Country music Lovers

[Wendy]

I know there is a lot of debate regarding country music. Some people like only old country and some only like the new country. Me personally, I like it all. I always hear comments from people that today's country is not country. Is that so? What are your thoughts?

Growing up I listened to country music with my Dad all the time, my favorite is Alabama (who I see in concert this weekend) but I also love new country as well. I am not sure if that is only because I tend to listen to all kinds of music, I bounce from Country to rock to alternative rock.

 

[Toothpick]

Like you I enjoy all country music. Merl and Waylon all the way to Luke and Jason and everything in between - King George, Alan Jackson, Garth.

What I can not stand is people that are called country but played on every radio station. Taylor Swift is not country - if your songs are played on MTV and Hip Hop radio...you are not country.

There are still a few artists - a small few - that have the old country sound but the majority today is "new country". The days of Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson are gone, even the days of Alan Jackson and George Strait are far and few. It doesn't make me sad or mad. It just makes me enjoy that old sound much much more.

 

[infotech]

I like it all, these days. My favorite is Outlaw Country from the 70s - listening to Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings perform live at the height of their popularity is something everyone should experience. Wish I could have seen them live at a small venue back then.

I went and saw Alabama 3 years in a row at the Houston Live Stock SHow and Rodeo when I was a kid and didn't really appreciate it then, but look back now and am glad I got to see them back then (late 80s).

I do think country music in general had a lag during the 2000s that did see some good music, but not like the stuff being released today by the likes of Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, and the Lamberts.

I've opened up to all kinds of music these days.

 

[Wendy]

I agree that there seemed to be a lag in country music, but I think it came back strong. I am amazed at how many young kids like it these days. I remember my friends thinking I was strange listening to it as an early teen.

I went to see Alabama in concert a few times in the late 80's and early 90's in a large venue. This time it is in a small theater with just over 4000 seats.

 

[coonskinner]

Merle Haggard and George Jones...nobody like them.

 

[infotech]

Merle Haggard and George Jones...nobody like them.

Who's gonna fill their shoes?

 

[blary54]

I like outlaw country, bluegrass, and Americana music...however I cant stand pop country.

I recently went to a Ryan Bingham concert( he's great live) and have really been digging his music lately. Almost went to Hank Williams III last week but had to work .

 

[tutordennis]

I like all eras of country, but I like Bakersfield/Honky Tonk the best. There are still some great country records being made in this style--Vince Gill's "Bakersfield" and The Mavericks "In Time" are two of my favorite releases this year. Plus: Dwight Yoakam is still making records, so what's not to like?

 

[Phog Allen]

Wow, I thought maybe I was the only one who has been turned off by modern country. I guess not. It is not new. When Outlaw Country hit in the late 60's and early 70s the old timers DESPISED it. Hank Jr. made his career on it but at first the establishment wouldn't hear of it and they disowned him. Now it is considered classic country on most stations. Styles change and that is unavoidable. But I really do get the whole 'this ain't country' attitude toward some of this stuff. At least with the older singers you could tell the varying styles almost immediately. They were distinct and recognisable. Cosmopolitan Country from the early and mid 60s melded country lyrics with orchestra music. Unheard of at the time. There was still honest to goodness western swing music being played by Hank Thompson and a few others into the late 60s but it faded too. And the cowboy music of the 50's and 60's was great. Each style distinct from the other and they all got play. Now, I cannot tell one of these girl singers from the other. And don't get me started on the Tim McGraw-ish phony southern accent boys. Listen to honest to goodness old honkytonk music from the 40s-60s and tell me if one of those old hillbilly boys sounded like these guys. You know the sound. There's an 'ish' sound on the end of words. Stuff like "itsh whatsh she wantsh'. Cultivated 'accent' all the way. Phony is what I call it. And it all sounds exactly the same. I truly enjoyed the 'new traditionalists' of the 1980s and 90s but that is long gone as well. Like most here I don't really listen to any one thing anymore. I am as apt to have Jethro Tull in one minute and Russell Watson the next. BTW, my vote for one of the greatest bands of the last 25 years is the Mavericks. Raul Malo's voice is incredible and the band was built to surround his talents. I have their Definitive Collection cd which contains their best stuff and I still listen to it regularly. Also, I thought Alabama was retired or at least off the road. I guess not.

Cheers, Todd

 

[Wendy]

Also, I thought Alabama was retired or at least off the road. I guess not.

Cheers, Todd

Yes they are retired, or were, not really sure how that works??? This is more of a 40yr anniversary tour from what I understand. They have released new gospel songs since retiring, nothing a "todays country" lover would probably like. I am sure the cancer scares for Cook and Owen may have played a part in their "retirement". I figured this definitely would be the last tour. I will have to post pictures, I am going backstage

 

[Mr. Scruffy]

It's gotta have twang.

Like this:

This:

And this:

Certainly not this:

Although Miranda is prettier than Bob!

 

[ByMyBeard]

I like a LOT of country music. I do prefer for my country to sound country though. Alan Jackson is a good example. Probably the best example I can think of today is Miranda Lambert. Cannot STAND T-Swift. Though my current favorite is Zac Brown Band. I know they aren't really country either, but damn are they good musicians.

I think the worse, non T-Swift country song I can think of at the moment is "My Kinda Night". It's like the movie Sharknado, it's so bad I can't turn it away.

 

[Commander Quan]

Almost went to Hank Williams III last week but had to work .

That probably would have been a great show.

 

[August West]

I am fond of traditional bluegrass and old time mountain music if that counts. I have to give a nod to Johnny Cash whom I consider a 'crossover' artist.

 

[MrLara]

anyone like Mark david manders?

 

[Hunter]

I need my country music to have twang in it. Most of the good country I hear these days are from local bands that just want to play stuff that sounds like what they grew up with in the 70s, 80s, and some of the 90s.

 

[infotech]

This is it...

 

[infotech]

Another one:

 

[Phog Allen]

I wanted to add that one of the newer performers I like is Zac Brown. He is really talented. How he has managed to make it with the beard and being a bit pudgy I cannot fathom. Nashville is as glam driven as any pop music.

About the only era of country music I disliked nearly as much as the current stuff was the urban cowboy crap. Mostly the image. If I never hear 'Lookin' for Love' by Johnny Lee again it will be too soon. That song has to be near a record for times played. Now there was some stuff from the era I did like such as Mel Tillis' 'Send me down to Tucson'. It captures the era well but has some substance to it. And Mel is a pretty good singer.

I suppose my all time favourite singer is Marty Robbins. The guy was a superstar in his own right. And he could sing just about anything. Cowboy ballads, blues, and catchy contemporary tunes. He had just won male vocalist of the year in 1982 and released 'Some Memories Just Won't Die' which was a huge hit when he became gravely ill with heart issues and passed away. A tremendous loss.

Cheers, Todd

Send Me Down To Tuscon

 

[Phog Allen]

And a classic Marty Robbins song