New Country VS Traditional

[honky]

Ok, I dont' really want to post this to start a war, but since I have enough from the news articles these days, I think it's worthwhile to talk about TODAY'S country. As most of you have read the brutal article written by Waylon, I think he action is totally unjustified because he is the STUBBORN one who can't take the TRUTH of the trend of today's country. Since the beginning of 90's, stars such Garth, Alan, Vince, Reba, Brooks&Dunns, John Michael Montgomery, Tim & Faith, Shania, LeAnn, and Collin have taken a further step towards new listeners. C'mon let's face it, today's country has broader listners and it has to partially credit to Garth. He has attracted international fans (just like me :)) and he has taken today's country into another level. I am not critcizing the traditional songs, but I think they should accept the fact and stop bashing the new artists. Ok this is the first time and the last time I am gonna say this: Garth & Shania are the example of today's country trends.. Even Dixie Chicks have brought up another twist to country groups. Not to mention Jo Dee and Mr. and Mrs. McGraw, they are all the diverse of today's country. I love what's happening now and I wounldn't be happy if the stations play ALL OLDIES.. <p>I'm just adding my 7-cents worth.. I hope I dont' offend other pgers because this is only my point of view towards today's country..<p>Tommy<br>PS: like the previous topic said, new more new artists are seeking opportunity in this industry because they knew it's a great market with broader listeners.. Frankly, I know who only listen to Garth's and is a huge fan of Rock N" Roll... that's how powerful Garth is.. :)N

[The Wagon Maker]

[Doug]

I agree with both of you....<p>With every generation there is a new wae of music...I like some of the oldies, you can't beet ol' Hank or Hank Jr. but the new Country is where the party's at. I listen to all types of music from Country to Classical and I find that new country is what I love best!<p>Mr.Waylon is just gonna have to accept the fact that [b]Time Marches On, Time Mraches On[/b}<p>theres my 7 Cents....N

[theking]

I wouldn't be listening to country music if it weren't for the artists that came along in the early 90s like Garth Brooks, Clint Black, Little Texas, and Alan Jackson. Once I started listening to country, I realized how good some of the older songs were that my parents used to listen to. Now, most of you know I have said before that I prefer older country (Eddie Rabbitt, Hank Jr., early George Strait, Hank Willams, Charlie Daniels, Conway Twitty, etc.). However, I still love some of the newer country (like Garth, Shania, Dixie Chicks). I don't want to go back to all older country; I want a mix of some old and some new.N

[jaredev]

I started listening to country and music alone in the 90's and I wouldn't listen to anything else. I like to today's country. I won't listen to the old classical, bluegrass, gospel, "whatever you want to call it" country. However, I understand those, like theking, who prefer the older country, having been raised on it. It's all on the era you were brought up on! What I don't like is those people, like Waylon, who downplay today's country music. That ticks me off. You don't hear country newcomers saying "Man I'm glad country music has changed, cause it sucked back then!" That's ridiculous. Like what you like, but don't criticize the other eras, especially if they're the current thing!N

[honky]

<b>I counldn't agree more to all of you</b> :D<p>I think jaredev had a great point that newcomers came in this industry with respects, but the older and experienced artists are very critical about today's trend. I think some of the older songs are great but they are all PAST TENSE.. I mean, life has to go on and so does music. We, the listeners, want to see improvement in this industry; otherwise, we won't be sooo faithful to the NEW COUNTRY.. <p>TommyN

[ObsessedwithGarth]

Like I said in one of the other posts somewhere.I am a country music fan <b>I AM A GARTH FAN </b>.I have a pretty big CD collection and the most of it is country,but I don't have but probably 15 different artists.<p>The rest of music ranges from 70's and 80's rock to rap to r&b.<p>I listened to traditional country until growing up until I got in high school then it was heavy metal all the way.The only thing that brought me back to country at all was Garth.<p>The only time country is on in my car is if my husband is driving.He is a traditional and new country fan.It stays on country until Miss thang comes on then to old rock and roll it goes.<p>If Garth hadn't managed to appeal the the baby boomer generation which is most of the populas.Country would have died a long time ago.Even here in Tennessee the home of country music the late middle to late eighties was an all time low in country music sales.It was only when Garth,Alan,Vince and some of the "new" people came on board that it started to rise.<p>These critics(and I use the word lightly)should go back and look at record sales before Garth came on board.N

[ObsessedwithGarth]

That's supposed to say I AM NOT a country music fan. Sorry :oN

[CSteffan]

Okay, I don't want to get off on a rant here but.......I am really fed up with the older country performers (I refuse to call them 'traditional') putting down the 'new' country performers. I also notice that when this is done, the only name ever mentioned is Garth's. There are other 'new' country singers who are more 'cross-over' than Garth has ever been. There are also a lot of 'old' singers who became famous because they crossed-over. The first time I heard Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and the others was on a Top 40 station. Back when (showing my age here) FM radio wasn't the major influence that it is today, all types of music were played under the umbrella of Top 40. If there was a station which played that variety of music today, it would be my favorite station. The listeners today are done a disservice by the segregation of musical types played by FM today.<br>I know that Johnny Cash complained that even though he won a grammy last year for best country album, he can't get air-play on the radio. I also know that Bob Dylan also won a grammy last year for best album, but I've yet to hear him complain about lack of air-play, and I'm also yet to hear any of his new stuff on any radio station. The constant whining by the older country performers is a major turn-off for both the people who have been listening for 40 years and for people who have been listening for 4 years.<br>I could probably write a book on this, but that's enough for now.<br>Thanks! N