Midwest Country Show/What a Joke

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 25 Sep 2012 11:29 am

Dave: Amateur show? It seems way below that, to me. Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour was an amateur show ON a network. ...

Bill, what I saw the few times I caught it was more like the local/regional amateur shows like the one in Boston I mentioned, not the Ted Mack Amateur Hour, which was a very high-profile, national, major-network show closer to Ed Sullivan than Community Auditions. Those regional shows served a purpose and were entertaining for their local/regional market. This show is nationally syndicated, but it's still basically a midwest regional country music show, much more in line with those regional amateur shows.

I just think it would be good if producers of a show like this would really try to get the very best singers they can. It's really an opportunity, don't take my comments as a slam. I've played with plenty of basically amateur and semi-pro singers at jams and other things here in Central PA. Some are real good singers, some not so good. I don't mind playing either way, but I might think twice before presenting some of them on a nationally syndicated show like this. Not everything translates well to this situation.

And you think Hoda and Kathie Lee is class TV??????

For the record, general broadcast TV has gotten so bad, to my tastes, that I almost completely ignore it except news and old cinema. Same with radio. It's almost all pathetic, to me. Unless I see something of real quality, I don't see any reason to waste my time. So it's no real skin off my nose whether or not anybody makes quality music TV shows, and I don't have any strong feelings about this show. But again, from what I've seen, it seems like a missed opportunity to me. There are some good players, why not find some real good singers to showcase? They're out there, really.

Frank Freniere · Post by **Frank Freniere** » 25 Sep 2012 1:53 pm

Dave Mudgett wrote:... this reminds me of amateur shows I used to see growing up - most major TV markets had them. In Boston, where I grew up, it was called "Community Auditions".

Sponsored by Community Opticians!

Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 25 Sep 2012 3:10 pm

I like that show...I watch it whenever I get a chance.

Bill Fisher · Post by **Bill Fisher** » 25 Sep 2012 6:19 pm

Yes, Dave, it IS an opportunity. But it seems no one on Midwest Country takes it that way. As stated in my earlier post, I would think these people would strive to get better; to find the center of the note. They just get up there and sing like it was a birthday party, and then advertise their CD for sale. Just listen to the show next Saturday, and then wait 6 months when they appear again, and it will be the same old crap. Off-key singing. Not only that, RFD-TV takes a bunch of them up to their theater in Branson. It doesn't get any better there, either. Sounds like another birthday party. One thing for certain: me, and WC, do agree.

Bill

Carl Kilmer · Post by **Carl Kilmer** » 26 Sep 2012 4:42 am

I watched part of it for the first time in months last
Saturday. I did like the family group that was on, even
thou they didn't have a steel player. They're a lot better
than Maggie or Branson on the road. It could be worse.
If they took it off the air, they'd replace it with another
horse show or auction. Then we'd have nothing at all.

Leigh Howell · Post by **Leigh Howell** » 26 Sep 2012 10:43 am

Bill. Yes I am retired now, and sing in my music room mostly except for a few gigs in nursing homes etc. We do have some tv shows that feature country. Classic country mostly.Along with Irish songs. I'm suprised with Irish country bands! They have some great musicians, and you can tell they have listend to Buddy Emmons, LLoyd Green, Weldon Myrick, and a lot of the other top steel pickers!They have a tv show from way up North in the Highlands that feature country, and they do a lot of American covers. Some of the singers use tracks. Pretty laid back affair, and some of the bands and singers leave a lot to be disired! Hope all is well in your world!!----Leigh

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 27 Sep 2012 1:50 am

Bill Fisher you made one true statement.."You don't have to watch it"..Case closed..

Bill Fisher · Post by **Bill Fisher** » 27 Sep 2012 4:07 pm

Yes, Joe, I don't have to watch it. But I would like the hour donated to something that would be worth seeing, and hearing.

Bill

Alan Tanner · Post by **Alan Tanner** » 28 Sep 2012 2:14 am

True, we don't have to watch it. But until we completely lose our right to free speech, we CAN comment on it.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 28 Sep 2012 7:51 am

Hey free speech is great,I always support it..Its not totally free tho..Someone had to pay for it..But opinions vary..Mine isn't the one that matters.Nor is yours..On both sides of the coin its the support they get that keeps the show on..You don't have to act like because you don't like the show its terrible..Its not a show thats is up for any awards..But it is a last bastian of a dying genre..If you look at the audience age they are all senior citizens exersizing their rights to Freedom of choice and expression..I believe that also falls under the Free Speech triad.... That is local produced barely budgeted show by people who love doing it..Not much else to do up there but cut wood,fish ,hunt and keep warm..Ain't this a great Country..As I said Opinions vary..mine is live and let live..

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 28 Sep 2012 9:27 am

quote: "Just saw some old woman trying to sing" unquote.

A profound observation. The day is coming soon when you are "some old man" trying to sing or play steel.

Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 28 Sep 2012 9:49 am

...VERY soon...

Bill Fisher · Post by **Bill Fisher** » 28 Sep 2012 9:56 am

Hey, Joe: "Live and let live"; a fantastic Wiley Walker, and Gene Sullivan song. Thanks for bringing back memories.

Bill

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 28 Sep 2012 11:22 am

I thought I was the only person still alive who could remember Wiley & Gene (Get up and feed the chickens or ma will raise the dickens)....and their signature song "When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again".

Alan Tanner · Post by **Alan Tanner** » 28 Sep 2012 12:20 pm

So then I guess the "case" was NOT "closed" as advertised??

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 28 Sep 2012 12:43 pm

Bill Fisher · Post by **Bill Fisher** » 28 Sep 2012 3:48 pm

Hi, Gene: WKY - 7:15 A.M. Weekdays - Superior Feeds. Years ago. Wiley, and Gene.

I'll never forget that. I really enjoyed them.

Bill

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 29 Sep 2012 1:27 pm

After giving it some thought,The RFD show is far better than the [NOT SO GRAND] opry in Nashwood Tenn.At least the RFD bunch are REAL people giving it their best at REAL country [good or bad]at least they are honest,unlike the hollyweird rock and roll burlesque show camouflaged as COUNTRY on the so-called opry.YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

Jim Hartley · Post by **Jim Hartley** » 29 Sep 2012 4:10 pm

Charles,
I tend to agree with you about alot of the new "country", but that's a pretty wide brush you're painting with. There is still quite a bit of traditional country music on the Opry. I know Mr. Roy would not approve of many of the acts, but again, there is still alot of the traditional stuff.

Joe Naylor · Post by **Joe Naylor** » 29 Sep 2012 7:32 pm

I remember WKY - 7:15 A.M. Weekdays - Superior Feeds. Years ago. Wiley, and Gene.

I also remember Wiley & Gene (Get up and feed the chickens or ma will raise the dickens)....and their signature song "When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again".

You do not have a patent or copyright on those memeries

Two kinds of people in the world Okies and people that wished they were.

Joe Naylor
www.steelseat.com

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 3 Oct 2012 9:53 am

Thanks Joe.

Wiley Walker is buried next to my dad in the little cemetary at Willow,Oklahoma, and I was the on-call steel player at Gene Sullivan's studio for several years thereafter.

Bill Howard · Post by **Bill Howard** » 4 Aug 2013 12:44 pm

[quote="Charles Davidson"]After giving it some thought,The RFD show is far better than the [NOT SO GRAND] opry in Nashwood Tenn.At least the RFD bunch are REAL people giving it their best at REAL country [good or bad]at least they are honest,unlike the hollyweird rock and roll burlesque show camouflaged as COUNTRY on the so-called opry.YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

Charles I totally agree with you but sme of thse people remind me of a customer I once had,He got a box with the wrong part in form my shop,I offered to drive the correct part to him, NO I will come get it,so I offered him gas money no,He only wanted to Bi--h nothing more offered to kill the employee tat put wrong part in box,,,,:)...not really but he only wanted to gripe....Midwest Country?? any Country Music is better than SLOP wannabe country I like the shw I also played for David Church and david had a LOT OF FANS! around the country

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 5 Aug 2013 5:45 am

We lost Leigh Howell recently and man that guy could sing. leigh is in the Rockabilly Hall of fame and was an Artist on LIL darling records along with Paycheck and Lloyd is the steeler on his records. Leigh lived in New England for years and was a Legend in the area. I always loved his attitude he never looked down on anyone. We shared bandstands many times. As far as the Midwest Country show, What your all missing is look at the audience. They are happy,they are enjoying the show. They have a place to go, they are entertained. There are many on here that post that would probably embarrass themselves trying to be as good as those that appear on the show. If one feels the show isn't good enough for him to watch then by all means let us hear the difference. Post some of your stuff so we can judge. I'm sure Midwest would welcome you with open arms.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 5 Aug 2013 8:15 am

If one feels the show isn't good enough for him to watch then by all means let us hear the difference.

C'mon, Joe. Surely you can hear it for yourself without anybody having to prove anything.
The show does have some redeeming qualities, but far too few to make it watchable.

Bill Fisher · Post by **Bill Fisher** » 5 Aug 2013 9:52 am

Yes, Joe. If the audience is happy, that's great. They can enjoy the misery, and have a place to go. However, it would sure be nice if they would turn off the cameras so the rest of us wouldn't have to suffer.

Bill

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Midwest Country Show/What a Joke

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