Young folks don't like REAL country music?

Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

That's a myth,About a year ago I was touring with a 25 year alt artist[I'm old enough to be his grandpa]I'm not with him anymore,being an old geezer got tired of the road and being away from home a lot,He's still out there with dates on both coasts,Anyway what we played was OLD country such as Jimmy Rogers,Earnest,Snow,Faron,Webb,Reeves,Cash,etc.We played a lot of punk rock clubs,being an old geezer from the old school it amazed me having some kid with spiked green and purple hair with pierced lips.nose,and ears,coming up and asking if we knew any Wynn Stewart,Buck Owens,etc,they would go crazy when we played ANYTHING by Cash,[got to admit we played the music with a HEAVY rock-a-billy beat]we used a doghouse bass,guitar,steel,and heavy drums,NEVER KEYBOARDS.Never heard a request for Kenny Chesney,Big and Rich or Cowboy Troy,The truth is groups like us and Wayne Hancock,Robbie Fulks,or Dale Watson have to TAKE it to the young folks,They WILL not get it from main stream TV or the FM radio.The suits in the music industry have brainwashed to the point that most young people ACTUALLY BELIEVE That that acts such as Chesney,Big and Rich are REAL country artists.I believe in any one liking and supporting these contemporary artists is your right to do so,but PLEASE,PLEASE,PLEASE. don't call them country,It's not but a very poor attempt at warming over 70's rock,and there is not ONE out there in the class as The Eagles,etc.Except for maybe one or two exceptions in the last few years have you heard a great vocalist come along such as Marty Robbins,Faron Young,Jim Reeves,Eddy Arnold,etc that could sing on key without studio tricks? When you heard the first word one of these guys sing,you knew immediately who they were,because they eash had their own individual style,and were CLASS acts,today just clones,In todays music business a young guy can look like a reject from an outlaw bikers gang with his dirty tanktop to show off his biceps,and a BEAUTIFUL young lady with a lot of cleavage can become big stars,The music business today ONLY promotes sex appeal,to hell with the music.Don't you know.
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Larry Strawn · From: Golden Valley, Arizona, R.I.P.

Charlie,

I'm sure young folks around here were aware of JC, but after the movie Walk the Line came out the young people around here just went crazy for Jonny Cash music! They were just then finding out what we already knew! Very Happy

Larry
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Stephanie Carta · From: Florida, USA

Great post Charlie. As a younger musician myself, I appreciate it when a seasoned musician takes the time to debunk absurd myths such as 'young people don't like country music.' I doubt the suits in Nashville are under 45 years old so they have little credibility regarding what Gen X (or Gen Y) likes. Besides, when I was growing up, country wasn't cool at all, so it became hip to me and those green haired kids you talk about. Because it was NOT marketed heavily in the late 80s like it is now made it cool. I think that's when most of us who are in our 30s now got into it.

The other kids in the 80s were listening to Bon Jovi, which seemed so ridiculous that we had to find something more hip and turned to country.

Wait, isn't Bon Jovi country now?
Rolling Eyes

I think not! Wink

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David Doggett · Posted 8 Oct 2007 10:04 am

Charles, in the past few years I have played to young audiences in rock clubs with rockabilly and alt-country bands. Most of the audience and band members came of age to new wave and punk music in the ‘80s and ‘90s. There was a big back-to-roots rockabilly cult craze back then, as well as the big swing dance craze. Through rockabilly and swing they discovered ‘40s and ‘50s country music. They like stuff that is raw, pure and simple. They don’t like the slick commercial country from the ‘60s on, or modern rock-country. Lots of times while we are setting up there will be a DJ playing ‘50s country, rockabilly and western swing, some of it pretty obscure.

But this is sort of an urban cult thing. The crowds are small, and the peak seems to be over, with the crowds getting smaller and older (late 20s and 30s). Also, these clubs are small, and none of them feature this stuff exclusively. They will have this kind of stuff once or twice a month, and the rest of the time will have punk, Goth, blues, rock, hip-hop, whatever. So while these young people do have some interest in traditional country, their numbers are small, and they don’t buy much of it. There is no radio station in the region that plays any traditional country, although the college station occasionally plays some older stuff and bluegrass, along with folk, but mostly modern singer-songwriter stuff.

There is a completely different crowd that supports modern commercial rock-country. They listen to the one commercial “country” radio station and patronize the one regional dance hall for that kind of music. And they come out in big numbers when these artists come to town for a big concert. They seem to come from the outlying suburbs, small towns and rural areas.

So I don’t know what all this means. You are right that the young people who are most likely to have some interest in old traditional country might be mohawked and tattooed. I also think the modern rock-country crowd wouldn’t mind hearing an occasional oldies on the commercial “country” station, but there is precious little of that.

As far as the labelling goes, that's a losing battle. The record companies and radio stations do the labelling, and that ain't gonna change. Sure modern country doesn't sound like the old country, but neither does modern rock and pop sound like it use to, and neither does hip-hop and rap sound like the old rhythm and blues. The jazz station plays everything from '30s dixieland to modern smooth jazz; but it's all called jazz, and it is a jazz station. Modern rock-country is just as much country to the general public and the rado stations as the old country is. We are not going to be able to change that.

Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

Larry,yes the Cash movie did help [just like Oh Brother gave Blue grass a shot in the arm]But I was with this young kid about three years,and we were getting huge responce from the young people regarding Cash years before the movie,It's not just a passing fad,He is doing great as an ambassador for real country music,If you would like to check him out,His webb site is Joey Allcorn.com.Don't you know.
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Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC !

Tim Harr · From: Dunlap, Illinois

Charles,

Even in a city like Chicago, IL( our Nation's 3d largest) I played at a club that prided itself on featuring REAL country music. Steel Guitars and fiddles, etc...

This place located on the North side just a few miles north of Wrigley field was JAM packed every weekend there was a live country band.

I mean JAM packed... they came to hear live real country music...

Most of the crowd was college students or Young urban professionals (YUPPIES) that crowded into this place.

All requests were for Haggard, Jones, Young, Buck, Price, and Cash, etc.....

As evidenced by this group Real Country is alive and well among the youth and 20-30 somethings.

CAROL'S PUB
Chicago, IL

(Pics on my Web Page)

Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

That's right Tim,No one can tell me different because The almost three years I was with Joey,I saw it with my own eyes,We were not a dance band,shows only,most of the places we played were always packed,most of them were under twenty five,none of them wanted to hear the contemporary crap they are bombarded with on GAC,CMT and FM radio,We need to keep supporting people like Joey,Wayne Hancock,Robbie Fulks,etc,Look at Dale Watson.IMO the absolute best honky tonk and country singer we have today,He is ostracized by the suits that control country music today,Why? Because he scares the hell out of them,He's the REAL deal and has a little grey in his hair,But I think if Paris Hilton did a rap version of Cold,Cold,Heart,She would be called country,and be on the [not so grand]opry in a heartbeat.Don't you know.
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Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC !

Bill Dobkins · From: Rolla Missouri, USA

Charles, You nailed it my friend.But we are all wasting our breath because they just don't get it.
I put a post on called Anatomy of a country song.Mostly what I got was argument because they just don't understand what I'm trying to say, and never will....They just don't get it.
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Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

I have played hardcore honkytonk music of various types for a long time. Rockabilly, country, blues, older jazz, and all of it mixed together. Even the rockabilly bands played plenty of Hank, Cash, Horton, Jones, and tons of other stuff that most anybody would argue is "REAL" classic country. A large contingent in our audience was always the punkers who were completely alientated from the mainstream popular music scene. I agree that there is and will continue to be an audience for this. But I don't see it in the mainstream unless there is some major cultural shift that seriously realigns where we're going as a society.

So I agree with David that, from this point onward, this may well never be a large mainstream commercial phenomenon again. Just like the real deal blues, bluegrass, mainstream jazz, rockabilly, zydeco, and other roots styles will probably always be around because this stuff strikes at peoples' guts. But the main stream of this youth-oriented world seems to be moving in a different direction. I think we need to stop fighting that and go for the people we can win over. Perhaps in time, a grass roots movement can win more converts, but it has to come from the bottom, and - IMO - recognition from the entertainment power structure may do more harm than help. Right now, this kind of music is there, but underground. I sorta prefer it like that. Be careful what you wish for - IMHO.

Either way - to try to move back to the 50s seems like a losing proposition to me. It isn't just music. We seem to be unable to convince anybody that we should move American manufacturing back to the glory days of the 50s and 60s either. People are very happy to let the far east do all that "hard, dirty work", and prefer to be lawyers, marketeers, and investment bankers. Even engineering and science are almost becoming a dirty word. The kind of people who listened to gutbucket country, blues, and rock and roll were mostly working people - often doing factory or other manual labor. That kind of blue-collar working class is gradually disappearing from the American culture. Why do you expect that those who replace them will adopt their musical culture?

ajm · From: Los Angeles

"The other kids in the 80s were listening to Bon Jovi, which seemed so ridiculous that we had to find something more hip and turned to country."

Why was/is it ridiculous? Judging by album sales there were a lot of "ridiculous" listeners in the 80's tuning in to Bon Jovi (you forgot about Whitesnake, too). If they only would have known how unhip they were.

I have liked Buck since the early 60's, and I also like Bon Jovi and a ton of other performers. I like what I like because I like it, not because it makes me "hip" by somebody elses system. (Believe me, there are a lot of people that I don't care for that definitely make me "unhip".) I don't feel the need to make myself more legitimate by putting down someone elses choices. If that were the case, I'd go get a job as a music critic or a "journalist".

And if Bon Jovi or anyone else comes up with something that the music machine decides is country, so what? They did what they wanted and liked so they could please themselves. What really matters to them is if they and I (or you) enjoy it, and not what anyone else cares. I'd venture to say that most of these artists are playing for themselves and the people that like them, and aren't really too interested in winning over anyone that doesn't. If Bon Jovi is being played on your local country station, your gripe should not be with Bon Jovi. It should be with the station, and all of the unhip listeners that are tuning in.
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Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

Each time Myself or some one Mentions classic country,we start to get this stuff about things that has evolved over the years.I should be MORE specific,When I think of what a lot of us call classic country music,I'm talking only about the GOLDEN YEARS of country music,The 40's and 50's,not before or after,[that time frame].I'm talking about the GREAT ones that were in their prime during this period,such as Earnest Tubb,Hank Snow,Hank Sr.,Faron Young,George Morgan,Hank Thompson,Webb,Cowboy Copas[not Cowboy Troy]Kenny Roberts,Red Foley,Hawkshaw Hawkins,Little Jimmy,Al Dexter,Cliffie Stone,etc.etc.This time frame and these artist,ARE CLASSIC COUNTRY,IMO.EACH of you have every right in the world to like what you want to,If you think that Kenny Chesney,Big and Rich,or Cowboy Troy is the greatest thing that has come along since indoor plumbing,then by all means patronize them,buy all their CD's,attend all their concerts,and enjoy yourself,just PLEASE don't call them country,Don't you know.
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Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC !

Leslie Ehrlich · From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

I think for once we may be onto something here besides the usual grumbling about the passing of 'traditional' country music. The old stuff needs to be exposed to the younger generations if it is to have a future at all. Not all young people are narrow-minded. If the music sounds tight, some of them will catch on.

Dom Franco · From: Beaverton, OR, 97007

Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

That's right Leslie,A lot of kids today love the classic country,but very few that only listen to FM radio will ever be exposed to it.When I was out working with Joey and playing these predominant rock clubs,a day or so latter we would get e-mails,saying after seeing you guys last night,went out and bought a Hank Sr.or Faron Young,or Webb Pierce CD,Don't you know.
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Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC !

Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

Dom,may lose a battle once in a while,but the war is not over,A Philadelphia lawyer could'nt convince me this contemporary so-called country IS country,I have the tenacity of a pitbull with an attitude,will NEVER stop defending REAL country music,Don't you know.
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Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC !

Dom Franco · From: Beaverton, OR, 97007

Chuck:
Sorry; but you just proved my point. You said "so called country." Yes, that is what people will call it long after we are gone. And you had to qualify "Classic Country" as "Real Country" to differentiate it from the new stuff.

We are in total agreement that there is a big difference. But labels are hard to control and only history will show what becomes of this new stuff.
The Beatles are considered Classic!

I am an old geyser also and I grew up on Hank Williams, Webb Pierce, Tennesse Ernie Ford etc. That all we listened to when I was a kid.

In the early 70's our band backed up Rose Maddox for a few shows. I was the only guy in the group that knew all her songs and I had to yell out the chords to the bass and guitar player. She was "Classic Country", the other guys in the band were Country rockers. They were lost...

Anyway, What is called "Rock" now is not Elvis or Chuck Berry. What is called "Jazz" is not what it was in the 40's. What is called Country now...?

Sincerely
Dom Franco

Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

Dom,you made some good points there,To me what I call classic country[in that time frame [40's and 50's]had something VERY special,You can go in most big record store and there will be a section of Hank Sr,CD'Sover a half century since his death,Was in the retail business for years,can bet your bottom dollar IF they were not selling they would not be takeing up that retail space,If this world stands another fifty years[which I sometimes doubt]I really don't think there will be a section of say,Chesney,Big and Rich,or Cowboy Troy,on display,Don't you know.
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Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC !

Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

Dom,I envy you getting to play with Rose and the boys,The Maddox family moved from a farm in Alabama to Calif,went from picking cotton to pickin guitars,was one of my favorite groups,Don't you know.
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Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC !

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Part of, or rather SOME of the problem from where I sit, (sat) is that many of the so called local Country Artists..well..

uhhmm,,how do I say this..

They STINK !

A good kick butt Country band with a Hot Tele picker, an IN TUNE Steel player , a fine vocalist (guy or gal) maybe a Fiddle,A real BASS player , and playing at an above moderate volume..

will TEAR THE HOUSE down.

Nothing worse than going into a local dive and hearing a Hank wannabe who looks like Dwight Yokam but can't carry a tune in a bucket...

This scenario is NOT helping local Country MUSIC...

it had to be said...

Dom Franco · From: Beaverton, OR, 97007

By the time I played with Rose Maddox (in 1973) She was a solo act. I believe the "Maddox brothers" had mostly passed on. She still sang pretty good, but most of the audience and band members(at Jimbos in Fresno California) were too young to remember her from the 50's.

We played (Gulp)"Country Rock" a lot of Merle and Buck but even some Eagles and Doobie Brothers. It was a hoppin place back then... Jimbo was an old timer and brought her in for a few nights while we were the house band.

Dom

Stephanie Carta · From: Florida, USA

Ben Jones · From: Seattle, Washington, USA

Cash first became visible to alot of the younger crew when he did that covers album and covered rock, metal and punk bands like Soundgarden and Danzig.
"Oh he's that old guy that covers Rusty Cage? I love him!".

Kids will come out to CBGB's (well not anymore I guess since it closed)for Hank 3 and they'll dig the old country stuff he plays as a rowdy good time and will suddenly be turned on to people like Hank Sr., Cash, Coe, Merle etc. But i get the impression its more of a novelty thing for them and not their main musical interest.

..course I could be wrong about all that.

So is Dwight Yoakam considered country rock? I love his music dont get me wrong....but to me its like a continuation of Buck Owens..is Buck Owens country rock? I admit I just dont understand what country rock is.

P Gleespen · From: Toledo, OH USA

Stephanie Carta · From: Florida, USA

I think of Buck as laying the foundation for country rock. I guess you could call his honky tonk style 'proto country-rock'. John Einarson has interviewed just about everyone in the country rock movement who is still alive and comes to conclusion that the country rock sound comes from what the Buckaroos did, especially the Tele/Steel dual lead guitar. It's hard to imagine the Flying Burrito Brothers, Poco, Great Speckled Bird, New Riders of the Purple Sage, etc. sounding the way they did if it were not for the Buckaroos first. Anyhow, Einarson's book Deperados is the bible of country rock for me. I've always considered Dwight Yoakam to be part of country rock.
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Stephanie Carta · From: Florida, USA

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