Midwest Country Show/What a Joke

W. C. Edgar · Post by **W. C. Edgar** » 15 Sep 2012 5:36 pm

On RFD TV
Just saw some old woman trying to sing some song about 'God Bless American Again' and it had to be without a doubt the most pathetic off key nauseating no singing voice I ever heard.
This show just keeps getting worse and worse with it's 'Midwest' talent lineup of no singing hacks every week.
Very seldom they'll have someone from out of town like a Country has been that I can stomach but very seldom.

On a small bright note........ The steel guitar was the only one in the band that seemed to have any idea what the hell was going on and he sounded good.

Just sayin

Niels Andrews · Post by **Niels Andrews** » 15 Sep 2012 5:57 pm

You always have the option of turning it off. Why belittle the lady for trying. One of the few programs on TV that show regular folks live, I like it.

Joe Naylor · Post by **Joe Naylor** » 16 Sep 2012 10:15 am

The steel player is Joe Savage and plays of good because he is setting on a steelseat. He is from St. Paul - and he "dropped by the house" and picked one up.

Joe Naylor
www.steelseat.com

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 16 Sep 2012 9:06 pm

W.C. You need to see our local tv show,[Phenix City Opry].Then you would appreciate the RFD show.I know some of the guys on our local show,I try to watch it every week,But can't take but a few minutes.

YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 17 Sep 2012 7:53 am

I have to agree with W.C. I had to stop watching because the talent was so bad (actually it was the guitar player over saturating his sound with that f-ing delay pedal), but it was nice to see some of the OLD Nashville guard still getting out and singing, even though they should have retired 20 years before.. Joe Savage was the only thing one the show worth paying any attention to, and even then, it was too much to suffer through to hear him.

It always cracked me up when they would pan the camera in the audience. You never saw anyone under the age of 90 in the crowd.

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 17 Sep 2012 4:04 pm

There have been a couple shows I enjoyed.. Moe Bandy was on, Leona Williams , Jade Jack, I saw Johnny Cox picking too and a few others..

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 17 Sep 2012 5:56 pm

Don't get me wrong, occasionally, they would have people on that were pretty decent. But as time went on, it just got worse. And Joe was always a pleasure to watch.

Bill Fisher · Post by **Bill Fisher** » 17 Sep 2012 7:11 pm

I agree with W.C.

Bill

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 18 Sep 2012 7:10 am

I have to admit I find W.C.'s outspoken point of view refreshing and pretty much spot-on.

Alan Tanner · Post by **Alan Tanner** » 18 Sep 2012 8:48 pm

I quit watching it some time back. It just became too painful. Are they still hawking those watches???

kyle reid · Post by **kyle reid** » 21 Sep 2012 10:28 am

They need to show the old Midwest Country from the early 90s,[before they moved to that little theater], they were much better, I saw one show with a great steeler & fabulous fiddler when I was playing a casino in Mn. It was on a small local cable channel. I don't know who the Steeler was, but he was playing a Mullen. I wish i had a tape of that.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 24 Sep 2012 5:13 am

It serves its local region and apparently a lot of people like it..Joe Savage is a pretty good player and does a good job regardless of the talent drop in vocals..Some of the participants are over exposed but the Show still serves a need for the old traditional Country music most on here say is dead..Someone is at least trying to countiue the down home stuff from a regional area.. I don't watch it any more but I don't see a need to talk it down..

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 24 Sep 2012 7:45 am

Joe is a great player and the only reason in my opinion to watch.

Some of the participants are over exposed but the Show still serves a need for the old traditional Country music most on here say is dead

Maybe because of talent (or lack or) like what you see here on this show, that is one of the big reasons "country" is dying. If this was all I could have listened to or seen, I would have hated (classic) country too.

Bill Fisher · Post by **Bill Fisher** » 24 Sep 2012 1:47 pm

The deal is, as I see it, these so-called vocalists don't try to get better. Most all of them are off-key, and they never try to find the center of the note. Listen to Branson on the Road. Makes me sick. Same-o, Same-o. Never trying to surpass the last performance. And there's some tall gal that tries to induce a lot of vibrato at the end of a phrase. That gal can never find the center of the note. And most all of the so-called performers are much too old to carry a tune, it seems like to me. I don't understand. I'd like to see the show go off the air. I like the bluegrass show that follows. Just listen to those guys. They strive for perfect harmony. That doesn't happen on Midwest Country. My opinions, of course. To each, his own.

Bill

Roger Miller · Post by **Roger Miller** » 24 Sep 2012 7:25 pm

Yeah, Midwest country isn't TNN, for that matter neither is CMT. Ok, to each his own, but you have to say, that is a local production not a major television production. Yeah, sometimes maybe a singer isn't great, but you put your butt out there for the world to critisize, and we'll see how it works for you. Just go with the flow, and we'll see ol' WC out there someday.

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 24 Sep 2012 7:54 pm

Exactly Roger.

Bill Fisher · Post by **Bill Fisher** » 24 Sep 2012 8:01 pm

Yes, it is a local production. But it is picked up by a national network that I have to pay to see. I got the network because I wanted the Wilburn Brothers, and a few others such as bluegrass. Those shows are much more professional than Midwest Country. So, I'll add RFD-TV to my list of faults. They shouldn't show Midwest Country crap, in my opinion. Show it on some Minnesota network or station, and let that state enjoy it if they can. I just don't care for the misery. If those people ever get good enough, and I doubt any of them ever will, then they can make the big time, and I'll see them there.

Bill

Leigh Howell · Post by **Leigh Howell** » 25 Sep 2012 12:18 am

Mr Fisher!! I'm 79 years old, and sang for 40 years for a living, and then, and now, I am quite capable of carrying a tune even on the end of a phrase sir!! I used to watch Midwest country when I was still living in the states, and I enjoyed it simply because I could hear some classic country. I realize that some of the talent isn't what I would consider top shelf, but they were all enjoying trying to sing. And Joe Savage is a wonderful steeler! I respect your right to your opinion, but please dont paint all of us youngsters that have a few years on us with the same brush!!! : ) Leigh

Alan Tanner · Post by **Alan Tanner** » 25 Sep 2012 2:38 am

The entertainers do what they do I guess. Not much different than what goes on at the local clubs. I have more of a complaint about sound and camera management than anything else. Usually the sound is harsh and poorly mixed. Way too much of one instrument over another and the camera looking at the guy NOT playing the lead. I have seen some pretty bad stuff on the opry over the years too, and on some of the tv shows done in Gnashville. I DO get tired of the poorly done commercials for those dang watches (even before the show starts), and hawking CD's. I guess it's the only market they have tho'. I notice when they pan the crowd (often the same pic over and over)that it is a VERY senior crowd, and not a very happy looking bunch. I cannot imagine a teenager going and enjoying this at all. In fact, it could be used as behavior modification punishment for anyone under 30. I don't see many at teens shows I play at either lol. Someone needs to tell the entertainers and musicians not to chew gum when on camera, and the folks that are over weight not to jump around or attempt to "dance" so much on stage.......I don't watch it anymore anyway.

Roger Kelly · Post by **Roger Kelly** » 25 Sep 2012 3:30 am

Roger Miller I agree with you....Midwest Country showcases local and regional Country Talent that happens to be Televised and shown in other markets. If the people there in the audience like it, what's the problem?

Joe Casey · Post by **Joe Casey** » 25 Sep 2012 4:21 am

Right on leigh,Roger.Maybe some of the ones who hate the show so much should post some of their achievements and be judged on the Forum..Show us the difference between good and bad..

Niels Andrews · Post by **Niels Andrews** » 25 Sep 2012 6:11 am

As most of you know, live is live. There are no re takes. there is no editing. If you are pitchy, it is what it is. Now you take the same track and run it through a process or two, maybe a little dubbing, not so bad.
Point being I for one appreciate the effort that is put into this program and there always seems to be enough people to fill the seats, but only RFDTV plays any of these programs. We all have different taste, but being in the minority as CW players, we need to support everyone who performs.

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 25 Sep 2012 6:17 am

Just go with the flow, and we'll see ol' WC out there someday.

Now there's an idea - put ol' WC on that show. FYI, ol' WC sings and plays just fine, thank you. If the show's producers are watching, you would be very wise to get ol' WC and other pros like him on the show. My opinion.

While I would not have called out this show like this, based on the few times I've seen it (RFD is not on my cable here), this reminds me of amateur shows I used to see growing up - most major TV markets had them. In Boston, where I grew up, it was called "Community Auditions". A lot of these shows had capable backup players and featured local singers and other stuff. Nothing wrong with that. But to make some constructive criticism - it seems to me that a nationally syndicated show that is one of the only featuring traditional country music would be wise to bring in some ringers - not necessarily well-known traditional country singers and players who can knock it out of the park. They're out there, but it would require active solicitation and probably they'd have to pay them for their trouble. But I think it would be worth it. Again, this is a nationally syndicated show, and to my knowledge, right now there's not really any national TV outlet for serious, touring, professional-caliber traditional country singers.

My take, FWIW.

Roger Miller · Post by **Roger Miller** » 25 Sep 2012 7:04 am

The things I look at, I have played guitar with Maggie, David Church. I do not have RFD on my Cable provider so I have only seen it a couple of times. I appreciate traditional country music for one. Most of these people get up on Monday and go to work, they're not full timers or making millions on record sales. They are cutting CD's on their dollar, not a label owned from someone in China with American dollars. Ok so this isn't for WC, for thousands of others it is a cool deal, not paying $80.00 dollars for a ticket, and the crowd feels like they are on the same level as the singers who don't run out and get in a limo. They have a chance to do something cool and they do itto have fun, that's why I'm in the business, to have fun. Joe Savage is one of my many heros and Larry Rose is a top notch guy, you'd like 'em, real Midwest guys.

And you think Hoda and Kathie Lee is class TV??????

Bill Fisher · Post by **Bill Fisher** » 25 Sep 2012 10:25 am

Roger: You sure got that right. They're not making millions on record sales.

Dave: Amateur show? It seems way below that, to me. Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour was an amateur show ON a network. I could enjoy that show.

Leigh: Good to hear from you across the way. I do hope you are well. I imagine you are in retirement now. Hope you are enjoying it, and glad you can still sing. That's wonderful. Do you have a country show over there comparable to our Midwest Country? If so, I'm glad I don't have to hear, and see, it.

Take care.

Bill

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