Kenny Chesney?

[bluesbob]

The festival has a great line-up...despite the presence of a few pop music acts. I can live with Brooks and Dunn and Sugarland...but who's idea was adding popster Kenny Chesney?

I can hope for two things at this festival. That Kenny will learn what country music really is from the great COUNTRY artists that are playing...or...that Kenny is the headliner Sunday...and I can hit the freeway early to get home.

[kennyslady]

Wow there is a positive attitude. I realize not everyone likes Kenny Chesney and that many of us may not like other artists as well but that is why it is a festival..............you have choices. So while your on gridlock of the freeway I will be enjoying listening to "The Entertainer of the Year". As well as checking out other artists and seeing what each one is about. ;)

Just a note: Brooks and Dunn and Sugarland are part of Kennys Flip Flop Summer Tour this year! Woo Hoo!

[kennyslady]

Well I just feel that people like all kinds of different artists. It's a personal choice but I don't think it's cool to slam an artist. Kenny signed up for this festival a long time ago and I believe one of the reasons that Brooks and Dunn and Sugarland and Pat Green are involved in the festival is because of Kenny. They are part of his tour this year. So Kudos to those artists willing to bring Country music back to Southern California and allowing us the opportunity to come see them. I truly hope this becomes an annual event! :D

[sugarready]

No kidden!!! I'm crossin my fingers that this becomes and annual thing!!!! California sure needs some more festivals with country superstars!!!!:D :D :D :p

[Wuznmee]

Well I love Kenny and his music and he is great in concert.- and thanks to being in his fan club Iv'e already got my VIP reserved seats

[sugarready]

OH MY GOSH???!! NO WAY???!!!!! Did you just sign up for them and you won???!!!:confused: !

[Wuznmee]

I paid for my tickets - They have a limited amount of tickets set aside for fan club members that went on sale yesterday at noon. So I was able to purchase some.

[cici_in_socal]

Meet too.........got lucky with fan club pre-sales. Can't wait for Kenny!

[ELDUCE]

i am with you blues bob i like country but i aint fond of homosexuals singing country music but to each his own and btw kennys lady if that aint a oxy moron

[bluesbob]

I suppose you all like Cowboy Troy also.

Look...country music is a genre with it's own traditions...much like every other type of music. They don't put fiddles in rap music...they don't put grunge guitar in classical music...they don't sing operatically in punk.

Country music is lonely nights on the prairie...it's cheatin' and lyin"...it's getting caught and feeling remorse...it's heavy drinkin' and breakin' the law...it's getting caught and doin' time....it's about being a poor blue-collar worker with bills on your back...it's about love for a woman who puts up with your sh*t...it's about love for a man who the world is trying to break. Country music has always been about real life among real people.

Now we have today's "country". It's about mini-vans and soccer moms. It's about pina-coladas on Carribean beaches. It's about champagne and caviar and things no cowboy could afford....or even want to. It's about crap.

The fine folks in Nashville long ago saw that country doesn't sell well. A one-hundred thousand selling album was big news years ago. So they looked with envy at those artists who sold a million...and decided to do something about it.

They took country music and started emulating the pop albums that sold so well. Out went the outlaw country themes and in went the suburbs and white-collar ideology. They did away with country's traditional production techniques. They started using the same production values as pop-music. Little by little the instruments left...the fiddle, the mandolin, the steel guitar. All of a sudden how a person looked became more important than their talent. Hair style and fashion became a rule of thumb. They've spent years doing this...and the results are the almost total destruction of country music from what it once was.

But Nashville got it's results. Now we have million selling albums...by people who are not country artists...they're pop artists.

I'm sorry...I like COUNTRY music...all the pop artists can go to hell.

[kennyslady]

What a lonely world your "cowboy" world is. :( To each his own and I would rather not exert my energy on negative thoughts. Life is too short, your never going to convince any other single person to think just the way you do, I learned that a loooonnng time ago. Difference is what makes the world go round. So I guess your saying that none of the classic country music artists from way back...............ever enjoyed the beach, their kids sports, drank pina coladas in Mexico. They just stayed on the farm and worked it? Come on. Country music is about "real" life, it just so happens we all have different "real life scenerios" ranging from poor to rich. Country music is about telling a story and there are many kinds of stories out there. As time moves on we all have to evolve with it, country music is not excluded from that. Time passes and things change. You always have the option of pulling out your old LPs and 45's and going back in time. We all have a choice. So back to the positive.................................

Thank you so much Goldenvoice for bringing this wonderful event to So Cal!

[Wuznmee]

Life is to short to listen to their BS - All I have to Say is this:

Its my life and its sure fun
Another season of my lifes begun
Another race i'm glad I get to run
another chapter of my life i'm writin
No i'm never gonna feel like this again
Times rushin by me like the wind
Got to grab each moment that I can
Cuz i'm never gonna feel like this again

[kennyslady]

I love it wuznmee! :D

[bluesbob]

What a lonely world your "cowboy" world is. :( To each his own and I would rather not exert my energy on negative thoughts. Thank you so much Goldenvoice for bringing this wonderful event to So Cal!

Then you're not a real country fan. You're a pop-music fan who likes to put on boots and a hat and pretend. That's it.

F*ck This Town

By Robbie Fulks

Well, I came down to Nashville in 1993
'Cause my friend Jim said Nashville
Had money growin' right on the trees
So I thought I'd go pick some,
And I don't mean musically.

Now it's 4 years later,
and I'm wonderin' where I went wrong
Shook a lotta hands, ate a lotta lunch,
Wrote a lotta dumbass songs
But I couldn't get a break in Nashville,
If I tried my whole life long

So, f*ck this town...f*ck this town
F*ck it end-to-end, f*ck it up and down
Can't get noticed -- can't get found -- can't get a cut,
So f*ck this town.

Hey, this ain't country-western!
It's just soft-rock feminist crap!
And I thought they'd struck bottom
Back back in the days of Ronnie Milsap
Now they can't stop the flood of assholes:
There ain't a big enough ASCAP.

Sure, I like old Tim Carroll, and BR5-49
But Nashville don't need that noise,
No, Nashville'll do just fine
As long as there's a moron market
And a faggot in a hat to sign.

So, F*ck this town!
F*ck this town!
F*ck...this...town.

[kennyslady]

Ok that is about enough of that. You don't even know me! I am a true cowgirl.........barrel racing, horse shows, riding for fun, raising chickens, goats, cows and shoveling horse poop too! I wear my cowboy boots with pride and I grew up on country music. The good ol twangy stuff you refer to, its all good from the classics from way back when to the current new stuff. You are isolating it way to much and not being open minded at all. You like yours and I like mine end of story. Have a wonderful weekend bluesbob.

[ELDUCE]

Come on. Country music is about "real" life, it just so happens we all have different "real life scenerios"

i understand its just that kenny's life stories are of a homosexual nature

[kennyslady]

And do you know this personally? Let's see, You Save Me, hmmm? Keg in the Closet? Hmmmm? How Forever Feels, hmmm? The Good Stuff, hmmmm? Young, hmmmm? Summertime, hmmmm?

Look some of us merely stated that we enjoy Kennys music and it has turned into an attack fest. We all are entitled to like the music we like. Ya'll have the option of starting a thread about any artist you choose. I for one would not pop over to that thread and attack either the artist or you. I'm just saying.

[ELDUCE]

well you can look at the dude and tell he has a broken wrist, then he married that girl til she found out he was gay and divorced him on the count of fraud what else could it be really fraud what could he have done il tell ya he said he liked girls but she found out the truth. and i saw a video once he was singing to a football player now that is homo there but you can like what you want the fact remains that country music has gone away due to folks who support this kinda stuff let me ask you a question what the last brand new traditional country cd you bought not old stuff new traditional

[Wuznmee]

Last Brand new CD I bought - GEORGE STRAIT - who might I add felt Kenny was country enough to tour with him.

[kennyslady]

Same here wuznmee! Love George Strait too! I do enjoy a wide range of country artist. I do enjoy Kennys music and others do not. Think that has become very clear. It's every persons choice to like who they like and dislike who they dislike. I am just not one to stand in judgement of others and their likes or dislikes. As far as Kenny being gay...................why are we even talking about that? Even if he is, so what? What does that have to do with enjoying his music? I don't think I would be to far off to say that I am sure there are many gay country music artists, old and new. Again has absolutely nothing to do with their talent or lack of. Please tell me we have evolved past this kind of thinking. Lets be adult enough (especially since a few posts are definately not kid friendly) to recognize that it is about the talent not the personal lifestyles.

[WillieCash]

When I was 16 I won tickets to go to the American Music Awards. One of the presenters there was "New Kids on the Block" when they came I immediately stood up and got ready to boo. Then I realized that nearly all of the crowd was yelling out things like "you suck" and "f-you f@gs" etc and I sat down because I felt sorry for them. I really hated their music and their fabricated image but it seemed like the whole place was attacking them as people and not as "artists".

I kind of feel the same way now......

While I am no fan of Kenny Chesney or much (if any) of the pop-country that is out today it really isn't fair to indulge in personal attacks against him. You can say these guys aren't real country music and that the music they sing is pre-fabricated garbage (and I would whole-heartedly agree) but why attack him for being gay? First of all, I don't think he is, but even if he was so what?

Faron Young was gay and he wrote a crap load of songs that anybody would consider REAL country songs. What does that have to do with anything?

It is clear that everyone here has a different opinion of what country music is. I would side more with bluesbob and Elduce's opinions on who are better and "real" artists. But this doesn't have anything to do with sexual orientation.

I'm kind of curious, I am a singer/songwriter that makes music that I call "West Coast Country" music. It's a little more hard core than standard country and brings in some elements from southern California. I like to think it is more in the vain of "real" country but I am curious what you guys would say. If you get a minute, check it out at www.myspace.com/williecash

Would you guys call this pop or "real"?

Sorry if this seems like Spam. I'm just wondering if the music in itself is the problem or the fact that it is so successful.

[WillieCash]

Kennyslady,

Also as a side note that shows how old-school I am. I didn't even think of your name as Keny Chesney's lady, I thought of it as Kenny Rogers' Lady!

I'm the oldest 30 year old I know!

[kennyslady]

Im moving on from this whole thing but to your side note: I also enjoy and have enjoyed Kenny Rogers so I consider it a compliment. Thanks.

[michelle98264]

All I have to say is that all of the negative comments are from jealous people and thats pretty much how life goes. Kenny Chesney is not homosexual and does not sing any kind of homosexual songs, in fact, like kennyslady points out, most of them are very heterosexual. He married a female and the reason "fraud" was the stated reason for divorce is because it is hard to disprove and therefore makes it a lot easier for the divorce to go through quickly. No one likes a long drawn-out divorce!

Also, I'm 25 and most old country doesn't appeal to me. New country is just that, new country. It is not that old country music that ya'll grew up on. I find it much more appealing and a lot closer to rock than pop.

[cici_in_socal]

Hey ELDUCE....BLUESBOB, get off this thread. Nobody wants to hear you whinning like little b#%*!'s. People like you are so pathetic, I feel sorry for your partners, if you have one. I can put $100 down that you have very few freinds. Goodbye! :p

[Misfit138]

When I was 16 I won tickets to go to the American Music Awards. One of the presenters there was "New Kids on the Block" when they came I immediately stood up and got ready to boo. Then I realized that nearly all of the crowd was yelling out things like "you suck" and "f-you f@gs" etc and I sat down because I felt sorry for them. I really hated their music and their fabricated image but it seemed like the whole place was attacking them as people and not as "artists".

I kind of feel the same way now......

While I am no fan of Kenny Chesney or much (if any) of the pop-country that is out today it really isn't fair to indulge in personal attacks against him. You can say these guys aren't real country music and that the music they sing is pre-fabricated garbage (and I would whole-heartedly agree) but why attack him for being gay? First of all, I don't think he is, but even if he was so what?

Faron Young was gay and he wrote a crap load of songs that anybody would consider REAL country songs. What does that have to do with anything?

It is clear that everyone here has a different opinion of what country music is. I would side more with bluesbob and Elduce's opinions on who are better and "real" artists. But this doesn't have anything to do with sexual orientation.

I'm kind of curious, I am a singer/songwriter that makes music that I call "West Coast Country" music. It's a little more hard core than standard country and brings in some elements from southern California. I like to think it is more in the vain of "real" country but I am curious what you guys would say. If you get a minute, check it out at www.myspace.com/williecash

Would you guys call this pop or "real"?

Sorry if this seems like Spam. I'm just wondering if the music in itself is the problem or the fact that it is so successful.

WHAT???? Faron Young was a homo????

[Misfit138]

All I have to say is that all of the negative comments are from jealous people and thats pretty much how life goes. Kenny Chesney is not homosexual and does not sing any kind of homosexual songs, in fact, like kennyslady points out, most of them are very heterosexual. He married a female and the reason "fraud" was the stated reason for divorce is because it is hard to disprove and therefore makes it a lot easier for the divorce to go through quickly. No one likes a long drawn-out divorce!

Also, I'm 25 and most old country doesn't appeal to me. New country is just that, new country. It is not that old country music that ya'll grew up on. I find it much more appealing and a lot closer to rock than pop.

Its not jealousy they just think he's a joke. And its not even close to rock.. Its pop ..

[michelle98264]

A lot of new country is close to rock. A lot of new country artists perform rock songs at their concerts and get their inspiration from rock artists.

Also, it is clearly jealousy. Why would someone think of someone who makes millions of dollars a "joke?" I'm quite jealous and I'm not afraid to admit it. I wish my job was to entertain millions of fans by singing and then go home to the Carribean and spend most of my time on the beach!

[Misfit138]

A lot of new country is close to rock. A lot of new country artists perform rock songs at their concerts and get their inspiration from rock artists.

Also, it is clearly jealousy. Why would someone think of someone who makes millions of dollars a "joke?" I'm quite jealous and I'm not afraid to admit it. I wish my job was to entertain millions of fans by singing and then go home to the Carribean and spend most of my time on the beach!

okay.. pop rock.. whatever.. He's not country thats for sure..

Just because you make a lot of money does not mean you can't be a joke.

[ELDUCE]

Hey ELDUCE....BLUESBOB, get off this thread. Nobody wants to hear you whinning like little b#%*!'s. People like you are so pathetic, I feel sorry for your partners, if you have one. I can put $100 down that you have very few freinds. Goodbye! :p



your a real detective there buddy.. and to be honest with ya i feel sorry for my partner 2 but that is not the point the point is that you guys support fake pop music thats the bottom line

[Seattle]

the point is that you guys support fake pop music thats the bottom line

So what if they do?! It's not like they're advocating clubbing baby seals. Why on earth do you care what kind of music these people listen to? And why are you so threatened by the possibility that some entertainers may be gay? Have any of them made a pass at you? Then what's the big deal?

[ELDUCE]

So what if they do?! It's not like they're advocating clubbing baby seals. Why on earth do you care what kind of music these people listen to? And why are you so threatened by the possibility that some entertainers may be gay? Have any of them made a pass at you? Then what's the big deal?

the problem is by supporting this pop crap you are killing our roots, real country music isn't played on the radio and supported because of the people who support acts like kenny chesney , big n rich ect. ect. there are plenty of new traditional bands out there that most of you will never hear because the masses who claim to love country dont they love pop music with a slight twang and the fact that kenny sings pop country is way worse then being a homo thats just the nail in the coffin, i know i am in the minority and thats why i waste my time cause its a fight to keep my country heritage

[michelle98264]

If the radio stations weren't playing what people liked, they wouldn't be in business. If so many people didn't like New Country, it wouldn't be so popular. The "New Country" stations do not pretend to be "Old Country" stations. They all say that they play "New Country" and their listeners know what that means. It is a new genre of music. To be quite honest, I HATE pop music. I love New Country. There is a HUGE difference. You should actually listen to Kenny Chesney sometime, you might actually like him but you are too jealous and caught up in being negative that you probably won't. Or if Kenny's just not your thing than try listening to the other hundreds of New Country artists.

FYI - there ARE still radio stations out there that play Old Country, but they aren't that popular because most of this generation does not like it. It is FINE that they play it because I have a choice and I don't have to listen to it!

And who gave Kenny The Entertainer of the Year Award? Oh, thats right, the COUNTRY Music Awards!!!

There are plenty of the traditional Old Country singers at this festival so, guess what, you don't HAVE to watch Kenny just cuz he's there. And I don't know how anyone is coming up with $500 for the festival. Not that it is too much for me, I paid $850 for 2 tickets plus I will pay for camping for 2 AND I'm driving down from Lynden, WA, but for one person with GA and camping, it is only $215, which is a pretty good deal to see this many big names. Oh, and I would like to see Willie and Kris while I'm there just so ya know.

Saying that you're not going to the festival because Kenny Chesney will be there (which is pretty immature) is like saying you won't go to Starbucks because they sell mochas and you don't like mochas or you won't go to Dairy Queen because they sell fish sandwiches and you don't like fish sandwiches (none of their other products even have fish.) You get my point (I think.)

[ELDUCE]

yeah well like i said people like you are killing our roots and you will continue to do so and if i may quote you
FYI - there ARE still radio stations out there that play Old Country, but they aren't that popular because most of this generation does not like it. It is FINE that they play it because I have a choice and I don't have to listen to it!
that really says it all they can play old country and i dont have to listen to it well if you were a true country fan you would listen to it but your not country your just a trendy little house wife who loves pop music and thinks it is country.. I really like how you broke the price down to let everyone know you can afford it you remind me of those people that are constantly telling you how much they pay for things cause they think it gives em status, get real you like pop country if they decided to break up the country music section of the record store by different genres you would find yourself in the pop country section.. why dont you stay up there and go to bumpershoot

[Seattle]

the problem is by supporting this pop crap you are killing our roots, real country music isn't played on the radio and supported because of the people who support acts like kenny chesney , big n rich ect. ect. there are plenty of new traditional bands out there that most of you will never hear because the masses who claim to love country dont they love pop music with a slight twang and the fact that kenny sings pop country is way worse then being a homo thats just the nail in the coffin, i know i am in the minority and thats why i waste my time cause its a fight to keep my country heritage

This happens in pretty much every genre of music -- "rock" today doesn't sound anything like it did thirty years ago; "pop" is a different animal than it was in the 70's; and don't even get me started on hip-hop... By your definition, it would seem that nothing that happens today can be considered "real" because it's not like what happened yesterday -- is that a fair assessment of your viewpoint? I just don't feel the music of today (in any genre) is a threat to the music of yesteryear -- there will always be a small set of musicians who make "the old kind of music," no matter what genre, and if that's what you like, that's what you listen to. There is no need to be snarky about what other people like, whether they're in the majority or the minority. Personally, I don't listen to much of the music my parents listened to, and I don't honestly know many people who do -- call it evolution, call it progress (positive or negative), call it life -- that's the way it goes. Tomorrow's generation will ALWAYS use "different" music to tweak their parents -- and no amount of negativity on anyone's part is going to change that. Slamming any particular artist just makes you look small-minded and puts more bad karma in your basket -- it does absolutely nothing to change the opinion of the "fans" of the artist.

Sattelite radio is making huge strides is the availability of "niche" genres, and you just might have to accept that old-time country music is just that, at this point -- a niche. It's a niche I live my life in -- Kenny Chesney isn't my cup of tea, either, but I sure can't blame him for the fact that there aren't that many people that like the old stuff. But I don't seem to lack for opportunities to see the artists I like and hear the music I love. You can't "force" people to like your kind of music, and it's a pointless waste of energy to try. Support what YOU love and leave the others to what THEY love. Life's too short to be so negative.

[michelle98264]

EXACTLY. Thank you. Well put.

And sorry, ELDUCE, but I am no housewife. I work full time like everyone else. And, AGAIN, I do not like pop music. There is no such thing as "pop country." I like New Country. Read what Seattle said and move on.

[ELDUCE]

you guys go right ahead and support the killing of your heritage.. i wouldn't expect anything less from you guys

[Seattle]

you guys go right ahead and support the killing of your heritage.. i wouldn't expect anything less from you guys

Now I'm really curious as to what you DO listen to... it can't be the country of the 50's/60's/70's, because that was a bastardization of the previous generation of "mountain" music, and was considered just as outrageous in its day as the "new" country is today. The advent of the steel guitar was an absolute scandal in its day. And even my man Earl Scruggs invented a new way of playing banjo, that set the world on its ear... so that can't be what you're listening to, either, because it's not the original "heritage."

I'm not being snarky -- please tell us what you listen to. My heritage (personally) is cumulative, but you do not consider yours to be -- so I'm curious as to what you listen to.

[michelle98264]

Who's killing anything? It sounds like you (ELDUCE) are trying to kill everyone else's good time.

And you're right, we should all boycott New Country because it is not the same as Old Country or anything like country that came before that.

[tdc1]

You make some great points (Seattle). Music has always evolved and changed over time. That's part of what makes it so great. I don't think "new" or "old" country take anything away from each other at all. Last time I looked the older country music was still there. It's not going anywhere (ELDUCE). You and everybody else have the access and the right to listen to and buy as much of it as you want. But to come on this board(ELDUCE) and bad mouth or berate other people because they don't have your same taste in country music styles is pathetic and childish. Please go back and play in the sand box with the other 3 year olds. Oh and be careful in a battle of Witt's with (Seattle). So far you sound as if your unarmed.

[ELDUCE]

Now I'm really curious as to what you DO listen to... it can't be the country of the 50's/60's/70's, because that was a bastardization of the previous generation of "mountain" music, and was considered just as outrageous in its day as the "new" country is today. The advent of the steel guitar was an absolute scandal in its day. And even my man Earl Scruggs invented a new way of playing banjo, that set the world on its ear... so that can't be what you're listening to, either, because it's not the original "heritage."

I'm not being snarky -- please tell us what you listen to. My heritage (personally) is cumulative, but you do not consider yours to be -- so I'm curious as to what you listen to.i listen to it all really tom t hall , porter , hank sr , hank snow , l. lynn , e. scruggs the list goes on and on i would love to tell ya all the new stuff i listen to but the fact is i dont want you guys trashing good bands cause of my views and i completely understand what you are saying about music forever evolving but what it has turned into does not sit right with me it makes me sick to see the masses turn their back to traditional sounding country music for more poppy music.. like i said i know i aint gonna change anyones mind that was not the intention my intention is to say whats on my mind and thats it... i believe that those of you who support this music are helping to kill what i love

[kyleandbeccasmom1]

I listen to the old stuff (patsy cline, Hank Williams) but I love the new stuff (Martina, Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney). I've seen Hank Jr, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith in concert and they all put on great shows. I know people who are jealous of the fact that I went to a Led Zepplin Concert (MANY years ago) but I prefer kenny chesney over zepplin ANY DAy!!!

[Seattle]

there are plenty of new traditional bands out there

Doesn't that kind of negate the "killing my style of music" theory?


i would love to tell ya all the new stuff i listen to but the fact is i dont want you guys trashing good bands cause of my views

I don't think keeping the bands a secret is helping your cause any. Without constant publicity, bands don't get anywhere (hence the whole "festival" concept, which tends to introduce people to bands they have not previously heard -- it's pretty rare to already know & love the entire lineup at a festival, and that's pretty much the point). I don't recall people trashing your preferred music nearly as much as you've trashed theirs -- maybe if you had taken a different approach to begin with, people might be more receptive to your views.

I really am sorry that you believe current music is destroying older music -- I don't think it's a belief that is supported by either history or the current music scene, but I understand that once something reaches the level of a "belief" it is very hard to change that.

[billifer]

I hope all you haters leave when these so called POP musicians play... so us lovers of "music" can enjoy.. less of u haters around will make for a GREAT time.!!

I think some People just love to complain.

[cici_in_socal]

i listen to it all really tom t hall , porter , hank sr , hank snow , l. lynn , e. scruggs the list goes on and on i would love to tell ya all the new stuff i listen to but the fact is i dont want you guys trashing good bands cause of my views and i completely understand what you are saying about music forever evolving but what it has turned into does not sit right with me it makes me sick to see the masses turn their back to traditional sounding country music for more poppy music.. like i said i know i aint gonna change anyones mind that was not the intention my intention is to say whats on my mind and thats it... i believe that those of you who support this music are helping to kill what i love
Ohh....you poor baby. Now you're gonna play victim?:confused: Okay, you just stated you just wanted to share what was on your mind....you did so, now stop the whinning and negativity. These message boards were created for fans to get excited about this Festival, and you're just trying to kill all the fun in this. Another thing, nobody is killing any old traditional country here. Those country artist will live on forever (I love them too).....Like everyone else has been saying, country is evolving...just like everything else (technology, medicine, etc.) We're just going foward, not backward! Therefor, enjoy the ride! :)

[michelle98264]

i listen to it all really
Ha Ha Ha!

i dont want you guys trashing good bands cause of my views
No one has trashed any of the music you listen to. You are the one trashing the music everyone else listens to.

i completely understand what you are saying about music forever evolving
Yeah, right.

[kennyslady]

You get out of life what you put into it! :D Real mature statement, which only leads the rest of us to believe that anything you say really has little or no value. You had just started to gain some understanding with your more mature post and then ooops you had to go and post that. Unfortunately I guess your not ready for a good ol adult debate yet. So the rest of us will just keep on supporting whatever music it is that we love.

[BUNZY18]

WHO CARES WHAT HIS ORIENTATION IS!!!! HIM AND CLAY AIKEN SHOULD JUST GET IT OVER WITH!!! WHO CARES!!!! IT'S NOT LIKE HE IS A PEDOPHILE, WIFE BEATER ECT!!!! WHO FLIPPIN CARES!!!! THEY SAY THAT ABOUT MY JOHN TRAVLOLTA TOO AND I REFUSE TO BELIEVE IT!!!!! IT IS NOT TRUE!!!!!!!!

[WillieCash]

While I don't think the response "Just go die" is going to solve anything I do agree with some of the feelings of disappointment in country music today.

If I had to have a rational discussion about it (not that that seems to happen much around here) I would say that the thing that I don't care for about the new more pop stuff is that it has gone soft. It's kind of the same thing that punk rock was the answer to in the 70s. Punk Rock was only able to succeed because most mainstream rock had turned into musical masturnation with 20 minute long solos, huge stage props, and gross touchy feely inner child loving songs. Rock is supposed to be dangerous if it is done right.

Country is supposed to be the same thing. If it's done right it should be at least a little grimey and scary. Traditionally, It is the salt of the earth kind of music that should appeal to the demon in all of us as well as the angel. That moral conflict is what (to me) makes the best authentic country music, regardless of when it was recorded.

Old school Honky-Tonks were real rough and tumble places. Read any of the biographies of the great ones and you'll see how it was. Now country music bars feel more like Disneyland than a Honky-Tonk. Where it once was gritty and exciting it is now sterile and flaccid.

Things always change, no one is debating that fact. And, given the corporate sponsorship of just about everything we see and hear today, it's going to get a lot softer before the "alt/insurgent/punktry whatever it is called now" scene will start to be recognized on a larger scale as a reasonable alternative to the corporate country being churned out on the radio and CMT. To be honest, there is a part of me that is rooting for songs about being a soccer mom and Jesus taking the wheel. The farther they go, the stronger more traditionally spirited country music will be when it comes back around again.

It happened with Hank Sr. (Got kicked out of the Opry for his lifestyle so he wouldn't offend the mainstrean audience). It happened with the Outlaws (at first they were blocked from radio play all over the country for hanging out with dirty hippies), and it will happen again. It's good for everyone in the long run. If country music hadn't been too soft prior to the Outlaw movement, we may never have had anything like the Willie & Waylon album or a myriad of different artists that existed solely as a response to the soft-country that preceeded it.

Personally I can't say that most of what I hear on the radio is country music. It is pop. And while they are usually really good pop songs, it hurts a little bit to hear it called country. I know it is something I need to get over but the reason it hurts is because I am a country musician. And every time a song like "Drugs or Jesus" comes out it makes it more and more embarassing to say what I am.


As no one tends to respond to a post around here unless it is either gushing about a band or completely out of line I don't expect too much of a response. But I did hope that I could explain what a lot of this hostility is about in a way that might make sense.

Also, I would like to apologize for anything I may have said that has fired this debate to the point it is at now. I like to make jokes about Sugarland being like a poor man's Fleetwood Mac and stuff like that but it is all in good fun.

On a lighter note, have you heard the new Verison of "Jesus take the wheel"?

Jesus take the wheel
I'm far too drunk to drive
cause if I stay behind this wheel
somebody's gonna die tonight.

Lord I need to puke,
would you pull on to the side?
Jesus take the wheel

[ELDUCE]

very good statements wc more than i can put together thats for sure.. as far as my childish statement well sometimes thats just the way i do it, and the fact that this has turned into 3 pages it just goes to show the truth cuts like a knife

[Seattle]

If I had to have a rational discussion about it (not that that seems to happen much around here)

(Some of us are trying...)

I have been trying to point out the irony of choosing an arbitrary point in time (such as the point at which a person began listening to country music) as the "beginning" or "heritage point" of country music, when in fact country had already been growing, morphing and changing substantially by that point. In their day, all or most of the artists on Elduce's list were accused of pretty much the same thing the "current" artists are being accused of. I think the irony of this escapes Elduce, but it is an emotionally charged issue so a little slack is probably in order.

I also think it's a faulty assumption that "the masses" would automatically listen to older-style country if the current crop of country artists did not exist -- thus, I can't see holding the current artists or their fans responsible for the state of older music or its fans.




On a lighter note, have you heard the new Verison of "Jesus take the wheel"?


If I have to think of this song (and I try not to...), I think of it as more of a comment to a passenger in the front seat with the driver... "Jesus! Take the wheel! My cigarette fell in my lap!" ;)

[michelle98264]

I still completely disagree that New Country is anywhere close to Pop. Find me any Pop song that is anywhere close to a New Country song and you just might make me believe. I do not like Pop music and haven't since I was a teenager. Again, there are HUGE differences between Pop and New Country. The first New Country songs I heard were from Emerson Drive and Diamond Rio. Please tell me you are not calling them "pop artists."

I think some New Country songs have a pop beat or feeling but that doesn't mean that New Country IS Pop.

I don't know what "truth" ELDUCE is referring to, certainly not his/her beliefs.

Also, I don't get what is wrong with Christianity in New Country music. I am a Christian and that is just one of the many reasons I like New Country.

[Misfit138]

While I don't think the response "Just go die" is going to solve anything I do agree with some of the feelings of disappointment in country music today.

If I had to have a rational discussion about it (not that that seems to happen much around here) I would say that the thing that I don't care for about the new more pop stuff is that it has gone soft. It's kind of the same thing that punk rock was the answer to in the 70s. Punk Rock was only able to succeed because most mainstream rock had turned into musical masturnation with 20 minute long solos, huge stage props, and gross touchy feely inner child loving songs. Rock is supposed to be dangerous if it is done right.

Country is supposed to be the same thing. If it's done right it should be at least a little grimey and scary. Traditionally, It is the salt of the earth kind of music that should appeal to the demon in all of us as well as the angel. That moral conflict is what (to me) makes the best authentic country music, regardless of when it was recorded.

Old school Honky-Tonks were real rough and tumble places. Read any of the biographies of the great ones and you'll see how it was. Now country music bars feel more like Disneyland than a Honky-Tonk. Where it once was gritty and exciting it is now sterile and flaccid.

Things always change, no one is debating that fact. And, given the corporate sponsorship of just about everything we see and hear today, it's going to get a lot softer before the "alt/insurgent/punktry whatever it is called now" scene will start to be recognized on a larger scale as a reasonable alternative to the corporate country being churned out on the radio and CMT. To be honest, there is a part of me that is rooting for songs about being a soccer mom and Jesus taking the wheel. The farther they go, the stronger more traditionally spirited country music will be when it comes back around again.

It happened with Hank Sr. (Got kicked out of the Opry for his lifestyle so he wouldn't offend the mainstrean audience). It happened with the Outlaws (at first they were blocked from radio play all over the country for hanging out with dirty hippies), and it will happen again. It's good for everyone in the long run. If country music hadn't been too soft prior to the Outlaw movement, we may never have had anything like the Willie & Waylon album or a myriad of different artists that existed solely as a response to the soft-country that preceeded it.

Personally I can't say that most of what I hear on the radio is country music. It is pop. And while they are usually really good pop songs, it hurts a little bit to hear it called country. I know it is something I need to get over but the reason it hurts is because I am a country musician. And every time a song like "Drugs or Jesus" comes out it makes it more and more embarassing to say what I am.


As no one tends to respond to a post around here unless it is either gushing about a band or completely out of line I don't expect too much of a response. But I did hope that I could explain what a lot of this hostility is about in a way that might make sense.

Also, I would like to apologize for anything I may have said that has fired this debate to the point it is at now. I like to make jokes about Sugarland being like a poor man's Fleetwood Mac and stuff like that but it is all in good fun.

On a lighter note, have you heard the new Verison of "Jesus take the wheel"?

Jesus take the wheel
I'm far too drunk to drive
cause if I stay behind this wheel
somebody's gonna die tonight.

Lord I need to puke,
would you pull on to the side?
Jesus take the wheel


I still completely disagree that New Country is anywhere close to Pop. Find me any Pop song that is anywhere close to a New Country song and you just might make me believe. I do not like Pop music and haven't since I was a teenager. Again, there are HUGE differences between Pop and New Country. The first New Country songs I heard were from Emerson Drive and Diamond Rio. Please tell me you are not calling them "pop artists."

I think some New Country songs have a pop beat or feeling but that doesn't mean that New Country IS Pop.

I don't know what "truth" ELDUCE is referring to, certainly not his/her beliefs.

Also, I don't get what is wrong with Christianity in New Country music. I am a Christian and that is just one of the many reasons I like New Country.

Michelle.. How many songs do you hear on the Country Radio stations and also hear on the pop stations? There are quite a few.. Not that this solidifies anything but I'm just making a point.

[Misfit138]

Personally I can't say that most of what I hear on the radio is country music. It is pop. And while they are usually really good pop songs, it hurts a little bit to hear it called country.

I couldn't agree with you more here. I know many of you will obviously disagree with this but fact is, this is how I feel. Whch is why I made a comment when I saw Chesney was on the bill. Looking at what in my opinion are great Country artists playing at a Country concert and then I see a guy like Chesney headliing this event who I don't consider to be country at all kind of disturbed me and I spoke up.

Again.. to make it clear.. I'm not saying Chesney has no talent, isn't a good entertainer or isn't an artist . I just don't view him as country. It is pop country in my opinion and not my style.


"alt/insurgent/punktry whatever it is called now" scene will start to be recognized on a larger scale as a reasonable alternative to the corporate country being churned out on the radio and CMT

Funny you say this. A friend of mine who is a musician and was in Nashville not too long ago and he was telling me about a lot of the bars he had gone into and he said what was strange was that in every bar people weren't requesting Rascall Flatts, Chesney or so on for the musicians toplay; they were requesting the old stuff, none of the pop country stuff. He said one girl actually requested some opo country and the whole bar went silent. . Seems like music row would catch on to that or maybe it won't put enough money in their pockets.. who knows.

[michelle98264]

OK, I will give an example if I may. It may not be a very good one but we'll see.

Last night my daughter ate a crescent that I made her with canned chicken (the really good kind from Costco) inside mixed with some other stuff. She told me it was tuna. I knew it was not tuna but it was really hard to convince her it wasn't, to her it tasted like tuna. Obviously it was chicken, which I knew from the can. No, it wasn't a real, whole chicken that came straight from the butcher, but it was chicken.

If New Country was any other kind of music, it would not have it's own name/genre. No one said it was the same as traditional/Old Country.

[Seattle]

I can see (or hear... whatever) definite 70's pop inflluences in today's country music. Not so much current pop (although I don't listen to much current pop, so I'm really in no position to say), but the stuff from thirty years ago... yeah, it's not a stretch for me to see that in today's music.

And I don't have a problem with Christianity in country music -- I have a problem with overplaying a song, and overexposing an artist, to the point that I would rather have dead silence than have to hear it one more time... but that's just me...

[michelle98264]

I completely agree that the song is overplayed. It just seemed like some people were referring to Christianity in country music in general.

To answer Misfit's question, I do not listen to any pop music because I don't like it. Also, most of the Pop artists really irritate me. I quit listening to it after high school because it just didn't appeal to me anymore. Occasionally I hear some of it on commercials, etc and I just really don't like it and don't see how anyone could compare New Country to it.

[Misfit138]

I completely agree that the song is overplayed. It just seemed like some people were referring to Christianity in country music.

To answer Misfit's question, I do not listen to any pop music because I don't like it. I quit listening to it after high school because it just didn't appeal to me anymore. Occasionally I hear some of it on commercials, etc and I just really don't like it and don't see how anyone could compare New Country to it.

I dont really either.. But unfortunately sometimes I have to listen through it when I'm with my wife and I haven't brought my CD's :( .. You can compare the "new" or "pop" Country to it because much of it is played on the "pop' Stations. Just like the pop rock . You hear it on both the Rock and Pop Stations.

[Seattle]

Last spring, I heard Craig Morgan saying one of his songs was the most played song on country radio in 2005, and he said it like it was a GOOD thing... and I thought, "Really? I don't think I'd want my song to be at the head of that list... because that probably means it annoyed the heck out of at least half the listening audience...!"

[michelle98264]

You can compare the "new" or "pop" Country to it because much of it is played on the "pop' Stations. Just like the pop rock stations. You hear it on both the Rock and Pop Stations.

OK, well I don't listen to pop stations and I'm sorry you have to. Just because they play it on pop stations doesn't mean it is pop. I guess we are entitled to our own opinions, I will have mine and you will have yours. Have fun if you end up going to the festival! :cool:

[Misfit138]

OK, well I don't listen to pop stations and I'm sorry you have to. Just because they play it on pop stations doesn't mean it is pop. I guess we are entitled to our own opinions, I will have mine and you will have yours. Have fun if you end up going to the festival! :cool:

Look.. Im not trying to piss you off. Point is the songs fit in both Genre's.. You also dont have to look at the term "pop country" completely as a negative term either. If you like it you like it. But at the end of the day I am sure you and will have to agree to disagree.. Enjoy the show..

[michelle98264]

Last spring, I heard Craig Morgan saying one of his songs was the most played song on country radio in 2005, and he said it like it was a GOOD thing... and I thought, "Really? I don't think I'd want my song to be at the head of that list... because that probably means it annoyed the heck out of at least half the listening audience...!"


:D Ha! Very true! But... they could play Red Neck Yacht Club all they want and I wouldn't get sick of it!

[Misfit138]

In their day, all or most of the artists on Elduce's list were accused of pretty much the same thing the "current" artists are being accused of. ;)

I see your point here... However.. Lets look at the subject matter of many of these songs? Would you agree that they are at least based on many of the same principles?

[WillieCash]

No one is indicting Christianity here.

I myself am an athiest but for the three minute increments I hear Johnny Cash or Kris Kristofferson sing gospel I am a believer.

I guess I just like it when they sing those songs because I know they have played with fire all of their lives and when they talk about redemption you know they mean it in a way only they can really understand. It isn't some schmaltzy attempt to sell records to people the record companies know will buy anything with the name "Jesus" in the title.

By the way, that song "Drugs or Jesus" is kind of odd. Alcohol is a drug and Jesus drank that all of the time. Maybe the song should have been called "Drugs and Jesus"!

[WillieCash]

Michelle,

I'm not saying they are bad songs, I'm just saying they are pre-fabricated pop-songs the same as any Celine Dion or Fantasia Burrina song.

Of course it does not sound like pop to you because the producers put in thinks like steel guitar and fiddles, but the truth is, most of these songs could be done as R&B songs or pop-rock songs and no one would ever think it was a country song if they hadn't heard it done that way. It's actually pretty common for songwriters to demo a few different versions of the same song when trying to shop them to singers.

This is why "pop" is such a taboo word around here. Because when independent songwriters are writing songs and whoring them out to whoever will take a turn on them they do not have any personal attachment to them so by the time they are heard there is very little of the original connection to the song that you hear when a singer/songwriter makes his own music and does not comprimise his/her vision of what it is.

Take the song "I'm already There" for example. This demonstrates exactly what I'm talking about. The same song recorded two different ways to appeal to two different pop audiences. Even the recording isn't that different, there were just changes to a few elements. There are tons of examples like this. Even "country" singers release more pop versions of their songs for different radio formats. Shania is infamous for this.

Back in the day when music crossed over (Willie Nelson etc...) it was because it was so undeniably good that other audiences appreciated the beauty of it for what it was. It crossed over on it's own merit instead of through some calculated coporate scheme.

You couldn't do that with songs like "Folsom Prison Blues", "He Stopped Loving Her Today", "If you've got the money, I've got the time" etc... without it sounding gimmicky.

Again, I'm not saying that anything is wrong with pop-country except that I hate having to explain that it isn't enough for me to say "I play country music". I always have to follow it up with "but not like, corporate country music on CMT More like Johnny Cash or something etc....."

I hope this explains the differences in a concise manner. As a musician, artists and producer I have worked on Country Music, Pop, Hip-hop, Punk Rock and Chorale music. I love them all and studied them all intensely. I'm not spitting venom here, just letting you know the difference.

[Seattle]

I see your point here... However.. Lets look at the subject matter of many of these songs? Would you agree that they are at least based on many of the same principles?

(sorry -- I don't know how to "quote a quote" -- the above post quoted this statement from my previous post: "In their day, all or most of the artists on Elduce's list were accused of pretty much the same thing the "current" artists are being accused of.")

I'm not sure what you're asking -- I do agree that the subjects of some current country songs share many of the same themes as older country songs, but I don't know if that's really been at issue here -- which is what makes me think I'm not answering the question you meant to ask...

[kennyslady]

There we go people! Nice mature "debates". Nothing wrong with that at all. It was the personal attacking that was out of line. Great reading others mature responsible takes on everything. Gives us all something to think about.

[michelle98264]

Michelle,

I'm not saying they are bad songs, I'm just saying they are pre-fabricated pop-songs the same as any Celine Dion or Fantasia Burrina song.

Of course it does not sound like pop to you because the producers put in thinks like steel guitar and fiddles, but the truth is, most of these songs could be done as R&B songs or pop-rock songs and no one would ever think it was a country song if they hadn't heard it done that way. It's actually pretty common for songwriters to demo a few different versions of the same song when trying to shop them to singers.

This is why "pop" is such a taboo word around here. Because when independent songwriters are writing songs and whoring themout to whoever will take a turn on them they do not have any personal attachemnt to them so by the time they heard there is very little of the original connection to the song taht you hear when a singer/songwriter makes his own music and does not comprimise his/her vision of what it is.

Take the song "I'm already There" for example. This demonstrates exactly what I'm talking about. The same song recorded two different ways to appeal to two different pop audiences. Even the recording isn't that different, there were just changes to a few elements. There are tons of examples like this. Even "country" singers release more pop versions of their songs for different radio formats. Shania is infamous for this.

Back in the day when music crossed over (Willie Nelson etc...) it was because it was so undeniably good that other audiences appreciated the beauty of it for what it was. It crossed over on it's own merit instead of through some calculated coporate scheme.

You couldn't do that with songs like "Folsom Prison Blues", "He Stopped Loving Her Today", "If you've got the money, I've got the time" etc... without it sounding gimmicky.

Again, I'm not saying that anything is wrong with pop-country except that I hate having to explain that it isn't enough for me to say "I play country music". I always have to follow it up with "but not like, corporate country music on CMT More like Johnny Cash or something etc....."

I hope this explains the differences in a concise manner. As a musician, artists and producer I have worked on Country Music, Pop, Hip-hop, Punk Rock and Chorale music. I love them all and studied them all intensely. I'm not spitting venom here, just letting you know the difference.

You do have some valid points - I really don't like Shania anymore. I used to when I was younger. I don't think it's fair to put all New Country artists in the Shania category. :)

I understand what you mean by having to explain the music you play. I have the same problem sometimes only opposite - I listen to (what I call) Country music - but not the older stuff that our parents grew up on - not that anything is wrong with that, it is just not what I listen to.

Ok here's a question - Do you know who Deric Ruttan is? If not, you should check out his website and read his bio. http://dericruttan.net/

[WillieCash]

I saw the site but could not listen at work. I will check him out at home.

I do have to say that his name appears as a songwriter on nearly all of his songs on the 2003 record. That is a step in the right direction. The pictures look a little "pretty-boy" for me but I will give him a shot for sure.

Did you check out my site? I am curious what a radio-country fan thinks of my music. It's not exactly Country or pop-country or radio country or alt.country. I call it West Coast Country. Take a listen if you want. I will send you the link if you care for it.

[michelle98264]

I will check it out - send me the link. I may not be able to see or hear everything from my work computer but if not, will try again from home.

[Misfit138]

(sorry -- I don't know how to "quote a quote" -- the above post quoted this statement from my previous post: "In their day, all or most of the artists on Elduce's list were accused of pretty much the same thing the "current" artists are being accused of.")

I'm not sure what you're asking -- I do agree that the subjects of some current country songs share many of the same themes as older country songs, but I don't know if that's really been at issue here -- which is what makes me think I'm not answering the question you meant to ask...

No problem.. I haven't quite figured that out yet either..

My point here is the Outlaw era at least had very similar subject matter as the Old country whereas today I personally see drastic differences between the subject of old country and Pop country. At the end of the day the heart of country was still there in my opinion with Outlaw country. Willie had a great point as well about how today's country is produced as well.

Now todays pop country has obviously been widely accepted and promoted by Nashville $$$.. I think it is ironic that the people who are not promoted and are not accepted at all are the bands who are sticking to the country music roots and have the old country or outlaw country sound and in many cases have lived what they are singing about. It is these great artists who are being overlooked yet once again because Nashville is raking in the big bucks off of their fabricated artists.

[Misfit138]

I am expecting that some of you will say that the subject matter of Pop Country is similar to Old and Outlaw Country but, ask yourselves how many of these artists have lived and know what they are singing about.

Also to add to what I just said in my previous post regarding the sound, subject and look of country music. A friend of mine wrote and recorded a song called "If it Ain't Broke" and it makes a lot of sense. Coutntry music wasn't broke except maybe in Nashville's eyes where it wasn't profitable enough. Trashville fabricates whatever it has to so it can make more money and a great deal of the artists give in and do what they are told in fear they won't get their paychecks or get any support. A prime example is Hank Williams III. How many of you have heard his music and guess who his label is.. Curb.. He is one guy who stuck to his guns and wrote and recorded the music that he wanted to record and found himself in a huge legal battle with his label because he wouldn't give in to them and give them control over HIS music. Guess how much tour support he gets.. NONE.. Guess how much support he got while recording his latest album entitled "Straight to Hell" none.. He did everything on that project by himself and it cost him 700 bucks and the end result was in my mind one of the best albums of 2006. Some of you may not like his music but you have to admire the dude for not selling out. That to me is the attitude that Country music needs to have again.

[samicraig]

ok guys i got my tickets from the fan club too... where are your seats? are they gold or just reg vip ticx??? we can all be pals !!!! lol

[Seattle]

My point here is the Outlaw era at least had very similar subject matter as the Old country whereas today I personally see drastic differences between the subject of old country and Pop country. At the end of the day the heart of country was still there in my opinion with Outlaw country. Willie had a great point as well about how today's country is produced as well.

Now todays pop country has obviously been widely accepted and promoted by Nashville $$$.. I think it is ironic that the people who are not promoted and are not accepted at all are the bands who are sticking to the country music roots and have the old country or outlaw country sound and in many cases have lived what they are singing about. It is these great artists who are being overlooked yet once again because Nashville is raking in the big bucks off of their fabricated artists.

OK, I see what you're saying now. I think times do change, the things uppermost in people's minds change, the issues they feel strongly about change -- and I think music almost has to change to follow along with that to some degree. It's not unreasonable, really, for the subject matter/tone of songs today to differ from songs popular during, say, the Depression era. I'm not saying there's no value in Depression songs -- far from it -- but I'm not surprised music evolves to address things from a more modern perspective. There are an awful lot of people living the soccer mom/sippy cup life, and I think it would be unrealistic to expect the music to ignore that.


I am expecting that some of you will say that the subject matter of Pop Country is similar to Old and Outlaw Country but, ask yourselves how many of these artists have lived and know what they are singing about.

I suspect if we dissected the lyrics of a handful of new songs and a handful of old songs, we'd come up with a handful of similar, basic themes. Relationships; people behaving badly; people being heroic; the government failing to live up to expectations; the virtues of getting drunk; the evils of sobering up... it's all there, then and now. The presentation has been sanitized, in many many cases, to reflect the mood of the buying public. And thus we come to the bottom line, "buying public."


Also to add to what I just said in my previous post regarding the sound, subject and look of country music. A friend of mine wrote and recorded a song called "If it Ain't Broke" and it makes a lot of sense. Coutntry music wasn't broke except maybe in Nashville's eyes where it wasn't profitable enough.

Nashville doesn't make music to please people -- they make music to sell it. I think, since it wasn't selling, you really can't say country music wasn't broken. If this were a perfect world, and all music were free, and musicians somehow magically survived without any money at all, this would be a very different conversation. But the fact of life as we know it is: if it's not profitable, the labels won't support it.



Trashville fabricates whatever it has to so it can make more money

Exactly. That's their job, like it or not.


A prime example is Hank Williams III...

You know, I've heard enough stories about Shelton to make me doubt him on a number of levels. I don't have first hand knowledge, and I'm not going to repeat any stories, so please don't ask. Let's just say the phrases "Back away from the shotglass" and "Learn to be more diplomatic" might serve him very well...

[Misfit138]

I suspect if we dissected the lyrics of a handful of new songs and a handful of old songs, we'd come up with a handful of similar, basic themes. Relationships; people behaving badly; people being heroic; the government failing to live up to expectations; the virtues of getting drunk; the evils of sobering up... it's all there, then and now. The presentation has been sanitized, in many many cases, to reflect the mood of the buying public. And thus we come to the bottom line, "buying public."

Possibly true.. I see your point. That would be quite a bit of research..:) I guess my point was that many of these artists are singing songs they know nothing about.


Nashville doesn't make music to please people -- they make music to sell it. I think, since it wasn't selling, you really can't say country music wasn't broken. If this were a perfect world, and all music were free, and musicians somehow magically survived without any money at all, this would be a very different conversation. But the fact of life as we know it is: if it's not profitable, the labels won't support it.

I understand that completely which is why I dislike Nashville more than their fabricated money machines. I have a feeling Country was profitable but not as profitable as Pop which is why they started to follow in the Pop Music footsteps.



You know, I've heard enough stories about Shelton to make me doubt him on a number of levels. I don't have first hand knowledge, and I'm not going to repeat any stories, so please don't ask. Let's just say the phrases "Back away from the shotglass" and "Learn to be more diplomatic" might serve him very well...[/QUOTE]

You can like or dislike Shelton but the fact remains that he stuck to his guns and didn't sell out. I have personally met Shelton on a few different occasions and they have always been positive experiences.

[Seattle]

That would be quite a bit of research..:) I guess my point was that many of these artists are singing songs they know nothing about.

Yeah, I'm not willing to do that level of research either! :) And I do agree that many of today's artists (the girls especially, but the boys aren't immune either) are w-a-a-y too young to make some of their songs believable. Which also baffles me on another level, as the major country music buying demographic is female (something like 74% of country music is purchased by women -- I don't remember the exact figure, but I'm pretty sure it was in the 70-percent range somewhere), so WHAT is the big deal with all these overly made-up, underage girl singers?! :eek:


You can like or dislike Shelton but the fact remains that he stuck to his guns and didn't sell out. I have personally met Shelton on a few different occasions and they have always been positive experiences.

That's actually the first ameliorating (or even vaguely complimentary, to be honest) thing I've ever heard about Shelton -- maybe someday the scales will tip in my mind! :D

[Misfit138]

so WHAT is the big deal with all these overly made-up, underage girl singers?! :eek: Its just sad sad sad... I can't remember who it was but I saw some video of some little blonde who had much better looks than talent with a Les Paul slung over her shoulder that she couldn't play lick on and gasonline a fire all in the background.. It was so pathetic..




That's actually the first ameliorating (or even vaguely complimentary, to be honest) thing I've ever heard about Shelton -- maybe someday the scales will tip in my mind! :D


Ironically your remark is the first negative comment I have heard about Shelton. I'll put it to ya this way. I saw Hank and his Damn Band back in October and he played for damn near 3 hours straight which included his Country, Hellbilly and Assjack set. If you haven't watched him perform before lets just say most of us would be exhausted halfway through the Country set. After it was all said and done he hopped down off the front of the stage and literally talked with every one of his fans, Signed autographs and took pictures with every single fan there. The rest of the band did the same thing including his guitar tech who is a hell of a musician himself.

[Misfit138]

Yeah, I'm not willing to do that level of research either! :) And I do agree that many of today's artists (the girls especially, but the boys aren't immune either) are w-a-a-y too young to make some of their songs believable. Which also baffles me on another level, as the major country music buying demographic is female (something like 74% of country music is purchased by women -- I don't remember the exact figure, but I'm pretty sure it was in the 70-percent range somewhere), so WHAT is the big deal with all these overly made-up, underage girl singers?! :eek:



That's actually the first ameliorating (or even vaguely complimentary, to be honest) thing I've ever heard about Shelton -- maybe someday the scales will tip in my mind! :D

The fact that you referred to him as Shelton leads me to believe that you know more about him and his music than you lead on. Just an observation.. :)

[Seattle]

The fact that you referred to him as Shelton leads me to believe that you know more about him and his music than you lead on. Just an observation.. :)

Well, yeah, I wouldn't have made the statement with no knowledge!

[Misfit138]

Well, yeah, I wouldn't have made the statement with no knowledge!

Wow... well then.. dumb of me to assume that from a few of your statements..

[rmacdad]

Let's see if all these Kenny Chesney, Brooks and Dung and Alan Jackson fans check out the real talent at this event such as Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson. Have you even heard of Lucinda Williams? This is real Americana/Country music. Entertainer of the year?..what the hell is that all about? Any time anybody ask me what I kind of music I listen to I say Americana..country and they say oh like Kenny Chesney and I Scream NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Emmylou and Junior Brown and Lucinda!!!!. To bad Dwight Yoakum isn't playing there is an entertainer. I'm going to have fun at this event and so should you, but please...please stop calling Kenny and the others Country music just because they wear a Cowboy Hat, call it what it really is....Pop-Music..

[angerball]

Goddam right. That crap ain't country. Dwight Yoakam sure as hell ain't country. He got close on one or two songs, but that's about it. There IS no real country music today!
Bring back Vernon Dalhart!!!!

[Pupgill]

I lovvvvvve Kenny Chesney. He is the bomb!!! He may be a pop country singer but i like that country better than regular country. But my mom dosn't. But we still are going together.

[rdog91x]

I have seen so many shows in my life. I have seen U2, I have seen RUSH, I have seen the Gipsy kings, I have seen Jefferson Airplane, I have seen Metallica,
Devo, and on and on and on. THe one thing that sets country apart is the abundance of cool funloving people. My first country show was Reba and John Michael Montgomery. Rascal Flats recently. The one great thing about the country folk are the great fun loving attitudes and great aptmosphere. Dont let a couple of wankers ruin in for you. These fools will definately get smacked up in a hurry if they can even afford to get in.

GO KENNY!!!!

[Misfit138]

I lovvvvvve Kenny Chesney. He is the bomb!!! He may be a pop country singer but i like that country better than regular country. But my mom dosn't. But we still are going together.

Thank you for being honest and admitting he is POP Country..

[sgibson]

Be sure to check out Robert Earl Keen, Jr.

[hondarider227]

Some of you are Crazy. what the hell is wrong with you people on here beating on the singers. If you don't like the line up don't go. Simple as that. I am part of a few different forums for dirt bikes to guns to trucks and people that go into these forums and beat up on people are called trolls. You hide behind a key board like a bunch of little trolls. like it or not Kenny Chesney is one of the best performer right now. Look at the numbers it is as simple as that. As far as him being gay come on now grow up. Is it the fact that you trolls would love to have his life and you dont.

[kyleandbeccasmom1]

ALL OF YOU PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO ARE SLAMMING SOME OF THE ARTISTS IN THE LINEUP (KENNY CHESNEY, SUGARLAND, ETC.) GET IT OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM NOW, BEFORE THE WEEKEND OF THE FESTIVAL. WHY???? BECAUSE THERE ARE ALOT OF US WHO ARE GOING TO BE THERE TO ENJOY THE WEEKEND. I'M BRINGING MY KIDS, WE ENJOY THE "POP" ARTISTS WHO ARE PERFORMING, AND I HOPE TO GOD WE'RE NOT ANYWHERE NEAR THE KILLJOYS WHO SHOW NO RESPECT FOR THE CONCERT GOERS WHEN THESE ACTS ARE ON STAGE. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE: THE DRUNK AND BELIGERANT ONES WHO YELL AND FALL ON OTHER PEOPLE (SPILLING THEIR BEER) AND DON'T REMEMBER ANYTHING THE NEXT DAY ABOUT MAKING A COMPLETE ASS OF THEMSELVES. JUST LET EVERYBODY ENJOY THE WEEKEND, NO MATTER WHO IS ON STAGE SINGING!!!!

[exspree]

KENNY CHESNEY ROCKS! WHO CARES IF SOME FOLKS DON'T LIKE HIM! HE'S NOT GAY! STOP BASHING AND CHILL OUT!

[WillieCash]

I WASN"T GOING TO GO TO THE SHOW BUT NOW I AM BUYING A TICKET SO I CAN PERSONALLY SHOW UP DRUNK AND SPILL MY BEER ON YOUR KIDS HEADS AND YELL PROFANITIES AT THE STAGE.

WOOHOO MY CAPS MAKE ME REALLY IMPORTATNT!!!!!

[WillieCash]

I'M GOING TO LOCK SUGARLAND IN AN OUTHOUSE AND TIP IT OVER. THEN REMOVE THE "MY CHILD IS AN HONOR ROLL STUDENT" BUMPER STICKER OFF OF YOUR MINI-VAN

WOO HOO I AM IMPORTANT SO I AM YELLING WOOOOOOOOO
:rolleyes:

[kyleandbeccasmom1]

OH GROW UP...AND I FEEL SORRY FOR THE POOR ASSHOLE WHO DOES INTERRUPT MY FUN AND GETS IN MY WAY

[kyleandbeccasmom1]

AND THANK YOU HONDARIDER227...I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU. THESE PEOPLE WHO BASH SINGERS AND THEIR FANS REALLY SHOULD JUST STAY AT HOME AND LET THE REST OF US ENJOY THE MUSIC!!!

[WillieCash]

WOOO HOOO YELL YELL YELL YELL YELLL!!!!!!!

I AM YELLING SO YOU KNOW I MEAN WHAT I SAY, IT IS MUCH EASIER THAN PUTTING TOGETHER WORDS IN A SUCCINCT MANNER!!!

I HOPE KIDS DON'T GET EXPOSED TO NASTY THINGS LIKE BEER AT A COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL!

I LIKE TO DROP THREATS, WOO HOOO, YELL YELL YELL!

[kyleandbeccasmom1]

Whatever...

[jerseygirl90732]

ok "bob"

well... what do we kc fans hope for?

people like you not holding up the drink line!!

let's all have another beer...in indio

~ kc rocks country...he's a good time ~ lighten up.

[Mauid95]

Go ahead and go home. We will enjoy Kenny! He is the best entertainer!


The festival has a great line-up...despite the presence of a few pop music acts. I can live with Brooks and Dunn and Sugarland...but who's idea was adding popster Kenny Chesney?

I can hope for two things at this festival. That Kenny will learn what country music really is from the great COUNTRY artists that are playing...or...that Kenny is the headliner Sunday...and I can hit the freeway early to get home.

[Mauid95]

I agree!!!!!!!!!!!:) :) :) :) :)


I have seen so many shows in my life. I have seen U2, I have seen RUSH, I have seen the Gipsy kings, I have seen Jefferson Airplane, I have seen Metallica,
Devo, and on and on and on. THe one thing that sets country apart is the abundance of cool funloving people. My first country show was Reba and John Michael Montgomery. Rascal Flats recently. The one great thing about the country folk are the great fun loving attitudes and great aptmosphere. Dont let a couple of wankers ruin in for you. These fools will definately get smacked up in a hurry if they can even afford to get in.

GO KENNY!!!!

[Mauid95]

What an ass.


I WASN"T GOING TO GO TO THE SHOW BUT NOW I AM BUYING A TICKET SO I CAN PERSONALLY SHOW UP DRUNK AND SPILL MY BEER ON YOUR KIDS HEADS AND YELL PROFANITIES AT THE STAGE.

WOOHOO MY CAPS MAKE ME REALLY IMPORTATNT!!!!!

[sugarready]

WOOO HOOO YELL YELL YELL YELL YELLL!!!!!!!

I AM YELLING SO YOU KNOW I MEAN WHAT I SAY, IT IS MUCH EASIER THAN PUTTING TOGETHER WORDS IN A SUCCINCT MANNER!!!

I HOPE KIDS DON'T GET EXPOSED TO NASTY THINGS LIKE BEER AT A COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL!

I LIKE TO DROP THREATS, WOO HOOO, YELL YELL YELL!


Can I ask you one question?....






WHY ARE YOU GOING TO THIS MUSICAL FESTIVAL IF YOU HATE EVERYONE THATS PLAYING THERE?!

[WillieCash]

I don't hate everybody playing, I just think it is funny whenever people start screeching about their kids. In my head it always sounds like the reverand's wife on the Simpsons saying "The Children, won't somebody please think about the children!!!!"

I would hope nobody thinks a rational person would drive all the way out to hot-ass Coachella Valley just to pour beer on some kids heads. I just think it was so funny that this soccer mom was getting so worked up over it. I had to respond. My over-reaction was to demonstrate her over-reaction.

If you can't determine that from the context of the posts it shows that maybe Nashville was right in dumbing down country music. Obviously concepts like sarcasm are a little too intellectual for people that think "She thinks my tractor is sexy" is clever.

[kenny-chesney-fan]

This is to the person who started this topic....

You don't like Kenny Chesney, that is fine. But don't come on here whining about how we don't know good country music and that he is not a real country music star. Country music is not all about 'cheating and alchohol' and crap like that. Country music can be about tons of things... You need to listen to modern music... like Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Sara Evans, Rascal Flatts, etc. And not Willie Nelson and those boring people. Country music is going to change... all country music doesn't have to be like Willie Nelson and stuff like that. So why don't you just leave and stop whining about how much you hate him.

[kenny-chesney-fan]

If you can't determine that from the context of the posts it shows that maybe Nashville was right in dumbing down country music. Obviously concepts like sarcasm are a little too intellectual for people that think "She thinks my tractor is sexy" is clever.

"She Thinks My Tractors Sexy" is not ment to be clever. It was just supposed to be some fun, dumb song that he sang. Not every song has to be clever.

[mjbad]

here's a cure for all the anti/pro kenny peeps...go see Kings of Leon a week earlier at coachella fest. this quartet from tennesse rips!!!

[Misfit138]

"She Thinks My Tractors Sexy" is not ment to be clever. It was just supposed to be some fun, dumb song that he sang. Not every song has to be clever.

well ya got the dumb part right...

[Misfit138]

Im so tired of the "country music has evolved" line.. It hasnt evolved its just had a sub category called "Pop Cuntry" that puts more money in Trashville's pocket. It is Pop there is no denying that. If Pop country music is what you like, well whatever but it isn't country. There are still plenty of people out their staying true to their roots and playing good ole country music.

[musicman]

I have to admit - i have to crack up when i read all these posts from people. I find it very comical how many of these people feel as if they are "holy" enough to determin what is considered good music for others - Or have determined certain types of music the only "real music". They have somehow decided that when they like a certain type of music - all of sudden perfection has happened - Because they have discovered it. God forbid, there was no good music before them or after them. Look folks, music was created and has evolved because is gave people a feeling - a feeling that appealled to them. That is simply what it is all about. As for me, I like Kenny Chesney. I like the way his music sounds. I like the way it makes me feel. I don't care if you don't like it - It won't stop me from listening. I am sure you have music you like - and I am sure you won't stop listening because of anybody else's opinion. Go ahead - turn it up.

I keep hearing terms like: sold out, commercialized, pop, homosexual, "not true country". WHO CARES - what does that have to do with whether a person likes it or not? If it does, your priorities are obviously messed up. In my opinion, the only good reason to label an artist is to help find it in the "record store" or "juke box".

All i ask, is that you simply find joy in any music you choose - just avoid any personal attacks based on very limited information.

[kennyslady]

Amen musicman! My sentiments exactly!

Just curious, to some of you:

If there was a great buffet restaurant opening up and they named some of the vegitables that would be available, and on of those was peas....now stay with me here...

How much sense would it make for me to come on a board and go on and on about how I can't stand peas. Peas are terrible, peas should not be allowed to be called a vegitable let alone be called good tasting. You people shouldn't waste your time going to that grand opening because for goodness sakes there will be peas there!!!! How could anyone want to eat peas?

Do you see how ridiculous that sounds? Just apply that to someone posting about a certain artist, any artist. It is a personal choice.

[BUNZY18]

WHERE'S MARK CHESNUTT?????????????/[/B]

[sugarready]

Couldn't have said it better myself!:)




I have to admit - i have to crack up when i read all these posts from people. I find it very comical how many of these people feel as if they are "holy" enough to determin what is considered good music for others - Or have determined certain types of music the only "real music". They have somehow decided that when they like a certain type of music - all of sudden perfection has happened - Because they have discovered it. God forbid, there was no good music before them or after them. Look folks, music was created and has evolved because is gave people a feeling - a feeling that appealled to them. That is simply what it is all about. As for me, I like Kenny Chesney. I like the way his music sounds. I like the way it makes me feel. I don't care if you don't like it - It won't stop me from listening. I am sure you have music you like - and I am sure you won't stop listening because of anybody else's opinion. Go ahead - turn it up.

I keep hearing terms like: sold out, commercialized, pop, homosexual, "not true country". WHO CARES - what does that have to do with whether a person likes it or not? If it does, your priorities are obviously messed up. In my opinion, the only good reason to label an artist is to help find it in the "record store" or "juke box".

All i ask, is that you simply find joy in any music you choose - just avoid any personal attacks based on very limited information.

[Jim In Studio City]

The Palm Springs Drag Queen Association will be sneding 10 Drag Queens with us to the concerts and WE CANT WAIT TO SEE KENNY. WOOO WEEEE We pray h will wear his buttless chaps.

[musicman]

I could not help but notice that your definition of country music is almost precisely how many people would define rap music. Only replace "prairie" with "ghetto". Should make you think.




I suppose you all like Cowboy Troy also.

Look...country music is a genre with it's own traditions...much like every other type of music. They don't put fiddles in rap music...they don't put grunge guitar in classical music...they don't sing operatically in punk.

Country music is lonely nights on the prairie...it's cheatin' and lyin"...it's getting caught and feeling remorse...it's heavy drinkin' and breakin' the law...it's getting caught and doin' time....it's about being a poor blue-collar worker with bills on your back...it's about love for a woman who puts up with your sh*t...it's about love for a man who the world is trying to break. Country music has always been about real life among real people.

Now we have today's "country". It's about mini-vans and soccer moms. It's about pina-coladas on Carribean beaches. It's about champagne and caviar and things no cowboy could afford....or even want to. It's about crap.

The fine folks in Nashville long ago saw that country doesn't sell well. A one-hundred thousand selling album was big news years ago. So they looked with envy at those artists who sold a million...and decided to do something about it.

They took country music and started emulating the pop albums that sold so well. Out went the outlaw country themes and in went the suburbs and white-collar ideology. They did away with country's traditional production techniques. They started using the same production values as pop-music. Little by little the instruments left...the fiddle, the mandolin, the steel guitar. All of a sudden how a person looked became more important than their talent. Hair style and fashion became a rule of thumb. They've spent years doing this...and the results are the almost total destruction of country music from what it once was.

But Nashville got it's results. Now we have million selling albums...by people who are not country artists...they're pop artists.

I'm sorry...I like COUNTRY music...all the pop artists can go to hell.

[iconoclast78]

Kenny Chesney=Danielle Steele

Willie Nelson=Mark Twain

That's why Kenny Chesney is ass.

[Nascar48]

Don't you guys have anything better to do!

[valmaniac]

Life is to short to listen to their BS - All I have to Say is this:

Its my life and its sure fun
Another season of my lifes begun
Another race i'm glad I get to run
another chapter of my life i'm writin
No i'm never gonna feel like this again
Times rushin by me like the wind
Got to grab each moment that I can
Cuz i'm never gonna feel like this again


Way to go on the KC quote!!! I am a huge Kenny fan. After Garth Brooks retired country music was boring!! Kenny, Keith Urban, Tim, and some of these newer ppl are bringing excitement and a younger crowd back to country and making it 'cool' again. Bluesbob, I think you are type that gives people the perception that country music fans that are 'redneck/uncool/unsocialized/old fashioned'. I grew up in South Dakota in a town of 1500 people for cryin' out loud & have lived there until 2 months ago when I moved to California. South Dakota is as about as farmer/country as you get and yet country singers like Kenny are popular as hell around that area just as much as Alan Jackson or George Strait...seriously get with the program or at least keep your negative comments to yourself.

[WillieCash]

Another chapter in my life that one of about a hundred songwriters are writing for me...:p

[yeasica]

I don't know what you're talking about! Kenny is amazing!!!:eek:

[IMissBuckOwens]

The festival has a great line-up...despite the presence of a few pop music acts. I can live with Brooks and Dunn and Sugarland...but who's idea was adding popster Kenny Chesney?

I can hope for two things at this festival. That Kenny will learn what country music really is from the great COUNTRY artists that are playing...or...that Kenny is the headliner Sunday...and I can hit the freeway early to get home.

I couldn't agree more. The only act I have ever walked out on the 1st song.

[noisemachine]

Complaining about the headliners is so pointless. Festivals like these will always have bigger names with a more widespread appeal in order to draw larger audiences. Im sure people that enjoy Kenny Chesney realize that he is not playing classic or traditional country music. So why make a big deal about it. There are so many other acts to check out over the weekend. I am personally excited about Emmylou Harris, Neko Case, Alejandro Escovedo and Willie Nelson, among others. Instead of bitching about the artists you don't want to see, get excited about the ones you do!

[Misfit138]

Complaining about the headliners is so pointless. Festivals like these will always have bigger names with a more widespread appeal in order to draw larger audiences. Im sure people that enjoy Kenny Chesney realize that he is not playing classic or traditional country music. So why make a big deal about it. There are so many other acts to check out over the weekend. I am personally excited about Emmylou Harris, Neko Case, Alejandro Escovedo and Willie Nelson, among others. Instead of bitching about the artists you don't want to see, get excited about the ones you do!

anyone idea what the expected attendance will be?

[cici_in_socal]

Complaining about the headliners is so pointless. Festivals like these will always have bigger names with a more widespread appeal in order to draw larger audiences. Im sure people that enjoy Kenny Chesney realize that he is not playing classic or traditional country music. So why make a big deal about it. There are so many other acts to check out over the weekend. I am personally excited about Emmylou Harris, Neko Case, Alejandro Escovedo and Willie Nelson, among others. Instead of bitching about the artists you don't want to see, get excited about the ones you do!

I'll drink to that, Noisemachine! ;)

[mzpink]

How bout we don't even respond to these types of post, and maybe that would cut down on the people who post them. Look at all the attention....just for this person to shoot off at the mouth about what he thinks of Kenny Chesney.....:confused:

[SoCal]

I have to admit - i have to crack up when i read all these posts from people. I find it very comical how many of these people feel as if they are "holy" enough to determin what is considered good music for others - Or have determined certain types of music the only "real music". They have somehow decided that when they like a certain type of music - all of sudden perfection has happened - Because they have discovered it. God forbid, there was no good music before them or after them. Look folks, music was created and has evolved because is gave people a feeling - a feeling that appealled to them. That is simply what it is all about. As for me, I like Kenny Chesney. I like the way his music sounds. I like the way it makes me feel. I don't care if you don't like it - It won't stop me from listening. I am sure you have music you like - and I am sure you won't stop listening because of anybody else's opinion. Go ahead - turn it up.

I keep hearing terms like: sold out, commercialized, pop, homosexual, "not true country". WHO CARES - what does that have to do with whether a person likes it or not? If it does, your priorities are obviously messed up. In my opinion, the only good reason to label an artist is to help find it in the "record store" or "juke box".

All i ask, is that you simply find joy in any music you choose - just avoid any personal attacks based on very limited information.


No kidding...music is music...everyone chooses to enjoy whatever artist/songs they choose to enjoy. The good thing is, we all can choose what we want to listen to...so if you enjoy an artist...go listen to them...if not, don't. It really is that simple.

[SoCal]

Amen musicman! My sentiments exactly!

Just curious, to some of you:

If there was a great buffet restaurant opening up and they named some of the vegitables that would be available, and on of those was peas....now stay with me here...

How much sense would it make for me to come on a board and go on and on about how I can't stand peas. Peas are terrible, peas should not be allowed to be called a vegitable let alone be called good tasting. You people shouldn't waste your time going to that grand opening because for goodness sakes there will be peas there!!!! How could anyone want to eat peas?

Do you see how ridiculous that sounds? Just apply that to someone posting about a certain artist, any artist. It is a personal choice.

Good point! LOL! For the record...I don't like peas :eek: but sure enjoy the jamacian hot wings there! :D LOL!

[deegee83]

I thought Stagecoach had "done good" by putting Kenny on as a headliner for their inaugural festival. Kenny being on the bill was the main reason why I bought a ticket. If he signed on, I knew it would be a well-run festival. He's a smart guy. I am a rocker turned country fan because of Keith and Kenny, but I've come to enjoy Montgomery Gentry, Jason Aldean, and a bunch of the new country acts...including that blonde who plays guitar and teaches em what they need to learn, ha! It's a diverse genre. Ever see the Jack Black movie School of Rock? Rock is a diverse genre too. Check it out -- There is acid rock, punk rock, heavy metal, classic rock, pop rock...and that's just the beginning. So if "country" just has "old-style" and new, pop, or rock-influenced stuff going on now, so what? Not everybody has to like all of it. I'm all for the breadth of the genre. That's why Baskin Robbins sells 31 flavors. We are all individuals with our own preferences!!!! Heeellllooo!!!:D

[wowsers]

You can catch a Kenny Chesney live performance tonight on the CMAs on ABC 8/7C. Don't miss it!

[kennyslady]

Entertainer Of The Year!!!!!! AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!! I'm just sayin' :D

[cherrycherri101]

how u get tickets when they havent had a line up yet? i am in his fan club and never got anything at all this is messed up!