The Steel Guitar Forum

Posted: **6 May 2005 3:09 pm**

I've always liked catchy driving Pop/Country Rock songs like Heads/Tails, and Bye-Bye. These songs are no different in style than many others that have charted over the past 20 yrs or so by various artists. (I can name them if necessary).

Interestingly, I am unfamiliar with this new #1 song.

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-johnson

Posted: **6 May 2005 3:55 pm**

Kevin!!
I Also worked With Miss Jo-dee
in 2003 and i am a die in the wool
country fan as well.,.. BUT I WILL TELL YOU AND ANY ONE ELSE.. GRETCHEN WILSON WOULDNT MAKE A PIMPLE ON JO-DEE"S A*$!!
In The Country Field ,Rock and Roll , Or Any other venue .. jo-dee is doing what she loves and doing it well you should be praising her for her talent ... if she wanted to sing traditional country SHE COULD AT ANY GIVIN TIME .. And Smoke Miss Trailer Park ... You Should Be Ashamed of your self for saying things like that in public..
David you guys keep on keepin on
and tell Jo-dee and the boys i said hello and love them ..
Opinions like that are worthless in this buisness...
Boo Miller

Posted: **6 May 2005 4:22 pm**

I'm REAL impressed Al. When Hank Williams JR. is sitting next to JM I'll even be more impressed. Gretchen Wilson is going to rock the country world, she's the people's favorite. The real deal. You have your opinion, I have mine.[This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 06 May 2005 at 05:23 PM.][This message was edited by Kevin Hatton on 06 May 2005 at 05:25 PM.]

Posted: **6 May 2005 4:42 pm**

What's so impressive about Jr.??
Larry

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Emmons S/D-10, 3/4, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

Posted: **6 May 2005 5:59 pm**

I'm not myself dismayed to see great looking ladies singing great country music. I don't see any reason they need to be fat and ugly to pass muster with some of these old geezers...

I was just thinking of Chely Wright, and the concert I saw her, Confederate Railroad, and Johnny Paycheck at in 95. They had Paycheck turned down, Conf RR sucked so bad because the drummer played so lousily that his band had quit and they used Chely's musicians. She and her band put on a GREAT show.

Nope, I"m not offended at all by good looking women that sing and perform well.

Not at all.

EJL

Posted: **6 May 2005 6:37 pm**

Jo-dee Dosent Have to Ride the coat tails of the likes of already established stars Such As Hank Jr,Charlie Daniels,ect... she has already paid her dues.. when the trailer park gal has a GREATEST HITS ALBUM.. And THE #1 ALBUM IN THE WORLD !! Then Argue your Point ..
Boo Miller

Posted: **6 May 2005 8:08 pm**

What's all the fuss about? It's just two chick singers.

Posted: **7 May 2005 1:55 am**

The Peoples Choice.....

rather interseting take..

right now Jo Dee is the choice of the minions..how can that be ?
#1..again ?

I don't personally think that Gretchen is the next big thing but I am not asking that she dissappear...I am not, and nobody else from what I read has requested that she leave town..unlike what we have read right here about Jo Dee...

Time will tell if Gretchen can rise to the staying power where Jo Dee already is...the only way that will happen is if she can be versatile and maintain an audience when the INDUSTRY shifts..will she be able to shift along with those who have proven they can..and did...?

A greatest "HITS" album to me sure seems like it has more to offer than a "Hit"..

Tiny Tim was #1 once too....

The Big and Rich gang and all affiliates , have captured AN audience, not THE audience..

good for them...
last time I looked there was a Billboard top 100, not a Billboard top 1..

Last time I looked at the CMT top 20 , I don't recall seeing Gretchen, maybe I was in the bathroom...

words are cheap on this one..lets see what happens over time.....

I wish them both continued success..

t[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 07 May 2005 at 03:04 AM.]

Posted: **7 May 2005 5:33 am**

I've seen Jo-Dee in concert, and the woman is ON FIRE!! What a wonderful spirit she has! She's a role-model we can be extremely proud of!

Posted: **7 May 2005 6:07 am**

My 2 cents worth. Jo Dee is GREAT -- have seen her in person with George Strait and she has a great voice and stage presence and she took over drums and did one heck of a drum solo. I like Gretchen too -- but not until she sang something with some HEART! I just think "Redneck Woman" and "Here For The Party" cashes in on a specific audience. If you are a Confederate Railroad "I Like My Women A Little On The Trashy Side" fan...then Gretchen is right up your alley. Now, on the other hand -- I AM impressed with her ballad - "When I Think About Cheatin'" and "Homewrecker" plus the fact that she had a hand in writing 6 of her 10 songs. It is very noticeable (to me at least) the ballad and "Homewrecker" almost sound like a differed vocalist and those songs depict the better tones in her voice. I think Ms. Wilson will "evolve", but she better get a personal trainer and some high dollar running shoes to catch up with the talent and class act of Jo Dee. It's comparing apples & oranges. BTW, I like both apples and oranges...just not at the same time!

Posted: **7 May 2005 6:39 pm**

Hey Theresa,
I am with you here!
Jo Dee the "best-real-thing" out-there!
I particularly love her up-tempo re-make of the Shelly West tune - Lesson in Leavin' -
She has an "edge", with-out the Nashville "mold" (There is a double auntantdra in here).
The only other ""real country ladies" that she is in competition with here are Wynona,
for the "edge" and Lee-Ann for the "classic" sounds.
It's great to see that she is still "in the running"!
I also think that it is cool that Joe Diffie is still writing too!
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Dan Balde
U-12/8&5, S-7/D 3&1, S-6/E,A & G3[This message was edited by db on 07 May 2005 at 07:40 PM.]

Posted: **7 May 2005 6:43 pm**

Jo Ann,,
I believe you nailed it right on the head!!

What I found that "I" didn't care for about Gretchin, was her choice of material,, To me, JMO, is the first two songs were nothing but Trash,, But her ballads, I really like em,, I think she does an excellent job on them..and like you say,,"apples, and oranges" JMO

Larry

Posted: **8 May 2005 6:35 am**

Gretchen's voice is beautiful. Her steel player is Terrific!
But . . . the lyrics of "When I think about cheating"? - Does that REALLY warm your heart: So she's going through the motions of having an affair (dance, dinner, etc), but doesn't actually give in at the very end because she thinks you might leave her if she does. Yep, I know every man wants a woman like that!!!

Posted: **8 May 2005 6:44 am**

My vote for best female country singers? Kelly Willis, Patty Loveless, Heather Myles.

Robbie Bossert

Posted: **8 May 2005 9:04 am**

For what it's worth.....
Jo Dee and David are making their living playing music. They are getting paid for what they do, and it appears as though a lot of other people appreciate it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I repeat, THEY are making their living at it. It's tough to argue with success.

The way I see it, everyone wants to be at the top of the ladder in their area. There are two ways to do it. One way is to actually be better than your peers and higher on the ladder. The other way is to continually beat and kick everyone else down that is also climbing the ladder. In case you haven't figured it out, method #2 doesn't work for very long. No matter what field you are in, whether it's music, or karate, or engineering, or medicine, or athletics, or being a beautiful supermodel, there is ALWAYS someone else better.

Quote: "A lot of people bitch and moan about it, but the best musicians IMO are playing in professional country bands, not rock bands."
Finally someone else realizes this. I grew up on 70/80's rock and love that stuff, but I realized this 15 years ago. Not all "country" musicans fall into this category for sure, and I don't enjoy listening to a good rock tune any less, but Brent Mason can probably just about play anything. (But I'll bet he owns a couple of Marshalls, too.)

And someone mentioned Edward Van Halen. Please refrain from mentioning any rock musicians or their contributions or influence on music and instrument designs on this forum. This is a country forum (it must be, it's about steel guitars, right?). We all know that rock music is all noise, just by the fact that it's usually loud because they only play that way to cover up their inadequacies. I'm glad that there are no country bands that tour with a dozen semi-trailers full of stage and sound equipment.

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Artie McEwan

Posted: **8 May 2005 10:11 am**

Warm my heart with her lyrics? No, not exactly...but her vocal tones are MUCH better on the ballad and "Homewrecker" -- I won't miss the screech sound if I never hear it again...choice of lyrics is a whole other topic and I ain't openin' that can of worms, it's a much better world with the lid kept on it!
Yours,
Jo Ann

Posted: **8 May 2005 11:27 am**

....we missed David at the Gospel Steel Show yesterday, we know he missed being there with his mama on the day before Mother's Day!
We are happy he is having fun.
His pickin' is the greatest!!
Just hang in and carry on, David !!

The McKays'

Posted: **8 May 2005 1:48 pm**

Wow, What happeened here? I mentioned the wonderful Jody, and her dynamite band in another post and it wasnt acknowledged by anyone . It s funny how the fire starts sometimes! I appeciate all the lovely ladies that sing country music and all the great players that make the music for them while they sing.The songs, the singers and the players have never sounded better than they do these days.( IMO) bob

Posted: **9 May 2005 6:44 am**

I just found this thread last night and was really shocked with what I read. For the record, I've met Jo Dee and seen her show. Both are terrific. I think her new single rocks (which by the way is an old Joe Diffie tune). I love all kinds of music but my heart is in the country. Jo Dee and Gretchen both have what I consider country and not so country tunes on their albums. So what. When I buy an album I know that there is gonna be a song or two and maybe even more on the album that I don't care for. (except for the new Mark Chesnutt album) I work for Gretchen and I don't particulary like all the songs on her first album either. There is always gonna be songs and singers that we like better than others and some we just can't stand. However, all this talk about how good or how bad Jo Dee and Gretchen is - is a drag.
My opinion, they both ROCK! Everyone has a right to his/her opinion that's true, but I have to say the following to Boo Miller: I've heard from several industry folks around town about you and how great your playing is. I've heard that you are a great guy as well. I often wondered when I'd get the opportunity to meet you and shake your hand. But after the comments you've made about my friend Miss Trailer Park on this forum, all I have to say now is "My Give A Damn's Busted!"

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Gaylon's Homepage
www.gaylonmathews.com

Gretchen Wilson
www.gretchenwilson.com

[This message was edited by Gaylon Mathews on 09 May 2005 at 07:46 AM.][This message was edited by Gaylon Mathews on 09 May 2005 at 07:51 AM.][This message was edited by Gaylon Mathews on 09 May 2005 at 07:52 AM.]

Posted: **9 May 2005 9:45 am**

Hey Gaylon I think most are in agreement with you here. This thead was actually started by someone who just stated she liked Jo Dee's new song and then we heard from David.

As typical the thread was then HiJacked by a fellow who stated that the sooner Jo Dee was basically run out of town the better, as she could not hold a candle to Gretchen...

and now we have numerous posts going all over the place, including this one...

congrats on your gig with Gretchen..I'm sure it's fun..the setlist is not my favorite but it be would be a thrill to be part of it....

t[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 09 May 2005 at 10:48 AM.]

Posted: **9 May 2005 11:24 am**

I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion. I don't think Kevin meant anything about the musicians. Face it, a good band can make almost any one sound good. There are few good female musicians out there, so if they didn't have a good band, they'd be up the creek. As far as Jo D & Gretchen go, they both have songs I, personally , don't care for. Yet, they both have some I do like. I would say that Gretchen is doing more "country" type country music right now, but what will she be two years from now? Fame made from doing traditional country sometimes tends to send young stars down a different road. I appreciate Kevin sounding his opinion. Otherwise this might have been a dull topic. Congratulations to David on a solid gig. IMO, a band without steel isn't worth paying to see. Just MY opinion.
Charley

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Sho-Bud PRO-I, 4&5

Posted: **9 May 2005 12:17 pm**

I agree with Gaylon, and I agree that every one has a right to an opinion, but the post from Kevin really sounded like a flame directed at Theresa, who only stated what she likes. She did not deserve that.

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Howard, 'Les Paul Recording, Zum S12U, Vegas 400, Boss ME-5, Boss DM-3
http://www.Charmedmusic.com

Posted: **9 May 2005 3:32 pm**

Let me state before this goes any further that I don't have a problem with anyone's opinion. There's people that have told me to my face that they don't care for Gretchen's music. That doesn't bother me nor does it bother Grethcen. She & I both know that not everyone is gonna like her stuff. I think Jo Dee knows this just like all artists do. I just don't think that Gretchen deserves the whole "Pimple on Jo Dee's butt" thing. I mean, it seems to me that the less you say the better you are in some instances. For example, I'm sad to say that my Dad's health is deteriorating as we speak and I've been asked to find a suitable substitute in the event I must leave to be with him. Certain names have been brought up for consideration. Now that I know how some feel, they won't be getting the call. I personally don't necessarily have a problem with Boo because he was just stating an opinion too but dang if it couldn't have been worded a little differently.

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Gaylon's Homepage
www.gaylonmathews.com

Gretchen Wilson
www.gretchenwilson.com

[This message was edited by Gaylon Mathews on 09 May 2005 at 04:52 PM.]

Posted: **9 May 2005 4:06 pm**

A view from the sidelines by an observer without an agenda:

The way this thread developed is an example of a "zero-sum game," in which one person must "win" by the other person "losing."

Thread started out by complimenting Jo Dee Messina. Okay, so far. David, a great steel player, comments that it's a fun and good gig. More okay.

But wait! Kevin comes in and says that in his opinion Jo Dee isn't any good. Instead of leaving it at that, he brings Gretchen into the mix, even though Gretchen wasn't even an issue in the original post.

Uh oh, now Boo (a fine steel player and former Jo Dee sideman) comes to the defense of Jo Dee. Instead of bringing the issue back to Kevin's opinion of Jo Dee and leaving it at that, he zingers Kevin by negative comments about Gretchen!!

Enter Gaylon, who had previously had a positive opinion about Boo but now feels that he wouldn't be an appropriate substitute for him, based on his publicly stated opinion of Gretchen.

The cooler heads viewing this thread comment that although Jo Dee and Gretchen each have good material as well as songs that don't appeal to them, both are artists with futures ahead of them. Neither singer is the spawn of Satan, and neither of them walks on water as well.

Current Outcome: Kevin and Boo slapped each other with insults about their favorite chick singers. The only visible result is that Boo probably loses a future gig. David still has a good gig as does Gaylon, and neither Gretchen or Jo Dee probably give a sh!t about any of it.

One thing I've learned in 40 years in this business is that publicly spouting negative opinions of artists and musicians, though the chest-thumping may initially feel good, can occasionally come around to bite you on the ass. Politically, it doesn't make sense in this game.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

[This message was edited by Herb Steiner on 09 May 2005 at 05:13 PM.]

Posted: **10 May 2005 2:35 am**

Wow Herb, you did an excellent job of summing up this thread.

I like some songs from both gals previously mentioned. That doesn't mean I like them all. In fact, I can't think of even one artist that I liked each and every song they put out. I'm really particular about what music I'll buy. Bottom line is that anybody in the music business thats blessed to the point of being able to make a living doin what they love has 95% of us beat. We should be proud of those that do their thing night after night. Everybody up there on the stage made sacrifices of some sort to be there so I say congrats guys and have a ball!

By the way Herb, I'm really enjoying the teaching material I got from you. Great stuff!

Rick