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What's up with the Zac Brown Band?

Nick Gerard

Nick Gerard

Why have they incorporated the word "ass" so prominently in their new release, "Toes?"

They've just had 2 hits, on their way to a third. Why make it more difficult for country PD's to add your song? Is this some grand artistic expression?

My PD is thinking of the moms who might have the radio on with kids nearby, and is justifiably apprensive about this song. Yes, the kids likely hear worse at school, but does radio have to contribute to the coarseness?

No, I'm not a prude nor a conservative. But use of this word in the song seems juvenile. It's a fine song without it. Why would the Zac Brown Band and their record company run this bizarre thing up the flagpole?

Nick Summers
 
Hi Nick,

Good on your PD. I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way!

Matter of fact, I changed my Internet station's format somewhat to a more positive country/Christian hybrid mix
in June. The language in some of the country songs was irritating, plus I have two young step-grandsons at home
with me. That greatly led me to tweak the format. And, actually, the station's overall stream numbers are up.

So I'm passing on pretty much any song that has course language these days.
 
There is an alternate version for those PDs that are offended by the word "Ass". (I thought it was odd that you didn't mention the line "roll a big fat one". Did you think he was talking about a large women?)

If you feel that everything on your station has to be "kid friendly", may I suggest switching to the Disney format. I talk to adults everyday, not kids. Yes, I keep it clean. But remember, it's the adults filling out diaries.

Not playing one song won't make or break your station, so don't add it.
 
You may be giving the record company too much credibility.

I tried to contact them regard airplay. I heard nothing in return.

Not a very good way to get your act's songs on the air.
 
cparkes92 said:
To roll a big fat one might refer to making your own cigarettes.
Click to expand...

But we all know that's not what he's talking about.
Think how far this lyric is from Merle Haggard's lyric "We don't smoke marijuana in Muskogee". Then again the general population is far more liberal towards marijuana use today compared to 40 years ago, although country listeners tend to prefer beer over weed.

As far as "ass" is concerned. I'm kind of de-sensitized. I have heard so much worse in hip-hop (or even early 80s punk rock for that matter). I suppose it's kind of crude for the Country format, although many people call the behind "ass" without thinking twice about it.

Personally I think it's a fairly weak semi-novelty song. The first two singles, especially "chicken fried" will be a part of stations gold category for years to come. "Toes" will get airplay as a current and will never be heard from again. Country, more than other formats, has a problem with giving the benefit of the doubt to follow up singles. "Toes" never would have been played at all if it was the first single released. I also think the Mexican vacation theme is tired and played out. I have heard it done (and done better) many times before.
 
More likely than not it was intended to only be an Album Track and never be released as a Single. On FROGFM.COM I play the ASS Version....on the OTA Station I work at it is deleted...I think it sounds lame...If your going to delete the word at least edit something else in there.
 
This discussion reminds me of Charlie Daniels using 'son-of-a-b****' in The Devil Went Down To Georgia and its 'son-of-a-gun' substitute for (some) radio play.
 
Paige Turner said:
This discussion reminds me of Charlie Daniels using 'son-of-a-b****' in The Devil Went Down To Georgia and its 'son-of-a-gun' substitute for (some) radio play.
Click to expand...

I remember that controversy well. The difference is "b*tch" was only used once at the end while "ass" is part of the hook of the song that get's repeated often.

Also "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" became an instant classic. It's the type of song where you can remember exactly where you were the first time you heard it. Here it is 30 years latter and it still get's airplay. OTOH "Toes" is here today and will be forgotten about tomarrow, at least that's my prediction.

This also reminds me of a current song in a totally different format. "I'm In Miami B****" by LMFAO. When I first heard rhythmics jump on this several months ago they were playing the unedited version (maybe the only one that existed at the time?). Now I hear CHR/Pop stations play a version that says "I'm in Miami Trick". .

Is b*tch considered a worse word in 2009 than it was in the 70s? Besides stations that played the b*tch version of "The Devil" (mostly AORs), it was used in "Rich Girl" by Hall and Oates in 1977 and was even part of the title of "The b*tch Is Back" by Elton John in 1974. The Rolling Stones also had a great song simply called "b*tch" which did receive some radio play.
 
I was just thinking about another current CHR hit. Livvi Franc-Now That I'm That Bitch. Every station I heard it on plays the edit which IMO totally ruins the song to the point where it makes no sense. Itwould have been a huge hit without the edit.

So Country has no problem with ass while bitch is taboo for CHR (yet acceptable 30-35 years ago). What a mixed up world.
 
The version I hear on KILT-Houston replaces ass with toes, "got my toes in the water, toes in the sand." Makes sense, I guess. IMO song may be a little too alt country for mainstream audiences.
 
Where can someone not currently in the Biz get a copy of the edited Toes version? An mp3 download link here would be neato.
 
Nick Gerard said:
Why have they incorporated the word "ass" so prominently in their new release, "Toes?"

They've just had 2 hits, on their way to a third. Why make it more difficult for country PD's to add your song? Is this some grand artistic expression?

My PD is thinking of the moms who might have the radio on with kids nearby, and is justifiably apprensive about this song. Yes, the kids likely hear worse at school, but does radio have to contribute to the coarseness?

No, I'm not a prude nor a conservative. But use of this word in the song seems juvenile. It's a fine song without it. Why would the Zac Brown Band and their record company run this bizarre thing up the flagpole?

Nick Summers
Click to expand...

Reminds me of the Big & Rich song "Why Does Everybody Want To Kick My Ass"
I always wished I could play that one on the radio...LOL
I loved that song and it really had the country sound!
 
Wazzie said:
There is an alternate version for those PDs that are offended by the word "Ass". (I thought it was odd that you didn't mention the line "roll a big fat one". Did you think he was talking about a large women?)
Click to expand...

In the video they show a big burrito.
 
Don't know why I just thought of this now, but why didn't anyone play an edited version of Toby Keith's "Coutrsey of the Red White and Blue?" I think they need to edit the line "We'll put a boot in your ass it's the American way" to "we'll put a boot in your [toes]..." Don't tell me that "it's a patriotic song" becasue it's not. America The Beautiful is a patriotic song.
 
sdh483 said:
Don't know why I just thought of this now, but why didn't anyone play an edited version of Toby Keith's "Coutrsey of the Red White and Blue?"
Click to expand...

When it was first released, some stations did cover the "ass." You must admit the tone of the two songs is very different. I'm surprised to see the song still tests very well 6 years later.
 
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