What happened to country music? A vent.

[ckay87]

Please, if you are a fan of country music, do not proceed. I completely respect anybody's choice in the music they enjoy. If you are a fan of any music genre, you appreciate things that others don't and that's ok. If you read on, you will become mad at me. If, however, you are disappointed with the way country music has evolved, vent along with me?

I watched the CMAs last night for about 30 seconds before I couldn't take it anymore. There was a time that I really enjoyed country music. Back when country music wasn't afraid to be...well....country. You know, the twangy steel guitars, etc. Today it just sounds like very watered down, easy pop music. I still enjoy George Strait, but I really don't know who else is around anymore because I gave up.

The last country artist I really loved was Garth Brooks, but oddly enough, I feel like he might have singly-handedly caused this turn around in country music. It felt like many guys after him, in an attempt to mimic his success, created a lot of these pop-country type songs which stuck. Garth had this unique ability to rock-out without compromising the genre, you know? I don't know that anyone else has pulled that off since.

Last year, my fave, Bon Jovi, put out a "country-inspired album." I thought that might be a cool combination but it ended up being the embodiment of everything I have come to hate about current country. Just really kind of bla.

Is Hank Williams Jr. still around? Now THAT was country music!

 

[Planogirl]

You got that impression in 30 seconds? I won't comment since you made that request but I'm wondering who was performing that turned you off so much?

George was quite good by the way.

 

[NC State]

I watched the CMAs last night for about 30 seconds before I couldn't take it anymore. There was a time that I really enjoyed country music. Back when country music wasn't afraid to be...well....country. You know, the twangy steel guitars, etc. Today it just sounds like very watered down, easy pop music. I still enjoy George Strait, but I really don't know who else is around anymore because I gave up.

Is Hank Williams Jr. still around? Now THAT was country music!

I agree I gave up on country music a long time ago, it's just POP music now. Yes, Hank is country!

 

[ckay87]

You got that impression in 30 seconds? I won't comment since you made that request but I'm wondering who was performing that turned you off so much?

George was quite good by the way.

No, I get that impression every time I try to listen to country nowdays. I try, I do! It's just a personal thing.

But dangit, I missed George (see, I need to be more patient.) I caught the end of Martina, who I do like because she is just a class act. Then there was a guy right after her and I said .... "no, I don't think so." I have the attention span of a 5 year old!

 

[lovemygoofy]

I was raised up on "old" country. My Ipod has Conway Twitty, Waylon, Willie, Merle and Johnny.

I have to say that country music was pretty bad in the mid 90's until a few years ago. You had the traditional that are still chipping away..Alan Jackson and George Strait but I see that it is turning around and going back to it's roots.

I think Blake Shelton, Rodney Atkins, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, and a few others are making a big difference.

I see a big difference in Tim McGraw and think he is finally a bit more country and when Kenney isn't making island music he puts out a nice country song every now and then. I do not like the cotton candy pop country and try to really support those that make the old country I like.

 

[Planogirl]

Country is truly a mix now. You have everything from the Eagles (a category of their own!) to country lite to traditional. I personally like a lot of it but I do like the traditional too so I understand what you're saying.

I think that country absorbed a lot of the lighter music because it became less fashionable in mainstream. There were some who always liked a lighter variety but other venues and outlets seemed to reject it. If you look back though, I think that you'll see that there was always some fluff mixed in with the old style. JMO.

 

[lillygator]

you must not watch Monday Night Football ---- Hank is always putting out a little song before the game.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I like most of it... I love old Hank, Strait... Garth, Travis Tritt, and newcomers like Darius Rucker, Brad Paisly and even Taylor Swift. Some bring pop or rock to it (like Kid Rock) but I actually like it all

 

[mickeyboat]

I guess I take songs for what they are instead of pigeon-holeing them into a certain category. I also understand that music evolves over time, so the fact that country music today doesn't sound like the country music of the past, does not bother me.

I do think, however that I enjoy awards shows more when there are less antics involved - big screens, waving fabric, castles and dancers with wigs.

Denae

 

[1rockinmamato2]

The last country artist I really loved was Garth Brooks, but oddly enough, I feel like he might have singly-handedly caused this turn around in country music. It felt like many guys after him, in an attempt to mimic his success, created a lot of these pop-country type songs which stuck. Garth had this unique ability to rock-out without compromising the genre, you know? I don't know that anyone else has pulled that off since.

Just like what Kurt Cobain and Nirvana did to my hard rock music?

I couldn't stand him OR his band for a long time after that. I have gotten over it though and come to appreciate him and his music.

Music genres go through changes as they try to appeal to new generations. It's all good though.

 

[ckay87]

Well, you all are actually helping me to keep it in perspective. I do sound like an old fart, I admit.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Nobody but a country fan could respond to a "What happened to country music?" thread, so I'm not sure why you asked country music fans to not respond.

For me, it isn't an either/or thing. I like both. I like the old and I like the new. Like with all kinds of music, there are country songs and artists I like more than others and some I can't stand ("Honkytonk Badonkadonk" comes to mind. I HATE that song with a passion unknown to Song Hatred until that came along.)

I forget which concert it was (Kenny Chesney, I think) that had Sugarland opening for them. Jennifer Nettles entered singing, "She lies and says she's in love with him...can't find a better man!" and the place went nuts. She didn't actually sing the song, just that one line as she walked on stage...but talk about crossover. I kind of liked it and would have enjoyed hearing her sing the song.

Pop and rock have changed over the years, too. All music evolves. It's all good.

 

[Planogirl]

Well, you all are actually helping me to keep it in perspective. I do sound like an old fart, I admit.

I often feel that way.

 

[ckay87]

Nobody but a country fan could respond to a "What happened to country music?" thread, so I'm not sure why you asked country music fans to not respond.

I didn't want to offend anyone. Speaking negatively of music that people enjoy can often hurt their feelings. I know how stupid people can make me feel when I express that I like *** (not gonna say ) I wasn't out do do that here. Wanted to be respectful of people who DO enjoy today's country - it's not necessary for them to have to justify that. Was just wondering if I was the only one who felt the frustrations I do.

But the country fans have, in fact, offered up some good perspectives.

 

[robinb]

We used to love Country Western music in the 90's. We took dance lessons for about 2 years and saw Garth Brooks, Brooks & Dunn and Reba McEntire live. My radio was stuck on the local Country Western station and we even had our honeymoon on a Country Western cruise on the now scrapped NCL Norway. The turned the Disco into a Honky Tonk and they had some "B" rated acts performed. It was great fun!

Then Country Music changed a few years later. God and Jesus began to creep into CM more and more. I am an atheist and my DH is Jewish and I really don't want to listen to Christian music ... so I would turn the channel every time a God/Jesus song came on. Don't get me wrong! There was always an element of God and Jesus in CW music but it had been rare enough that we could easily ignore it. Not so in late 90's and the early 2000's. I would turn on the radio and start listening to one song or maybe two and *poof* I would have to turn the channel. When John Michael Montgomery's "The Little Girl" became a big hit it was the last straw for me and Country Music.

FWIW, I don't mind the pop influence. Every music type has to change and I personally think that Shania Twain did more to change it in that direction than anyone else. I still do have a radio pre-set for one of my local CW stations and I turn it on about once a week. I don't have to turn the channel as often as I used to but I only listen to the station for a song or two anyway. I'm just not that into it anymore.

 

[c4a]

I get what you are saying. It has became mass marketed. (Personally, I blame it on Shania. Very astute business woman. Play to two markets...make twice as much money. Unfortuntly, the integrity of the music has suffered. imo It is more about fashion, spectacular rips, & pyro tech concert displays than about the message simply sung. imo Add in the changes in technology...today, being able to sing isn't as important when they can go in & edit/synthasise. Looking good on a cd cover or in a video is more important.)

Blue Grass is turning into the Old Country. They still play a lot of the traditional ballads & hymns; but a lot of the newer artist are blending sounds.

I miss the old days, too. When Meryl sang "Take This Job & Shove It." I knew he had "been there". Tammy Wynette's and George Jones' voices blended perfectly (even if there match was not made in heaven). And Conway simply stating "Hello Darling" still makes the hair on my neck stand up, my knees feel weak, palms sweaty, and a blush crawl up my neck. Now that was a powerful voice.

A lot of the Old Country stars can be found giving shows in Branson, MO. I know Mickey Gilley, the Oak Ridge Boys, the Gatlin Brothers all have shows there.

Many also do shows at the casinos. And every summer there is a week long country music camp-out in Ohio. Mainly new stars, however; a few of the older ones will show, also.

As for Bocephus, he is still around. He did a performance for a McCain/Palin rally. And has been touring. Sadly, even he is mixing genres on some of his music. However, he is staying fairly close to the "kick butt" roots. Rumor is that he may have something in the works with Kid Rock. The shows I have seen them perform together, in the past...AWESOME!!! Every once in a while, the Outdoors channel will show a hunt/fishing trip that Jr. is on. The day is usually ended with a sing-a-long around the campfire. He is still a very outspoken proponet of gun rights, hunter/fisher safety, and conservation. Giving benefit concerts & speeches for the causes.

Hank Williams Jr. fan site link

 

[Cool-Beans]

As for Bocephus...

One of the things I love best about country music is how often it is very honest and plain. People go on and on about alcoholism and its causes and talk it to death.

Q: Why do you drink?

A: To get drunk.

Duh. Sometimes you just want an honest, easy answer.

I agree with you about Shania. I like a couple of her songs a lot, but she was the big push. I don't blame the artists for wanting to make more popular songs that will make them more money, though.

 

[robinb]

Personally, I blame it on Shania.

We were posting at the same time . Garth may have cracked the door a bit but Shania kicked it wide open with her party-girl high heels.

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

I am not what you'd call a traditional country fan. I am a native Texan and I've been here all my life. I've seen the wonderfully wild and weird mix of artists of all genres who've come out of this great state from Janis Joplin to Willie Nelson to Darryl "Dimebag" Adams. I grew up with parents and grandparents who were hardcore old school country fans..my mother's hometown is a stone'sthrow from where Dolly Parton grew up. It's not a long stretch from Mom's hometown to Memphis either..only a couple hours drive. So I grew up being forced to listen to country music whether I liked it or not.
There are certain artists I do like--George Strait, Willie Nelson and Garth Brooks and Dolly Parton, of course. I've seen country go from 'old school' to this messy pop crap they play now and I can't stand it. It's not country, it's countropop. Bleh.

Conway simply stating "Hello Darling" still makes the hair on my neck stand up, my knees feel weak, palms sweaty, and a blush crawl up my neck. Now that was a powerful voice.

Conway Twitty was one of my grandmother's favorites and I STILL get chills when I hear "Hello Darling" because it reminds me of her.

 

[c4a]

you must not watch Monday Night Football ---- Hank is always putting out a little song before the game.

Not so much, anymore. Here lately it has been Marty Stewart & Faith Hill.

Maybe, because he rewrote "Family Tradition" for the McCain/Palin rallies? About two weeks after that stunt, the beautiful & talented Faith was singing about football.