This is an opinion, formed after many years of listening to music. So don’t get all upset if you disagree.
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It’s easy to dismiss country music. People have for years. The stereotypes abound, partially in fact, because no one bothers to correct them. When most people think of country music, they envision songs about trucks, dogs, ex-wives, drinking, trains, prison and guns. And in a small way, some of country music can be described as that, but that’s a far cry from most of country that is being produced in Nashville today.
Let me start by saying what I hate about typical pop music. Its fake. Its a front. It exists for one of two reasons: to make alot of money or to make the artist look really good. That’s the goal. The heart in it is mostly gone. People sellout their music to anyone and everyone to make money or to further their name. Most artists are in it for the wrong reasons. There was once a time when an artist was an artist because they believed so strongly that what they had to say NEEDED to be said. True artists never get into the game because there’s so much money to be made, or because they are so insecure that they need fans to make them feel better. A true artist is in it because they love what they are doing. They can’t picture themselves doing anything else. They aren’t God’s gift to the world. Their burden of music is so heavy that the only relief is offering it to their fans.
SONGS
I can hardly listen to mainstream pop music anymore. Its soul-less. The lyrics exist to glorify the singer, the melodies are written on a computer, and most of them are played by a computer. The song doesn’t live to relay a deeper meaning, to improve one’s life, or even to stir up a feeling. It exists to make people move. Because that is what we’ve narrowed music down to – does it make me dance or not? There’s no in between? There’s no simply enjoying music, relating to lyrics? With the exception of out-of-mainstream indie music, when was the last time you sat and RELATED to everything a song said? Probably been a while. The songs aren’t written for you. They’re not written to make you feel the way the artist feels. They’re written because thats what will sell records and get airplay. How far we’ve fallen.
Country songs have depth. They have heart. They tell stories and drive home feelings. They relay messages – positive, negative, warnings, truths – something. They grab you emotionally. They pull you back into a time in your life, or give you hope for a future time. They make you long for something, or miss something. They connect. Sure, some of them make you want to dance, but some make you want to cry. Very few are written solely for airplay – which is why their are so many popular country acts that DON’T get alot of airplay. Sure, there’s some poppy cross-over acts on country radio – but they won’t go far in the business because they lack the heart of true country. Country music connects with its fans.
CONCERTS
People who have never been to a country concert probably don’t realize what they’re like. They probably get the picture of a bunch of southerners wearing big hats, fancy shirts and boots bouncing back and forth to the music. Not so. Country concerts are as much of a party as any other kind of concert – but they lack the sheer ridiculous behavior that has become the norm in so many mainstream concerts today. Country concerts are all about a bunch of people coming together to listen to music they love. To drink, and dance, and have fun. They’re not all about how you look when you show up, or how many people you can beat down in a mosh pit. They’re not about how close you can grind up on someone you’ve never met, or how much weed you can smoke before security shows up (although some avid country fans and artists regularly exercise their right to “go green”). Country fans SING at concerts – they sing every word. Not that this doesn’t ever occur at other concerts, but it ALWAYS happens at country shows. Country shows are an excellent example of FANS loving MUSIC. And all the partying that happens happens because of the music.
ARTISTS
Pop artists are full of drama. You read about their lives in the tabloids, you watch their issues on TMZ and E!. They even get in the news on a regular basis. Someone is always beating their boyfriend/girlfriend, getting caught with cocaine, drunk driving, overdosing at a concert, carrying an illegal weapon, or suing an ex. It seems that mainstream media’s only way of marketing their artists is to create drama – because apparently their fans live and thrive on drama. They need reality TV shows, clothing lines, accessory lines and the like to truly enjoy their artist of choice. Its all about materialism. So many mainstream pop artists carry a superiority complex. They have to be wearing the most expensive clothing out there. They drive the biggest and best car, have the most glamorous rings, sunglasses etc, and live in mansions high in the Hollywood Hills. They are above their fans, and they’ve trained their fans that the only way to achieve greatness is to strive to be just like the artist. This has inspired a whole generation (or two) of teenagers to dress like, talk like, walk like and live like their favorite artist. That’s where the whole gangster rap scene started – a bunch of street kids who decided that rapping about hoes, cars, booze, drugs and sex was the ultimate in achievement. The clothing style came next – then the love of Escalades with huge spinners, giant chains, etc. What does it all accomplish? Nothing. In my opinion, you all look like complete IDIOTS. Get a job.
Country artists are down to earth. They appreciate their fans. They don’t show up at award shows drunk, jumping up on stage, cussing and yelling how great their albums are. They cry when they’re nominated by fans – blown away that people would love their music that much. They’re humble. They’re proud of their music, but they maintain a level head, knowing that they might not always be on top. They constantly strive to give their fans more. A bigger show, a better album, more exposure as an incentive for being a fan. They drive around in golf carts before concerts and meet the people tailgating in the parking lots. They share a beer with them. They do work for charities – and not just for the recognition. They focus on their own families and make them priorities. Very seldom do you ever hear of scandals erupting with country artists. Seldom are they arrested, or caught with drugs, parading drunk or fighting in public. They don’t talk trash on each other, but instead appreciate each other’s music. When one wins an award, they are genuinely happy for them – not pissed, or faking a smile, but overjoyed and proud that they can be part of this type of industry. When a record label tries to push them around, they push back, knowing that their fans will back their decision to keep doing what they do. Country artists are real people, who, for the most part, have their priorities straight, and are striving everyday to improve the product they give their fans. It’s not hype – its who they are, famous or not. Country artist embrace their fellow laborers. They allow new artists into their fold. When certain artist in the pop scene are no longer “hip” enough to stay on top, and they want to keep making real music, many times they migrate to country. Not because “anyone can do country,” but because they know that they won’t be judged as long as they keep making real music. Darius Rucker is a great example. I don’t even care for his music, nor do I think he’s very country, but the pop scene passed him up, so he went back to his roots and jump started his career again where he knew people would appreciate him. Country accepts people for who they are.
MUSICIANS
A common misconception is that anyone can play country music. People believe its 4 chords, a cheesy melody and a shallow subject. What people who don’t give it a chance don’t understand is that country artists are constantly ranked as some of the most skilled musicians in the world. Stereotypes abound, but if you actually sit down with a few records you’ll quickly realize that all of these stereotypes are wrong.
Much of pop music today is written electronically. It can be sang to a backing track of electric drums, keyboards and a synth bass. Auto-tune is applied to coverup weak vocals, and then piled on to add “effects”. Much of pop focuses on the lead singer or artist, and no emphasis is given to the band (indie rock, brit rock, and others take exception of course). No one cares the caliber of musicians that play because they are pre-recorded anyway. Musicians are the sideshow that no one really pays much mind too. Not so with country.
Country music is FOR musicians. It has some of the hottest guitar players, the tightest drummers, the most solid bass players and the fastest fiddle players. Country musicians are versatile. They can play all styles, but choose country because it allows them to live and expand as a musician. The focus is on the music as a whole, and all the parts that go into it. They aren’t hidden so that the main act can be shown off. (With the exception of Kid Rock who takes 20 minutes out of his show to somehow prove that he’s a better musician than every one of his band members. Still don’t get why he’s considered country….but I digress). Country musicians, LOVE playing country, because its NOT simple. It’s creative and difficult and fun. It gives musicians a chance to showoff. The can’t hide behind the persona of a band, allowing the whole to cover their shottily-played parts (ok, now I am singling out indie and brit rock). They always stand out, and as such, they HAVE to play perfectly. I challenge you to find musicians better than country players. I’ll put any one of them up against mainstream musicians – guaranteed.
STYLE
Many people find it hard to relate to country music because of its style. People in big cities or suburban areas like Orange County probably were not raised on country music, nor were they raised where there are dirt roads, small town football games, drinking on the river, etc. Its completely understandable why the “lifestyle” of country music might be slightly off-putting. You can’t relate – I get it. They wear funny hats. Well, at least you know that they have ALWAYS worn that hat, and that its not some costume for a special event. That’s their style thru and thru.
As someone who was raised in California, but has strong family ties to the mid-west and south, I’ve been torn my whole life between the supposedly country lifestyle that I love and the style that all my friends subscribe to. The difference is, I’ve chosen to dive into this style because I see tremendous value in it. Would I rather my kids (or myself for that reason) walk around singing about “that bitch’s ass” or singing about being proud of our troops? Would I rather spend my money on a record glorifying partying and promiscuous nightlife, or a record that talks about working hard, earning a living and loving my family. The country style to me stems from the values inherent in it. Country music is a lifestyle just as much as its a genre. I’m not talking about clothes or trucks, but where you place value, how you spend your time and what you strive for. Name me one song in mainstream music (pop, rock, rap or otherwise) that talk about being a good man and honoring your word. How about loving your wife? Heck, even drinking with your buddies after work? (and I don’t mean sipping cognac hoping to get drunk enough so that the girl will let you “slap dat ass”). The lifestyle that a love of country music creates is genuine, fair, even wholesome in some aspects. Sure, there’s some rocking country out there that talks about pounding Jack and dancing on the roof of trucks with the cops pulling up. Or beating someone’s ass who talks bad about my Country. But I would 10 to 1 rather rock that then 3/4 of the crap I hear on the radio these days. I make a conscious effort to subscribe to a simpler lifestyle, which is why I listen to country music. Because it encourages me in the values that I already hold dear. Now, I know that might even sound prudish, so I’ll add this – alot of the country music I listen to just plain rocks. Screaming guitars, killer vocals, and subjects that make me excited. Its not that its prude in any way, its just the base of the music is down-home values. Some of my favorite artists have hit tunes that talk about hot women, drinking whiskey, big trucks and fighting. And sure, rocking that music makes me feel badass every now and then. But I can just as easily kick on a Brad Paisley song that talks about walking with my Grandad in Heaven, and start I’ll tearing up. Why? Because I relate to both. The style of country is defined by the people who write the music, and its as broad as it is deep. I like honkey-tonk outlaw music – Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Merle Haggard, which is very much classic country. Other people I know only like poppier country – Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Taylor Swift. Two COMPLETELY different styles of country, but still country music.
FINAL THOUGHTS
There really is something for everyone in country. The dangers of the country music stereotype is that people don’t give it a chance because they assume its all the same. Nothing could be further from the truth. There’s country out there that rocks harder than some of todays hardest pop artists, and there’s country that’s so pretty and powerful it could almost be used in a church service. The differences are why I’m addicted to it. Because I never have to change genres to change moods. It’s quality music, by quality musicians singing on topics that I love, can relate to, or can strive to. Country music may not be for everyone, but I would venture that if you honestly give it a try, you’d find something out there that you could enjoy.
