The so-called 'Grand Old Opry'

Paul Redmond · Post by **Paul Redmond** » 3 Jun 2007 2:55 am

We are constantly being bombarded with WSM's perceived concept of what true country music is via their strangle-hold on the airwaves in the form of the 'Grand Old Opry' on Saturday nights. As a die-hard COUNTRY musician I find their pathetic attempts at conversion revolting. I don't have to elaborate much on this subject as all of you 'true' country musicians have suffered under the fallout in one way or another. The garbage that is being pumped out over the airwaves all across America under the guise of 'country' music should and must be halted in its tracks. When was the last time you heard a Buck Owens or Ray Price or Webb Pierce song on your AM radio?? Or FM radio?? Send the message to them loud and clear that country America is fed up with the slam-bam-thank-you-ma'am assembly-line Wall Street junk that's presently being purveyed and shoved down our collective throats and just maybe it'll stop, or at the very least, be roped into control. Y'all get what you ask for and if they think that what you hear is what you want to hear, they'll keep churning out this fecal matter forever. Stand up America. OUR music is being systematically eliminated from the face of this globe and we're on the sidelines watching it all happen. The telephone, like the Lord, works in strange and mysterious ways!!
PRR

Ernie Pollock · Post by **Ernie Pollock** » 3 Jun 2007 4:08 am

Paul, thanks for saying what many of us have been thinking for the past 15 or so years, where is the real country music at??

Ernie

T. C. Furlong · Post by **T. C. Furlong** » 3 Jun 2007 4:31 am

Don't hold back Paul. Tell us how you really feel.

Sorry for the snide comment, I couldn't resist. Seriously, I understand what you are saying and I understand why you are fired up. It's inevitable that the buyers of country music will drive the record industry and the programming on country radio. The buyers of modern country want rock and non-traditional music. I call them buyers of music, but they are also buyers of products that advertisers want to reach. Ford doesn't want to reach you and me Paul. They want their brand to be cemented in the brain of a 25 year old who will be buying pickup trucks for forty years to come.

In the eighties, country was for the most part middle-of-the-road pop drivel. At least there is a modicum of traditional country with artists like Gretchen Wilson. There are ways to get a nice fix of traditional country. One is to subscribe to satellite radio. I have XM Radio and I enjoy Willie's Place (Channel 13) which is all traditional country. I guess I take a "glass is half full" perspective.

It is interesting that a time-honored institution like the Grand Ole Opry is having less and less Ole in the music. I think they answer to their customers. Advertisers.

By the way Paul. For years, I have wanted to come out and hear you play. If you would, please send me an email and let me know where you are playing. Thanks,
TC

John Coffman · Post by **John Coffman** » 3 Jun 2007 6:07 am

I too am a country & western fan. Sadly the GOO and main stream radio really does not care what we think. There job is to sell advertising. Nothing else. They shoot for a target market. The only way you get there attention is to stop buying the products. The companies have to move the product. I have already sent emails and a few phone calls to companies who advertise on the GOO. I do not wish to hurt the companies but it the only way to get there attention.

If you really want to change the GOO hit them where it hurts that by contacting the advertisers. Enough phone calls to advertisers and problem will be solved. We can complain all we want but if you want to change things take a few minutes and send a few emails or phone calls. Be polite and state your case. I love Parnells old country sauage and GOO Goo's but have not purchased any for about a year.

I really do not want the artist to be hurt by this but we can put up or shut up. Operators are standing by. God Bless

Michael Douchette · Post by **Michael Douchette** » 3 Jun 2007 6:34 am

Paul, I respect your position, and I understand it completely. However, we have to come to terms with reality. Buck and Webb are dead. So are Elvis, and Buddy Holly, and Waylon. No one is recording those styles anymore, either. They are conerstones of music, and will always have their place, and get played somewhere, but they are not going to be what's played on a constant rotation.

The blacksmith said, "I ain't ridin' in one of those fancy new mo-chines with no horse on it. Look here, I'm still making new horseshoes, and most folks are gonna need these forever." Didn't happen. Horses still exist, and they need shoes, but the market is not what it used to be.

When I started doing sessions here in Nashville back in the '70's, a lot of the guys we call studio legends now were complaining about how the music was just changing, nobody's playing the way they used to, where's the real thing... and then they'd plug in their phase shifters and flangers and compressors and choruses, and turn on the red light. It's strange how opaque the glass can be when we're the ones staring into it. I refuse to become one of the "old curmudgeons" sitting there with no work, griping and moaning while I try to make my horseshoes shiny.

Times change; hold on to what you love dearly, but try to find value in the changing winds, as well. If it's not there, don't worry. There will be something that will have it; you just have to keep looking and listening.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 3 Jun 2007 6:45 am

from the road in Midland, Texas...

Michael, very well put. Excellent analogies.

Scott Henderson · Post by **Scott Henderson** » 3 Jun 2007 6:49 am

I agree with Micheal... A point to ponder. How often do you hear a new country shuffle. Don't hear to many. If you want to increase your market you have to keep your product updated. I love the old stuff dearly but I would also love new songs in the same style. Traditional songs didn't die with Harlen Howard so why can't we right new stuff, market it our selves and give new life to our music. Then comes the hard part as a few threads have all ready said. We gotta sell it. Or do we? I'm not knocking Nashville. They're just following a business plan based on trends as they have done for years. (Just like pop,rock, etc) But with the internet is Nashville as neccessary as it used to be for our genre? Sure is some good stuff coming out of Texas, for example. I too understand your frustration but when you get frustrated you can either take steps to change or simply put up with the nagging pain in your...
Just my thoughts.

John Coffman · Post by **John Coffman** » 3 Jun 2007 7:09 am

I for one embrace change. My point is if they want to create new stuff great not a problem. Call it alt country or southern country rock and so on. I think of country as a wide specturm. There is a place for all. If it's country play country, if it something else like southern country rock state it and play it. Just do not take rap, crap, and heavy disorted 6 string guitar and call it country. I know not all music fits into a nice little box. The GOO is billed as a country and western show. Hints Riders in the sky etc.

Too the point and I am speaking for myself here. If it's country play country, jazz play jazz. Do not put a label as Country music Awards and 2/3rd of the show is more rock than country.

I for one have only listened to very little main stream stations for over 2 years. XM radio were they state what it is and stick closely to it. 170 channels I find it nice to be able to choose.

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 3 Jun 2007 8:47 am

Everyone who knows me knows that I am a fan of traditional country music. When traditional country started fading, as Michael said, I could have sit at home and griped about it, but I chose to roll with the flow and keep working. I have done gigs where the drummer played the same beat 2/4 to every song no 4/4, no 6/8, all the same. Didn't know what a "shuffle beat" was.Not a single 3/4 song on the set list. The rest of the band wasn't too bad, but it sure wasn't country. As John said, the music should be call what it is. Half country, half rock, or CROCK. Jody.

Ron ! · Post by **Ron !** » 3 Jun 2007 9:24 am

I agree with Micheal for the full 100%.There is a time of lettin' go.I said in many posts that the time has come to move on and let the newer generation show us what they can and want.(and a lot of people don't like me for that)
I didn't say that it's right to kick the traditional country in the corner,how ever,we cannot dwell on the old fashioned country.He or she that love the old fashioned C&W will always stay with that.There is so much material in that section that it will last us for ages.
Many people that play gigs can vouch for this.Here in Pennsylvania it is hard to find a good paying gig because of all these D.U.I's.Most people buy a record or CD when they want to hear country music the old style.
I for one love the old country music(my wife and I still record that every day) but I am willing to step aside and let the newer generation step up and show what they can and want.I will not quit playing how ever;because there is always work for the older generation.
Take a look at the Beatles ....they will never fade....and they influenced a lot of bands.The rock and Roll era and the pop music era can still be found in today's music.Country will have that to.Brad Paisley,Toby Keith etc etc are a good example.
They will influence the newer generation.

Ron

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 3 Jun 2007 9:59 am

As long as Tommy White is on the staff, count me in!!
Music is music if it is performed well.
Jerry

Mike Archer · Post by **Mike Archer** » 3 Jun 2007 10:29 am

no goo for me unless they include
real country also and way more of it
i know young country is the thing now
but dont shut the real stuff out
ive played the goo several times
and i enjoy tommy white and all the players
and i know they dont get a say in what is played
i support them but not the new way of the powers that be i play as much as my health will allow
and NO i dont have to change with every new thing that comes along.... but i will play what im asked to play lucky for me its the real deal!!

all IMHO

Bo Legg · Post by **Bo Legg** » 3 Jun 2007 10:37 am

I agree with Michael Douchette and I've found within my limited realm of possibilities if I want to make a living playing steel I have to show up with my Fuzz Box and leave my country crying steel licks at home with my Banjo.

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 3 Jun 2007 10:57 am

OK, here is my take on the "new country". I love the old standards, shuffles and good old 3 chord country songs. I have played an unrehearsed "Opry" type show as staff band steeler for 15 years and I find that I can coast thru the old stuff without even giving it much thought but I have found that when a young artist comes on stage with some of the more modern country it is much harder to play without preparation. Lucky for me my son, Jerry Jr. our lead guitar player has spent time listening to and playing the new stuff and when someone comes up with some of the new stuff I find it necessary to lean on Jr. to lead the way. Generally, the newer country has a chord progression that is not that easy to anticipate. In short, for me the new country is much harder to do justice to without charts and an ability to read them on the fly. I admire Tommy very much for his ability to handle anything they throw at him in an "Opry" performance. Likewise, guys like Paul Franklin are putting out some great playing on sessions that call for getting it done in a short timeframe. My main complaint is that I never see a "homely" looking new star. It seems that only the pretty people get a shot and talent is no longer the most important attribute.
Jerry

Gary Atkinson · Post by **Gary Atkinson** » 3 Jun 2007 11:11 am

If you would like some country 4/4 shuffle songs check out Keith Hilton's web sight. A new CD with all new songs done the old way called "Staring at the moon". You will not be disappointed.It has the twin fiddles,tic-tac bass,steel and a good shuffle rhythm. There are song clip available.
Gary A.

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 3 Jun 2007 11:12 am

I also agree with Mike, for me it's useless to complain about something that I certainly can't change. I have stopped being interested in mainstream and hitparade country quite a while ago, it is simply a waste of time for me to listen to something that does not meet my personal definition of country music.

For me, there is still so much old material to discover, things that I have never heard before, enough to keep me busy for a lifetime. Also, the new stuff put out by Justin Trevino, Jake Hooker, Amber Digby,...proves that this kind of music is still alive, not in the mainstream, but that doesn't make a difference for me.

Kind Regards, Walter

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 3 Jun 2007 11:49 am

Keeping current is always a positive when looking for a job today!:) Knowing how to play the traditional Country doesn't hurt either!:)

Bill Myrick · Post by **Bill Myrick** » 3 Jun 2007 1:15 pm

I have the same feelings Jerry does about the modern country---gotta be purty ta look at fer starters----Hey Jerry---just a thought---can you rig that Blue Baby you're workin on to follow the late stuff by it's self ??? -

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 3 Jun 2007 1:56 pm

music + business = youth, skin

music + business + time = change

music + flexibility = work

I like the old stuff too. Most PLAYERS do. But the PUBLIC is who hires us.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 3 Jun 2007 2:28 pm

The Mexicans have a saying... "that which cannot be changed must be endured."

... Willie Nelson in Barbarossa.

Luke Morell · Post by **Luke Morell** » 3 Jun 2007 2:32 pm

As Justin Tubb says in the song "What's Wrong With The Way That We're Doing It Now" , part of the song says "they tell me from now on the word is progressive, but I won't sell out for a song". I beleive we need to tell them if you call yourself country, sound country. If you want sound like rock music take it somewhere else, and leave country alone.

Dave Todd · Post by **Dave Todd** » 3 Jun 2007 2:48 pm

Well.......

I guess I'll go listen to Rascal Flatts again.......

Dave

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 3 Jun 2007 3:14 pm

Rascal Flatts have always used steel and carry one in the band. You can't diss them for that.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 3 Jun 2007 3:32 pm

Michael Douchette wrote:...Elvis, Buddy Holly, and Waylon.... are dead. No one is recording those styles anymore.... They are conerstones of music, and will always have their place, and get played somewhere.....

Yes, in my den. I refuse to move out of the 50s.

Bobby Caldwell · Post by **Bobby Caldwell** » 3 Jun 2007 3:52 pm

I really like what I have been hearing out of Teaxs as for as country music the last few years. I guess I always liked the Texas feel for music now that I think about it. Nashville has lost the sound I want to hear. Thank GOD for Texas and my old records. I can put on the "Big E", JImmy Day, Jimmy Crawford, Jerry Byrd . Little Roy, Speedy and all the other greats when ever I want to hear it the way it should be. I am so glad I lived in a time when the greats were at the top of their game. What joy their music brings to my ears. Bless them all. Bobby

The Steel Guitar Forum

The so-called 'Grand Old Opry'

The so-called 'Grand Old Opry'

Thanks Paul!!

GOO