Earl Dibbles Jr. Strikes a Chord w/ ‘The Country Boy Song’
Granger Smith channels all true country fans’ worst enemy in the character Earl Dibbles Jr. for the new video and song “The Country Boy Song”, exposing the moronic, stereotypical, rehashed, and creatively-vacant world of corporate country’s checklist culture.
The greatest part about this song and video is how accessible it is. “Country Boy” will take much greater strides in saving country music than all of the hate-filled anti-Nashville anthems combined because it is something that may actually end up in front of the people that matter: mainstream country music’s mind-numbed and misled masses. Sure, “Country Boy” is a good salve for us old souls who look toward the mainstream with such ill contempt, but it will also allow 14 to 28-year-old boys to look themselves in the mirror and question if their own cultural identity has become nothing more than a parody. This is the type of outreach, and accessibility through comedy that country music needs.
The words and music of “The Country Boy Song” are a perfect facsimile of pop country. You don’t have to squint to see this song becoming a #1 hit on mainstream country radio if it was presented to it with a few slight changes. It’s only the subtly-embedded tongue-and-cheek elements that present it as parody. And taking the time and capitol to make a professional video is exactly what “The Country Boy Song” needed to fulfill its destiny as a perfect illustration of the inanity of modern-day mainstream country music.
This is what country music needs. To fight fire with fire.
Two guns up!
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And if you like the video, support Granger Smith and buy the song.
June 19, 2012 @ 12:56 pm
YEE YEE!!
June 19, 2012 @ 1:15 pm
boy howdy!!
June 19, 2012 @ 1:33 pm
“Fish for bass….AND cats.” Fuckin brilliant.
June 19, 2012 @ 1:47 pm
By the way, good to see Granger get noticed. Granger is an all-around great guy and has some very good music. He has a lot of these types of comedic videos on YouTube, but I encourage everyone to check out his real work. “We Bleed Maroon” is an early one of his, but I think it’s the perfect college song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsz8sJ68udc and if this one don’t get you…well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diKBY8mcvlM
June 19, 2012 @ 1:52 pm
“will also allow 14 to 28-year-old boys to look themselves in the mirror and question if their own cultural identity has become nothing more than a parody.”
I picture the Monty Python “I’m a Lumberjack” bit. They’ll be rockin’ some Colt Ford and then, just maybe, get to the WTF part.
July 6, 2012 @ 8:02 am
You sir “therhodeo” are an idiot, and that is still giving you credit! This song is ripping on pop country fools and wannabes like Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban. It has nothing to do with Colt Ford or anything that he has produced, sang, made or otherwise done. Get your head out of your ass and re-read this article!!
July 6, 2012 @ 8:04 am
Sorry not “therhodeo.” I apologize man. Chad Nordhoff is the idiot!!
July 6, 2012 @ 3:56 pm
You really need to re read a lot of stuff on here and you’ll understand why I said what I said.
June 19, 2012 @ 1:59 pm
This is all well and good but Granger Smith’s tunes are absolutely made in the mold of nashville pop-country. Or more accurately made in the new texas country style of running Matchbox 20 through a country filter. Very much in the Eli Young vein.
June 19, 2012 @ 2:03 pm
Respectfully disagree. You may not like his sound, but he is a songwriter and is true to himself. None of his songs match the ‘formula’ or tic the checkboxes. I can appreciate how the melodies and music may make you think of EYB, but he’s a far cry from Nashville pop-country.
June 19, 2012 @ 2:24 pm
Most of us who actually live in the “country” and actually work on real farms, shoot real guns, chew and start drinking at noon, ect would never listen to the Brantley Gilberts and Jason Aldeans of the world, except for the occasional dumbass teenager or middle class housewife. We think they look like fags, for lack of a better term. We don’t brag about being functional alcohols or being addicted to tobacco while wearing jeans that cost more than my TV. I live near a town of about 2500 people in the Arkansas hill country. I’ve never seen a big ol muddin party in my life. No one can afford to waste the gas, anyway. The only people that believe that garbage are the bored suburban kids who want to be country boys, for some damn reason. What comes out of Nashville these days is way more insulting to me than any parody could ever be. Well done. Maybe there will finally be less of these stupid songs playing in Wal-Mart parking lot from now on, if kids figure out how stupid and fake this stuff is. Hell, I’m just 22; it didn’t take me too long. I realized Toby Keith was lame in about 5th grade.
June 19, 2012 @ 2:27 pm
Sorry, had to get my rant out for the day.
June 19, 2012 @ 2:41 pm
There’s no reason to apologize.
No one in the corporate country community wants to sing about the hardships of country life. The long hours of hard word work or the family that loses their farm because they can’t compete with the corporate farms. These topics are persona non grata in Nashville. Nashville portrays country life as one big booze-filled party with tons of babes, trucks, and mud.
Party songs are fine. They do have their place. But we need some balance.
June 19, 2012 @ 2:42 pm
*hard work
June 19, 2012 @ 3:15 pm
Took the words right out of my mouth.
June 19, 2012 @ 3:31 pm
You completely missed the point. I believe the country boy song is a distraction from everyday life. Granger’s other music is written and produced by him. Not some nashville hotshot. People like Granger and others write their life experiences, dreams, and ideals. The commercial people write stuff that sells. There seems to be a market for all of it. Buy and listen to what you want.
June 20, 2012 @ 7:47 am
I think you missed my point. I wasn’t downing Granger Smith, I was saying good job for exposing how stupid those songs are. That’s why I said what comes out of Nashville these days is more insulting than any parody could ever be.
June 20, 2012 @ 8:02 am
I did miss your point. mea culpa
June 20, 2012 @ 7:22 am
As you say, you LIVE in the country. I think what we’re seeing is a generation of people who are completely removed from country life. They’re grandparents may have been farmers, perhaps their parents moved to the suburbs. Now we have 20 somethings that like any of us, long for a deeper cultural connection, something more meaningful than being surrounded by pre-fab neighborhoods and strip malls.
If we’re raised in country life it’s not that big of a deal. If we’re raised on country music, it gets tricky, particularly when music is brought to the masses by giant global corporations rather than real human interests. These corporations have an interest in controlling people, they won’t be leaving business up to chance, that’s just common sense.
So, I’m sure folks will call that a conspiracy theory. We’re all aware that bankers trade on commidoties, corn futures, beef futures, etc. How could they not trade on ‘futures’ of their farmers? Would McDonald’s leave it up to each chef to put their spin on a Big Mac? Hell no!
So while we’re watching “The Country Boy Song”, we see someone who gets it. Triggerman explained why this works and why we need more of it. Since Country Rap has achieved lift-off, we need to keep an eye on Rap culture and understand what’s genuine.
This is what the corporate world recently attempted to sell to the hip hop culture: http://wnyw.images.worldnow.com/images/18815167_BG1.jpg
Make no mistake, “country” is on the agenda.
June 28, 2012 @ 1:35 am
Well said.
No one who is actually from the country listens to the crap that this song parodies. Apparently young suburbanites just can’t get in touch with their own identity. They either want to be Joe-Redneck and blast Toby Kieth while riding in their lifted 4×4 that’s never been off the pavement, or they idolize some morally bankrupt hip-hop icon and cruise around in a Honda Civic that has the same exhaust note as my Stihl 042.
Sure I drive a truck. I have to… I actually carry things that I wouldn’t dare put INSIDE a vehicle… like SHIT, or 100lb bags of soybeans or whatever the day calls for. No, its not a new truck. No, it doesn’t have a lift kit. I wish it was, but a shitty ’95 Sierra 2500 is all I can afford. Sure I’m addicted to tobacco… I wish I wasn’t, and surely don’t brag about it. Anyway, I digress.
I bust my ass 6 days a week to provide for my family. I like to hear that same amount of effort in the music I listen to. It doesn’t need to be slick, clever or over-produced. I just want to hear real people sing about real things in a real way, not some boy-band dropout who thinks boots and a cowboy hat make you country.
This song nailed whats wrong in Trashville in a nutshell.
June 28, 2012 @ 1:37 am
sorry for the rant btw… gonna shut up and go listen to some Shooter Jennings now
August 25, 2012 @ 7:37 am
you sir are an idiot. one i’m 20 years old grew up on a farm, hunting, fishing and lived the good ole southern life. the reason you haven’t seen the “muddin parties” is bc it’s a southern thing. and quite frankly it extremely pisses me off that you would talk shit about Brantley of ALL people bc i know where he comes from considering i grew up with his brother. Jason Aldean is a suburban faggot who doesn’t know the first fucking thing about the country life. however, Brantley gilbert’s jeans that cost more than your t.v. is bullshit. i grew up with little money and little to do. as did Brantley. THEN you want to say that the only people who listen to it is suburban kids that are bored and wanna be country? are you fucking high?! and then to Toby Keith. no, i don’t like his music however i’m a Marine and for him to go all the way to Afghanistan to support our boys and keep up morale when you wanna sit on your couch and bitch about how these people are “fake” is mind blowing. how bout you get your sorry ass up and go fucking make a record and maybe then when you realize that the things your right about are practically hand in hand with the things they’re saying then you’ll hop off their backs you sorry piece of shit.
June 19, 2012 @ 2:35 pm
“Crank it up……..”
June 19, 2012 @ 4:15 pm
It really reminds me of Unknown Hinson, only not as cool. I think both are very funny. If Dibbles would have inserted a “womerns” it would have really been great! Hahaha, too much man! Love it.
June 20, 2012 @ 5:56 am
Unknown Hinson — fantastic!… haven’t seen him in years!
June 20, 2012 @ 6:59 am
He’s touring now.
June 20, 2012 @ 4:23 am
I laughed out loud at, “Of course it goes all the way around” and also when he turns his guitar over and it says “DIP.” This should be required watching for anyone recording in Nashville.
June 20, 2012 @ 8:20 am
HA HA! I started losing it when I saw his guitar…all I needed to see was “COUNTRY” and “Jr.” scribbled on it….too funny!
June 20, 2012 @ 9:28 am
I’m a radio DJ in Texas and have been familiar with Granger for a number of years now. I can’t agree more with the message being presented in this song! I’ll play it over Aldean or Gilbert any day…
June 20, 2012 @ 9:32 am
This is something i could watch over and over again, i think it’s hilarious cause “earl dibbles” looks, acts, and talks just like my cousin….Love it….keep practicin your words hun Lol “)
June 20, 2012 @ 9:39 am
Being that I am a California girl born and raised but my heart is all about Texas. I see wanna be cowboys (Kmart Cowboys) out here daily. I love everything Granger and Texas music. This song is fantastic, I would rather listen to this than that damn Red Solo Stupid Cup song they play ALL THE TIME out here. Keep doing what your doing Granger
June 20, 2012 @ 9:55 am
Granger is the least serious person you’ll ever meet. But he has been a “Nashville Recording Artist” since he was 19… it took him 5 years to get out of that contract and back to Texas and back to making ‘his’ music. He makes music for his audience… he wants them to have a good time… he wants them to think, and feel, and love, and forget… To know Granger is to know his love of Christ, family, country, and honor of all including our service men and women (from his ‘in country’ visits to Iraq and Afghanistan) to his Walk(s) in Combat Boots)… The greatest thing about Granger… you never know what he will do next!!!
Granger Smith’s Alter-Ego ‘Earl Dibbles Jr.’ Releases Debut Single to National Fanfare
June 20, 2012 @ 12:12 pm
[…] SavingCountryMusic.com credits the Dibbles character with “exposing the moronic, stereotypical, rehashed, and creatively-vacant world of corporate country”™s checklist culture.” […]
June 21, 2012 @ 5:56 am
I gotta argue against this…to many will take it seriously and like it…
trust me, there’s a band in Michigan with similar lyrics and style and they are becoming immensely popular…and not in a joking way.
For the sake of diplomacy and not starting a personal war, I can’t and won’t name them…but, trust me…it’s way to close to what is actually going on, and his acting in the video and delivery isn’t campy enough to make it an obvious dig on it..
I’m much more for taking the piss out of this stuff with a song like “Country My Ass”..there’s no mistaking the message in that tune.
June 21, 2012 @ 8:23 am
Or possibly they might take it as a good natured parody a la Cletus T Judd instead of a shot across the bow.
June 21, 2012 @ 8:49 am
Another issue is that it could perpetuate negative stereotypes about Texas, the South, and rural life in general.
To me, Earl Dibbles is just as much an acting bit as it is a music one. Isolated, the song itself could not only be misunderstood, I would say it is actually better that some of the laundry list songs you hear on country radio today. That is why he presented the song in the context of a video, and put out a video a week before the music video that introduced (or re-introduced) the character, and why there is commentary before and after the song on the music video to create a context for the song.
Sure there will be folks that misunderstand it, just like there’s folks who misunderstand my fake articles even when I put hints all over the place that they are fake. But Granger is an artist and this is a form of his expression. In the end he just has to express himself as honestly as he can, and his concerns of how it will be taken may play in to how it is presented, but shouldn’t erode the purity of that expression.
I understand how my statement could be taken as a dig at Dale Watson and a few of his songs, but it actually grows out of something Dale told me when I interviewed him last October:
https://savingcountrymusic.com/dale-watson-discusses-the-sun-sessions-gene-kurtz
“We got where we were preaching to the choir of the folks that would listen to us. I think that all of us have learned to say our opinions when they count now. At some point you get repetitious, and you come across as bitter, and that”™s not what any of us want to do. We”™re trying to make a point, and now I think we”™re doing it more with our music than our mouths. Even though we did it with our music before, we”™re just less vocal about it.”
I think Earl Dibbles could be a positive evolution of country criticism. Time will tell how effective it is. Dale, Hank3, and the protest songs had their time and place and they still do and I still love them, but sarcasm may be the more pragmatic approach.
June 25, 2012 @ 1:16 pm
I know you said you wouldn’t name names but are you referring to Gunnar & the Grizzly Boys? It’s who I thought of when I listened to this…..
June 26, 2012 @ 7:20 am
hmmmmm, interesting….did you intentionally link their website to your name on here?
I have no idea how to do that..are you with that band?
Like I said, I’m not calling anyone out individually, just expressing general concern from what I’ve personally witnessed.
June 26, 2012 @ 4:10 pm
not quite what i intended, there is a space to enter a website when leaving a comment so I put theirs in to make it easier to find them if you didn’t know who I was talking about
not with the band, I saw them with Hellbound Glory and David Allan Coe in Flint, thought they were terrible – thought they may be who you were referring to – don’t really know of any other country acts in Michigan (except Whitey Morgan and the 78’s and I know you weren’t talking about them)
June 27, 2012 @ 8:00 am
There’s a lot of great country music in Michigan…Whitey included. Rachel Brooke is another, as are John Holk and the Kinfolk/Sequins, and a lot of good Americana(for lack of a better word)like Doop and the Inside Outlaws just to name one…
Unfortunately, there are also alot of catering to the lowest denominator “country” bands in Michigan…its a strange and powerful scene here.
June 27, 2012 @ 9:05 am
I didn’t know Rachel Brooke was from Michigan – must have totally missed that. I’ll check the others out for sure. If you have any others to suggest, please post them up – I appreciate it.
June 27, 2012 @ 8:32 am
Good gawd that band is awful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mukQPXG1eGk
This might be the worst song I’ve ever heard. So many contenders, though.
June 27, 2012 @ 9:08 am
Glad someone else agrees. Even worse live – everyone on stage (all 6 of them) turned up to 11, can’t make out any lyrics (not that you’d want to)….just bad, but the college girls eat it up…
September 11, 2012 @ 9:18 am
Everybody needs to love this song
September 24, 2012 @ 8:06 am
fuck it!!!! shoot the damn meth head bastards!!!!!!
October 17, 2012 @ 12:08 am
The song was good, and the part where he says “that ain’t biscuits he’s cookin'” was freaking funny.
But then it’s
“Getting country drunk gonna get messed up”
Or something simmular. I kinda paused the song and took in those lyrics..
It could be a hit if those lyrics would be tweaked.
January 9, 2013 @ 3:08 pm
I love that bit — especially the timing and delivery. 😀 Funny, funny stuff…
January 8, 2013 @ 9:20 pm
What a bunch of whiny ass “country folk”
April 2, 2013 @ 11:54 am
So… Here we are nine and a half months later. Does anyone else who has followed the evolution and rise to fame of Earl Dibbles feel as if Granger Smith has sold out and is pandering to the lowest common denominator just the same as the corporate Nashville types?
Someone please tell me I’m way off base.
October 4, 2018 @ 12:25 am
So yeah, there was that.
October 28, 2013 @ 8:33 pm
That is the most bullshit rant i done ever heard. Who the fuck doesnt like doing donuts in the mud and puttin a good dip in. Damn arkan-sass people are hillbillies not rednecks and country boys I love shootin my 12 gauge at nothing Roll damn tide Fuck you razor fucks
May 2, 2014 @ 10:00 am
PUT A GOOD DIP IN YEE YEE