The Steel Guitar Forum

http://www.theboot.com/2012/05/15/vince-gill-new-music/

hard to believe they cut his contract - probably for the best as they'd have him singing this crap pretty soon.
- this shows how little artist control is given by the RC. you cant blame the artist, they are just a pawn in the game. its either play the game or go back to driving a fork lift - take your pick.

there HAS to be a shift coming soon - its gotten so bad. i've been noticing A LOT of artists like James Taylor in the Adult Contemporary section...that use to be for people buying Barbara Streisand - now thats where i browse the CDs at Barnes and Noble.

I don't know what the answer is. I feel for the musicians, steel and ojnab players alike, on the decline in thought provoking music. Candy coated, mind numbing lyrics masquerading as "country" leave me empty.
I am 72, as a way of introducing myself, and remember the days of country musicians appearing in Hartford, Ct., Lake Compounce, in Bristol, Ct. and Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, Ma. Saw Faron Young and Little Jimmy Dickens at Durham Fair.
The foundation of country music is being covered by "lollipop's" who have never experienced touring in a bus or appearing in "hick" towns for nominal fees.
I don't expect today's country "stars" to emulate Willie or Hank or Loretta. (Most don't have the voice required!) At the very least, acknowledge the people that made it possible for you to attain recognition.
Sorry for the long post but, d**mit, the music that I enjoy has been pushed to the "back burner!"
In the few years I have left, let me have enjoyable music on the airwaves.

Cultural Q: does it seem as though all popular music genres are heavy on the tech/production/execution side and feather-light on the creative side,or is it just "new country". Whaddaya think?

Lacking in content. Today's "stars" have few experiences to draw on.Likely were never impoverished. In house writers concocting "pablum" songs for "yuppy"
enjoyment.
I gravitated to bluegrass.

Interesting take on this, given that some feel that Vince Gill was part of the problem to begin with. He's certainly talented and I wish him luck with whatever music he does create going forward.

Vince Gill part of the problem? "Pocket Full Of Gold", Look At Us", "Take Your Memory With You When You Go"? I don't think so. His real country hits far out weighed the rockers that his label wanted. Thank goodness peole are starting to open their mouths and call this crap what it is.

I have a fair amount of respect for Gill, and Brad Paisley, Keith Urban and all the others who have to deal with the "success" label, while trying to retain their dignity. And it's not new, Roy Clark or Glen Campbell could have easily made a living as a road or studio picker - a Hee-Haw-free, modest living. In theory we can all recognize that money isn't the only way of keeping score, but it's hard to say what mine or anyone else's reaction would be to the ridiculous mess that is "top" radio programming these days. Offer me a million or two to "sell out" and I'll let you know how it it goes....

Dave Hopping wrote:Cultural Q: does it seem as though all popular music genres are heavy on the tech/production/execution side and feather-light on the creative side,or is it just "new country". Whaddaya think?

I would say all popular music genres suffer from that problem. It's music's equivalent to fast food.

On the other hand, I won't write off all pop music. To my ears, it depends on the song, how it is played and sung, and how it is produced.

This sounds to me like someone who has lost touch with his audience and has done nothing to improve the situation.

I read this as a guy complaining that the folks who lavished money on him at one point and who let them run his career for him is suddenly bitter that the same folks show him the door when sales dip as he gets older.

sorry I'm not crying for him. This has nothing to do with the state of music of any genre. Musical genres ALWAYS change as a new generation steps up to take their place. The people who lose are the ones that have not spent any time cultivating their audience, staying relevant, staying on top of the latest marketing trends and tools: social media, email, mobile marketing, the internet in general.

Country artists might want to take a look at folks like Willie Nelson and the Grateful Dead for tips on how to have longevity in the industry without having any hit records:

He said it in the interview; he wants to have hit records in a time where there are no hit records anymore, in the way that there use to be.

Want a long career: look at Louis Armstrong who climbed aboard a cold bus and traveled all around the country playing any and everywhere 300 days a year nearly until his death.

Today, it ain't about hits: it is about getting out in front of the fans and giving them a show.

I invite you to go to a Vince Gill concert and see if he has "lost touch" with his audience. He is a WORLD concert draw. It's CMT and the CMA who are out of touch. They are promoting ROCK music, not country. Bought and paid for.

Kevin Hatton wrote:I invite you to go to a Vince Gill concert and see if he has "lost touch" with his audience. He is a WORLD concert draw. It's CMT and the CMA who are out of touch. They are promoting ROCK music, not country. Bought and paid for.

I say AMEN to that!! I saw Vince in concert this past year and he was awesome. Great country and he talked to the audience like we were old friends. I don't feel sorry for Vince....heck, he can do what he wants now! What an opportunity for him. I don't waste much time watching CMT. I get my country music elsewhere. I can't stomach the CMA's anymore either. These people have lost me forever, though I am sure they don't give a rip!!

right on, vince!

"
I invite you to go to a Vince Gill concert and see if he has "lost touch" with his audience. He is a WORLD concert draw."

so what is he complaining about?
And why aren't these people who are coming to see him not buying his records?

It hasn't been about selling records for 10 years now.

It doesn't seem to me like Vince Gill is talking about making money or selling records. Sure, that is related, but I think he would be ok financially if he never sells another record, song or download. This is about what he believes has happened to country music. It's good to see someone like him take a stand. I always liked his music. I respect him even more now.

Not selling records? I'll bet he sells out his CD's at the Merch table at every concert. He's talking about the labels. Have you ever seen Vince Gill live???? Paul Franklin is playing with him.

...and Tommy White plays with him on some dates.

It seems to me Vince is acting as sort of a spokesman for country music, he isn't complaining about how he's getting the shaft here. I've seen photos of the house Vince and Amy lives in and it would appear that he isn't sweating it when it comes to money.

He comments about the devaluation of the price of a single for 99 cents and how one can purchase a ring tone for their cell phone that makes a farting noise, pretty interesting comparison. That has nothing to do with country music per se, that's the music industry in general.

Interesting take on this, given that some feel that Vince Gill was part of the problem to begin with.

Brad, I'm not doubting you on this aspect, but for me, that is literally the first time I can ever recall hearing this.

Buy Vinces' "Guitar Slinger" CD and check out "Buttermilk John". Ahh...this is country. Thanks, Vince!

Could be. I don't know him and would never go hear him. So all I can go by is what I read in the article and what I read there is what every it seems every older act says before they head off to the purgatory of Vegas or Branson. I've been shown the door, etc. You know, times change and your career is going to go on ups and downs. What is the use of complaining. Enjoy it while you have it. Enjoy you had it at all

Pick up "Guitar Slinger" !

What's the use in complaining? Ask the people who stood at Lexington bridge and defied the British. It started a new country. Marty Stuart started a traditional country rebirth. Vince Gill and others are following. I vote with my wallet.

Kevin Hatton wrote:What's the use in complaining? Ask the people who stood at Lexington bridge and defied the British. It started a new country. Marty Stuart started a traditional country rebirth. Vince Gill and others are following. I vote with my wallet.

AMEN!!!!!

Bill McCloskey wrote:Could be. I don't know him and would never go hear him. So all I can go by is what I read in the article and what I read there is what every it seems every older act says before they head off to the purgatory of Vegas or Branson. I've been shown the door, etc. You know, times change and your career is going to go on ups and downs. What is the use of complaining. Enjoy it while you have it. Enjoy you had it at all

[color=darkblu e][/color]So, you don't like real country?? Do you like the CMT crap?? It is OK with me if you do, BUT, if you don't know him, how can you judge him?

and for the record, vince is one of the very few acts i 'would' go see.
though i probably couldn't afford to.

Kevin Hatton wrote:I invite you to go to a Vince Gill concert and see if he has "lost touch" with his audience. He is a WORLD concert draw. It's CMT and the CMA who are out of touch. They are promoting ROCK music, not country. Bought and paid for.

Gill is good at playing rock and pop music too. I watched one of his concerts on TV and it wasn't all country.

"So, you don't like real country?? Do you like the CMT crap?? It is OK with me if you do, BUT, if you don't know him, how can you judge him?"

I don't like country at all. Old country, new country, any country.

I'd rather have my teeth cleaned than go to a country music concert.

I have no idea what the Lexington Bridge line has to do with anything. Talk about reaching.