CMA Awards?

[Links]

Posted this on Banjo #######! Curious what some of you that saw this might think. I can't recall seeing a single mandolin (although I did not see the entire show - pitiful!)

I don't know why I wasted my time, but I took a few minutes last night to watch the CMA awards from New York. I am not a huge "new" country music fan, and the CMA awards solidified why! Curious what others thought.

Here are a few of mine:

Rascal Flatts lip sync was awful, particularly to a song that was pathetic!

The young (22 Yr. Old) "Brittany" look alike, couldn't keep time even stomping (and I mean stomping) her foot much less strumming her guitar. The pyrotechnics were a little "too much". Horrible, if that is the new face of country music.

Did Dolly (whom I love) and Elton practice?

George Strait's song totally "uninspired" and in my opinion "garbled".

Maybe Allison Krause was the best, and I like her too, but it sounds just like every other song she has ever recorded.

I don't know why I should be disappointed since I do not care for the "new" country music, but if that is the best they can do, it leaveds an awful lot to be desired

[Wesley]

"The young (22 Yr. Old) "Brittany" look alike, couldn't keep time even stomping (and I mean stomping) her foot much less strumming her guitar. The pyrotechnics were a little "too much". Horrible, if that is the new face of country music."

If you're talking about Miranda Lambert - she's not my taste in country music either - but there's a lot worse out there. HOWEVER - her new bass player Aden is a friend of mine and I'm really happy that he's got a good gig now. Their band will be opening for George Straight on his next tour. Aden is one of the very best musicians I've ever played with and has the best work ethic too. And a real standup family man. It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

I only saw a few minutes of the show - but I'm not suprised at the lack of mandolins.

[f5joe]

I didn't know country music was still being played on the airways. ............. and they have an awards show?

Wow, where've I been? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[bjc]

Didn't Bon Jovi appear on there...Now THATS country....Heavy sigh....rumble, crunch...the sound of Hank Williams rolling over

[Nathan Sanders]

I saw a Rigel mandolin on the show. Sugarland's dude in the cowboy hat was playing a Rigel. And I think there was a mando in the band when Tim McGraw and Faith Hill sang.

Yep, the Dolly and Elton portion of the program was very bad. Dolly should not have covered Lennon's Imagine. And Alan Jackson's version of Clapton's Wonderful Tonight was not that great either.

I hope you got a good look at Miranda Lambert, because I do not think she'll be around much longer, unless CMT overplays her videos like they have done with Kenny Chesney.

Overall, I was not impressed with the CMA's, but I am glad Big and Rich and Chesney and some others did not dominate like I feared they would. I was happy with most of the winners.

[kudzugypsy]

yeah, we can all find something to bash instead of gib$on!!

i REALLY tried to listen to commercial country radio a year ago - to hear the level of songwriting mainly - i honestly couldnt take it for more than 15mins - and i really try to have an open mind about music - plus, i do come from the southern rural trailer park background. i just dont know who likes this stuff other than people who shop at wal-mart (i do shop at wal-mart, but for cheap disposable stuff)
you constantly hear about the level of songwriting in nashvegas, and i dont doubt it, but none of it gets airplay.

they need to let some guys out of prision so we can get some more real country music!

...by the way, i'm not surprised at the zero mando/banjo content - but did you see any pedal steels?

[Nathan Sanders]

It seemed every other camera shot had a pedal steel in it.

[JimRichter]

I watched about an hour of it last night. How horribly awful. The one thing that did strike me, and I commented to my wife on it at the time, is that the days of Oh Brother's influence on mainstream country have passed.

The irony is that as the IBMA moved everything to Nashville this year to try to integrate into the mainstream music industry, the CMA's decided to do their show in New York City.

Seems like the Country Music Association kinda did a "there goes the neighborhood," and moved into a new northern suburb. The IBMA is left w/ the urban decay (or maybe it's Keith Urban--same thing).

Jim

[Nathan Sanders]

Actually one of the best, if not the best, performance was Carrie Underwood. Look for her to garner some awards in the next year.

Isn't the CMA moving back to Nashville next year for the 40th anniversary of the CMAs?

[mandopete]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sleepy.gif

[f5loar]

There were serveral steel guitars but hidden in the dark areas. I know one guy took a break but forget who.
The guy with the Rigel is more a slammer than a picker.
Don't know why he stays with the electric mandolin sorta like the fat chick on the guitar, she don't do much either for their sound. The fact that NYC no longer has a Country music station should tell you something about where Country music is headed.

[Chip Booth]

I thought it was tonight, I was gonn go set my DVR.... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[blammo]

… And Alan Jackson's version of Clapton's Wonderful Tonight was not that great either.…
Yeah…that seemed like a pretty shaky rendition. Why use your 4 minutes on national TV to do that song anyway? Especially if you aren't going to totally kick butt on it? The twin fiddles & steel guitar were nice, but what a snoozer.

[BauerHaus]

As a huge Beatles fan..I think Dolly and Elton's rendition of Imagine was the absolute worst I have ever seen or heard. It literally made me sick to my stomach. I couldn't even listen to the whole song, but I suppose it got worse rather than better by the end.

Steve

[Tom C]

Funny thing is, there is not one country radio station on either FM or AM in NY. These award are just for "show" and do not mean a thing. Do you think people actually like to attend the Tony awards?

[FlawLaw]

There was a mandolin in the song that Keith Urban did, but it couldn't be heard. I felt terrible for Dolly Parton. Those were two terrible songs that she sang and she looked bad too. I really like her bluegrass inspired cds, but last night was plain bad. I thought there were several good parts to the show though. I thought that gospelly song with Brooks and Dunn sounded very good and it was nice to see an upright bass out in front. I also thought Gretchen Wilson was okay.

[JimRichter]

Yea, I don't think the CMA's have moved to NYC permanently. That's probably just a schtick for this year.

Talking of horrible performances. Paul Simon's vocals on "Crazy" were painful. But, conversely, his guitar playing on "Crazy" was the best thing I saw/heard on what I watched of the CMAs. I had forgotten how good of a fingerstyle jazz guitarist he is. I remember his guitar playing on those early Simon/Garfunkel albums--what great stuff.

Jim

[Nathan Sanders]

Yeah Jim, I forgot about the Paul Simon, Willie, and Norah Jones segment. That was interesting, although I don't know why they even bothered getting Norah involved. She really did not add anything. Willie and Paul would have been enough. Both did fine on each other's song.

And Brooks and Dunn's performance was really nice. Did you notice Randy Scruggs on guitar? And tell me again, what is Kix Brooks' job?

[FlawLaw]

And Brooks and Dunn's performance was really nice. Did you notice Randy Scruggs on guitar? And tell me again, what is Kix Brooks' job?
I noticed Randy Scruggs at the end, he was so shadowed in the back. I guess he was the one really playing the guitar.

[olgraypat]

I flipped over during commericals of House and Boston Legal, and agree that the music wasn't to my taste...Didn't hear a thing over a couple of hours of flipping back and forth that I even remotely liked. BUT I have one big question:

WHAT IN THE HECK WAS ALLISON WEARING AND WHAT WAS SHE THINKING ABOUT?

Now this would seem to me to be what's wrong with country music today.........

[f5loar]

Kix is there to pretend to play guitar. He should at least know the chord changes if he's going to pretend.
Who would go to the awards? The rich and famous. On David Letterman last night they discussed the bottom ticket price was $1500 and the front rows were $2500. Now I know MSG is a big place and if they filled it up that's some big bucks that went into helping NYC. Letterman made some fun in his jokes about the CMA last night. Even flashed a big photo of Jimmy Martin. Isn't Nora Jones traveling on the back of Willie's bus these days? That's how she got on stage. At least there were no terrorist attacks on the show last night. If ever they were going to strike NYC again it would have been last night. With guys like Paul Simon,BonJovi,Elton John,songs by Eric Clapton & John Lennon was this really the CMA awards show? It was good to see Garth has not lost his touch in retirement and can come out for a one nighter every now and then. What does his band do the other 364 days of the year?

[357mag]

I didnt watch it. I didnt watch Rap awards either. But thats OK. At least Rap is Rap. Thats what its called and thats what it is. I respect that..
But "Country" music award? It should be called "Noise" awards, then I could respect that too.

[PatrickH]

The Good:
- Allison and Union Station's performance
- Ron Block's banjo solo on the above
- Carrie Underwood
- Brooks and Dunn's gospel song
- Jerry Douglas winning "Musician of the year"
- Paul Simon's guitar playing
- The guy who did the guitar/vocal solo sitting (Brad Paisley??)

The Bad :
- Allison's microphone
- Brooks and Dunn hosting
- Paul Simon's vocal
- Willie Nelson's vocal
- The Chevy commercials
- Mayor Bloomberg
- George Strait's vocal

The Ugly :
- Dolly and Elton

The Transparent :
- Allison's dress
- NYC as the venue
- Jerry Douglas winning "Musician of the year"
- Spotlighting of many non-country acts and songs (Billy Joel, etc)

The Very Funny :
- The line in the Lee Ann Womack song that goes "that was 20 years and 2 husbands ago". My 13 year old son and I bust out laughing when she sang it.

[picksnbits]

The CMAs are in NYC where there is no country radio station and the IBMAs are in Nashville where there is no bluegrass station. Ironic, huh?

[Ken Berner]

Gosh, There is so much to be said about the entire, sad "spectacle", I'll just limit myself to a couple of comments. I have yet to figure out the attraction for Ms. Wilson; she is as homely as a Mississippi mud fence and sounds like any other female bar singer. I realize that Alison is a ding-a-ling acting creature, and she must have known that her dress was transparent; really a tasteless garment. Don Imus stated this morning on MSNBC that Rascal F's absolutely suck; I agree. They consider themselves as being in "the big time" and that is a pitiful statement for country music. Do we have any idea how much lower "country music" can sink itself? There are a few of those "artists" that I can tolerate, but they are a small minority.

[Nathan Sanders]

Yep, I really do not like Rascal Flatts either. They have one song I kind of like, but that's it. They really grate on my nerves, almost as bad as Big and Rich. Gretchen, because of her win, will probably have another year before she fades out.

I was just thinking today, the "Nashville Sound" which Chet Atkins and others created is gone. What is called "country" today sounds like any other sugar-coated, sappy pop music. There are a handful of country artists left who are trying to bring back the traditional sound. It was very nice to see Bill Anderson win. To paraphrase his remarks, he has been writing songs in Nashville longer than most of the people at the CMA ceremony have been alive.

[Keith Erickson]

I don't mean to pile on...
...but NYC? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

I know that there are some open minded Bluegrassers up there but there are a lot of folks in NYC that think those folks up on that stage last night were... ...well ...not as sophisticated.

...and then having country acts doing "hip tunes" so as to try prove to the NYC elitists that they are up on "things" is just as ridiculous.

People who are not honest about who they are while trying to satisfy others will be doomed to failure.

As from judging from these threads....

...well you make that decision

[bud]

I was really glad to see Lee Ann Womack win 3 awards. If you like traditional country, her new cd is great. She took a big risk to cut that cd and I was glad she was rewarded by the industry. Also, glad to see DeFord Bailey's induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. I was humming Evening Prayer Blues during that portion of the show. Vince Gill is still a funny guy. Glad to see him also. These were the highlights. Most of the music was not too good. Most of the artists looked uncomfortable to me. I got the feeling that they were having problems with sound and monitors. Of course you could not hear Alison at all when she started singing.

Bud

[dave]

I know that there are some open minded Bluegrassers up there but there are a lot of folks in NYC that think those folks up on that stage last night were... ...well ...not as sophisticated.

Well, most of what I saw on TV didn't prove them wrong.

...and then having country acts doing "hip tunes" so as to try prove to the NYC elitists that they are up on "things" is just as ridiculous.

I don't think many of your so called NYC elitists would have known the show was on.

[Milan Christi]

I felt sorry for Alison - obviously no one told her there would be six bazillion watts worth of white light behind her. And the guy running the FOH sound and board dump should be flipping burgers right about now. Too much glitzy production for me overall.

[BauerHaus]

Gosh, There is so much to be said about the entire, sad "spectacle", I'll just limit myself to a couple of comments. I have yet to figure out the attraction for Ms. Wilson; she is as homely as a Mississippi mud fence and sounds like any other female bar singer. I realize that Alison is a ding-a-ling acting creature, and she must have known that her dress was transparent; really a tasteless garment. #Don Imus stated this morning on MSNBC that Rascal F's absolutely suck; I agree. They consider themselves as being in "the big time" and that is a pitiful statement for country music. Do we have any idea how much lower "country music" can sink itself? There are a few of those "artists" that I can tolerate, but they are a small minority.
Well said, my friend.

[Links]

Great comments folks. I just wanted to see if others saw it like I did.

At one time, I thought music was like art - basically an unlimited supply of creativity that can be expressed differently, but tastefull and interestingly. Obviously, I was wrong - we must have run out of good songs. The music and songs that I heard, for the most part, were just plain lousy!!!!!

I also thought that this country had an unlimited supply of talent. Wrong here too! It's kind of like having too many football teams in the NFL or baseball teams in MLB. There are just not enough top notch players to fill the roster. I guess the same is true in "country" music!

[kyblue]

I have yet to figure out the attraction for Ms. Wilson; she is as homely as a Mississippi mud fence

Is it REALLY necessary to comment on someone's appearance?

And, of course, it has to be a female's. #Isn't this supposed to be about MUSIC???

Tells me all I need to know about the person that authored this post.

And, while I'm bi#$ching, you didn't have to bring Mississippi into it, either. #

You're into it deep with me, buddy. #


http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif #

[gnelson651]

Growing up in Arizona and driving around with my Dad in his '57 Chevy pickup, I cut my teeth on AM country. That being said, I was never a fan of country music. But give me the traditional Hank Williams stuff anyday. Glad I missed the CMA awards, sorry I missed Carry Underwood.

Modern country is pop music with a southern drawl.

BTW: When I'm channel surfing, I stop at CMT for an occasional mandolin sighting.

[ronlane3]

Not to get caught up in the good and bad, but I saw a couple of mandolins last night. The guy from Sugarland always has some form of electric in his hands and I believe that Keith Urbans band had a mandolin in it too (an F style at that).

Now, I have to agree with some of the stuff about Miranda Lambert, but part of the reason she couldn't play rythmn guitar was because her shirt sleeve was covering her pick and hand. After she tossed the guitar, the shirt pretty much came off.

As for Allison, you GUYS had a problem with seeing through her dress?? huh??

[Pete Braccio]

Well, I was never a fan of what's been called Country music (If this is Country, Johnny Cash OBVIOUSLY played something different!), but even the five minutes or so that I watched this sorry show was way too much.

So, was it just me or did Dunn(?) look like he was stoned/doped up/etc?

[Bob Sayers]

It seems a little ironic that so many people who can't stand modern country music paid so much attention to the show. I admit, though, that I agree with many of the comments. Some great performers like Patty Loveless (who has a fabulous new album out) were missing, the choice of songs was second-rate this year, and the performances were often uninspiring. Forcing those artists to sing live (without pitch correction) was pretty painful at times--Paul Simon being the worst example, but even George Strait and Faith Hill had trouble hitting their notes at times. On the other hand, whatever else you want to say about them, Alison Krauss, Ronnie Dunn, and that spiky haired lead singer for Rascal Flatts all have great voices and great control. Oh yes, when in heaven's name are they going to get around to voting the Stanley Brothers into the Hall of Fame!!!!

Bob

[A9cp]

Interesting choice of words for the "Event"

pitiful! , pathetic!, couldn't keep time , practice?, uninspired" , "garbled", very bad, .i honestly couldnt take, How horribly awful, what a snoozer, Wonderful Tonight was not that great either, Imagine was the absolute worst, last night was plain bad, vocals on "Crazy" were painful, WHAT IN THE HECK WAS ALLISON WEARING, pretend to play guitar, I didnt watch it, At least Rap is Rap, But "Country" music award?, "Noise" awards, sad "spectacle", transparent, tasteless garment, Rascal F's absolutely suck, pitiful statement for country music, how much lower "country music" can sink itself, really grate on my nerves, sugar-coated, sappy pop music, ...but NYC?, "hip tunes", ridiculous, doomed to failure, not as sophisticated, glitzy production, just plain lousy, did Dunn(?) look like he was stoned/doped up,

Tell us how your really feel and what has happened to country music, what's next Metallica does George Jones.

Maybe the show needed some more cow bell
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d167/cpmavrick/25446more_cowbell.gif

[skippy]

Ok, I am going to jump in here. I was listening to AKUS doing there song and thinking to myself "at least these folks are musicians and good ones at that" I commented to my wife how I liked how the were standing together etc...

Then I noticed something. Chops... when no one was chopping. Now, I don't have Tivo etc, so could someone with Tivo back me up on this... I was watching and I noticed there were fiddle chops even when AK was not moving her hands. I tried chalking this up to another instrument, but my visuals/hearing accounted for the others. I said... it's faked!

My wife caught the first part and mentioned the Mic flub, but I swear I heard it... can anyone go and check to verify/beat my thoughts into submission?

[ronlane3]

Okay, with all the negative (my comments included), I will say that I thought Garth Brooks song was awesome and to add even more of a tribute to a good cowboy, it was very fitting that he had Chris' band backing him up. (Including Chris' son on drums.)

Yeah, I am a Garth fan, but atleast it was a country song.

[mandopete]

<span style='color:red'><span style='font-size:19pt;line-height:100%'>More Cowbell!</span></span>

[ronlane3]

Easy Pete, they might start thinking you were the one playing the cowbell. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[mandopete]

Man, I wish!

[Ken Berner]

kyblue, All you need to know about this man is that I am probably old enough to be your grandfather, therefore have developed a pretty good ear for pleasant music. I have also seen enough females in my lifetime to know what is pleasant to gaze upon and what is not; the aforementioned one is not and should not be linked to Mississippi in any way; you are right. I think Ms. Womack is quite attractive, however, and quite talented as well, but cannot make up for several others. Attire, to my mind, either makes a person presentable or not, and not knowing the difference is no excuse. These people have agents who should know better. I too, was embarrassed for Ms. Krauss to be caught up in an unfortunate "wardrobe malfunction"; she and her band are of the highest musical quality.

That I am in deep (trouble) with you, bothers me not in the least; I call 'em like I see 'em, just like most folks.

[barry k]

..I'm a little bit country......They are a little bit rock-n-roll....

[mythicfish]

Fact of Life: Commercial TV can do only three things well.
1. trivialize that which is important
2. inflate the trivial to a position of perceived importance
3. deliver an audience

[mandoanon]

Ok, I am going to jump in here. #I was listening to AKUS doing there song and thinking to myself "at least these folks are musicians and good ones at that" I commented to my wife how I liked how the were standing together etc...

Then I noticed something. #Chops... when no one was chopping. #Now, I don't have Tivo etc, so could someone with Tivo back me up on this... I was watching and I noticed there were fiddle chops even when AK was not moving her hands. I tried chalking this up to another instrument, but my visuals/hearing accounted for the others. #I said... it's faked! #

My wife caught the first part and mentioned the Mic flub, but I swear I heard it... can anyone go and check to verify/beat my thoughts into submission?

yes, there was fiddle music when she was singing and not playing ...hmm

[Markelberry]

I gotta fever and the only prescription is more.......

[steve in tampa]

When performing country or bluegrass music, you should be able to run cattle in whatever you are wearing...................


Two words relating to the agonizing transgression of nashville' idea of country music................Cowboy Troy


How about a new category for what sounds the least like country or music for that matter.

[BauerHaus]

Is it REALLY necessary to comment on someone's appearance?

And, of course, it has to be a female's. #Isn't this supposed to be about MUSIC???

#
You're right!!!! #It IS about the music. IT SUCKS!!!!!!

[jaco]

Given the state of current"country"music maybe they should stay in NYC.

[kyblue]

Ken Berner,

If you are old enough to be my Grandfather, you are probably too old to be typing complete sentences. #Enough said about that. # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

My point was, I don't see what a person's appearance has to do with whether or not they can make music. #If we females judged bluegrass music by the appearance of the male artists in bluegrass, well, let's just say we'd be listening to CD's and not attending many live shows. #There aren't a lot of Sammy Shelors out there. # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

And, let's not forget, beauty IS in the eye of the beholder. #Come to think of it, there are quite a few country male stars that are supposed to be sexy that I wouldn't cross the street to look at, but I wouldn't judge them on it. #Video killed the radio star, and we're all poorer for it, imho.

I didn't watch the show, so can't comment on it, musically or otherwise.

[FlawLaw]

Gosh, I kinda like Gretchen Wilson. I think her songs can be wonderfully witty at times. My 11 year old daughter adores her, along with Martina McBride and Johnny Cash and others. For her allowance, my daughter doesn't ask for money, she wants sheet music. Last night she was belting Johnny Cash songs in my church's sanctuary. Thankfully, the elders weren't there, 'cause some of those Cash songs are not particularly Presbyterian.

Yes, country music has issues, but people like Gretchen Wilson, got my daughter started and now she is moving on to bluegrass and Johnny Cash and others. There isn't anything wrong with that? And does every singer have to look like Faith Hill?

[mmukav]

Oh my God! Allison Krause in a see-through dress and I missed it!
I really did feel bad for Dolly; horrible song choices, bad mix between their two voices, and it sounded like Elton had a cold.

I did catch the Johnny Cash special. There's more fodder for the cannon..... But I just loved Allison Krause and Dwight Yokum! Great song, their voices mixed well. Loved it!

[blammo]

kyblue, All you need to know about this man is that I am probably old enough to #be your grandfather, therefore have developed a pretty good ear for pleasant music. I have also seen enough females in my lifetime to know what is pleasant to gaze upon and what is not; the aforementioned one is not and should not be linked to Mississippi in any way; you are right. …
Sounds like you're old enough to know better.

Gee, how dare Gretchen Wilson not be attractive enough to get onstage & sing? Her "everygirl" looks are part of her popularity…a reaction against the supermodels of contemporary country.

Just calling 'em like I see 'em.

[Keith Erickson]

I thought that gospelly song with Brooks and Dunn sounded very good and it was nice to see an upright bass out in front.
Yeah that's crazy. Gospel in NYC. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif OMG

I'm surprised the ACLU hasn't been involved yet http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

...but I'm sure we'll keep a sharp eye out for it.

[f5loar]

On a High Definition wide screen Allison didn't leave much to the imagination. It was all there to see in sheer see through. She seems to have some rather nice legs for a fiddler. Maybe she needs to change her stage attire and dress more like Rhonda Vincent and Dolly Parton. Someone told me the other day that Rhonda plays the mandolin. I did not know that!

[PatrickH]

Two questions:

1. Was Keith Urban separated at birth from the Gibb brothers?

2. Am I the only one who thinks Gretchen is kind of a babe?

[GVD]

Considering the insipid pap that passes for country music these days did anyone really have great expectations for the CMA's? If it sounds like #### then it's probably going to look like #### too.

GVD

[bud]

For those who missed it. #The only bluegrass band at the CMA's. #NO mando

[Michael H Geimer]

Boys will be boys ... my head swivels at a pretty dress like faster than Linda Blair!

But, if Alison Krauss can't get her name spelled correctly, and Rhonda's mandolin talents are new information ... well, then Kyblue is probably right about how women are viewed in Country music.

Less watching. More listening.

[f5joe]

I love to watch and I like to listen .......... to women.

I'm a pig. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[GVD]

OK for my 1,000th post I've got to say "are you sure Hank done it this way?"

Isn't he jussst sooooo dreamy?

GVD

[kyblue]

O.K. Now that I see A.K.'s dress, I can see that she was well aware that the bottom half was transparent, and she was making a statement. Mini-dress, with a lace bottom half making it appear that it just might be more modest, until you step into the lights...

This ain't your Granny's country girl. And, she was in the Big Apple.

[Andrew Reckhart]

Wow! #Here is an opinion #thread that I can get in on without making people mad (I hope!). #I agree whole heartedly that the current crop of "Country" music is pitiful! #I heard NOTHING on the entire show that resembled true country (other than maybe Brad Paisley & AKUS a little closer to traditional country). #I think most of todays "Country" sounds like really bad "Southern Rock". #

But one guy has sorta caught my ear lately........... Ray Scott seems to 'get it' from the 4 or 5 songs that I've heard. #I hope that I'm right!

[JimRichter]

That is exactly the case. #Today's "bad boy"/outlaw country is a bad attempt at 70's southern rock. #I know when I was watching Big and Rich (country music's Kid Rock) perform their "Coming to the City" song, it reminded me a lot of a poor attempt at doing something like Skynyrd's "Gimme Back My Bullets" or "Working for MCA." #All those "bad boy" country dudes really want to be Ronnie Van Zant. #Then watching something like Rascall Flatts (if I'm getting my band right), sounded like they wanted to be Boston (some strong late 70's/early 80's pop rock influences). #I haven't quite figured out where the women come from.

From someone who worked many a weekend performing Southern Rock (I think I knew every guitar note off the first 3 Skynyrd albums, the first Hatchet album, and the first Outlaws album), I ain't impressed with the "groundbreaking" or "innovative" nature of what they're doing. #It's been done better some time back. #

Jim

[Links]

Jim, I think you and Andrew hit the nail on the head. It does sound more like southern rock (only bad southern rock). For some reason the word "phoney" keeps popping into my head!

[GVD]

So you mean Jennifer Nettles (whoever she is) and the Bon Jovi Bottom boys aren't real country? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

GVD

[Bobbie Dier]

FlawLaw,

You were kidding about your 11 year old daughter loving Gretchen Wilson music right? When her stuff comes on the radio my sister turns it down so her kids don't sing along. Some of her lyrics are pretty sausey "Yee Haw and Hell Yeah","Heeeellll Yeaeaeah" "Let's get all Jacked Up" Yeah, I'd want my sweet little kids singing along to that. I'm just old fashioned I guess but that would bother me. You were kidding ,right???

About the awards show...and country music in general....

I miss Chet Atkins... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[JimRichter]

I miss Chet the guitar player, but he was also one of the culprits in the destruction of "traditional" country music. The Chet produced/directed era of country helped pave the way for the bubble gum country of today. That Chet I don't miss too much. Of course, it was an attempt to make country a viable product and a true competitor against pop music, but it permanently hurt true country music.

Jim

[ronlane3]

GVD, #Jennifer and Bon Jovi may not be country, but I have to admit, I don't mind watching her ALL day long. #She's hot.

[Steve Farling]

Sad thing is, these people all have the talent. I think they just need to decide if they want to sing country or pop! Where are the "Country Music Police" when you need them? Whats really sad, is the articles in the papers and magazines, and the comments on some of the "so-called Country" stations, about how "Country" the CMA show was! If you're a real country fan, turn around and RUN, RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN!!!!!

[FlawLaw]

FlawLaw,

You were kidding about your 11 year old daughter loving Gretchen Wilson music right? When her stuff comes on the radio my sister turns it down so her kids don't sing along. Some of her lyrics are pretty sausey "Yee Haw and Hell Yeah","Heeeellll Yeaeaeah" "Let's get all Jacked Up" Yeah, I'd want my sweet little kids singing along to that. I'm just old fashioned I guess but that would bother me. You were kidding ,right???
I'm kidding...

[Bobbie Dier]

Phew... I thought so. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[mrbook]

Sadly, most of the local semi-professional "country" musicians in my area want to be exactly like the stars on that show. They also wonder why there are only a couple places to play in our local area of close to a million people.

I was embarassed for Alison Krauss, whether she was or not. There is a time and place for everything, but I averted my eyes.

[A9cp]

I guess the real question is WHY, lord WHY is country failing at being country ?

Answer, $$$$$, that's all there is as far as artist are concerned. Those rockers that couldn't make it as rockers and those old rockers looking to make a little more money cause that's where the $$$ is at. These new breeds now sing about their mom, love, trains, prison, divorce and pickup trucks rather than power trip their old music on sex, drugs and violence. But wait ! there is now sex in both genres cause that's what brings in the $$$$.
Just my thoughts

[f5loar]

I guess the real question is WHY, lord WHY is country failing at being country ?
2 people: Shania Twain and Garth Brooks. They led the way.

[Greg H.]

Actually, I don't think any of the artists are to blame. Whether they're actually any good or not is largely irrelevant. They don't have a say in what gets played. That's determined by a bunch of guys in suits in gNashville who wouldn't know country music if it bit them in the a#$, but do know marketing. And sadly a vast number of people choose to like it because it's marketed to them (like good little Lemmings).

This is, of course, just MHO (but I'm still right! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif )

[f5loar]

Oh I think you would know it if Shania bit you on the a$$.

[A9cp]

Whew, "Oh I think you would know it if Shania bit you on the a$$."

OH YA
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d167/cpmavrick/37187957979950400e0042975f2.gif

[steve in tampa]

It is the market that creates the product. If the 18-35 demographic was still getting all trendy for Porter Wagoner type music, buy stock in a sequin factory. If fatty, unhealthy food is selling, get a clown and sell fries and burgers. The capitalistic, consumeristic, "ned and the first reader" example of supply side economics. the public is hungry for turds, sell turds! Get big and rich!

The artists are not entirely to blame. The powers that be (counting the money) are always looking for the next flash in the pan to parade around as the next big thing. Talent and taste are not a factor. Its all about topping the last sucessful venture with something more shocking and outrageous. This is all about the hype generation that is being separated from their money, and the vehicles used to do so.

Gretchen Wilson is a great example of how white trashy trailer pop can be manufactured and sold. Think a classy, beautiful chick with supermodel looks could sucessfully pull off a redneck woman act? Nope, get a bar girl. This scenario will be regurgitated until the chicklets are able to digest something else.

This is a floundering , transforming industry that rally does not know what direction to turn for the long haul. Selling CDs while CDs are still selling is the name of the game. As the actual media changes to keep up with technology, those that buy in to the technology will be catered to. Ipod, MP3, wireless straming videocasts, etc


If it was about class and talent, it would not near as interesting. Every circus has it clowns, but there are 3 rings...................

[mandoman4807]

Larry Cordle said it best when he wrote...."Theres been an awful murder, down on music row"


Darrell

[carler6]

<span style='color:red'><span style='font-size:19pt;line-height:100%'>More Cowbell!</span></span>
Easy, guys... I put my pants on just like the rest of you - one leg at a time. Except, once my pants are on... I make gold records.


The skit for those that haven't seen it (http://homepage.mac.com/kellydean/Music/iMovieTheater34.html)

[f5loar]

Boy this "market" guy sure gets around. He controls the price of gas and how much we can get, the price of a gallon of milk...... I sure would like to meet this Mr. Market. He must be one powerful guy.

[Bob Sayers]

C'mon guys, there's still some good commercial country music out there (admittedly among a lot of mediocre stuff, which has always been the case). #Nobody sings a slow ballad better than Patty Loveless (check out her new CD "Dreamin' My Dreams" which has some nice mandolining on it by Ronnie McCoury and Stuart Duncan and a great bluegrass duet with Dwight Yoakam on "Never-ending Love for You"). #And I even like a couple of cuts on the Gretchen Wilson and Rascal Flatts CDs. #I gave up being a purist snob a long time ago. #Good music is good music.

Bob

[mandoman4807]

Robt,

Unfortunately Patty is no longer in the mainstream anymore. They say she is too country for the current market http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif


Darrell

[Monte37]

I was wondering if comments were going to arise about Alison Krause's song. Backlighting is a tricky deal used in theatre to expose a hidden back set with see through scrims. In this case it did exactly what it was supposed to do, and I do wonder how producers did not catch it. Not that I minded the moment in getting to know Allison better, but it did detract from their great soloettes.
I know Kix Brooks plays guitar, so why does he flail the fretboard with unrecognizable chording, and why does what he is not playing sound so good....oh, thats Randy Scruggs eh..couldn't see him.
One year I thought having the musicians of the year presented in the telecast was going to happen..however, what may be a goodly sum of what is best about country music is again hidden in the attempt with "keep up with the Jones". What was it with the audio send? Was it out of sync, or were they lipsyncing?..Dolly, gosh I love her, but she looked like Joan Rivers and her went in on a package deal. Well, my vote was low for this year. If Big and Rich are country music...?!
As for mando's...last year showed some hope, but this year...well, I don't consider seeing Kix Brooks with a mandolin as seeing someone playin the mandolin.

[f5loar]

Don't forget the Sugarland guy was out front with a Rigel.
I guess he moved up a few notchs from an Ovation mandolin.
I saw the segment with Brooks playing an F5 on the roof top. Pitiful, just pitiful. Did Alison play her fiddle that night? I didn't catch that and I recorded it and rewatched it 10 times. I'll go back and see if she had a fiddle in her hands. The lipsync is what it looked like but it was all live performance. Somebody got off in that 5 sec delay incase somebody like Big&Rick,Willie Nelson or BonJovi(is he country now?)said something nasty on regular live broadcast. They cut out the good stuff like Jerry Douglas getting his big award so they would have time for Elton and Dolly to do a John Lennon song. Is there not a Bluegrass Award category? The girl doing the fire show would have been pretty awesome at the Rock Awards show.
The throwing off the stage of the Les Paul after a wardrobe malfunction did seem rehearsed.