JCHTraditionalists v Fanboys: The Country Music Battle Is On
October 23rd 2008 08:18
I've recently witnessed increasing tension in between pop country fanboys and angry traditionalists. It's quite the debate. Traditional fans refuse to listen to or acknowledge any fine qualities with pop country music, seemingly comparing country radio to the likes of water torture. Many are all to content to write off new artists as fodder of a marketing machine rather that legitimate talent, simply for being, well, pop country artists. On the other hand, alleged fanboys, (also known as the legions of Swift, Picker and Underwood fans) can't see beyond the confines of country pop. They refuse to appreciate the heritage of the so-called genre they love; refusing to acknowledge the history and tradition that country music is based upon.
Let’s get this straight. Taylor Swift did not create pop country. Country music was built in the house of Williams, Carter and Wills not in a studio in modern day Nashville, Tennessee. At the same time, traditional country music isn't the only form of great country music. Yes, I was a little taken aback when I found out that Carrie Underwood was being inducted into the Opry before other various deserving names, but I don't see it as a pox on the genre. Carrie Underwood has maintained an indebtedness towards the traditional and I have always admired her versatility in being able to sing Tammy Wynette, Bob Wills and Eddy Arnold with dignity, as well as her continued dedication to the Opry even before she was inducted. The reality is that the young artists sitting before us, including Miss Underwood is playing a part in orchestrating the future of the genre while young guys like Brad Paisley and Josh Turner are assuring us that the past will not be ignored.
Young fans need to be schooled about the greats. At face value, Carrie Underwood is a fine ambassador for country music. However, there is so much more to country than slapping on some fiddle and steel. While I contentedly enjoy the music of everyone from Josh Gracin to Taylor Swift, I also understand the impact and relevance of Hank Williams Sr, the striking tones of Patsy Cline, the influence of outlaw and the minor hell that was the urban cowboy. No, I am not as schooled as I wish as many out there, but I will continue to learn and I accept myself as a student of the game.
However, traditionalists needed to be schooled about the potential evolution that country music needs to go through. While many view the crossover of country into pop as the first sign of the apocalypse, the same was said when Dolly made her way onto the pop charts. The reality is that the boundaries of the genre have never been defined and while the new Patti Loveless album may crap on the recent offering of the Pickler in more ways than one, and Trisha Yearwood's recent record may crap of Swift's debut in more ways than one, the latter names cannot be discounted or discredited.
I think that Randy Travis' "Dig Two Graves" should be tearing up country radio, I also feel that Trisha Yearwood's "This Is Me You're Talking To" should have hit the top ten...but, just as certain pockets of the country music audience and community are close minded, as is country radio.
At the end of the day, can’t we all just get a long?
Let’s get this straight. Taylor Swift did not create pop country. Country music was built in the house of Williams, Carter and Wills not in a studio in modern day Nashville, Tennessee. At the same time, traditional country music isn't the only form of great country music. Yes, I was a little taken aback when I found out that Carrie Underwood was being inducted into the Opry before other various deserving names, but I don't see it as a pox on the genre. Carrie Underwood has maintained an indebtedness towards the traditional and I have always admired her versatility in being able to sing Tammy Wynette, Bob Wills and Eddy Arnold with dignity, as well as her continued dedication to the Opry even before she was inducted. The reality is that the young artists sitting before us, including Miss Underwood is playing a part in orchestrating the future of the genre while young guys like Brad Paisley and Josh Turner are assuring us that the past will not be ignored.
Young fans need to be schooled about the greats. At face value, Carrie Underwood is a fine ambassador for country music. However, there is so much more to country than slapping on some fiddle and steel. While I contentedly enjoy the music of everyone from Josh Gracin to Taylor Swift, I also understand the impact and relevance of Hank Williams Sr, the striking tones of Patsy Cline, the influence of outlaw and the minor hell that was the urban cowboy. No, I am not as schooled as I wish as many out there, but I will continue to learn and I accept myself as a student of the game.
However, traditionalists needed to be schooled about the potential evolution that country music needs to go through. While many view the crossover of country into pop as the first sign of the apocalypse, the same was said when Dolly made her way onto the pop charts. The reality is that the boundaries of the genre have never been defined and while the new Patti Loveless album may crap on the recent offering of the Pickler in more ways than one, and Trisha Yearwood's recent record may crap of Swift's debut in more ways than one, the latter names cannot be discounted or discredited.
I think that Randy Travis' "Dig Two Graves" should be tearing up country radio, I also feel that Trisha Yearwood's "This Is Me You're Talking To" should have hit the top ten...but, just as certain pockets of the country music audience and community are close minded, as is country radio.
At the end of the day, can’t we all just get a long?
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