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I'm just having some fun and looking for some songs to listen that would the way country used to be. I feel I have had pretty great exposure to it, and listened a lot, but I'm not going to pretend to know everything there is to know...not by a LONG shot.

So, what are some GREAT songs you would recommend...and what should I be listening for? What do you hear that you feel makes it a great song?

Thanks for any help with this. Just lookin' to expand a bit. I have some driving coming up and it's fun to do this kind of thing. It makes long trips exciting wink
General Advice -

Assuming you're not Gender-Specific, too - for me, Country Music came to an end in about 1982. YMMV, but after about that time, Country Music became "Rock/Pop with a twangy vocalist". I paint with a broad brush, and there are exceptions, but...

Check out Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Loretta Young, Johnny Cash, maybe Crystal Gayle (near the End of Days, but still valid), Rosanne Cash, and for God's sake, don't hit the road without EmmyLou Harris.

After the passing of "real" country, investigate Mary Chapin Carpenter. She is an absolute must-listen of the '90's.

Hallmarks of the "classic" Country genre are minimalistic arrangements, devoid of pretense (though never eschewing the device of a Bad Pun), and tasteful guitar / steel guitar arrangements. "Shredding" did not really exist, in the Golden Age.

As a male artist, I've never been a fan of overly-aggressive female vocal parts... and if you're that way, don't listen to entire albums by one artist. That reveals "pandering", when in one song the vocalist is tender and sweet, and the next she's a snarling assertive $#2&, but again that's just my opinion.

Check out also, Jim Reeves... and (shameless plug!) my own version of his classic here: https://soundcloud.com/dibubba/hell-have-to-go

Holler if you need more! laugh
Here are a few I thought of...


The Chair - George Strait
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Nh-NsqBsGE

What I Didn't Do - Steve Wariner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwogoGQmoFU

When I Call Your Name - Vince Gill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwmGWCJOxnw

Killin' Time - Clint Black
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvZ5E5_Uuik

Somebody Lied - Ricky Van Shelton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXSg5HPs5tk

Don't Rock The Jukebox - Alan Jackson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjATzGrWT18

Two Dozen Roses - Shenandoah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrHOjcvQhmQ

Third Rate Romance - Amazing Rythym Aces
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTT-Jmi1nOc

Every Light In The House - Trace Adkins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72AVXpeo_ZI

Ghost In This House Shenandoah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9Mngche9uc

Your Cheatin' Heart - Hank Williams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg2oR91_r5I

Family Tradition - Hank Williams, Jr.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd0TGfZSACI

When You Say Nothing at All — Keith Whitley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRM3pEjBNFI

Small Town Saturday Night - Hal Ketcham
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFRkH_3ZmbU

What's Forever For - Michael Martin Murphey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIIUjgy4hfA

Crazy - Patsy Cline
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QEDb3xzdec

She's in Love with the Boy - Trisha Yearwood
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUFObCZtGWQ

There Ain't Nothin' Wrong with the Radio - Aaron Tippin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgMMsIsW4p8

Too Cold at Home - Mark Chesnutt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-Cvinp1-jU

Forever and Ever, Amen - Randy Travis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgJXbIP83A8

All My Ex's Live in Texas - George Strait
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk7uXaNuWNE

16th Avenue - Lacy J. Dalton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdwzSXHrZmI

Friends in Low Places - Garth Brooks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VamwOLagpVk

Somewhere In My Broken Heart - Billy Dean
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiCe59tYiCs

Thinkin' Problem - David Ball
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUqXWWb_ifA

Don't Tell Me What To Do - Pam Tillis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wmjfd2TfwQ

I Love The Way You Love Me - John Michael Montgomery
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy4uzNDYFlE

Life Turned Her That Way - Ricky Van Shelton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKBgtZ0qPYM

Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses - Kathy Mattea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ElCpHuiWkA

Home - Joe Diffie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6y7Aa9aSkM

Sticks and Stones - Tracy Lawrence
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCdvlLE8An4

Country Club - Travis Tritt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBbvp_EeLhY

Neon Moon - Brooks & Dunn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nopBvlKfYgY

Chain Of Love - Clay Walker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_9HdZwf60U

A Little Past Little Rock - Lee Ann Womack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PAEQvoVfO0

Walkaway Joe - Trisha Yearwood
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCdCuduv0H0

Bubba Shot The Jukebox - Mark Chesnutt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=439jqiY0Eto

Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On - Mel McDaniel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cHaufA26B8

Why Didn't I thnk Of That - Doug Stone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFrLQGjQyus

Austin - Blake Shelton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb1DTsxBOfE

John Deere Green - Joe Diffe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y32Y_2Fuco

Something In Red - Lorrie Morgan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x-CnaPNFos

Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old) - Garth Brooks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pzKlgLs8Rs

Tulsa Time - Don Williams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoOtRc1H3z4

If Tomorrow Never Comes - Garth Brooks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fY07-DCQ4EI

That Ain't My Truck - Rhett Akins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar5ga4hXuHI

Just Call Me Lonesome - Radney Foster
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfa4vxpdH3Q

Straight Tequila Night - John Anderson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyGU4nzhirI

Blame It on Your Heart - Patty Loveless
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eopNLWRW0IM

Life's a Dance - John Michael Montgomery
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLrnwnNycoQ

Look Heart, No Hands - Randy Travis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbkdDLFEDEM

You're the Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had - Ed Bruce
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqP1VhenuMY


smile
I'm not so sure that good Country has ended. More is that it has evolved, just like every other music style alongside it.

Johnny Tillotson had some great "Country style" songs. Things like:
It Keeps Right On A Hurtin
Talk Back Trembling Lips
Send Me The Pillow You Dream On
Johnny Rodriguez version of Johnny Bond's I wonder where you are tonight.

Anything by Hank Williams

Webb Pierce There stands the glass

Webb Pierce Wondering and why baby why

Hawkshaw Hawkins LO-some 77-203 (Extra credit for anyone old enough to know why the first two letters are capitalized.)

Buck Owens Love's gonna live here

Marty Robbins El Paso

Ernest Tubb Walk across Texas

Porter Wagoner Satisfied Mind

Hank Snow I'm Movin' on

Floyd,
Fantastic list! Thanks for posting. I'm working my way through them... a labour of love!
And who would've thought Floyd liked Country? smile
Posted By: jford Re: Teach Me About "Real" Country Music Please - 02/08/17 09:38 AM
A few more that come to mind (I didn't pick the obvious song examples):

Rusty Draper - Pick Me Up On Your Way Down

Gatlin Brothers - Midnight Choir

Charlie Pride - Crystal Chandeliers

Originally Posted By: VideoTrack
And who would've thought Floyd liked Country? smile


Not I, considering his impressive collection of boy band memorabilia! wink

In all seriousness, thank you for the suggestions! I like to drive anyway, but this will make it that much better! This will be fun!!!

Thanks again!
Without overloading you..... country music is exemplified in these artists.

Hank Williams Sr, & Jr.

Willie Nelson

Waylon Jennings

George Jones

Merle Haggard

Patsy Cline

Loretta Lynn

Buck Owens

and that's just a very small starting place. If you didn't grow up on these artists, I'd suggest hitting YouTube and look them up and listen.

A bit more modern but still solidly rooted in country would include:

Alabama

Brooks & Dunn

Emmy Lou Harris

Garth Brooks

Trisha Yearwood

Lacy J Dalton

Reba MacIntire

There are so many other artists and groups who were instrumental in the history of country music.... the more you dig, the more you will find.


edit to add: and don't forget the classic duet combo's....
Conway & Loretta,
Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton,
Kenny Rogers and Dottie West<<< YOU GOTTA HEAR THAT. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlcRqPG1OeQ
George Jones and Tammy Wynette.
Every one of those are country classics.
ountry music through the years
Don't forget Skeeter Davis:

I forgot More: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfZABhjVm2A

End of the World: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbZ9ILRYQ2o

My Last Date: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BLR5R8b-Ao

Or Sammi Smith:

Am I that Easy to Forget: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmW5OdZuDBU

Sunday Morning Coming Down: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yqfzle3jZc

Today I started Loving you Again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t99r86qWmOc
So cool you all would do this! MUCH appreciation!

Any suggestions on WHAT to be listening for. I know how I would listen to it, but want to know what YOU would listen for. If we had a listening session in the same room, what would you point out?

Thanks!
Posted By: 90 dB Re: Teach Me About "Real" Country Music Please - 02/08/17 12:55 PM
"If we had a listening session in the same room, what would you point out?"




The authenticity, and without autotune. grin



Regards,


Bob
Originally Posted By: MarioD
Don't forget Skeeter Davis:

I forgot More: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfZABhjVm2A

End of the World: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbZ9ILRYQ2o

My Last Date: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BLR5R8b-Ao

Or Sammi Smith:

Am I that Easy to Forget: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmW5OdZuDBU

Sunday Morning Coming Down: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yqfzle3jZc

Today I started Loving you Again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t99r86qWmOc


Amazing selection. Never heard Sammi's version of Sunday Morning Coming Down... phenomenal.
Real Country, hmmm.

A lot of good selections have been suggested.

If you listen to Country music across the decades, starting with the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers, you will find two concurrend streams:
1. Country music that reflects the pop music trend of its time and
2. Music that has more the feel of "it could have been in a living room on a farm". (Even if it is amplified.)

ad 1:
1930s: Bob Wills, Spade Cooley and all the other Western Swing bands played Jazz;
1940s: The Delmore Brothers, Arthur Smith and others played Boogie Woogie style music.
1950s: Even Eddy Arnold recorded Rockabilly songs, Country music's adaption of Rock 'n' Roll. And there were others like George "Thumper" Jones, Hank Snow, Johnny Cash and many, many more.
1960s: Sound carpets by very large string orchestras enhanced Country music to have it have an easier access to the pop charts.
and so on...
the reason to invent outlaw country music, you know Jennings, Nelson, and their friends.

ad 2.
All the music that is seen as "real" country music including all the other sub-genres like bluegrass or gospel music for instance.
Posted By: jford Re: Teach Me About "Real" Country Music Please - 02/08/17 03:50 PM
Back in 2003, NPR did a great multi-part segment called "Honky Tonks, Hymns, and Blues". It is definitely worth a listen. You'll hear traditional country music, as well as interviews with respected entertainers. I recorded it off the radio and created CDs to listen to at my leisure.
John, you made me remember NRPS, New Riders of the Purple Sage:

Glendale Train: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOk71pHqCu8

The Last Lonely: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGxSYOZVhlM

"On The Bayou" might be considered Country.

Lots did it including Hank, but Karens' version was always a favourite.

Posted By: DrDan Re: Teach Me About "Real" Country Music Please - 02/08/17 06:14 PM
Originally Posted By: floyd jane
Here are a few I thought of...


The Chair - George Strait
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Nh-NsqBsGE

What I Didn't Do - Steve Wariner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwogoGQmoFU

When I Call Your Name - Vince Gill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwmGWCJOxnw

Killin' Time - Clint Black
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvZ5E5_Uuik

Somebody Lied - Ricky Van Shelton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXSg5HPs5tk

Don't Rock The Jukebox - Alan Jackson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjATzGrWT18

Two Dozen Roses - Shenandoah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrHOjcvQhmQ

Third Rate Romance - Amazing Rythym Aces
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTT-Jmi1nOc

Every Light In The House - Trace Adkins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72AVXpeo_ZI

Ghost In This House Shenandoah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9Mngche9uc

Your Cheatin' Heart - Hank Williams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg2oR91_r5I

Family Tradition - Hank Williams, Jr.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd0TGfZSACI

When You Say Nothing at All — Keith Whitley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRM3pEjBNFI

Small Town Saturday Night - Hal Ketcham
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFRkH_3ZmbU

What's Forever For - Michael Martin Murphey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIIUjgy4hfA

Crazy - Patsy Cline
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QEDb3xzdec

She's in Love with the Boy - Trisha Yearwood
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUFObCZtGWQ

There Ain't Nothin' Wrong with the Radio - Aaron Tippin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgMMsIsW4p8

Too Cold at Home - Mark Chesnutt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-Cvinp1-jU

Forever and Ever, Amen - Randy Travis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgJXbIP83A8

All My Ex's Live in Texas - George Strait
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk7uXaNuWNE

16th Avenue - Lacy J. Dalton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdwzSXHrZmI

Friends in Low Places - Garth Brooks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VamwOLagpVk

Somewhere In My Broken Heart - Billy Dean
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiCe59tYiCs

Thinkin' Problem - David Ball
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUqXWWb_ifA

Don't Tell Me What To Do - Pam Tillis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wmjfd2TfwQ

I Love The Way You Love Me - John Michael Montgomery
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy4uzNDYFlE

Life Turned Her That Way - Ricky Van Shelton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKBgtZ0qPYM

Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses - Kathy Mattea
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ElCpHuiWkA

Home - Joe Diffie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6y7Aa9aSkM

Sticks and Stones - Tracy Lawrence
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCdvlLE8An4

Country Club - Travis Tritt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBbvp_EeLhY

Neon Moon - Brooks & Dunn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nopBvlKfYgY

Chain Of Love - Clay Walker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_9HdZwf60U

A Little Past Little Rock - Lee Ann Womack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PAEQvoVfO0

Walkaway Joe - Trisha Yearwood
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCdCuduv0H0

Bubba Shot The Jukebox - Mark Chesnutt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=439jqiY0Eto

Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On - Mel McDaniel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cHaufA26B8

Why Didn't I thnk Of That - Doug Stone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFrLQGjQyus

Austin - Blake Shelton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb1DTsxBOfE

John Deere Green - Joe Diffe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y32Y_2Fuco

Something In Red - Lorrie Morgan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x-CnaPNFos

Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old) - Garth Brooks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pzKlgLs8Rs

Tulsa Time - Don Williams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoOtRc1H3z4

If Tomorrow Never Comes - Garth Brooks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fY07-DCQ4EI

That Ain't My Truck - Rhett Akins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar5ga4hXuHI

Just Call Me Lonesome - Radney Foster
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfa4vxpdH3Q

Straight Tequila Night - John Anderson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyGU4nzhirI

Blame It on Your Heart - Patty Loveless
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eopNLWRW0IM

Life's a Dance - John Michael Montgomery
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLrnwnNycoQ

Look Heart, No Hands - Randy Travis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbkdDLFEDEM

You're the Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had - Ed Bruce
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqP1VhenuMY


smile



FJ, what a wonderful collection of tunes. Now, don't take this the wrong way, but I swear I hear a bit of you in all of them! grin They must have been listening to your music for a long time to pick up bits and pieces of that unique phrasing and smooth vocals combined with story telling lyrics. You should be very proud that such a distinguished group has been paying attention to your music.

Originally Posted By: VideoTrack

"On The Bayou" might be considered Country.

Lots did it including Hank, but Karens' version was always a favourite.


Without Hank, Karen would not have sung it. smile
Posted By: jford Re: Teach Me About "Real" Country Music Please - 02/08/17 06:36 PM
Besides, "Goodbye Joe, me gotta go" rolled off Hank's tongue much more credibly. And of course, Hank also wrote it (allegedly with help from Moon Mullican).
Originally Posted By: GHinCH
Real Country, hmmm.

A lot of good selections have been suggested.

If you listen to Country music across the decades, starting with the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers, you will find two concurrend streams:
1. Country music that reflects the pop music trend of its time and
2. Music that has more the feel of "it could have been in a living room on a farm". (Even if it is amplified.)

ad 1:
1930s: Bob Wills, Spade Cooley and all the other Western Swing bands played Jazz;
1940s: The Delmore Brothers, Arthur Smith and others played Boogie Woogie style music.
1950s: Even Eddy Arnold recorded Rockabilly songs, Country music's adaption of Rock 'n' Roll. And there were others like George "Thumper" Jones, Hank Snow, Johnny Cash and many, many more.
1960s: Sound carpets by very large string orchestras enhanced Country music to have it have an easier access to the pop charts.
and so on...
the reason to invent outlaw country music, you know Jennings, Nelson, and their friends.

ad 2.
All the music that is seen as "real" country music including all the other sub-genres like bluegrass or gospel music for instance.




Grinch,

Excellent overview.

In my opinion dividing the music into decades is a good way to approach reviewing the music regardless what genre the music is.

Another way is to listen to a compilation such as The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band albums.

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band has worked with musicians, singers and songwriters of several generations in the double disc albums (CD): ++ Will The Circle Be Unbroken Vol. 1 ++ , ++ Will The Circle Be Unbroken Vol. 2 ++ , and Will The Circle Be Unbroken Vol. 3 (video not available).
John,

I agree with almost everything you have said here, but one thing you have said confuses me almost as much as Floyd's list, which has a serious omission.

Are you not really speaking here of the greatest country song of all time "The Ballad of Country Joe?"

How could you have got that confused and how could Floyd have left it off his list? I am pretty riled up right now.

--Tater Totts (borrowing David Snyder's email thing while he's out in the shop)
Originally Posted By: David Snyder


Are you not really speaking here of the greatest country song of all time "The Ballad of Country Joe?"



This is on me, I asked for great country songs from a specific time...not THE BEST of ALL TIME!

I mean, come one, saying The Greatest Country Song...dare I say SONG of all time AND "The Ballad of Country Joe" is a redundancy. You simply refer to one or the other, as they are one in the same smile
Originally Posted By: GHinCH
Without Hank, Karen would not have sung it. smile

No question about that. Just trying to broaden the repertoire/list of performers who did Country.
Originally Posted By: VideoTrack
Originally Posted By: GHinCH
Without Hank, Karen would not have sung it. smile

No question about that. Just trying to broaden the repertoire/list of performers who did Country.

Well, that is o.k., even if I believe that the Carpenters never did Country but played a type of music that would be classified in Germany as "Schlager". *) For that type of music artists take songs of many genres and make it their own. And many genres have pieces of music that fit into that genre-bucket. Also many artists/genres change the marketing drawer they're in. Today CCR is regarded as a Country subgenre, if you would have told their fans in the 1960s and 70s that they're Country music fans you would've probably be stoned (no pun intended).

But in my post that you quoted I was reflecting on another part of your post "Lots did it including Hank" since he wrote that song.
I don't mind if the scope is broadend. One of my favourite country music albums is done by Louis Armstrong. Here's a link to a large online retailer with soundbits.


*) This link opens the German Wikipedia page which has a much more in depth view about that genre. The English page is extremely shortened, but has a more generalised definition and also relates to that type of music in other (especially) European countries.
The best country song ever written:


You Never Even Called Me By My Name

Everything else pales in comparison.
Posted By: jford Re: Teach Me About "Real" Country Music Please - 02/09/17 12:33 PM
"Now a good friend of mine named Steve Goodman wrote that song, and I called him up the other day and told him that he had not written the perfect country western song, because he hadn't said anything at all about mama... or trains...or trucks...or prison...or gettin' drunk."

"So I sat down and wrote another verse to this song, and it goes something like this here."

"Well, I was drunk, the day my mom got out of prison,
and went to pick her up in the rain,
but before I could get to the station in my pickup truck,
she got run over by a danged ol' train."

That was completely from memory, and I may not have gotten it all correct, but yes, truly the best country song ever written.
Add David Allen Coe to your list of "must listen to" for real country.

The guy is a complete A$$^&$# but he can write and sing some real country music. Also be advised, he has recorded several X-rated adults only albums. Some of the titles will be sufficient warning.

Then, there's classics like this:

Jack Daniels if you please

Mona Lisa lost her smile

Lately I been thinking too much lately
Originally Posted By: VideoTrack
I'm not so sure that good Country has ended. More is that it has evolved, just like every other music style alongside it.

Agree 100%! I am really enjoying Sturgill Simpson's latest CD!
I don't think Hank done 'em this way..

Originally Posted By: Pipeline
I don't think Hank done 'em this way..


You're right (but I LOVE that song!)
Yes Waylon said it all, the same with Shania they gave her a hard time but look where she ended up and how many fans she brought over to Country, they restricted her so much until she met AC/DC producer Mutt Lange.
It has to grow and evolve, I grew up listing to Charley Pride but I like the new n old.
Dear Hear to Learn,

Tater went to the store for some corn (not the kind you eat) and he wanted me to tell you that you were about the smartest man he had ever read on the Internet, and that your taste in country is just as good as Willy Nelson's, and Willy is a good buddy of his.

He also said to tell you that you have a very bright and promising career after hearing your first post.

I think what he said was, and this is pretty much verbatim:

"Hell if that was his first song, I'm quitting."
Ok, I just came off being the sickest I've been in a while. I had a cold that turned into bronchitis...then got the flu! So NOT fun!

I didn't respond, because, frankly, I felt so crappy. However, what I did do was listen...over and over! This thread made all the junk MUCH better! I would close my eyes and just listen.

So thank you so much for all of the suggestions. I heard some things I really liked! I feel I learned a fair amount too.

The funny thing is, I knew probably 60% of the songs, but never really listened to that extent before.

I can say for sure there is a resurgence of a lot of this type of sound. I'm not sure where it will go, but even an element here or there is very recognizable.

Also, some of you would probably be surprised that many of the artists on the radio do have things on their cds along these lines. They simply don't get played on the radio. So, it may not be the artists not liking it so much as the market (record companies) dictating it.

Anyway, I can't thank ya'll enough for taking the time to answer. That's pretty awesome in my book! smile
Originally Posted By: David Snyder
Dear Hear to Learn,

Tater went to the store for some corn (not the kind you eat) and he wanted me to tell you that you were about the smartest man he had ever read on the Internet, and that your taste in country is just as good as Willy Nelson's, and Willy is a good buddy of his.

He also said to tell you that you have a very bright and promising career after hearing your first post.

I think what he said was, and this is pretty much verbatim:

"Hell if that was his first song, I'm quitting."




Um...what? confused I think something may have been lost in the English to English translation?
Glad to read you are feeling better. The flu is more vicious than normal this year.

Some of the formerly country artists now fall under the Americana banner. Some artists are on smaller labels, are independent and distribute their own music.

I've noticed many current artists have traditional songs on their CDs that don't receive airplay. More than one contemporary artist has commented something like records use to bring fans to the concerts but now concerts bring fans to the CDs. In other words they hope concert exposure will interest a fan enough for the fan to purchase a CD to be exposed to a more diverse selection of songs.
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