<SMALL>They have taken it so far that if you go out today and buy the new Lonestar record you won't even get the country version of amazed. They have replaced it with the retro-pop version. What is that all about? This is what I have seen from my experiences from inside the industry.</SMALL>
Jeremy, this upsets me greatly. I don't care what Richie thinks, I can't see how this will breed long term country fans.
Jeremy,Your answer makes my point.Country is Country,It's not Pop,Rock, Classical.It's had it's own identity until the Felons on music row came to town.Even their statements "Too Country"have spead to the rock jocks and PD's who think Ernest Tubb was a plumber.I guess the way to elimate "too Country"is to make it pop. Maybe that's why Barbara Mandrell quit because country ain't cool anymore.Now there was a real Country act. Fear not BJ Thomas is on his way.Meanwhile; "somewhere out in Texas,there dancin to a Country song.
I loved Barbara also. BUT, think about those songs within the context of this narrow fiddle and steel definition of what's country! Let me see, Bugers and Fries and Cherry Pies, You Can Eat Crackers In My Bed Any Time, Woman To Woman, etc. Not a lot different than Shania, Faith et al! But its country.
Last summer I attended a wedding reception that had a great "rock/beach" band. I learned a lot from them. The crowd was mixed with people of all ages. I'm not much of a listener of rock or beach music, but I knew every song they played, and so did most of the crowd. They didn't play a new song the whole evening. Everybody there had a blast and once the dancing started the floor was full most of the time.
I took every song on my band's list out that wasn't a well known country standard and added even more or them. That along with a couple of "old time rock songs" is now our program and it had been received better than befor.
Most of us are playing to entertain local crowds. One thing they like is familiarity. So, I'm leaving the NCS to the radio and playing what we do best, and our crowds like. When Alan and George bring back old standards, we'll add them too. Otherwise, there's enough good old stuff to keep us busy.
Making money is a person's own business. If former country singers want to go Pop, well it's a free country. What gets me though is that "country music" radio stations still play their music because of the singers name. I thought that it was a radio station not an artist station. Play the country music on the country music stations and if people want to hear the Pop versions, they can tune into the Pop stations.
I was talking to someone about this subject last night and he said to me: Country is not crossing over to pop, pop is being played on country stations (the little market). I think he is right. Jeremy Moyers is a wonderful player, too bad he wasn't around 30 years ago. I feel for the young players that missed the D.J. conventions and the 24/7 jam sessions and Sho-Bud guitar co. They missed working with out monitors, or soundmen, or tour managers. They missed knowing exactly who their boss is, (the one who's name is on the front of the bus), and riding the same bus with the STAR. They missed getting to see Buddy Emmons and Jimmy Day play together at a club, they missed the Curly Chalker Trio in Printers Alley 6 nights a week, and Curly and Hal Rugg locking horns at Possum Holler. They have missed Jim Vest and the Nashville cats, and Paul Franklin, Phil Baugh and Thumbs Carlyle all playing in the same band,and hearing Lloyd Green amaze us with a intro. They missed Julian Tharpe and Buddy Charlton with his own crowd at the E.T. record shop. How about Hal Rugg, Weldon Myrick and Sonny Burnette, the steel guitars of the Grand Ole Opry. Big Jim Murphy with Carl Smith, and Gabes lounge, The Wheel and Deemens Den. And most of all, they missed Shot Jackson and Little Roy and Jerry Byrd. Where is that time machine? I want some more.
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"Music, a gift from God.
Musicians, God's gift
givers"
Johnny "Dumplin" Cox
Zumsteel D10/11
I would do anything to be able to go back to those times and just be a fly on the wall for a few days. Those are the stories that I heard from my dad and grandad while I was growing up and really fantasized about. Now there are alot of great players in town but it doesn't seem to be the same. That is why I get such a kick out of hanging out at Bobbe's shop and hearing alot of the stories (true or not) that alot of the guys that were around back then tell, or playing the Opry and being around you guys that I have always had a great respect for. When I first moved to Nashville I lived at Gabes, Ron Sweet played there and Big Murph was the steel man. I was in heaven. That was only three years ago and now I can't find anywhere like that in town. (Although I hear you have a hot group that plays Mondays. I'll have to go check it out.) I guess all the younger players can do is keep hanging out and listening to the stories and learn all we can from anyone that has the time to share a little.
Jeremy <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jeremy Moyers on 29 March 2000 at 08:26 PM.]</p></FONT>
Maybe that's why Barbara Mandrell quit because country ain't cool anymore.Now there was a real Country act. 
