I read an article about two weeks ago that said Sugarland recently returned from a tour in the United Kingdom and they were so "enamored" by what they heard on UK pop radio that they are going to make a conscious shift in that direction musically. I don't know if that means they will totally abandon the country format, or if they will record a pop version and a country version of their singles like others have done. I'd like to know what their fans think of that. Reading that story made me think of the "traditional" country vs "new" country battle that has been going on for years. Traditionalists are usually seen as close-minded and unwilling to accept change. I believe that they truly love country music (and I mean real country music) and they feel that the music they love is getting watered down and phased out. Anyone remember what happened at the 1975 CMA's when Charlie Rich presented the Entertainer of the Year award? Charlie was a traditionalist and John Denver was seen at the time as more of a pop/country artist, and when Charlie opened the envelope and saw that John Denver won the award, he got a lighter out of his pocket and lit the envelope on fire. Later on, I think he admitted that he was a little "tipsy" or "over medicated" at the time, but no doubt, he was trying to send a message. My favorite era of country music is early 80's through mid 90's. Old George Strait, Dwight Yoakam, Joe Diffie, Travis Tritt and Randy Travis. That's my stuff. If I had to pick sides, I would side with the traditionalists. Unfortunately for us traditionalists, classic country is not a viable radio format by itself. It has failed to bring ratings in many markets including the Pensacola market. It's still out there in many markets, but radio is a business, and businesses have to make money to stay in operation. On the other hand, I have heard many, many people say that they hated country music until they heard Rascal Flatts, or Taylor Swift. And gradually through listening to them on country radio, they started to like Brad Paisley and Alan Jackson. And then they started liking Randy Travis and George Strait, and on & on back to Hank Jr and Waylon. So even though some of today's artists push the boundaries of the genre, they can be a gateway to the good stuff, and I can live with that.
In other news, Tim McGraw recently signed on to do a new movie called "Safe Room" with Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds. Sara Evan's new CD "Stronger" comes out this Tuesday the 8th, and John Conlee is coming to the Farmers Opry in Chumuckla this Friday and Saturday. Visit www.farmersopry.com for ticket info.
Have a great week and thanks for listening to Your Country 102.7 WXBM! Here's the link to the Sugarland article I refered to above: http://www.theboot.com/2011/02/23/sugarland-pop-country/
Upcoming CD's
March 8th
Sara Evans - "Stronger"
April 5th
Craig Campbell - "Craig Campbell"
April 12th
Alison Krauss - "Paper Airplane"
May 24th
Brad Paisley - "This Is Country Music"
Brad Paisley - "This Is Country Music"
TBD
Martina McBride
Ronnie Dunn (Bleed Red)
Sunny Sweeney (From A Table Away)
Lady Antebellum
Eric Church
CD's Now Available
Jane Dear Girls - "Jane Dear Girls"
Jane Dear Girls - "Jane Dear Girls"
Thompson Square - "Thompson Square"
Joe Nichols - "Greatest Hits"
Upcoming Concerts
March 11th
John Conlee - Farmers Opry in Chumuckla
John Conlee - Farmers Opry in Chumuckla
March 12th
Colt Ford, Corey Smith and Matt Stillwell - Wharf in Orange Beach
John Conlee - Farmers Opry in Chumuckla
John Conlee - Farmers Opry in Chumuckla
March 18th
Zac Brown Band - Wharf in Orange Beach
Justin Moore and Jerrod Neimann - BeulahFest at the Escambia County Equestrian Center
March 19th
Joe Diffie, Sammy Kershaw and John Michael Montgomery - BeulahFest at the Escambia County Equestrian Center
April 14th
Sugarland and Little Big Town - Pensacola Civic Center
I like it all but I can't help but love the 90's country music. To me that was the ultimate time in country music, you really can't get better than that. It seems though that a lot of artist use the country music platform as stepping stones into other genres. Which is fine but they need to remember how they go there in the first place. There are so many numerous examples out there that just didn't work when country music artist tried to cross over. Then there are examples of the ones that did work. Balance and remember the roots is the key to success.
ReplyDeleteOh but Ryan what I would give to hear some Mark Chesnutt or Tracey Lawerence on the radio!!
I love some old Mark Chesnutt too Dorrian! I have mixed emotions about artists who either leave country after starting here or artists who come to country once they have fizzled out in another genre. I struggle with that sometimes.
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