Nashville star

[mandopete]

Now don't jump all over me, I'm not a big fan of these T.V. talent shows, but I was watching Nashville Star last night and several times I noticed the distinct sound of the mandolin in the back-up band.

Could it be that the mandolin is breaking into the mainstream?

[Jim Broyles]

Not based on that example. I have heard mandolin on country records for 20 years.

[mandopete]

Will American Idol be next?

[bradeinhorn]

historically, some of the contestant acts on that show is actually pretty good. i watched a bit last night too and enjoyed some of them.

[mandopete]

Yeah, I thought this show was a little better than American Idol in the past, but I think these shows have probably scooped up most of the "undiscovered" performers and now it's getting pretty thin.

[f5loar]

There has been a surge of mandolin in Country Music starting in the late 80's with Desert Rose Band and then came Diamond Rio featuring one. Others like Brooks&Dunn,Sugerland,Alan Jackson,etc. will feature a mandolin in the band. Most will sport the F models. Skaggs pretty much kept the mandolin going during his late 70's Country years. There is more out there then you would think but many times it's hard to hear it even when plugged in.
Still a good sign the mandolin is staying around in today's pop music. Heck even Paul McCartney pulled one out on his last hit single.

[sbarnes]

oak ridge boys gospel album (couple of years old now) had a lot of mandolin....

[John Rosett]

Matt Lindahl made it to the #3 spot on Nashville Star playing washboard. It did alot for his musical career, but nothing for mainstream acceptance for the washboard.

[Jim MacDaniel]

Matt Lindahl made it to the #3 spot on Nashville Star playing washboard. It did alot for his musical career, but nothing for mainstream acceptance for the washboard.
I don't know about that -- I could have sworn I heard a washboard in the soundtrack for a recent Tide™ TV ad.

[mandopete]

I'd bet that the washboard makes it to mainstream before the b*njo!

[John Rosett]

I'd bet that the washboard makes it to mainstream before the b*njo!
And rightly so...

[mandoplyr70]

Now on to the juiceharp !!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[mandopete]

Juiceharp?

[tango_grass]

Juiceharp! I play that pretty darn well..... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I have never yet seen any of this show. I'm not suprised some mandolin was in there. But to me, it was probably just for looks. Or they're trying to fool the mainstream watcher into thinking its Bluegrass.....who knows. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Fretbear]

I find it annoying when you see a "hat act" on Leno or something that carries one and you can't hear one note, even though there is inevitably a wire sticking out of it.

[mandopete]

I have never yet seen any of this show. I'm not suprised some mandolin was in there. But to me, it was probably just for looks. #
I could hear it, but I couldn't see it. #The backup band was in the dark and unlike American Idol they didn't get any cameos.

[tango_grass]

I have never yet seen any of this show. I'm not suprised some mandolin was in there. But to me, it was probably just for looks. #
I could hear it, but I couldn't see it. #The backup band was in the dark and unlike American Idol they didn't get any cameos.
Well....it was probably just for sounds. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[mandopete]

Nah, that's what drummers are for (to be heard and not seen).