BellaOnline Forums Books and Music Country Music Country Music - How far is too far?

I guess we are on the same page too.

Wow! I'm beginning to think one of you guys should be doing the country music site, except that I love what I listen to. I'm in Texas and am into both the mainstream and the Texas country music scenes. I grew up with country, fell away for a while and came back to it in the early 80's. I have my mainstream artists that I like and those that I really don't care for, but I have to give them all a chance when I listen to the music.

We listen to Hank, Willie, Waylon, Robert Earl Keen, Kevin Fowler (he performs down the road quite a bit), BR5-49 and assorted others that aren't quite as mainstream as some that we do like, such as Trace, Travis Tritt, Toby and Neal McCoy (tho I'm not quite sure where he fits in). I guess I'm not quite as picky, if I like the sound I listen, if I don't it falls by the wayside. I guess that's part of the reason I don't understand the problem with the traditional vs. new wave of artists. I will say there are a few of the new artists that I don't understand in country music, Cowboy Troy and Big & Rich come to mind there. I can't get over the rapping and calling it country.

I'm going to check out some of the artists you mention Megan I haven't heard of some of them and I'd like to see what I've been missing. Anyone else that has any recommendations, let me know and I'll check them out too.

Would just like to mention that Johnny Cash did remake a song bye Nine Inch Nails. Not a Rap/Country combo, but definately an Industrial/Country combo ... and a video.

I have listened to country music all my 47 years, and the only song and video I feel that I have ever been offended by was the song by the Dixie Chicks about killing Earl..I WAS a victim of domestic abuse and their song sent entirely the wrong message to solving this horrific problem. I just think of Traces Adkins video as funny, because we all know that most men will never find them in a situation like that, as much as they would like too!!! Maybe women that don't like the video are a little bit jealous when their men gawk at the video..Lighten up, country music has always been about change, in words to thousands of songs, and is a combination of many different types of music..Just be thankful we live in a country where we can listen to any type of music we choose, and when and wherever we want. God Bless America.

I agree with you, charchar! It's an amazing thing that we as Americans get to do: make choices! I enjoy all kinds of music, too and don't listen twice to stuff I don't really care for, although I'm exposed to it through my 20 year old son. I think the Dixie Chicks are probably the only group that I've heard much negative stuff about and I personally don't care for them.

Kathy, I enjoy your country music game! The research has been fun! For all our choices, for all our friends, for all our chances to share ideas and thoughts, I, too, am thankful that we live in this country! God Bless America. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Trish

From another Trishh-
I was raised on square dancing music, Wabash Cannonball, Tammy Wynette et al. I started listening to country again about 2 years ago when on long driving trips for work. I find it engages me emotionally far more than what I might listen to on pop stations and it keeps me awake! I am going to say that given that traditional country upbringing one might expect me to cast my vote with old school country. I,however, love the fun contemporary artists like Cowboy Troy, Big and Rich and Gretchen Wilson are having with their hick-hop version of the old standard. They are having a blast. The end result is fresh and fun, and heck, it likely won't last, so relax alright already! LOL

When cowboys start cross-dressing and saying 'Hi sweetie pie'. That's too far.

Or when they wear pirate costumes. What's all that about?

Funny...I just saw this topic and thought I would point you to Wynonna Judd and Cowboy Troy's answers on the Nashville Star site to a similar question...I don't have a good answer for the question. I like old-school and new age (I love Toby Keith and think he can sometimes be an example for both).

I remember Minnie Pearl and her wierd character fun that we'd probably now say was as country as country could get. Everything we say is traditional was out there in its own way when it was first introduced, else it wouldn't have stood out and had staying power. What we each like is another matter...