October 2008 - Tricks of Country Music

The month of Trick or Treat, loved by children everywhere. Over time, there has become more treating, and hopefully, this year will be the same. Using the same theme, I want to share a couple thoughts on the current state of the music and the radio, specifically country music.

I am a fan of several genres of music, however, most of my radio experience has been with country. Over the past few years it seems that "country" music, and thus "country" radio, has become less and less country sounding. It is an issue that has troubled many in the music and radio industry, as well as many fans, myself included. Many feel that country music has left Nashville. Some feel that country music and country radio has sold out to pop and rock, and, a listen to most "hot new country stations," as they are called, do support that. Many of us who support and believe in the traditions and rich history of traditional country music feel tricked, and feel many in the industry have forgotten and do not respect the hard work and dedication the founders of the music expended to make it a wonderful and respectable genre.

What troubles me the most, is that these so-called "modern" stations that call themselves "country" hardly ever play some very top of the heap country pioneers and stars, and give little exposure and support to the newcomers who try and play music that sounds traditional and in the vein of what was simple great country music. There are several names; George Jones, Merle Haggard, even Patty Loveless, that I could count on my hand the number of times that get played on most "country" stations these days. They are still touring and making music, it's just that we can't hear them on most stations.

I feel as strongly about this issue as I do about poverty and other unjust issues in our world. I feel that way because I simply respect and love the music. It really has troubled me greatly. Thankfully, through my work, I have had the occasion to speak with and interview many artists and industry insiders who agree with me. No, that doesn't make me right, but it does lead me to believe that there may be others who feel strongly about the issue like I do, and maybe you do too.

I have nothing against the new music that we’re hearing on these stations. I know there are listeners who enjoy it, as is documented. The inequality, in my opinion, is in the fact that while we play the hottest and the newest, we have tricked the traditional country pioneers (and the newcomers who want to play that type music), into thinking that nobody wants to hear traditional and therefore we don't need to play it. They could not be more wrong.