The Steel Guitar Forum

This is kind of related to John Lacey's post on the resurgence of traditional country.

I'm a huge fan of the old guard stars like Buck Owens, Ray Price, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Lefty Frizzell, Marty Robbins, Faron Young, Bob Wills, and of course, the Texas Troubadour, Earnest Tubb.

However, I'm also a pretty big fan of the new players who are doing tunes in the traditional style from the 30's -- 60's. People like Dwight (mostly early Dwight), Jr. Brown, The Derailers, BR5-49, Bill Kirchen, Ray Condo and his Ricochets (more rockabilly, but still great), Asleep at the Wheel, etc..

I know there are a ton more, but you get the idea. There are two schools of thought on this. One says, just go to the source, and forget the new guys -- listen to the old stuff (which I do).

The other says there's nothing wrong with revivals of old traditions, because it keeps that music alive (literally, in the live music circuit) for new audiences. Refer to the old masters, but draw from the new traditionalists, too.

I personally hold this latter view. Jr. Brown did more for my "conversion" to honky-tonk and country than my dad could EVER do when I was a teenager ("How can you listen to that rock noise? You're gonna go deaf! Why don't you learn to play some Buck Owens? That's REAL music!" :>) Of course, he was right, but that's another story (the older I get, the smarter my dad becomes).

So, which way do Y'ALL lean? Are we who are into listening to the new guys, and into playing this style, just stuck in the past? Or, are the new artists playing in the old style doing a favor to country music, and keeping "real" country alive?

I ask, because I had an argument a while ago with a person who feels the rock guitars and loud drums of the "New Country" is a natural progression, and where country music it needs to keep going. He told me he thinks the retro thing is stupid.

OK -- inquiring minds really want to know! Oh yes -- if you DO like the retro stuff, who do you like, and why?

TJW


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Todd James Weger/RD/RTD
www.franchise-yourself.com
Fender Stringmaster D-8 (E11, C6/A7)

I think one could argue that "the rock guitars and loud drums of the New Country" are themselves retro. I mean, come on - are there ANY hard rock or metal bands out there who have done anything REALLY new since the 1980's? A lot of them are just recycling the same progressions, same tempos, same themes.
And isn't some of the so-called "New Country" guilty of the same thing, recycling 80's pop hooks with occasionally steel guitar and fiddle thrown in so it'll play in the Country market?

To answer the question, though: I like Faron Young, Ray Price, Skeets McDonald, Bill Phillips, Wynn Stewart, the Collins Kids, Jim Reeves, Little Joe Carson, and Johnny Bush.
Regarding the new folks: I like Bill Kirchen, Dale Watson, Iris DeMent, and if I ever hear a band from Seattle called The Souveniers I think I'd like them just fine, and I think you would too. (Read a record review that raved about 'em, but haven't laid out the Visa on any CD's yet).

As for retro, his first single "Flowers on the Wall"! Eric Heatherly and the cd is great! No steel, but it's powerful and moves me. I think country means different things to people.
The guys and gals in there 40's like George Strait, Alan Jackson, Vince Gill, Patty, Reba, Trisha are going to be considered our Traditionalists today!
The new one's will be Jessica Andrews, LeeAnn Womack, Leanne Rims,Faith Hill, Andy Griggs, Brad, Tim,and to many to mention. I hope to see it grow! Theresa <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Theresa Galbraith on 30 August 2000 at 12:30 PM.]</p></FONT>

Hi Todd,

my heros of the old timers are:

Lefty Frizzell, Ray Price, George Jones, Warren Smith, Buck Owens and Faron Young.

To me even Alan Jackson is a new traditionalist. I hear alot of George and Lefty in his work. He doesn't sound too much Pop.

Andy

There is indeed a little good country coming out today. It's a shame that it doesn't "catch on" too!

<SMALL>and if I ever hear a band from Seattle called The Souveniers I think I'd like them just fine, and I think you would too. (Read a record review that raved about 'em, but haven't laid out the Visa on any CD's yet).</SMALL>

You will enjoy this. They have one Faron Young song and some good originals.
I saw them open for BR5-49 back in March.



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Janice "Busgal" Brooks
ICQ 44729047

Todd - good analysis of the current state of affairs and as is also mentioned in the string, Dale Watson is at the very core of much of the new stuff I listen to, being an old fan of Hag, Buck, and John Cash, etc, I so appreciate the reverence that Dale has for what he is doing.

Also, you mention Ray Condo, he's from Canada I believe. I'd never heard of him before and earlier this summer, I happened in to the Zoo Bar in Lincoln, Nebr one night and he and his crew were in town for a gig - Ray and his band were outstanding, really fun live band. I bought his new CD that night - "High and Wild" have really enjoyed it this summer, kind of a rockabilly, swingy thing. - Neil H.

you bet, I have a couple of Big Sandy's CDs and do like for a swingy change occasionally.

and funny you mention "Biller and Wakefield", I've heard great things about their collaboration --- just placed an order from HighTone the other day, haven't received yet, along with this CD also ordered:
Hank Thompson new one - "Seven Decades"
and a fella by the name of Johnny Dilks, whom I've also heard play the ZOO in Lincoln - Big Sandy plays there regularly too, they have great contact with HighTone artists. - Neil H.

Neil you have great taste as always.
I'll think about you when I go to see Dale
Monday night

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Janice "Busgal" Brooks
ICQ 44729047

Neil you have great taste as always.
I'll think about you when I go to see Dale
Monday night

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Janice "Busgal" Brooks
ICQ 44729047

JB - you bet, that will be great... Dale Watson for a Labor Day show - better be ready for a steady diet of truck-drivin' songs!!! Give DW and Donnie Knutson, his road man, a hello from Neil in Nebraska for me..... and that we're so looking forward to "Live from London"!

I have 4 tapes in my truck they have been in there for about 2 years. They are the only ones I listen to when driving. Sounds crazy but they inspire me beyond belief both musically and vocally.

1. Dale Watson "I Hate These Songs"
2. Dale Watson "Cheatin Heart Attack"
3. Dale Watson " Truckin' Sessions"
4. Dale Watson " Blessed or Damned"

I forgot I had all four

DALE WATSON KICKS A$$ - PERIOD!

That my friends is what it is supposed to sound like.<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Tim Harr on 02 September 2000 at 07:15 AM.]</p></FONT>

You all have my favorites listed So I wont waste your time BUT after spenking 7 days with Bonnie Owins in Nashville a couple of months ago and having her sing songs and saying have you heard so and so sing this song or that one we got to liking some lerics she sang but I didnt like the artists because they were new country, well, Guess what-- We got home and someone came in with a cd player to sell so I bought it and it had three cd in it and when I played one it was Brad Pasley the one Bonnie loved and the song she sang all the time was Me neither Well I like most of all the cd!! Me!! no way!! Merl George Jones and such were new country when they came on the sean and we didnot like it but it stuck. My beef is the new come on do a remake of the old song make themselves
a seccess and lots of money then the next cd is all Rock. I dont get it. I have been putting off buying Leeann Ryms cd as all

they play is the one song I HATE !!!! I think we should be more tolerent but you young guys dont forget how you got there. Please leave off the Rock!!!

RON

Tim - bingo! add DW's "Blessed or Damned" as your 4th in that mix and you've got the full deal, man! - Neil H.

You need to add Places I've been also

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Janice "Busgal" Brooks
ICQ 44729047

Ron hit the nail on the head! How many times have you heard someone start out "country", and then change? Singers like Reba, and Lee Ann Rimes may have started out as "country singers", but they have now migrated to rock-pop music. And some people won't (or can't) even recognize the difference!

Donny, how aboput the opposite of that. When Marty Stuart came out with Hillbilly Rock it was like a 'sell out' single to get his other songs heard.

Now that he came out with "The Pilgrim" MCA dropped him. Wow. It doesn't make any sense to me.

I am glad that he sticks to his guns. He is a Treasure to Country and Western Music. He is a fantastic songwriter.

Tim Harr

It's easy to figure out, Tim. Modern producers only want to have to satisfy one market, and right now that's the NCS "Hat Guys", and the "Sheena Easton-look" female clones. Producers are catering to the main market (the younger crowd), and they could care less about us 100,000 or so "real country" fans.

Neil, you should try out Dave Stuckeys new CD, Jeremy Wakefield is on it as well. I love it. The sound is so 1940s, just great !!! The songwriting on it is outstanding.
Andy

I too am a die hard "old" country fan. I was just curious. How many of you fellows miss the Hank Thompson and Brazos Valley Boys sound. Hank was/is a great writer, and definitely had his own swing sound. Personally I MISS THAT SOUND, ALSO, As well as Buck, Merle, Ray, Lefty, etc. In those days, it took about two licks of the intro and you could name the singer and the band. NOT SO TODAY <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Jim Bob Sedgwick on 03 September 2000 at 09:14 PM.]</p></FONT>

you bet, love Hank Thompson and the Brazos crew.... I have a couple of "greatest" CDs that have come out in recent years - but the real treasures are old vinyls. I just have two, but they are both fantastic - the "Six-pack to Go" album with the cans with Hank's picture on each on the cover and a super live album that was recorded at the Golden Nugget in LasVegas in the early 60's.

I just saw him in Omaha, Nebraska back in March - did a very good casino show, visited with him after and had him autograph those old albums, had my pic taken with him and such, one of which is on the door of our fridge right now! What a very gracious and pleasant fella he is.

And so neat to have those kind of experiences come full-circle, as my first recollection of seeing HT live was with my mom&dad and grandpa when I was 8-yrs old....
the 1973 County Fair in Stockville, Nebr!!!

saw Earnest Tubb at the Fair in McCook, Nebr the same summer- Thanks to mom and daddy for setting me up right from the start, huh!

I listen to all kinds of music from classical to country. I love AC/DC, Duke Ellington and a bunch of obscure roots rock bands such as the Cadillac Angels. Throw in some surf guitar from Los Straightjackets and add some Mozart. And I love traditional country music whether it's played by the old guys or the new. The common denominator is that it's all music from the heart. What you hear on pop-country radio today comes from the wallet. It's all about honesty, people. Those of us on this forum can tell the difference. When someone plays from the heart we listen.

"The new one's will be Jessica Andrews, LeeAnn Womack, Leanne Rims,Faith Hill, Andy Griggs, Brad, Tim,and to many to mention. I hope to see it grow! Theresa "

Be careful who you name there Theresa, some will think you actually like the new music.

Enjoyed St. Louis.

Bill

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"Stop worrying about what makes a steel work and concentrate on how YOU make it sound"