What happened to country?

[informant1977]

I was listening to Hi-99 today, and I noticed a trend that I'm sure other people have noticed too. Doesn't it seem like nearly all of the new "country" is actually remade rock songs? Am I the only one bothered by this? Country used to be about things. That's what I liked about it. Randy Travis, Kenny Rogers, Dwight Yoakam. They all made pretty good careers out of singing about life and marriage (or divorce) and work. Since when is an Nickelback song, sung by someone else, a country song?

 

[Leafygreen]

Nickelback isn't even rock, it's trailer noise to beat your wife to

 

[skippertthomas]

Same questions were asked in 1964 and later years in rock or top-40 radio.. Disco? Well, tastes and marketing changes, even though I'd like to hear George Jones or Eddie Arnold, as well..

 

[bigtime]

It's all about trying to reach a young demo. Not a lot of young people are into the traditional country sound. Country started going pop as early as the 60s with Ray Charles take on it & then the Beatles covering Buck Owens. Even the Stones did country. "Harper Valley PTA" & similar crossover country songs sped up the process. George Jones is a core tradional country artist, but one of his most memorable songs ("He Stopped Loving Her Today") is very pop.
Just like in politics, to reach the largest audience you head toward the middle of the road. That's not to say it's a good thing though if you like more traditional country.

 

[BobOnTheJob]

Like all formats, Country has evolved over the years. In my case, it's been a good thing. I swore I'd always be hip to the top 40 pop music...and I was until rap came along in the late 80's. There were a couple of hair band rock 40 stations that I continued to like (call it white boy top 40) into the early 90's, but that was my last dying gasp of being engaged as a top 40 listener. Fortunately for me, Country was evolving at that time with new artists like Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn & Garth Brooks. Having never been a fan of "my father's country music", this new sound without the Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson couldn't have come along at a better time. For a while, there was a great country station in Indy (104.5 The Bear) that successfully sold "New Hit Country" to the school age crowd with High School Honkytonks for the school with the most spirit (votes) each week. Those who didn't wish to take the rap route had a viable alternative. Sadly, the station was too successful & started cannibalizing WFMS (co-owned) and was put out to pasture on a worthless signal. There's a reason why the "country, when country wasn't cool" isn't played any longer. And someday, I too will be griping when the country I've loved for the past 20 years starts being phased out. But for now, this 57 year old set of ears finds much to like with today's country (example--I was hooked on Brad Paisley - Water the first time I heard it). It keeps me involved with a contemporary format with new music. If it weren't for that, my musical ears would be mired firmly in the past. I listen to about 1/3 country, 1/3 oldies & 1/3 news talk and have strong, listenable stations where I live that supply me with all three formats. I'm reasonably happy with what the "just south of Indy" FM dial has to offer.