Nelson Mandela has a quote, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
I hope anyone who reads this learns from it. It is in no way criticism or condescension, but rather an opposing force to the negativity being passed around right now.. It is simply an observation derived from the unique path we all walk.
My country boy common sense and 50 years of living on this earth have brought me to the conclusion that there is no status quo. One has two choices: be part of the change, or disappear and prepare to die. You CAN teach an old dawg new tricks;; it just has to be the right dawg. I am gonna weigh in on what is (probably) the most controversial subject trending in music today, namely the “destruction” and future of country music. Again, it is only my opinion – and I am going to try (as much as possible) to not step on toes or make others angry. Hang with me for a minute and read the whole post. If you disagree, I respect the right to your opinion, but we will have to agree to disagree.
The “father of country music” is widely considered to be Jimmie Rodgers. Based on that, this is “true” country music. Jimmie lived a hell of a life – and died from TB. I picked this song because I am kinda partial to Georgia, plus he addresses many other states as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Miy4io-rGo0
The closest thing to that i have heard in years is the Walmart yodeler Mason Ramsey – don’t @ me.
Seems like every blog I read and every tweet I see is trying to destroy Luke Bryan. Granted, his style and delivery may have changed, but he grew up country and has the intelligence to record songs like “What Country Is” (written by Shane McAnally and Jamie Teachenor). The song pays tribute to Jimmie Rodgers – and is one of the few songs today that even mentions him. (Before you @ me, King George didn’t write a lot of his songs and I love his music.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kNakffMhj4
Why mention this? I would submit that every generation has “changed” country music. The 40’s and early 50’s country had tremendous talent like Roy Acuff, Hank Williams, Kitty Wells, etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCgicPdsxxg
The 50’s and 60’s had artists like Hank Snow, Bob Wills, Bill Monroe, Patsy Cline, early Willie, Buck Owens, etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpBEBV1wkq4
The 70’s were dominated by artists like Dolly, Loretta, George Jones, Conway, etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwWeQPYIKvY
The 70’s were also notable for the country music labeled “Outlaw Country”. Artists like Willie, Waylon, Cash, Kristofferson, Merle, etc. were responsible for helping create the sub-genre.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_ohONd6NkI
(IMHO, part of Sturgill’s strong attraction is how much he sounds like Waylon).
Then Alabama happened, and the face and sound of “country music” changed again. It gave rise to artists like Ronnie Milsap, Kenny Rogers, George Strait, Randy Travis, Don Williams, Kathy Mattea, Reba, John Denver, etc. Had the blogger stopped after the first sentence of this review, he nailed it. However, he continues to opine with lines like this: “And if you want to talk about shallow lyrics brow-beating listeners with Southern-isms, listen to some old-school Alabama.” Seems he forgot about this song from Alabama, and the fact that Randy Owen has a college degree in English. Granted, it is from 1989, but it is one of the earliest songs that warns us about climate change. If that is shallow, then I am very shallow indeed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiHX2653XPE
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/album-review-alabamas-southern-drawl/
The class of 89 were the pioneers that are responsible for what we call “90’s country”.
The 90’s are the foundation that modern country music built on. Artists in the 90’s run the gamut from “traditional” country to “pop country”. Traditional artists like Strait, Alan Jackson, Clint Black, Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill, Jerry Jeff Walker, Allison Krauss, and Chris LeDoux all found success. Further success by active artists like Martina McBride, Shania, Faith Hill, McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban,, Toby Keith, Trisha, and the force that is Garth, made Nashville the only place to be in the 90’s.
The 90’s were also the genesis of modern “bro country”. Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip, and Dallas Davidson (known together as the “peach pickers”) are a force to be reckoned with in Nashville today.
http://theboot.com/peach-pickers-songs/
But Nashville is also home to many artists considered Americana, Folk, Country Rock, Red Dirt/Texas Country, Bluegrass, and Pop. “Country Music” has evolved into “America’s music”, which is fitting – considering the melting pot that is the United States. As the music has changed, the business has changed. Modern technology and increased access to the internet has changed the path to success. The record labels may control what is played on country radio, but artists now can have a grassroots following that the industry has no control over. We have more access to music, and artists have multiple paths to success. I only used music genres in this post to make a point – personally I refuse to label artists. (see earlier blogs). If I like them, I like them – no matter what they are called. I am just gonna leave these two songs right here… There is absolutely no reason for all the hate and vitriol being passed around.
https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/losttrailers/underfmwaves.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_l73VWStao
So, my advice if one does not like today’s country radio is twofold. First, support artists you enjoy who are not getting airtime. Go to their live shows. Buy their albums instead of streaming or using Apple music, etc. Use itunes instead and BUY their work. Buy merch at their shows. Just because they are not on the “radio” doesn’t mean they can’t be successful. Second, if you are really that upset about the direction country music is taking, move to Nashvegas, find work in the industry, and help the airwaves return to Nashville. It is your choice: change or watch the change be controlled by others. There really isn’t a third option – except complaining on social media and becoming a music snob. Mahatma Gandhi is often credited with the quote, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” Arguments are never positive, actions are.