Why is Chesney classified as country?

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 14 Jun 2008 6:49 am

Theresa Galbraith wrote:I'm convinced you guys hate everything current. No matter what, nothing will ever be good enough.

Not true. When LeAnn Rimes came out with "Blue", it was current, and everyone loved it. More recently, when Strait came out with "Remember When", the old guard loved that one too. You see, Theresa, the "guys" just want to hear something that's similar to the old classic country, with some good steel work. To please them, you have to give them what they want. Giving them something totally different, and saying "Well, that's today's country music." just ain't gonna cut it.

If you can get a burger made the way you want it, what's so hard to understand about people wanting their music the same way?

There's an incredible "sameness" to what's coming out of Nashville nowadays. People who want something different are going elsewhere for their music. For every 15 CD's I buy, only one is on a major label. Nashville can push the "one size fits all" routine all they want, but some of us (both figuratively and literally) aren't "buying it". $:\$

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 14 Jun 2008 7:57 am

Respect is understanding like Dolly's " Jesus & Gravity ". Most common folks don't understand how music is put together. They only know by what they are hearing and told who is hot on Radio. Just like the city folks who put on cowboy hats and called themself Country. A true Pro Artist is nothing more than a singing politican. So,this is a wonderful example of how faith can guide us through this rough crisis of who right & who's wrong about the old and the new. Also,just like " Ryan Seacrest " being the new Dick Clark on the scene. Be Happy! Sincerely in Country Music & all Styles. Leo J.Eiffert,Jr. PS: I love that girl thing," Whatever ".

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 14 Jun 2008 8:12 am

I actually believe there was a time when it was worse. You'd turn on a radio and have to listen to two or three songs before you knew if it was a country station. At least now you hear fiddles and steel mixed in with the rock sounds.

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 14 Jun 2008 10:22 am

Why is Chesny classified as country?

Back to the original question, I think it's about demographics and money, not music.

I'm convinced you guys hate everything current. No matter what, nothing will ever be good enough.

That's not completely true, for me at least. But I do agree that an awful lot of musicians - including me - are pretty nonplussed by the general thread of the mainstream popular music world, and I think that cuts across a lot of styles, not just country.

Darryl Hattenhauer · Post by **Darryl Hattenhauer** » 14 Jun 2008 11:56 am

I think Dave's got a good angle on it: demographics. Namely, who buys Chesney CDs and concert tickets?

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 14 Jun 2008 1:56 pm

Hey Darryl Hattenhauer,looks like everybody in Phoenix,Arizona buy Kenny Chesney's Tickets from KNIX Radio Station to Yuma. We Can't leave out Flagstaff or Kingman will Page Tempe. That's a lot of LOVE for little Kenny Chesney. Sincerely in Country Music & all Styles of Music. > Leo J.Eiffert,Jr.

Joe Alterio · Post by **Joe Alterio** » 14 Jun 2008 2:17 pm

Tom Petty was recently quoted to describe modern-day country music as "a bad rock group with a fiddle." He is now held in higher esteem in my book! Most times when I do listen to newer country music, I think exactly the same thing....what I am hearing is bad rock band music that would never be considered "good" amongst rock music fans. But toss in a couple of B-benders or perhaps a steel or fiddle....and now it's "country" and the radio will play it no matter what.

There are always exceptions. I actually like stuff by Chesney like "Shift Work" and "No Shoes..." though I don't personally think of it as "country." But they are good songs nonetheless. The veterans like Brad Paisley and Alan Jackson continue to record strong material. But many of the country groups are just not my style, even if there is stellar steel playing on them.

I do see what Theresa is saying when she says that many on here will just hate anything new....I see a lot of that spin when I am reading the posts over here as well. I hope that what I have written above doesn;t come across the same way. I flip between three FM country stations every day and always have an open ear to something that I might really like. 75% of the time I am flipping around, but every once in a while there is a really good new country song. I still remember being floored the first time I heard " I May Hate Myself In The Morning"....twin fiddles, steel, solid songwriting and singing. The good stuff is still out there, I have no doubt about that. But there is just less of it.

Darryl Hattenhauer · Post by **Darryl Hattenhauer** » 14 Jun 2008 2:46 pm

I guess "country" is just a wider category now.

Similarly, the 2008 Rock 'n' Roll HOF included Leonard Cohen, the Dave Clark Five, and Madonna. But to me, Cohen isn't rock, the Dave Clark Five isn't good enough, and Madonna isn't music.

James Cann · Post by **James Cann** » 14 Jun 2008 2:58 pm

Hey Darryl Hattenhauer,looks like everybody in Phoenix,Arizona buy Kenny Chesney's Tickets from KNIX Radio Station to Yuma.

Look again, LJ.

Cass Broadview · Post by **Cass Broadview** » 14 Jun 2008 4:07 pm

Maybe some of you can think of some of the songs,or artist today that will be classics 30,40,or 50 years from now,

Whiskey Lullaby, Sung by Brad Paisley, and Alison Krauss. Of course Bill Anderson wrote it. That would have alot to do with it i think. I can only stand just a few minutes of that new country {music} fare. Gives me an instant migraine.

Gabriel Stutz · Post by **Gabriel Stutz** » 14 Jun 2008 4:47 pm

I totally agree that it is primarily demographics and marketing that make the majority of nashville artists country. Country is a lifestyle brand. It's the same with pretty much all of popular music right now. Do you want to sell trucks, energy drinks, or volkswagens? There's a band for that.

I also agree that country isn't evolving it's own sound so much as borrowing sounds from other contemporary genres. That's not unusual at all. I don't like the new country, but not because it calls itself country. It could call itself anything and I still think its pretty light in the soul department. Nonetheless, everything in every genre is slowly becoming more alike due to marketing.
Everything is being demographically averaged to move the most units, and it's sad.

A lot of what makes music exciting is getting pushed to the margins. You can still get a lot of good music, but you really have to know where to look now. I think the people who don't know where to look wind up getting short changed. If I was a kid today and all I had access to was broadcast radio, I don't think I would be dreaming of a music career.

Gabriel

Darryl Hattenhauer · Post by **Darryl Hattenhauer** » 14 Jun 2008 6:39 pm

Gabriel,

I think becoming a musician these days is a real long shot. For each person who gets rich, there are a million more trying. And for each person who is good, there are a thousand more just s good. You can walk into bars here in Phoenix and hear players who are good enough to tour and record with the stars. (And it seems to me that session work would be very stressful, and touring would be insufferable.) So with those long odds of making it, you might as well take a nickel to Vegas and try to gamble it up to a million dollars.

But God bless those who try. This situation is heaven for listeners like me. Even the songs I don't like have great playing on them. It seems there's more great music out now than ever before, although it's often hard to find because there's more payola crapola, too.

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 14 Jun 2008 6:51 pm

Hello James Cann,I'm looking and you're in Phoenix,Arizona.Now,do you listen to KNIX Radio Station,or,is it you just don't buy Kenny Chesney's Ticket? The good thing about all of this matter is everybody knows who Kenny Chesney is ,but,I bet he don't know most of us on this forum as to who we are! > Sincerely in Country Music & all Styles of Music, Leo J.Eiffert,Jr. PS: Hey James, how is Bill Arnold doing? He a great Guitarist.

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 15 Jun 2008 1:42 am

I've heard distortion or "fuzz tone" mentioned in this thread in a negative way..... Now the first time I ever recall hearing distortion in a record was on a country record (Marty Robbins "Don't Worry Bout Me") So in all respects, distortion is a creation of country music and should be looked on as one of "our" trademark sounds.

This discussion is the same thing as someone saying that pedal steel isn't country and only old timey lapsteel playing is. Pedal steel came about due to musical evolution and new country is the same thing. Musical evolution. It's happening, it always has, and it always will. Just wait another thirty years and see what you'll be hearing. I'll be dead by then and most of you will be too so let's enjoy what we have at present. Open your minds and hearts a little........please! JH in Va.

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 15 Jun 2008 8:10 am

Hey Jerry, there is nothing new in Music. It's the same 7 notes flat & sharp for it History. Up and down 88 keys or the fret board of any guitar no matter what it's called. Vocal is the same thing,notes out of a mouth from air.Now,the people who made this work,now that something. Some became great while others became good and than that ear to hear bad. It's just hard for some peolp to take the truth,but,with it all it's nice to say it with respect to who it it pointed at. Like colors,Red,White,Blue,Black,Green,Orange,Pink and so on. All mixed up together it a wonderful rainbow. Same with Musicians.Put the right ones together and you get super Music. So the flag for the steel Guitar stand tall with respect in Country Music as the Educator to the intro. " All of us do not have equal talent. But all of us should have and do heve an equal opportuntity to develop our own talent ". Thank you Jerry Hayes for the years of pickin together in Southern California. Sincerely in Country Music & All Styles, Leo J.Eiffert,Jr.

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 15 Jun 2008 9:31 am

Who cares if Chesney is classified as Country... If you like his music buy it, and if you don't...well?

Edited to remove a negative remark.

Darryl Hattenhauer · Post by **Darryl Hattenhauer** » 15 Jun 2008 9:57 am

deleted

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 15 Jun 2008 10:30 am

What appeals to me and many other musicians is Honesty in the music. I like to hear the Roots of the style in the music. I like to hear singers who have Lived the songs, and that honesty can be heard in their voices. Most of today's Top-40 Country is a watered down blend of Pop-Rock-Country put together by the music industry to market to the public. It's just a product, in my opinion. There is still some good stuff being recorded today, but you have search hard to find it.

Darryl Hattenhauer · Post by **Darryl Hattenhauer** » 15 Jun 2008 10:45 am

Doug,

Yes I think a lot of music comes from the top down: Big Business creates something and it trickles down to listeners through mass media. Some of that is great, like some of the stuff from Tin Pan Alley.

But it seems to me that most good music comes from the bottom up, from the people, sort of like folk music. Although a lot of that is _rap, when corporate elites catch that music from the people, they can produce great stuff.

Your "Sleepy Lagoon" is mighty fine. It has that Hawaiian clarity and blissfulness (that's my ear, anyway). Did you write that one?

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 15 Jun 2008 10:58 am

Darryl Hattenhauer wrote:
This thread is ridiculous.
It wasn't before you chimed in. Follow your own advice. If you don't like it, tune out.

talk about hittin a nerve.

Darryl Hattenhauer · Post by **Darryl Hattenhauer** » 15 Jun 2008 11:17 am

deleted

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 15 Jun 2008 11:51 am

Calm down "Prof" it's not worth raising your blood pressure over but I'll take back the "this thread is ridiculous" remark if it's gonna make your cornflakes soggy.

Darryl Hattenhauer · Post by **Darryl Hattenhauer** » 15 Jun 2008 12:10 pm

Thanks Andy. I've followed your lead and deleted my statements.

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 15 Jun 2008 12:51 pm

Hey Andy & Darryl,don't give up on the shipmates now. You're the reason why most are getting an education from this FORUM. Cut down each other all you want,just keep it in the yard with respect. Leo J.Eiffert,Jr.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 15 Jun 2008 8:48 pm

Jerry Hayes and Howard Tate say it well for me.

I also think the song themes are not from the rock world per se,
but reflect a different generation for the countryside's views on life.

Not the typical rock bands take on life at all.

You grandpappy's country was not yours.
Why would you expect your grandchildrens country
to be yours or his?

Of course that boots and hats are badges of country.
But the themes follow the hats and boots attitudes.