What is "Country", exactly?

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 13 Jul 2008 6:34 pm

What you think About " Heidi Newfield's " Johnny and June. It's today's Country with my friend " Mica Roberts " touch. Or " Austin Law " with Bill Shapiro, Billy Robert,Paul Burkhart,Luke James and these Musicians Ilya Toshinsky,Wanda Vic,Jeff King,Bill Hullett,Steve Mackey,Walt Scott,John Billings,Mark Beckett,Tommy White,Shawn Pody,Russell Terrell,Nicole Witt,Randy Houser,Bob Britt,Denis Wage,Todd La Londe. This is some of Nashville new sound Musicians on most Indenpendent masters. So,this is how the story ends. You Can't blame Kenny Chesney! Sincerely in Country Music & all Styles. Leo J.Eiffert,Jr. & Thunder Country/Pigeons.

Per Kammersgaard · Post by **Per Kammersgaard** » 19 Jul 2008 9:47 pm

On the Backcover of Jennifer Lawler's book "Songs of Life: The Meaning of Country Music" she writes these clever words:

Country Music is about life....Our Lives.

Unlike rock music, which is concerned with fantasies and dreams of things we will never have and people we will never be, country music requires life experience, intelligence, and a detached sence of irony and humor to appreciate.

Country music is a literature worthy of study.

Country music is not for dummies.

PK

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 20 Jul 2008 8:49 pm

What's country music ? that's simple,DALE WATSON.and Ricky Davis.DYKBC.

Mickey Lawson · Post by **Mickey Lawson** » 21 Jul 2008 1:37 pm

Modern country is any music that has no melody, and is boring. Also sung by anyone wearing a hat or cap, and sung (?) in a false bass voice.

Joe Drivdahl · Post by **Joe Drivdahl** » 21 Jul 2008 2:12 pm

LJ Eiffert said:

What you think About " Heidi Newfield's " Johnny and June.

Well I watched the video on CMT a while ago, and I guess the song is ok. Its kind of catchy, but in my book, its not country. I suppose by today's standards it is country; I don't know how else you'd classify it, maybe "Country-Pop." I believe the equation is:

No fiddle + no steel = no country.

DYKBC of course (whatever that means... What does that mean by the way?)

Joe

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 24 Jul 2008 7:27 pm

The very word itself, COUNTRY, is where all the confusion begins.

I haven't seen a definitive definition of the word, itself, as of yet.

We have to define, and all agree I guess, just what the word "country" is; in reference to music.

You can't say this or that is "country" until we all agree on what the word "country" means.

This has yet to be defined.

After all, "country" is just a word. Like "POP" or "ROCK" or "FOLK" or "RAP" - these are loose and vague terms as well.

We're all banging our heads against the wall over a word that is loaded with all kinds of conotations; this is tough; no easy remedy here.

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 31 Jul 2008 10:37 pm

Hello Chip Fossa, there is no confusion about the word " Country " with " Music " behind it. The word Country don't need a definition,it's a style of pickin Music. Just like the words Pop,Rock,Folk,Rap,Jazz,Basque and so on. They are all a style of Music. You See,it's that most (Musicians) don't understand the true structure of beats that forms real,what some call Traditional Country which is still a standard fundamental term. Leo J.Eiffert,Jr.

Matt Dawson · Post by **Matt Dawson** » 31 Jul 2008 11:17 pm

Lynyrd Skynyrd are labelled by some as country because most of their guitar solos consist of fast, monotonous, endlessly repeated major pentatonic patterns. If their guitarists did exactly the same thing 3 frets higher they would be classified as blues rock. Comparing this tedious rubbish to the Allmans (as I have often heard) is like comparing Oasis to the Beatles.
How I love being an opinionated know-it-all

Matt

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 1 Aug 2008 5:29 pm

Hello Matt Dawson,I think if you know-it-all,than I would think you can't compare anything into something that makes me think, I've learned something from you in Europe. Now I know who you are. OPINIONATED MATT DAWSON from Europe. Sincerely in friendship on this forum,Leo J.Eiffert,Jr.

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 3 Aug 2008 11:08 am

OK, Leo...

Please define "Country", or as you say, "Country Music".

When we're talking music and genres, both terms mean the same to me.

But what is the definitive definition??

I think we'll find that there is no steadfast definition of country; country music.

Chip

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 3 Aug 2008 1:16 pm

Here Chip Fossa, If you want to insult your own intelligent interpreation of the word COUNTRY,that's Okay. But,the common sense of one's brain can understand as a true Musician what Country is to a definition. Also,if you are a real pro or not in the Music Industry,the container of self-denial is the defintion of Country Music. Just like all thses black Americans who are born here in the United States and call themself Africian- American. So,what Country are they from? That's how messed up things are by the interpreation and so what part of it you don't understand. Sincerely in Country Music & all Styles,Leo J.Eiffert,Jr.

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 3 Aug 2008 5:38 pm

Hello Chip Fossa, there is no confusion about the word " Country " with " Music " behind it. ... Here Chip Fossa, If you want to insult your own intelligent interpreation of the word COUNTRY,that's Okay.

There may be no confusion in your mind about the definition of "country music", but I assure you that there is much confusion - ambiguity - in the music biz about this. If that was not true, nobody would feel the need to continue these ponderous discussions.

Just like all thses black Americans who are born here in the United States and call themself Africian- American. So,what Country are they from? That's how messed up things are by the interpreation and so what part of it you don't understand.

If a person of African ancestry wants to call themselves African-American, they can and will. Same deal with Italian-American, Polish-American, or whatever other ethnic group you want to talk about. IMHO, this is WAY off-topic for the Steel Guitar Forum, no matter how messed up anybody thinks that is.

People can and will define and interpret these types of things whatever way they want to, based on their own world view. There is nothing you, I, or anybody else can do to enforce any "standard" for definitions like this. We can gripe and moan all we want, but this will not change.

My opinions, of course. You are free to disagree, but please don't bother to tell me I'm too stupid or unprofessional to understand what I'm saying.

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 3 Aug 2008 9:22 pm

Hello Dave Mudgett, It must have hit home with you. For some reason you feel like it you personal.Did I say your name or refer to you. Oh,that's right I forgot you're a Musician! The point is right is right and wrong is wrong and when you need to fight over a word call COUNTRY,Just like I said about Africa-American. Again,if your from Africa like some of my close friends (Uncle AL's Seafood co.) are,even they have respect to what's right. If you're a black American born here in The United States An you have no pride from being from here,that's wrong. The word American should be first with respect to one's Historical(Africa) ancestors. That's Respect to the word COUNTRY. Even if it's Music. Sincerely in respect to you and this world that reads in on us,Leo J.Eiffert,Jr.

James Cann · Post by **James Cann** » 4 Aug 2008 5:59 am

What's country music? that's simple,DALE WATSON.and Ricky Davis.

This works for me. Here's how:

What's country music? That's simple:Dale Watson and Ricky Davis (and others of the ilk).

What's "country" music (notice the quotes don't include the word music)? That's simple: Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert (and others of the ilk).

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 4 Aug 2008 1:04 pm

Leo - I didn't take anything you said as personally directed at me. But I seriously disagree with your main point, that your point of view is the only correct one, and that anybody who doesn't see it your way is, somehow, showing disrespect.

Again,if your from Africa like some of my close friends (Uncle AL's Seafood co.) are,even they have respect to what's right. If you're a black American born here in The United States An you have no pride from being from here,that's wrong. The word American should be first with respect to one's Historical(Africa) ancestors.

So you're arguing that the adjective should come after the noun? American African? Say what?! You can't seriously be arguing that someone who calls themselves African American is showing disrespect to America - are you??

Simple rules of English grammar - in English, by convention, the adjective virtually always comes before the noun being described. African American. I really think we should get off this before someone properly gets seriously annoyed. If you told me that my grandfather was disrespecting America by calling himself an "Italian American", I would definitely get annoyed.

Just the same with "country music". It's music, but it's in a style that the writer considers "country". My entire point is that the adjective "country" has different meaning for different people. We need to get over it - nobody here is going to convince the country music power structure that Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, and Kenny Chesney aren't "country music".

Y'all don't have to agree, but to sit here and laboriously argue this point ad infinitum, ad nauseum is what I call "making your point the hard way". Which is what it feels like I'm doing here, so I'll bow out now.

Terry Edwards · Post by **Terry Edwards** » 12 Aug 2008 2:52 pm

The original posted question was (I think) "what is country music, exactly?"

Well, country music is not really an EXACT music , is it?

So, the question is an impossible question.

Now, if the question is -- what is country music, in our opinion (not exactly)?

Now everybody is entitled to their definition!

...we all win...

Yay!

T

(country music is rural americana soul...among other things)

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 12 Aug 2008 4:38 pm

What is country music exactly? "not exactly"