“Bro-Country” Songwriter Dallas Davidson Arrested
In the world of country music songwriting, and specifically the writing of many of the so-called “Bro-Country” hits that have gone on to dominate country radio in the last few years, one man stands tall above the others as the King of “Bro-Country” songwriting, Dallas Davidson. As Saving Country Music featured in September of 2013, Dallas Davidson’s handiwork is on many of the worst, and many times, most offensive “Bro-Country” songs that objectify women and pander to the consumer culture.
When Zac Brown famously called out Luke Bryan’s Song “That’s My Kind of Night” co-written by Davidson as the worst song ever, Zac also said, “You can look and see some of the same songwriters on every one of the songs. There’s been like 10 number one songs in the last two or three years that were written by the same people and it’s the exact same words, just arranged different ways.” It is accepted that Zac was talking about Dallas Davidson specifically. The songwriter also co-wrote “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk”, “Country Girl (Shake It For Me), and many other big hits.
Dallas Davidson was arrested Thursday morning at the Tin Roof in downtown Nashville after getting into a bar fight with various people, and yelling what are described as “racial and homophobic obscenities” by TMZ. Davidson was challenging numerous people to fights, and apparently at one point yelled, “There’s that f***ing fa***t that punched me.” Dallas and his ex-wife Sarah Davidson are also both stars on the reality show Private Lives of Nashville Wives. Davidson was booked into jail at 2:50 PM and was later released.
Dallas Davidson was the 2011 Songwriter of the Year for BMI, and has also received 3 CMA “Triple Play” awards, which recognize songwriters for having three #1 songs in the same year, including six #1 songs in 2011 alone. As songwriters go, Davidson is as decorated as any at the moment. Dallas isn’t just one of the most influential songwriters in Nashville, he’s one of the most influential individuals right now in the entire country music business, with his songs dominating the charts and influencing the current direction of the format.
After the controversy with Zac Brown in 2013 Dallas Davidson said, “We write about what we know about.” Now Davidson will have a new experience to turn into a country music mega hit.
July 10, 2014 @ 8:43 am
he writes the songs i hate the most
July 10, 2014 @ 8:45 am
el oh el
July 10, 2014 @ 8:52 am
I have no problem with people writing what they write or even bar fights for that matter but racial slurs and acting like a redneck is probably why TMZ moved into Nashville.
July 10, 2014 @ 9:03 am
Did I miss the racial slurs? I never saw any in the story and why do I care if he insults the guy who assaulted him in whatever way he feels? Isn’t saying mean things the whole point when insulting someone?
God I hate what the media have done to free speech in America.
That being said, DD should have challenged him to a shitty song contest….guaranteed winner.
July 10, 2014 @ 9:54 am
And what exactly has the media done to free speech?
There’s nothing stopping this guy (including his own ability shut up) from popping off with whatever he wants. According to the story, he was arrested for a bar fight when he exercised his free speech rights.
The problem is, too many people think Free Speech means Free From Repercussions. Which isn’t true at all. All it ever meant was the Government can’t stop you from saying it.
It’s like Phil from Duck Dynasty. He can say whatever he wants, but A&E doesn’t have to supply the platform. Also, the public can change the channel as there is no guarantee that anyone has to listen to your free speech.
But if you believe you can say anything and not get in trouble for it, by all means go to your job and recite any Richard Pryor or George Carlin comedy albums verbatim and see just what Free Speech means.
Or better yet, do a Google search on how many people have gotten fired for Facebook or Twitter posts.
July 10, 2014 @ 10:14 am
“And what exactly has the media done to free speech?”
http://listverse.com/2010/10/26/10-ridiculous-cases-of-political-correctness/
http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2011/10/07/11-cases-of-political-correctness-gone-mad/
http://time.com/49136/brendan-eich-mozilla-firing-firefox-gay-marriage/
http://www.infowars.com/19-shocking-examples-of-how-political-correctness-is-destroying-america/
I could quite literally go on all day.
The rest of your post is just a diatribe defending neo-McCarthyism.
Save your fake outrage. I don’t care.
July 10, 2014 @ 10:52 am
You’re right – I’m not going to recite a Louis CK bit out loud at work, but I think I should have the right to post his routine on Facebook without the threat of being fired.
July 10, 2014 @ 11:23 am
I agree that you should. But don’t cry “free speech” when it costs you your job. That’s not protected. Only your right to say it.
And while we’re on social media rants… Facebook, Twitter, and others also have no obligation in giving you a stage for your speech. So don’t cry “free speech” if they shut you down. Read the terms of service you had to “sign” while signing up an account.
July 10, 2014 @ 12:01 pm
I agree that Facebook, Twitter, etc. aren’t obligated to post whatever I say. However, employers trolling employees’ social media and deciding they can fire someone based on a post that is completely unrelated to their occupation is disturbing to me. It’s a little more disturbing that people so willingly go along with this new reality. The “that’s just the way it is” doesn’t make it right. Were you fine with the Dixie Chicks being run out of country music for ranting against George Bush? Best solution I guess: don’t waste time with social media.
July 10, 2014 @ 12:22 pm
It’s not a new idea.
How many people have lost their jobs throughout history because they created a situation that put their place of employment in an embarrassing light? Whether it’s an inflammatory rant against Jews or sending out a batch of tainted meat, if it can be directly linked to the company, it’s bad publicity.
The difference now is, everyone has the ability to have their voice carried around the world in seconds instead of waiting for the gossip mongers to send it ear to ear.
However, it’s not the company infringing on your right to say what you want. They’re simply not allowing your right to free speech to infringe on their profits.
Generally it always goes back to money. Always has. You cost a company money (through direct actions, or bad publicity) you probably won’t be an employee for much longer.
But I do agree with you about avoiding social media.
July 10, 2014 @ 11:55 am
Juke,
The way I reported this was, “yelling what are described as “racial and homophobic obscenities” by TMZ.”
I was not there. I do not know what was said. There could be more specific information, including specific quotes in the police report. If more information is made available, or the statements are found to be untrue, I will post updates.
Dallas has a right to say whatever he wants, and I would take up arms to defend that right. But he also has the right for being publicly admonished if what he says is stupid, whether in a song, or in a drunken stupor.
July 10, 2014 @ 12:01 pm
“The way I reported this was, “yelling what are described a “racial and homophobic obscenities” by TMZ.”
I was not there. I do not know what was said.”
Yes, I’ve been railing at TMZ & the culture of intimidation in mush of the media today, not you or the site. Hope it wasn’t taken as such.
July 10, 2014 @ 12:22 pm
Amen Juke! My little brother’s married with two children, and I call him a faggot every time he pisses me off.
Political correctness is destroying America like a cancer.
July 10, 2014 @ 4:41 pm
You or your little brother may take that word a little differently if it was a stranger calling you that after he just hit you in the face.
July 10, 2014 @ 7:14 pm
Nope. If somebody hits you in the face, the words they use will be the last thing you think about.
July 10, 2014 @ 9:06 am
Surely this doesn’t surprise anyone. Davidson says he writes about what he knows and uses it as a defense, but it’s also a pretty damning indictment, because what one knows is to a great extent a reflection of whom one is as a person. So it’s not a big surprise that such a raging misogynist is also a racist and a homophobe.
July 10, 2014 @ 10:19 am
1. Damn you for putting me in position of defending someone I find so annoying.
2. What has he done to earn the title “racist” or “homophobe”? Is using words TMZ doesn’t like all it takes or has some past actions of his towards gays of non-Whites earned his these labels?
July 10, 2014 @ 10:51 am
An old Latin proverb comes to mind: “In vino veritas.” Translation: In wine there is truth, or from the similar Russian saying, “What a sober man has in his mind, the drunk one has on his tongue.”
Not everything is a Left Coast conspiracy. And I say that as what many leftists would call a raving right-wing ideologue.
July 10, 2014 @ 11:02 am
“An old Latin proverb comes to mind: “In vino veritas.” Translation: In wine there is truth, or from the similar Russian saying, “What a sober man has in his mind, the drunk one has on his tongue.”
I agree with this. The difference is, I don’t care about people’s thoughts, I care about their actions.
“Not everything is a Left Coast conspiracy. And I say that as what many leftists would call a raving right-wing ideologue.”
Not a conspiracy at all, it’s out in the open. The entire country is suffering from the lack of political speech. Simple truths can no longer be spoken because of the media’s attack goons.
July 10, 2014 @ 12:29 pm
Simple truths can no longer be spoken because of the media”™s attack goons.
This much I do agree with. There have been times that things have been taken entirely too far. Frankly, at this point I don’t care if Dallas Davidson is a racist or whatnot, because at this point that’s just the pee icing on top of the crap cake. The only thing I meant to take away from my observations is that it’s not real surprising.
As for Davidson being “one of our own”? Not hardly. With as much as he’s been deservedly ragged on for what he’s done to our genre, I for one would gladly throw him to whatever wolf pack wants to take him down. Sure, there are a lot of leftists who look down on “bro-country,” but I’ve said it before and will say it again: ome things ought to transcend coastal elite vs. flyover country rube, and calling out (and at least some agreement on what constitutes) outrageously misogynistic bullshit “music” that’s poisonous to a particular genre is one of them.
July 10, 2014 @ 9:09 am
I don’t know who started the fight, or what it was about, but I can pretty much guarantee you that I’d be on the other guys side.
July 10, 2014 @ 9:40 am
Judging from Davidson’s songs, this behavior and attitude is no surprise at all.
July 10, 2014 @ 10:25 am
….on another note, this is why I was so snotty towards Rolling Stone launching a Country mag.
https://savingcountrymusic.com/rolling-stone-country-readies-big-launch
Now people in our community (I can’t stand the guy but he is one of our own) are being taught to tow the Leftist Coastal line or else be labeled “racist”, “homophobes”, “Islamophobes”, “Xenophobes”, “rednecks” (in the non-endearing way), etc… and people seem to fall in line without much thought at all to whether someone has actually done anything to earn the title.
This is how cultures die. Strangled by fear, intimidation & group-(non)think.
*takes bow*
*climbs on his high horse & rides away…*
July 10, 2014 @ 10:39 am
“Strangled by fear, intimidation & group-(non)think”
Funny. That’s usually how I describe people who have to listen to idiots who scream “fa****” in public.
If you don’t want the title of homophobe, perhaps you shouldn’t shout words that are associated with it.
July 10, 2014 @ 10:50 am
“Funny. That”™s usually how I describe people who have to listen to idiots who scream “fa****” in public.
If you don”™t want the title of homophobe, perhaps you shouldn”™t shout words that are associated with it.”
What other words are on your list? How about “Redneck” or “Hillbilly” used in a pejorative way? Do they also rile you when used in the pejorative?
Obviously not since you aren’t attacking some in this thread who have used those terms so why not? Who decides what words are so vile the use can destroy someone’s career and/or reputation?
TMZ? Rolling Stone? People who have no vested interest in our culture get to dictate it’s terms now?
What names do you call someone after they’ve punched you? Are you sure they have been vetted by the media? Can you give us some examples?
July 10, 2014 @ 11:15 am
To be honest, I haven’t been in a fight since I was 7. I have this rare ability to act like a civilized adult in public.
So I couldn’t tell you what I’d yell at someone who punched me. But I’m certain it wouldn’t be fa****.
July 10, 2014 @ 11:21 am
Ok, so what words are acceptable to insult someone with & what is your vetting process.
Since you obviously believe some words deserve more punishment than others, can you give us a list from worst to best & the punishment for each?
July 10, 2014 @ 11:15 am
I hear the term “douchebag” thrown around quite a bit these days, I’ve even caught myself using it on occasion. Whether the users of the word recognize it or not, the word is probably, at its core, incredibly misogynistic. Calling a guy a “pussy,” a “bitch” or a “sissy” is along the same lines.
July 10, 2014 @ 11:42 am
I can’t respond directly to Juke for some reason.
I find the idea of “acceptable” insults an interesting choice here. Why do we HAVE to be insulting towards each other at all? Shouldn’t that be the point here?
July 10, 2014 @ 11:49 am
I can’t respond to Phantom Spaceman (are we in time-out?)
“I find the idea of “acceptable” insults an interesting choice here. Why do we HAVE to be insulting towards each other at all? Shouldn”™t that be the point here?”
That sounds great but you know that a utopia that will never happen. Why not work within the realms of reality and sort out the best way for people to live peacefully with still having their liberty?
Which means people have to stop pretending to be offended at every little thing….and yes, someone yelling “faggot” in a bar fight is an extremely little thing.
July 10, 2014 @ 11:53 am
I still can’t respond to juke.
I disagree. I thing yelling “fa****” is a very big deal.
But I’ll at least offer the “agree to disagree” flag here simply because you kept things civil. Thank you for that.
July 10, 2014 @ 11:56 am
Same here Phantom
July 10, 2014 @ 11:57 am
Calling a person a “faggot” is certainly uncouth, similar to calling a person a “retard.” They are incendiary terms for people with serious mental afflictions who deserve your pity and prayers, not derision.
July 10, 2014 @ 1:29 pm
RD, do you believe that Brandy Clark is mentally ill?
July 10, 2014 @ 1:51 pm
To Eric:
Probably. She seems pretty confused and traumatized. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t listen to her music. I like a great deal of what Gore Vidal wrote, and he was clearly disturbed, and a homosexual, to boot.
July 10, 2014 @ 10:33 pm
RD,
Do you know Brandy Clark? I don’t, but in every interview I’ve seen of her, she’s come across as a happy, amiable, perfectly well-adjusted woman. She may well be confused and traumatized for all I know, but if she is, there’s no evidence to suggest a correlation between whatever problems she may have and the fact that she’s gay. Also, I can tell you from personal experience that there are a lot of straight, upright, American Christians who are confused and traumatized too.
July 12, 2014 @ 3:08 pm
I’ve been called the H word before.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQFi6htwGFY
July 10, 2014 @ 10:52 am
The efforts against misogyny (which is the root of homophobia–the idea that women are less than human, and that gays are universally innately feminine and thus undeserving of respect) are not some damned Orwellian conspiracy. It’s not groupthink, it’s progress.
July 10, 2014 @ 10:57 am
A perfectly legitimate opinion that would have gotten you burned at the stake 500 years ago, imprisoned 200 years ago & ostracized 40 years ago.
You only have the times on your side. Don’t join the same lynch mob that would have came after you just a little while earlier.
July 10, 2014 @ 11:02 am
You essentially just made my point for me. A lot of things would have gotten you burned at the stake a millennia ago, like contending that the world was flat. As for misogyny, plenty of countries are TODAY stuck in ancient times: killing women for adultery or wearing something less than a burka (Sure, that makes the sexism of bro-country look like child’s play, but both are detrimental to equality). Are you actually trying to insinuate that efforts/voices against such injustice constitute a LYNCH MOB? I simply want to see equality everywhere, whether it’s the Middle East or Nashville.
July 10, 2014 @ 11:17 am
“Are you actually trying to insinuate that efforts/voices against such injustice constitute a LYNCH MOB?”
What many call “efforts/voices” is really destroying anyone they disagree with instead of defeating their arguments.
This guy has been called a “racist”, “homophobe”, “redneck”…all words used as pejoratives…..and why? For saying a different word used as a pejorative.
From what we know, DD has never harmed anyone for being gay or non-White, he just thinks “faggot” is an acceptable insult the same as someone here thought “redneck” was.
Has the person who used “redneck” ever harmed anyone for being from the poor White working class? I doubt it so why would I care?
Admittedly the hypocrisy & group-think annoys me but thats about as far as it goes.
“I simply want to see equality everywhere, whether it”™s the Middle East or Nashville.”
I have no doubt you have anything but the best of intentions.
July 10, 2014 @ 10:57 am
I don’t care if this guy uses ethnic epithets either.
The difference is that someone in Nashville will be defined by his drunken insults while one of the annointed in NYC (Alec Baldwin) behaves this way routinely and his punishment is to be saddled with his own MSNBC show (having your own MSNBC show may constitute cruel and unusual punishment under the 8th Amendment).
Some people can say things like this without consequences and others can’t.
It depends on which political party you are affiliated with and what part of the country you live in.
I have had very close gay friends my whole life, and I use the term “queer” in the same manner I say “gay”.
I anticipate that this guy was not doing so in the same vein that I may say that, but what difference does it make whether he likes or dislikes certain groups of people?
The guy was drunk and acted like an ass.
July 10, 2014 @ 11:59 am
Juke,
I have had my own issues with Rolling Stone Country, but I think they have clearly honored their commitment to not post political stories, so I’m not sure what you’re alluding to here.
Also, at some point the comment threads stop allowing tiering. I would suggest you start a new tier at the bottom to keep the comments section readable. And also, let’s please not allow this to descend into base political arguments. Please let’s stay on point, and respect everyone’s opinions.
July 10, 2014 @ 11:00 am
I have no idea what “homophobia” is, as I’ve never encountered it in my life. I know people who disagree with their lifestyle, and I even know some people who have a strong dislike, possibly bordering on hatred, of homosexuals. I do not, however, know anyone who lives in constant, paralyzing fear of homosexuals.
July 10, 2014 @ 11:05 am
Newsflash: The idea that fear underlies hate isn’t so far-fetched: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/assault/roots/freud.html
July 10, 2014 @ 11:16 am
Don’t you and Eric have a World Cup game to watch?
July 10, 2014 @ 4:54 pm
I think you mean Third World Cup game.
I think today’s game is Sierra Leone v. Liberia.
Or maybe it’s Ghana v. Yemen?
July 10, 2014 @ 5:08 pm
I thought I was watching illegal aliens pour across our Southern border border in a modern-day “The Camp of the Saints” moment, or possibly a Winnie Mandela-led necklacing, but no, I was wrong. It was just the crowd at a World Cup game.
July 10, 2014 @ 10:46 pm
Boy, you guys are a real laugh riot.
Y’all oughta go down to the local old folks home and wax the steps.
July 10, 2014 @ 12:14 pm
I completely agree with you. I’ve always thought it was a strange term too. I pretty much hate homosexuals, but I certainly don’t fear them.
July 10, 2014 @ 1:25 pm
Wow, Clint I am just amazed that you hate homosexuals. In all your other posts you seem so loving and level headed! Thanks for taking time out of your day to be sure we have an accurate picture of you though. Oh I see you have an inbound call from Hitler so I’ll let you go.
July 10, 2014 @ 1:34 pm
I hate them for the war they’ve waged on traditional values, not because they’re homosexual.
July 10, 2014 @ 6:21 pm
The gay people I served with did a lot to defend our country and values, including laying down their lives. Dealing in absolutes is dangerous Clint, you can’t possibly have evidence that every single gay person wants to assail your traditional values.
July 10, 2014 @ 6:31 pm
Ooooohhhh, the attempted trump card. Statistics say that you served with some pedophiles, some junkies, some adulterers, some domestic abusers, some thieves, some liars, some rapists, some prostitutes, and maybe even a murder or two. I bet many of them served honorably, as well.
July 10, 2014 @ 11:14 pm
I know I’m a dope for getting involved in petty internet crap, but Clint gets eight “likes” for stating that he hates homosexuals? Jiminy Christmas! Even if you have a religious objection to homosexuality, or are opposed to gay marriage for example, hatred towards people is not an appropriate response. And by the way, unless your name happens to be Vernon Oxford, there is a good chance that ol’ Clint “hates” you too.
In short: don’t feed the trolls, folks. And yes, I realize I may be poking the hornet’s nest by even posting this comment, but I wanted to state my disapproval on the record.
July 11, 2014 @ 1:00 am
In case anybody’s wondering who Vernon Oxford is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vernon_Oxford
I only mention him because he’s one of the few people that Clint is on the record as not hating.
July 11, 2014 @ 4:28 am
Dear Applejack,
I guess in a perfect world, the comments for this article would’ve been kept to discussions about what a crappy songwriter Dallas Davidson is, and what a butthole it sounds like he is. As we know, the world is not perfect, and once the conversation got political, I couldn’t resist but throw my two cents in. I’m similar to you in that when I have a vehement agreement or disagreement with something, I feel an overwhelming need or desire to give my opinion.
The likes that I received were not because I said I hated homosexuals; the likes were obviously directed toward the reason I gave for hating them. You see, I tend to have a live and let live philosophy on things, and for that reason, I am so, so tired of words and thoughts being policed in this country. It’s insane to the point of being really freakin creepy. Furthermore, I hate anyone who tries to bully or use the government to force others to submit to their worldview. Who I hate, why I hate them, and whether it’s appropriate or not, is neither for you to decide, nor any of your business. Thankfully, I’m not the only one who feels this way.
It seems that calling someone a troll is the thing to do now if you disagree with them. Instead of just giving your opinion, you try to discredit me by implying that I’m a troll. I looked up the definition to be sure, and I’m definitely not a troll. Trolls are people who’s sole purpose is to try to piss people off enough to get an emotional response out of them. I, on the contrary, would prefer that everyone agreed with me. I don’t try to piss anybody off; I just have polarizing viewpoints.
What is your obsession with me being a fan of Vernon Oxford? Do you have a problem with him besides not liking his music? Anyway, you should’ve just posted a YouTube link to one of his songs. That would’ve been a better introduction for those not familiar with him.
July 11, 2014 @ 6:22 am
Ok so let me get this straight. You are a ” live and let live ” kind of guy but you hate homosexuals for wanting equal rights as basic as getting married ? How does them getting married affect your life in any way? Do you only live and let live if somebody lives the way you want them too.
Trigger I love your site but am sometimes amazed at some of your readers viewpoints.
July 11, 2014 @ 8:27 am
Brad,
Please don’t try to play “Gotcha” with me by using my own words as a rhetorical question. You’ll never get anywhere.
I don’t hate homosexuals for wanting anything. I hate them, for using a religious institution as a guise to force other people to accept their sexual appetites as something completely normal. Then, when they don’t get their way, using the judicial system to overrule the voting process.
Yes, I’m a live and let live guy. I’ve never harmed a homosexual. I don’t wish to put them in prison. I want them to be free to live their lives in peace. The problem is: they don’t want to live in peace. They want everyone who disagrees, to be shouted down into submission. They want their sexual appetites celebrated on national TV, and they want anyone who doesn’t like it to lose their job, their livelihood.
I personally, don’t think the government should be involved in any marriages, but that’s a whole different discussion.
Boy, that Dallas Davidson sure is a horrible songwriter.
July 11, 2014 @ 2:59 pm
Clint,
Official marriage is a legal institution, not a religious one. All gay people want is the equal right to a legal marriage.
As for gay people shouting down homophobes: free speech is a two-way street. Do you expect gays to just stay silent as they are being slurred as “faggots”?
July 11, 2014 @ 4:24 pm
Clint,
In response to your comment addressed to me: you’re right. implying that you’re a troll is not fair or accurate. I assumed you were intentionally trying to get a rise out of people. I apologize.
I should have rephrased what I said: I think that hating other people due to a disagreement about social views or political actions is wrong and destructive. That is my belief and my opinion, based partially on my own upbringing, and I have just as much of a right to express it as anyone. My intention was to enter the fray with the other commenters, not to be a school marm. Otherwise, I agree that your beliefs and attitudes are none of my business, as long as you’re not trying to harm others. Personally, to my knowledge I have never stated any particular political allegiance on this website, and I also tend to avoid getting involved in charged discussions about social views on the internet. The only reason I piped up here is because I was particularly dismayed that the comment section to an article about Dallas Davidson being an ass in a Nashville bar had devolved into an argument about hating this or that group of people.
The Vernon Oxford thing is random. I don’t always pay attention to the names of people who post comments, but I thought I remembered you saying you were a fan of his. The reason I remember that is because it caused me to look up Vernon Oxford, which is how I discovered him. I have no quarrel with your being a fan of his: I was merely trying to think of an example of someone that you’re not pissed off at, but then I realized most people wouldn’t know who or what I was talking about, so I posted a link to his page.
I will attempt to steer the conversation back towards its intended subject: why does Dallas Davidson write such crappy songs? Is he a shill, or just a bad songwriter? I hope it’s the former, because I would prefer to think he’s a lazy opportunist than to think the virulent bro-country crap his named is attached to is actually the best he can do.
July 12, 2014 @ 8:40 pm
Merriam-Webster
pho·bia noun \ˈfÅ-bÄ“-É™\
: an extremely strong dislike or fear of someone or something
July 10, 2014 @ 11:24 am
You are what you say and what you do
July 10, 2014 @ 12:08 pm
Yes, we’ve established DD is a horrible songwriter….I think that’s the one point we all agree on.
July 10, 2014 @ 12:11 pm
Watched this same dude go completely berserk on a waitress in dispute of his tab. He and his belligerent wife were beyond drunk. It was despicable.
But – He should’ve been arrested a long time ago on charges of single-handedly ruining legitimate songwriting. The town is chockfull of amazingly talented writers and this hack has his face plastered all over music row for writing/rewriting the exact same horrible song time and time again.
July 10, 2014 @ 12:23 pm
I’d rather he get arrested for his decade-long assault on country music but hey, I’ll take it.
July 11, 2014 @ 8:12 am
Well I know that the state dropped their case, but I heard the feds might be picking it up using the RICO statutes – this assault most definitely has crossed many state lines, and they’re looking at these guys’ monopoly on writing to see if there’s any sort of racketeering angle they can work….
July 10, 2014 @ 12:37 pm
Well at least we know he will never write a song for or with Brandy Clark. That we can say about him.
July 10, 2014 @ 1:30 pm
I’m refraining from stating any developed impressions or conclusions right now because I believe it would serve us best to wait and see what the police report says to indicate whether this may be indicative of Davidson’s character (or possible lack thereof) or whether this situation was depicted in an embellished light. I can’t stand most anything Davidson writes, but I also don’t want to wrongfully charge him for anything just because I don’t like his songs.
That said, I can imagine Davidson, while being detained just before being escorted to the police car, shouting:
*
“Yer gonna regret this, Saving Country Music and Farce The Music hipsters! Living well’s the best revenge, and when I’m released I will have my revenge by writing FIFTY songs about hotties in daisy dukes, jacked-up trucks and cranking up 2 Chainz in the sticks. You will regret having messed with me, so you can suck my shotgun, you commies!” 😉
July 10, 2014 @ 1:33 pm
I think it’s pretty obvious from most of the above comments that SCM readers are not “hipsters”!
July 10, 2014 @ 1:37 pm
I agree Eric. I despise hipsters.
July 10, 2014 @ 1:38 pm
I know that all too well. But does HE? 😉
July 10, 2014 @ 1:43 pm
“Hipsters” come in many shapes and sizes, but I flat-out refuse to consider myself one either.
More often than not, those who identify as “hipster” just seem very closed-minded with regards to how they approach music. I appreciate how many of them have their hearts in the right place when they decry how much commerce has dominated popular music and how they want to embrace music that stares past that. But I just don’t like how many conflate getting airplay or getting their song on a commercial with being untouchable.
Almost all hipsters are dismissive of country music in general. They behave as though they’re “above” all that and treat the genre as one for philistines. They obviously have no idea what they’re talking about, but the fact they won’t even TRY to review country music is most revealing in itself.
July 10, 2014 @ 3:16 pm
I think hipsters are culturally turned off by country music fans, as the two groups are on completely opposite sides of the culture war spectrum.
The type of conformist pro-war sentiment that led to the drumming out of the Dixie Chicks, as well as the types of views on gay people displayed by many of the commenters on this thread, certainly do not do much to attract hipsters to country music.
July 10, 2014 @ 3:26 pm
I think that the older hipsters are moving to the right, or at least they’re moving to the libertarian right. Maybe they’re not changing, but rather standing still while everything else lurches further left. I don’t know because I don’t really pay attention to what they do. However, I do know that Gavin McInnes has a column on Taki’s Magazine he has expressed a lot of what could be considered “conservative” positions. He’s kind of a less eloquent, less funny PJ O’Rourke, who was also once a silly leftist and then he grew up.
July 10, 2014 @ 4:47 pm
The essential set of views that unites hipsters is their cultural liberalism, i.e. the issues where liberals and libertarians are in full agreement.
July 10, 2014 @ 11:41 pm
I’m a genderqueer who obviously is saddened by some of the sentiments expressed toward the GLBTQI community…………but even I am discerning enough to know some of the most outspoken fans of country music who also tend to carry a lot of vociferous baggage in terms of feeding cultural wedge issues clearly don’t speak for fans of country music as a whole.
Country music is a banyun tree: with branches and roots that stretch out well beyond any particular property line. The way I see it: we’re all branches of that same tree. It’s just some branches visually tend t get more attention than others.
July 11, 2014 @ 2:21 am
I have thoroughly mixed feelings about so-called hipsters, and I agree with some of y’all’s criticisms, but I also wonder how us generalizing negatively about “hipsters” is any different than when people do the same about country music fans. I mean, think about some of the rigid stereotypes that exist about country listeners, and compare that with the actual wide variety of viewpoints you get on this website. (Actually, I’ve also heard negative stereotypes about this website in particular: apparently we’re all close-minded rednecks who hate modern music.)
Of course, I don’t dispute anyone’s personal negative experiences, but I do get the sense that there are indie rock types who are open to at least some country music, particularly of the classic variety. And I’ve also been pleased at how receptive indie rock-leaning publications have been towards Sturgill Simpson lately. For example, this is currently the third result when you type Sturgill Simpson into Google:
bit.ly/1mFw3B9
All I can say is when a blog called “Brooklyn Vegan” is publishing stories about Sturgill Simpson, something interesting is going on. Anyway, I predict that if more independent country artists can imitate the success that Sturgill has had, we’ll continue to see them receive attention from indie rock-style publications and their readers, for better or worse.
July 10, 2014 @ 5:30 pm
It’s too bad Dallas wasn’t directing his drunken tirade at Obama instead because at least he would have been accurate in his description, well according to Joan Rivers anyway, and that would have made it racist as well! What a load of horse shit…
July 10, 2014 @ 6:53 pm
Comment from my Facebook:
Yep, he’s a racist homophobe.
Probably full of hate and self-loathing over his secret man crush on Cowboy Troy, fantasizing about making sweet, sweet man-love with him.
At a bonfire.
In the back of a pickup truck.
Down some country dirt road.
With an ice chest full of beer.
Because, you know, he writes about what he knows.
July 10, 2014 @ 11:45 pm
The question then remains: “Was Cowboy Troy spotted wearing daisy dukes in his fantasy?” 😉
July 11, 2014 @ 6:05 am
Painted on just right out by the county line, no less
July 11, 2014 @ 10:20 am
They sure know how to grow them way out there in the sticks! 😉
July 11, 2014 @ 8:01 am
LOLOL
July 10, 2014 @ 8:10 pm
(From the same article that was quoted and linked at the end)
“My mom always told me if you don”™t have nothing nice to say, then don”™t say it at all,” he adds. “That”™s true. I think social media ”“ Facebook and Twitter and Instragram ”“ has really changed this whole generation where it”™s okay to be mean, and it”™s okay to talk bad about people. When I grew up, you didn”™t do that. It”™s a shame that that”™s the way it is.”
I realize he was just putting on an “aw-shucks, mama raised me right, country boy” bullshit facade but it’s still funny.
July 10, 2014 @ 10:21 pm
Just F*&^%g GREAT! Now we’re going to have a whole NEW genre of country! Bro-Ho-Cuntry!
July 11, 2014 @ 2:45 am
Debates about language aside, I’m not sure how this dude’s foolish drunken behavior is anybody else’s business. The only reason we even know about this incident is because TMZ was in Nashville to “report” it. They set up shop in the city this May. I have no idea how long they plan on staying.
The fact that there are paparazzi in Nashville now is totally disheartening. It violates the spirit of what the city used to be: a safe haven where artists were essentially free to roam undisturbed. These paparazzi people are parasites. Personally, I would rather that the “Nashville” TV show be canceled and that pop-country music take a sudden nosedive in popularity, regardless of the economic consequences for the city, than to have TMZ in town. To me, that is the real story.
July 11, 2014 @ 7:11 am
Sadly, TMZ now has an office in Nashville so expect more of this.
July 11, 2014 @ 7:12 am
I should probably read your post in its entirety before posting. Sorry about that.
July 11, 2014 @ 6:25 am
What I’ve learned from some of the comments today:
1) It is okay to call someone a f-ggot or n-gger or k-ke or whatever as long as you mean it to be insulting.
2) Anyone who disagrees is part of an intolerant pc police, like a modern day inquisition.
Okay thanks, glad we got that straightened out. I’d been mistaken all my life. I’d thought racial insults were hateful and bigoted, but it turns out that it was I who was the bigot all along. What a surprise!
July 11, 2014 @ 6:26 am
Funny, I drink so I DON’T feel inclined to get in to a fight!
July 11, 2014 @ 7:13 am
Well…. This has certainly been one illuminating comment section….
July 11, 2014 @ 8:08 am
No shit I really did not expect to see it go in this direction…quite eye opening in regards to the readers / commenters I know that country music is traditionally more….right leaning….shall we say, but I honestly figured that this would be a much more open-minded & less judgemental crowd.
Who cares what other folks do in their own private life anyways….even if I disagree with someone (i.e. many of the comments above) that does not make me ‘hate’ the person….
July 11, 2014 @ 10:44 am
The angry ones are the ones coming back to this comment thread over and over and liking each other’s comments, while most people just read the story and moved on with their days. I wouldn’t take it as an actual demographic poll of the SCM readership, though there’s certainly that element here, and as long as they keep it respectful, have a right to voice their opinion as well.
July 11, 2014 @ 12:24 pm
Totally agree on that aspect, but still just very surprised….
PS – I was previously unaware that we’re at war with the gays (‘waging a war of family values’)!! I also saw some mention of the fact that gays are in the military, so are they fighting this war against themselves?
How do you ‘win’ this war? Quite confusing imo…
The most confusing part to me, however, is how people can get so riled up about what OTHER people do with THEIR own personal lives. Who cares? How does this affect your ‘family values’ unless you allow it to? And if you do allow it to, then I’d consider that a ‘surrender’ in regards to the ‘war’
Saying someone is mentally ill (i.e. Brandy Clark) because of their personal life choices / decisions is ridiculous. As is the notion that the big bad gays are what is destroying ‘family values’ – the same folks saying this are always the first to claim to be ‘conservative’ yet they know what’s best for everyone else, ESPECIALLY in regards to what strangers do behind closed doors in their private lives.
That, to me, does not describe a ‘live & let live’ person / attitude, more of a hate-filled asshole type-a-tude if you catch my drift.
I’ll drop it after this comment, but am still quite surprised to see these sorts of ideas here…
July 11, 2014 @ 4:33 pm
I kinda wish I hadn’t gotten involved, personally. It’s usually not worth it.
July 11, 2014 @ 6:19 pm
@Phineas, I’m Conservative, and I don’t care what private lifestyle other people have, as long as it doesn’t infringe on my rights. With that said, the GLBT or any other group shouldn’t be given any “special” rights, privileges, or Affirmative Action. I should not have to monetarily support other people’s lifestyle choices. Religions shouldn’t be forced to cater to alternative lifestyles. Respect is a two way street.
July 11, 2014 @ 7:43 am
Hey RD, I respect your opinion and your right to state it. However if promoting hate in passive-aggressive manner through sarcasm is your best argument you don’t get a ticket to the conversation. There are bad people both in and out of the military, and unless you served you don’t get a ticket to that conversation either. So unless you have a legitimate point to argue I bid you good day sir.
July 11, 2014 @ 9:37 am
Hey Will,
It doesn’t sound like you respect my opinion, and I don’t appreciate your accusation that I’m promoting hate. Your paucity of firing neurons has caused you to respond in what can’t be construed as a rational thought. Every tax payer, and I pay a lot of taxes, has a right to discuss and debate what happens with the military.
July 11, 2014 @ 3:02 pm
Calling people of a different sexual orientation mentally ill is promoting hate, period.
July 12, 2014 @ 5:33 am
I fail to see how advocating compassion and prayer for people with a serious mental affliction constitutes hate.
July 11, 2014 @ 6:04 pm
What Eric said.
RD, you went out of your way to defend someone (whose posts I like reading by the way) who is promoting a viewpoint that introduces negativity where none existed; and you went out of your way to start a conversation with me based on sarcasm, using the tone of a bully, and were trying to demean my comments. Nor did you put forth a legitimate argument of your own to begin with. If you would support your position with reason like Clint does, then there is a conversation to be had, and people realize the distance between opinions isn’t so large after all.
And thanks to Charlie for that post at the bottom right now.
July 11, 2014 @ 9:26 am
Y’all use way too many big words to be indubitable aficionados of campestral melodiousness.
July 11, 2014 @ 6:24 pm
Folks, let’s be done with the political back and forths. None of those problems are going to be solved here. This is a music website. Please stay on topic.
July 14, 2014 @ 3:30 pm
It’s like I’m reading the Yahoo news comment section lol.