Contemporary country is pure BS

Well, they trotted him out tonight.

Dwight and Karolina Kurkova presented Best Female Vocalist to Carrie Underwood.

 

I will echo the praise for Vince Gill, who's pretty damn good. (And he's such a good guitar player he was invited to join Dire Straits just before his career took off.)

 

Like Democrat(ic) politics, the genre has changed a lot since I was a kid growing up in the shadow of the Ryman.

Half of that stuff, or more, that was played on WSM was probably crap, too. We just don't remember any of it.

And a lot of 1970s stuff (Eagles, hell, even Neil Young) informs the better angels of today's country.

Nashville, as a synonym for the music industry, has always been screwed up – ask Johnny Cash (well, you can't) or Willie Nelson. Nashville, as the high church of the music of Hank Williams and such, still seems to have plenty of life left in it.

Every few years, the business blows up with an Urban Cowboy or a Shania or a Dixie Chicks, then settles down again and rolls on. A few genuine mavericks even emerge and make a good living. Which, of course, is why this is the best coutnry on earth.

The punks and freaks have almost recognized this. They embraced Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and their peers for the same reason Three_Bags drinks Budweiser:

It's Genuine. Says so right on the label, as I recall. I don't have one handy.

The flaw in Bubbler's argument, seems to me, is that there are still people who really do leave their trailer parks and go to Nashville looking to "make it." And damned if a few don't actually do it (The Judds are the first to come to mind, Garth Brooks and Faith Hill are others), now and again.

I'm not a big country fan, the land of my birth notwithstanding. One of the most awkward jobs I ever had was doing news on a country AM station. It was, to my child of the 70s ear, damned unlistenable.

But I find a lot to like today. "Shiftwork" almost makes me wish I'd stuck around Nashville and joined a few of my friends who were trying to break into songwriting. And if "He Stopped Loving Her Today" doesn't make the hair stand up on the back of yer neck, there's something seriously wrong with you.

And one more thing:

Imagine the treatment a gay rapper would get from his peers, then consider the popular and critical reception for Chesney. That says a lot to me.

P.S. I loved Pure Country, had no idea who George Strait was at the time, and still wish he'd make a sequel. So there.

 

I don't want any part of a threesome with Pallister.

I ... don't ... need ... tat ... smearage. :-X :-X

 

Just like they trot out other stars of the past. Doesn't mean you'll hear him on the radio.

 

If I can two-step to it, I'm happy.

 

Just one more reason why Waylon will always be my number one, favorite of all time.

Write Your Own Songs
Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson

(Willie)
You call us heathens with zero respect for the law
We are only songwriters just writing our songs and that's all
We write what we live and we live what we write is that wrong
If you think it is Mr. Music Executive why don't you write your own songs.

And don't listen to mine,they might run you crazy
They might make you dwell on your feelings a moment too long
We're making you rich and you're already lazy
So just lay on your ass and get richer or write your own songs.

(Waylon)
Mr. Purified Country don't you know what the whole things about
Is your head up your ass so far that you can't pull it out
The world's getting smaller and everyone in it belongs
And if you can't see that Mr. Purified Country
Why don't you just write your own songs

Chorus.
So just lay on your ass and get richer or write your own songs

And kiss ours!

 

The country music establishment has always sucked, Henry's right about that.

That's why God made Ipods stocked with Willie and Waylon and Johnny Fucking Cash. (Bless you, Rosie.)

And it's also why the Eagles suck worse than anything has ever sucked, for embracing the worst of pop music as well as the worst of country music, with disco thrown in.

 

Hells yes.

Currently tied for No. 1 on my iTunes ... by Mr. Jennings ...

It's the same old tune, fiddle and guitar
Where do we take it from here
Rhinestone suits and new shiny cars
We've been the same way for years
We need to change

Somebody told me when I got to Nashville
Son you finally got it made
Old Hank made it here, we’re all sure that you will
But I don't think Hank done it this way
I don't think Hank done it this way

Ten years down the road, making one night stands
Speeding my young life away
Tell me one more time just so I understand
Are you sure Hank done it this way
Did Ol' Hank really do it this way?

I've seen the world with a five piece band
Looking at the back side of me
Singing my songs and one of his now and then
But I don't think Hank done 'em this a'way
No I don't think Hank done 'em this a'way

Love that song.

 

I'm not ashamed to admit I cried for a week straight when Waylon died.

My main ring for my cell phone is a Waylon song.

Edit: Bubbler, I'm seeing a whole new side of you.

I love that song too!

 

I definitely need to get more Waylon in my collection.

 

If I recall correctly, Waylon cut 70 to 78 albums.

I think I have 40 or 50 of them if you add vinyl, cassette and CD together. Oh yeah. Three on 8-track, but that would be somewhere at my mom and dad's house in the barn.