Country Pop is killing off regional country music

[rudyg]

Seems to me when the heavy drinkin' and pill poppin' disappeared from the scene country music lost a lot of its soul. Not that that has a direct correlation to the article's observation necessarily, but I think there's more to the character change in country music (regionally or not) than the proliferation of one particular style of the genre.

And I don't know if this has much to do with anything but I do know a good number of the county stars back in the day were just regular folks with regular jobs before they hit it.....right? Seems like the norm these days is grooming for the Nashville role rather than letting life experience influence the artist and Nashville embracing whatever comes from that.

There is still a lot of heavy drinking (Chesney's Hemingway's Whiskey) stated and implied, and certainly a lot of heartache, but there is a also a big trend to celebrating kids, parents, childhood memories and specially idealizing sweethearts.

When I read about the road many of the current country stars followed to get where they are I still see mostly regular folks that went trough a fair amount of struggle, many toiling for years in non-music related jobs while making their name and waiting to be spotted, and many more making the honky tonk and Mexican restaurants rounds for long periods to make ends meet, but the road is easier as they have a chance of being discovered and signed much earlier if they are talented (or composed that killer bro country tune)

 

[Tom Brennan]

These pop country artists can't even make up for their vocal and instrumental mediocrity with a shred of creativity.

I respectfully submit we shouldn't expect performers to be artists, know what I mean? But that's another story.

 

[1973BuickGS]

I respectfully submit we shouldn't expect performers to be artists, know what I mean? But that's another story.

I get what you mean, but performers should have unique qualities, and that's what's lacking in this genre.

 

[KeninDC]

I have a fondness for pop country from the 60s and 70s, especially "countrypolitan" acts like Patsy Cline and Ray Price, strings and all. And Tammy Wynette's double-tracked voice is sugar to my ears. And I love Loretta and Kitty, too. George, Merle, etc. - all good.

But, honest to Golly, I'd rather hear modern country pop with its tight jeans and solo cup sing-alongs any day over some of that "authentic" Americana crud and nerdy "new" bluegrass crap I'm supposed to like. If I never hear "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road" again, it will be too soon. And Steve Earl and David Allen Coe can go drink themselves into a stupor. But I love Townes. And the Bakersfield sound. And Gram. And local gal, Emmylou.

And T. Bone Burnett? Sure, I've seen him live, but if I found out he was actually the producer of the early Stones rather than Andrew Loog Oldham, I'd find another favorite band. Talk about squeezing every bit of fame out of the Rolling Thunder tour. Too bad Mick Ronson didn't smash skinny little T. Bone w/ his Les Paul back in the 70s. Weasel.

 

[tomlinmgt]

I distinctly remember back in the early 80's a friend's dad (who, as a matter of fact, is a second cousin to George Jones) proclaiming "this crap is gonna' kill country music" every time Eddie Rabbit's "I Love a Rainy Night" played on the radio. "He's just a damn pretty boy...no talent!" usually followed.

 

[SA-708]

Regional country music, bluegrass, and commercial country all continue to coexist here in NE Tennessee. The big commercial country stations still spin whatever the flatlanders down in NashVegas are selling, while the old-time traditional southern Appalachian music (and bluegrass too) live on in live performances, jam sessions, and on an HD sidechannel of the local public station. Whichever you want, it's still here.

Also, T Bone Burnett's self-titled all acoustic direct-to-two-track-digital album from the mid-80s, with David Hildago on accordion and Jerry Douglas on dobro, is still one of my most favorite things ever, in spite of whatever TV shenanigans he and his new wife are up to these days.

 

[ducati_EL34]

I can't take it myself. All the voices and songs sound the same. They are looking for models to sell CD covers. Most are flash in the pans. Listen to the song, Billy be bad, by George Jones. That song tells the whole story.

I will pass, but thanks just the same for the offer. I never liked George.


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[ducati_EL34]

Most music lovers tend to heap scorn on what is popular in most any genre. With good reason I believe, because what drives the industry for the most part is the money of people not really into music. Let me give an example of my young girls, early 20's. They are really into Country Pop, the stuff that you hear on the radio. Before that it was Hip-Hop. They go to the big shows to see the latest stars, but you will not find them searching out bands or going to honky-tonks to hear obscure acts. The reality is they would of never heard of any artist from any genre unless it was being, dare I say it "forced down their throats". I would also dare say the average person has no desire to educate themselves, even knowing they are being indoctrinated to consume a lesser product.

That sounds like music snobbery to me. I don't call being exposed to something as "forced down my throat". If I hear something and don't like it, I don't continue to listen to it. Are you saying your girls do? If so, the problem is not with the music industry.




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[BlindBoyGrnt]

Regional country music, bluegrass, and commercial country all continue to coexist here in NE Tennessee. The big commercial country stations still spin whatever the flatlanders down in NashVegas are selling, while the old-time traditional southern Appalachian music (and bluegrass too) live on in live performances, jam sessions, and on an HD sidechannel of the local public station. Whichever you want, it's still here.

Also, T Bone Burnett's self-titled all acoustic direct-to-two-track-digital album from the mid-80s, with David Hildago on accordion and Jerry Douglas on dobro, is still one of my most favorite things ever, in spite of whatever TV shenanigans he and his new wife are up to these days.

Me too. But I don't mind Pickin' on Nashville, to borrow a good album title. John Hiatt had a pretty good line - " 'Cause one more heartfelt steel guitar chord girl, it's gonna do me in".

 

[grillebilly]

That sounds like music snobbery to me.

You may have a point. Music lovers, in general, tend to, at least in their minds, hold a higher standard to what is "good". It may very well be perceived as being snobbish, just like art lovers, wine lovers, etc. Personally, I don't care what anyone does if it makes them happy. Do they have good taste? They obviously think so. Do the people who watch Honey-Boo-Boo and follow the personal life of Kim Kardashian have good taste? Or any brains? They obviously think so. Don't you think they may find someone or something else more appealing if it was being crammed in their face every day? Modern "culture" has a huge influence on people, it can't be denied.
Another fine example is the soundtrack to "O Brother Where Art Thou". It sold almost twice the next popular country music album the year after its release. It got no airplay. The powers that be deemed it unfit. Meanwhile, we were force fed commercially acceptable music. That style of country from the movie has largely disappeared. And it is very much commercially viable.

 

[ducati_EL34]

You may have a point. Music lovers, in general, tend to, at least in their minds, hold a higher standard to what is "good". It may very well be perceived as being snobbish, just like art lovers, wine lovers, etc. Personally, I don't care what anyone does if it makes them happy. Do they have good taste? They obviously think so. Do the people who watch Honey-Boo-Boo and follow the personal life of Kim Kardashian have good taste? Or any brains? They obviously think so. Don't you think they may find someone or something else more appealing if it was being crammed in their face every day? Modern "culture" has a huge influence on people, it can't be denied.

While I am exposed to modern culture, I have never seen an episode of kardashian or honey boo boo.

No one is force fed. The TV has a remote and 500 channels to choose from. They have choices. And they made a choice to watch kardashian, et al.

Another fine example is the soundtrack to "O Brother Where Art Thou". It sold almost twice the next popular country music album the year after its release. It got no airplay. The powers that be deemed it unfit. Meanwhile, we were force fed commercially acceptable music. That style of country from the movie has largely disappeared. And it is very much commercially viable.

We have already established that the record labels/radio stations are here to make money. They are not going to take chances. They are going with what they know sells.


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[KeninDC]

Lots of good acts play The Ryman Auditorium these days. And Nashville is oozing with great talent and fantastic bar bands. So the city that is killing country has quite the regional scene.

While I love most everything Willie Nelson writes, I prefer it when others sing his songs. Trying to slog through "Red Headed Stranger" is like doing homework. And his pothead shtick is as stale as Cheech & Chong.

 

[grillebilly]

While I am exposed to modern culture, I have never seen an episode of kardashian or honey boo boo.
No one is force fed.

The problem with this conversation is you inserted yourself into the equation. The original comment was made not about you, or people like you, as they are most likely not concerned with what happens on the next airing of "The Bachelor".
We will never agree on how modern culture influences a large percentage of the population. Or how the media influences our lives. I think it does to a huge extent, if it has no bearing whatsoever to you than I tip my hat to you. Good for you. To deny trends in music, fashion, the arts, food, cars, etc. are not influenced by others than the end user, is IMO a fantasy.

 

[ducati_EL34]

The problem with this conversation is you inserted yourself into the equation. The original comment was made not about you, or people like you, as they are most likely not concerned with what happens on the next airing of "The Bachelor".

We will never agree on how modern culture influences a large percentage of the population. Or how the media influences our lives. I think it does to a huge extent, if it has no bearing whatsoever to you than I tip my hat to you. Good for you. To deny trends in music, fashion, the arts, food, cars, etc. are not influenced by others than the end user, is IMO a fantasy.

I inserted myself into this conversation to show that you do not have to affected by trends. You can make decisions based on what you like/dislike.

Well let's look at that list a little closer.

Music: my music tastes are varied, but no rap, hip hop, or George jones.

Fashion: jeans, tshirt. I do like a double breasted suit, which is not the hot trend now.

Art: I like pinup art from the 40s. Does that count?

Food: If I don't like it, I will not eat it, regardless of the current trend.

Cars: must have a manual transmission prefer real wheel drive. I also ride sport bikes. None of those requirements align with current auto trends.

I guess when you are one of the sheeple, it is impossible to deny trends.


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[grillebilly]

I inserted myself into this conversation to show that you do not have to affected by trends. You can make decisions based on what you like/dislike.

Well let's look at that list a little closer.

Music: my music tastes are varied, but no rap, hip hop, or George jones.

Fashion: jeans, tshirt. I do like a double breasted suit, which is not the hot trend now.

Art: I like pinup art from the 40s. Does that count?

Food: If I don't like it, I will not eat it, regardless of the current trend.

Cars: must have a manual transmission prefer real wheel drive. I also ride sport bikes. None of those requirements align with current auto trends.

I guess when you are one of the sheeple, it is impossible to deny trends.

You proved my point nicely. Thanks :thmbsp:

 

[ducati_EL34]

You proved my point nicely. Thanks :thmbsp:

Do tell, how did I prove your point?




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[QRanc]

Anybody that listens to music as their hobby could be considered a music snob, and that's fine with me.

 

[DJ G-Man]

The only thing different this time around is Finnbow quoting some pseudo intellectual piece, that ignores some of its own facts. Mainly, this is nothing new. Local country music has been dying since the advent of TV.

Damn straight, and pseudo intellectual piece indeed - here's a so called 'ethnomusicologist' whining about how a corporate mainstream radio conglomerate is changing the local music culture. Does he actually think that anybody in that area who is part of the culture of real country music, be it listener or player, is actually going to listen to that radio station and the crap that it puts out? And even more ridiculously so, be influenced by it? No way. Yes, local country music is dying a bit, but as long as there are real human beings, with real emotions, playing real country music, it will never be dead completely. Never.

 

[DJ G-Man]

Most music lovers tend to heap scorn on what is popular in most any genre. With good reason I believe, because what drives the industry for the most part is the money of people not really into music. Let me give an example of my young girls, early 20's. They are really into Country Pop, the stuff that you hear on the radio. Before that it was Hip-Hop. They go to the big shows to see the latest stars, but you will not find them searching out bands or going to honky-tonks to hear obscure acts. The reality is they would of never heard of any artist from any genre unless it was being, dare I say it "forced down their throats". I would also dare say the average person has no desire to educate themselves, even knowing they are being indoctrinated to consume a lesser product.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Thank You.

 

[rudyg]

Damn straight, and pseudo intellectual piece indeed - here's a so called 'ethnomusicologist' whining about how a corporate mainstream radio conglomerate is changing the local music culture. Does he actually think that anybody in that area who is part of the culture of real country music, be it listener or player, is actually going to listen to that radio station and the crap that it puts out? And even more ridiculously so, be influenced by it? No way. Yes, local country music is dying a bit, but as long as there are real human beings, with real emotions, playing real country music, it will never be dead completely. Never.

Agree. When driving Houston <> Dallas most radio stations are country music of different genres, and the ones playing new music are also very good, while in the NY/NJ region where I live there is ONE, and that is after none for a few years, guess who has the bubble-gum country bro? Where it is a way of life country music is not dying.