I haven't seen it mentioned, so I'll make the observation. If we're in a repetitious, post-melodic world, it may be in part because kids today play with samples and MIDI. When we were kids, it was guitars.
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The Popular Song
- Thread starter Lee Rust
- Start date
Paul_Warren said:
That and video games!
This thread intrigues me because it brings to mind some of the music played at the now defunct Mix 104.1; some of the songs I hear on my sons' iPods and some of the music Program Directors we know have on their iPods but will never make it to the airwaves. In all of these particular venues, there are some pretty damn good songs.
Interesting that many posters have noted "Country is the new pop." It's also "the new CHR" in many markets, particularly in the South. Many students of the music and radio business years ago made note of this. In many cases, what passes for Country today is what we'd have called "Southern Rock" twenty years ago. Listen to the flanged guitars, the riffs and hooks. No question Skynyrd and 38 Special had an impact on the young 'uns who are topping the Country charts these days.
Country music is well-produced. The musicianship is superb. The acts have eye-appeal (Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, guys? Tim McGraw, Brooks & Dunn, ladies?) The lyrics are well-written, memorable; the hooks and melodies and hummable. Garth Brooks' now classic, "Friends in Low Places" was on one of the in-store satellite music services a few weeks ago and damned if I didn't know some of the hook. Song's about 15 years old, but it's eminently memorable. I'd guess it's still a crowd pleaser at bars and wedding receptions after the regulars have a few beers. (BTW, it was sandwiched between the Eagles' "Take It Easy" and Yvonne Elliman's "If I Can't Have You.")
Look at the "rockers" and "hipsters" who've crossed over (Alan Jackson's "Gone Country," anybody?) besides Jon Bonjovi: Darius Rucker (Hootie & the Blowfish) is a major hit and award winner. Dave Matthews has teamed with Kenney Chesney to top the charts.
Additionally, (although this statement may appear prejudicial, it's not intended as such) there's a contingent of suburbanites who wouldn't listen to anything but Country. They share their listening with Classic Hits or Oldies.
WYRK over the years has had books where it placed top 3, Persons 18-34. As we often see here, the station kills Persons 12+ and from what I've seen over the years of looking at ratings, WYRK a consistent winning track record, Persons 25-54 and 35-64. As other posters have noted, it's Buffalo's sole FM Country outlet and it may be while, if ever, before another station has the commitment, signal and budget to take on WYRK.
There's a lot of tasty music out these days--- and yes, as with any previous genre, some real dreck. I'd submit that any baby boomer with kids, especially girls (now "women" and "ladies") has heard some pretty good and memorable stuff. This is especially true if your kids listen to Country.
Interesting that many posters have noted "Country is the new pop." It's also "the new CHR" in many markets, particularly in the South. Many students of the music and radio business years ago made note of this. In many cases, what passes for Country today is what we'd have called "Southern Rock" twenty years ago. Listen to the flanged guitars, the riffs and hooks. No question Skynyrd and 38 Special had an impact on the young 'uns who are topping the Country charts these days.
Country music is well-produced. The musicianship is superb. The acts have eye-appeal (Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, guys? Tim McGraw, Brooks & Dunn, ladies?) The lyrics are well-written, memorable; the hooks and melodies and hummable. Garth Brooks' now classic, "Friends in Low Places" was on one of the in-store satellite music services a few weeks ago and damned if I didn't know some of the hook. Song's about 15 years old, but it's eminently memorable. I'd guess it's still a crowd pleaser at bars and wedding receptions after the regulars have a few beers. (BTW, it was sandwiched between the Eagles' "Take It Easy" and Yvonne Elliman's "If I Can't Have You.")
Look at the "rockers" and "hipsters" who've crossed over (Alan Jackson's "Gone Country," anybody?) besides Jon Bonjovi: Darius Rucker (Hootie & the Blowfish) is a major hit and award winner. Dave Matthews has teamed with Kenney Chesney to top the charts.
Additionally, (although this statement may appear prejudicial, it's not intended as such) there's a contingent of suburbanites who wouldn't listen to anything but Country. They share their listening with Classic Hits or Oldies.
WYRK over the years has had books where it placed top 3, Persons 18-34. As we often see here, the station kills Persons 12+ and from what I've seen over the years of looking at ratings, WYRK a consistent winning track record, Persons 25-54 and 35-64. As other posters have noted, it's Buffalo's sole FM Country outlet and it may be while, if ever, before another station has the commitment, signal and budget to take on WYRK.
There's a lot of tasty music out these days--- and yes, as with any previous genre, some real dreck. I'd submit that any baby boomer with kids, especially girls (now "women" and "ladies") has heard some pretty good and memorable stuff. This is especially true if your kids listen to Country.
B
Bob1370
Guest
It may be no coincidence that some "country" artists are showing up in significant numbers on AC and hot AC playlists--Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood come immediately to mind but they're far from the only ones. It's history repeating itself--same thing happened with artists like Dolly Parton, Jim Stafford and Eddie Rabbit back in the mid-70s. We called it "cross-country" back then.
What's old is new again...
What's old is new again...
Lee Rust said:
Exactly! The first time I heard that song I had to go to iTunes and buy a copy! Funny and clever! CHR music used to have a sense of humor, not so much anymore.
S
scooterodell
Guest
This isn't a new observation, but reading through this thread tonight has reminded me that this board has some damned intelligent contributors. You make great observations, you form your arguments well, and you communicate your ideas clearly. I've done a lot of work in the "blogosphere," and many people who think they can communicate with the written word simply cannot hold a candle to what several of the regulars here do just with throwaway forum posts. Thank you, all, for being... you.
scooterodell said:
Wow thanks for the nice comments, we usually get called a bunch of Geezers by folks who don't agree..... Now, get off my lawn!
Yeah, that Pastrick ain't no dummy. You'd think that somebody might hire him.
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