Will True Country Music Make A Comeback Without Deviations?

Ulrich Sinn · Post by **Ulrich Sinn** » 17 Jun 2014 1:32 pm

I remember seeing a documentary (Ken Burns?) that described a movement of country music similar to the blues. The blues moved to the industrial north and country music moved south to the oil rigs, each one from rural areas.

Both types of music all of a sudden found themselves in need of playing louder in honkytonks and speakeasies becoming dance music, and that's how the Blues and Country got electrified.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 17 Jun 2014 5:10 pm

For my listening pleasure, the pedal steel guitar is set apart from other stringed instruments. DIERKS BENTLEY and HARLEY ALLEN were recorded as a duet singing "I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby". The LOUVIN BROTHERS quite often opened their shows singing that song. The steel guitar is missing in that particular recording. What a shame to exclude
the instrument from recordings that help to promote a wider range of interest in country music.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 18 Jun 2014 7:33 am

The steel guitar is missing in that particular recording. What a shame to exclude
the instrument from recordings that help to promote a wider range of interest in country music.

Bill, I don't believe the Louvin Brothers intentionally excluded the steel guitar from that or any other recordings of theirs.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 18 Jun 2014 8:17 am

I read that as steel was missing from the Bentley/Allen version.
The Louvins didn't record much (if any. I don't recall a single Louvin Brothers song with steel) with steel. I think most of their records were Ira, Charlie and Chet Atkins. Not sure if they used bass or drums.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 18 Jun 2014 8:19 am

In the same way that Bruno Mars and numerous other young Pop stars have used the style and look of old Soul performers, the same will be done eventually with Country music. It's never going back to the way it was. Ever. Get used to it and do your part to make tomorrow's music better.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 18 Jun 2014 9:48 am

I think most of their records were Ira, Charlie and Chet Atkins.

I believe the vast majority of their early recordings featured guitarist Paul Yandell.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 18 Jun 2014 9:53 am

That is correct, Barry.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 18 Jun 2014 10:32 am

PAUL YANDELL who passed away recently was CHET'S right arm. More often than not he could be found wherever CHET was playing a major performance. I attended their show at SPRINGSIDE PARK in WESTFIELD, MA back in 1985. The LOUVIN BROTHERS performed as part of a country music show in GREAT BARRINGTON, MA circa 1962. PAUL YANDELL was playing "ATKINS STYLE" guitar going back in time for IRA and CHARLIE.

When IRA and CHARLIE split, it may have occurred to IRA to record with the steel guitar. Perhaps others on this forum are better informed about such transitions. I know the steel can be heard on IRA'S recording entitled "THE BOTTOM OF THE BOTTLE".

DIERKS BENTLEY'S duet with HARLEY ALLEN singing "I DON'T BELIEVE YOU MET MY BABY" features great harmonies, plus acoustic guitar picking at its finest, but.. no pedal steel to be heard.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 18 Jun 2014 2:13 pm

I tried to play Ira's self-penned song without success. The song called "The Bottle" or "Bottom Of The Bottle" is no longer available without getting involved in unrequested red tape. Please correct me if I'm missing the point.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 18 Jun 2014 2:52 pm

Bill, that song is available all over the place. Red tape? What are you talking about?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001IB ... dm_dp_trk4

Bob Ricker · Post by **Bob Ricker** » 18 Jun 2014 3:02 pm

The song "Bottom of the Bottle" is on itunes and you can get the CD or tape on ebay.

I'm not following on your red tape comment, unless you mean mechanical Licensing, then just talk to the publisher. Info say's his wife Anne wrote and sung on the side.

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 18 Jun 2014 3:03 pm

Lee Baucum wrote:Who gets to define "true country music"?

Who gets to define "true country music"?

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 18 Jun 2014 3:10 pm

Barry,

I was able to pull up Ira's recording some time ago. I went to your link and the same "sign in" requests came up. What's going on? I am confident that you are mistaken about "free viewing" of the recording. Are we on the same wavelength?

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 18 Jun 2014 3:51 pm

Bob Ricker,

As far as I know, Ira's "BOTTOM OF THE BOTTLE" was not a big hit recording back in the 60's. I was just exploring to learn more about his support musicians; particularly the steel guitar. That particular recording would not keep me feeding the jukebox to "hear a thousand times." Furthermore, I'm not aware that he recorded the song as a duet. Thanks for your interesting comments.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 18 Jun 2014 4:01 pm

One thing of notice. All the talk about Country music gone and that's whose fault? Recently Vince Gill and Paul Franklin released a CD that is loaded with great singing, Songs and plenty of great steel Guitar and it' all Country. Just listen to Vince sing Hags "I can't be myself" and Paul's Together again solo those two songs by themselves are worth the purchase. Want to send a message help the sales go over the top.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 18 Jun 2014 5:14 pm

Joe,

Did you catch AMBER DIGBY'S guest appearance on THE "TIME JUMPER'S SHOW" as she sang the old GEORGE JONES recording called "YOU'RE STILL ON MY MIND"? What an opportunity to broaden the scope of distinction in country music. That song commands a special tempo, if you get my drift.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 18 Jun 2014 8:50 pm

I am confident that you are mistaken about "free viewing" of the recording.

Try this one, Billâ€¦
http://www.freemp3on.com/492599461354/I ... -free.html

Alan Tanner · Post by **Alan Tanner** » 19 Jun 2014 2:34 am

I believe it is gone and what is left is slowly dieing a painful death. Around this area, back when manufacturing was king, automotive components, GM truck plant, Frigidaire,National Cash Register,etc and all the support shops that went with it, there was a three, four, or five piece band in almost every bar, honky tonk, and night club in the area. Now, only two or three remain. LOTS of karaoke, where folks with no talent and no hope of ever getting up in front of an audience, can get likkered up with confidence and screech their way to fleeting fame in front of an audience who is also heavily sedated so they can stand it, and cheer on the unsuspecting victim. A few afternoon shows around that cater to the older folks. Lunch, home while still daylight, etc. These gatherings are more social than musical.I have watched as crowds, and musicians, slowly grow less and less, and also older. Our local steel guitar show, while pretty well attended, draws NO ONE under 50. (well, maybe one or two) Almost none of the bands trying to work sport a steel guitar, save a couple. Some enterprising folks have tried to rejuvenate an old night club here and a sit down thing in an old theater. Not much luck I think and not too well attended. I think the future for country music in this area is dim....and will never return as society changes from being social, to a cell phone/facebook society......

Geoff Noble · Post by **Geoff Noble** » 19 Jun 2014 3:40 am

Will True Country Music Make A Comeback Without Deviations?

Is this really the question or should it be - What happens to the Pedal Steel if it doesn't?

I like some country music but it's not where I come from, more of a blues man. I do love the Pedal Steel though.

I don't think any genre ever really makes a comeback that is true to the original, you might get something that "sounds like" but inevitably it is an imitation of the original.

My view is that any real music movement is based on what people want to listen to, not what musicians or producers want people to listen to. The "original" country music movement I think you are referring to, (I'm no expert!), probably came from the people who listened to it and could relate it to their everyday lives. The musicians were exploring new areas and were innovative in their approach.

If country is to become popular again then it needs to relate to the lives of ordinary people as they are now, not 40-50 years ago.

Is anyone actually writing new material or is everybody just happy to play covers of songs that were written decades ago. Together Again is a great song, but how many cover versions can you listen to or play without thinking, time for something new.

I have been out in supermarkets / stores (UK) and heard pop songs being played over the Tannoy, on some I have heard Pedal Steel being played in the background, nothing fancy, they just want that sound!

I think there is definitely a future for the PS, but it may not be in Country Music, or Country Music as defined 40-50 years ago, any new interest in Country Music has to come because people want to go out and listen to it.

Just my two new pence worth

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 19 Jun 2014 5:47 am

Geoff,

You may have difficulty enjoying country music if you've never experienced at least some of the lifestyles that songwriters write about. Jerry Reed for example recorded a song about the "GOLD MINE AND THE SHAFT". It makes the listener assume that he got the "short end of things". Country music evolved in America, I believe, during the later period of the 19th century. A few recording artists recorded a song called "I DREAMED OF AN OLD LOVE AFFAIR" during days of Fords and Chevrolets. DOTTIE WEST'S recording is a good example of from the heart country music. LORETTA LYNN outran carrying well water when she rode away in "MOONEY'S" jeep. The great need for meager wages to survive was common when LORETTA was a child. There is a definite correlation between lifestyles and country music.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 19 Jun 2014 5:57 am

You could liken this exodus to the way black artists moved away from the Blues. As times progressed and people became more cosmopolitan, they didn't want to be perceived as backwoods anymore. I've also heard this sentiment from artists in the past regarding country music.

Just an observation, it may or may not be true. But it is all about commercialism and making money in a shrinking world, where generic products continue to sell. These artists are giving the people what they think they want.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 19 Jun 2014 8:11 am

Mike,

The best slogan that comes to my mind reads; "one man's JUNK can be another's TREASURES. Many millions of dollars worth of collectibles are lost forever, due to a similar frame of mind found in many who prefer to assume a dog in the manger attitude.

Geoff Noble · Post by **Geoff Noble** » 19 Jun 2014 8:57 am

Bill Hankey wrote:Geoff,

You may have difficulty enjoying country music if you've never experienced at least some of the lifestyles that songwriters write about.

Hi Bill,

I do enjoy a lot of country music, it's just never been my main thing, I can certainly appreciate the skill and musicianship that goes into making it.

I understand what you are saying and in a roundabout way, I think that's part of the point I was trying to make. Country music came from the people and was popular because people could relate it to their own lives on a local level. Times change and perhaps today's youth can't relate to it, or see it as being old fashioned.

I live in Scotland and we have a long established musical heritage of music which is not dissimilar in a lot of ways from US Country music, in fact a lot of American Country probably has it's roots in Scottish, Irish and English traditional music, (as well as other influences).

Around about 1960-70 a lot of mainstream Scottish music became "old fashioned" here mainly because of the commercial tartan rubbish we got on TV. However, a lot of younger musicians took traditional Scottish music, "modernised" it and made it popular with the younger generation. Silly Wizard with Johnny Cunninghum on fiddle and Phil Cunninghum on Accordian being a good example.

Nowadays Ceilidh music has had a big resurgence, because there is nothing like a good shindig

I think what I am trying to say is, that if Country music is to remain popular or regain popularity, it needs good new material that younger people can relate to and want to go out and listen/dance to.

As for the Pedal Steel, it'll never die, it's just sounds too beautiful and people love to hear it, whether it's Country or otherwise

Fred Glave · Post by **Fred Glave** » 19 Jun 2014 10:45 am

Part of it is that even though the steel has a great sound, the player and the instrument don't typically exhibit the same type of visuals and stage presence that a 6 stringer can. A 6 string guitar player can dance and jump and sway when they're playing. Now days it's about being a rock star. The audiences (for the most part) are not able to pick up on the finer points of music.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 19 Jun 2014 11:00 am

Geoff,

I've been amply engrossed for some time observing an assortment of bad habits acquired by motorists here in America. The late LEIGH HOWELL moved to SCOTLAND a few years back in time. He was well thought of here in Western Massachusetts. What he didn't know about country music, probably wasn't worth knowing. He could lead a band with the best around NEW ENGLAND. He was always the perfect gentleman. No doubt you were just miles apart while he lived there in SCOTLAND.