How chocolate snacks ever got on the approved SNAP list is beyond me. Buying Fudge Rounds and Moon Pies instead of more nutritious food only adds to the SNAP recipients' poor quality of life by creating or aggravating health problems. And that gives insurance companies another convenient excuse to raise premiums.

I hardly ever agree with conservative Republicans, but on this issue, after thorough consideration of the liberal and conservative positions, I must lean right,
 
TheBigA said:
Although Zach Bryan signed with a major label and didn't change a thing.
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Good point. He's a superstar in product sales and concert revenue with only minimal support from radio -- one single that stalled in the 20s because the 25-44 women who have glommed onto country music hated it and wanted more Luke Bryan and Tyler Hubbard pick-up truck romance ditties. The same thing is going to hold back Anthony if he signs with a major label. But the label (and Anthony himself) aren't going to consider that being held back because there's now so much fame and money associated with the approach Zach Bryan has chosen. He's said he doesn't care about airplay, and so has Anthony. Maybe that's the future of country music for the foreseeable future: parallel universes that prosper equally, as opposed to radio superstars raking in most of the money and the traditional/blues/folk country performers stuck on indie labels and playing small venues.
 
CTListener said:
Maybe that's the future of country music for the foreseeable future: parallel universes that prosper equally, as opposed to radio superstars raking in most of the money and the traditional/blues/folk country performers stuck on indie labels and playing small venues.
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Maybe. Someone will come along with the combination of authenticity and commerciality. In fact I think Jelly Roll has done that.

Zach didn't get a #1, but he got enough airplay to reach P1s and allow them to form opinions. In the same way, I don't think radio can completely ignore the Anthony song, especially in certain markets (such as the artist's home area). They'll just play it enough to satisfy the demand.
 
TheBigA said:
Maybe. Someone will come along with the combination of authenticity and commerciality. In fact I think Jelly Roll has done that.

Zach didn't get a #1, but he got enough airplay to reach P1s and allow them to form opinions. In the same way, I don't think radio can completely ignore the Anthony song, especially in certain markets (such as the artist's home area). They'll just play it enough to satisfy the demand.
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Now, if only female artists could duplicate Zach and Jelly's successes. Instead, Ashley McBryde, who by all standards of country music talent, originality and authenticity should be a chart-topping megastar by now, struggles to impact consistently because women -- at least the subset of women who listen to country radio -- by and large would much rather hear a guy sing about flowers and wine and dancing all night than listen to what another woman wants to sing about anything.
 
DavidEduardo said:
Some songs, yes. Not all though. I was told not all research well against women, while some do very well.
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And her last single, "I Can't Love You Anymore," stiffed at radio after "Circles Around This Town" went top five. That was more than a year ago, and she hasn't been heard from since.
 
CTListener said:
It also stands out for the power of the singer's voice and his rootsy, country blues sound as well as its spare instrumentation.
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I just looked at Mediabase, and Rich Men North of Richmond was officially added by over 50 stations this week, and has moved up from 71 to #60. For the most part, it's only being played a few times a day. It wouldn't surprise me if by the end of the week, the song is in the Top 40. At least in the Mediabase chart.
 
TheBigA said:
I just looked at Mediabase, and Rich Men North of Richmond was officially added by over 50 stations this week, and has moved up from 71 to #60. For the most part, it's only being played a few times a day. It wouldn't surprise me if by the end of the week, the song is in the Top 40. At least in the Mediabase chart.
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Still haven't heard it. Have you? I'm curious to know how the "s-bombs" in the lyrics are being handled. Silence? White noise? Bleep sounds? I assume he hasn't offered a "clean" version with safe-for-radio revisions.
 
CTListener said:
Still haven't heard it. Have you? I'm curious to know how the "s-bombs" in the lyrics are being handled. Silence? White noise? Bleep sounds? I assume he hasn't offered a "clean" version with safe-for-radio revisions.
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Yes, but the version I heard was for streaming only and not for airplay, so it was unedited. All of my regular sources for airplay downloads, including Mediabase, don't have the song yet.
 
TheBigA said:
I just looked at Mediabase, and Rich Men North of Richmond was officially added by over 50 stations this week, and has moved up from 71 to #60. For the most part, it's only being played a few times a day. It wouldn't surprise me if by the end of the week, the song is in the Top 40. At least in the Mediabase chart.
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I wonder how many of the plays (I could check BDS daypart play if I had the energy this late at night) were in Morning Drive where a show might have used it as part of commentary?
 
I listened to "Rich men north of Richmond".
My personal opinion- It is a protest song, a social message song.

This songwriting topic is a serious artistic expression that has been part of music for a long time. Some of the most renowned and respected songwriters have written in the genre. Many songs in this genre have become hits, especially if the message is delivered with a spoonful of sugar, laid between the lines or produced with a music track in a popular style.

Radio's task is looking at their target audience, and determining if most of the audience wants to hear it, and if those who don't want to hear it will no longer be fans of the station if it is played. Radio also has to consider social media, advertiser and activist response to protest songs.

But really, isn't it only appropriate that a good protest song brings a protest in response?
Above all, this episode again illustrates the power of songwriting. Much respect for artists and creators.

Not all songwriters venture there. Has Paul McCartney written a protest/message song that became a major hit?
His songwriting partner John Lennon wrote a notable one "Imagine", which Lennon slyly served up in a soothing melody.
 
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In these parts, "men north of Richmond" could well refer to San Quentin!
 
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