Musicians Are Now “Content Creators” in the Attention Economy
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Except in rare cases, labels aren’t looking to take a chance on a promising artist who doesn’t already have some social media uplift occurring. They want proof of concept.
The Most Notorious “Gone Country” Moments
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In 2013, stories of entertainers that “go country” are routine occurrences instead of reasons for surprise, intrigue, or outrage, because country music has officially become the default repository for talent fleeing the collapse of mainstream rock or the place to find strength in the twilight of a dying entertainment career. Here are some of the most notorious “gone country” moments over the years.
Rodney Crowell: Mainstream “Pigging Out at Trough of Poor Taste”
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Grammy Award winning Country/Americana artist Rodney Crowell took to his social network feeds late last week to voice his displeasure at the current state of mainstream country music. “Pop culture is a disposable culture, therefore it stands to reason that those who want the big bucks and the power are inclined to produce slick and disposable music.”
Mickey Newbury’s “An American Trilogy” is an Indelible Musical Work
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The American Trilogy era from Mickey Newbury’s body of work has become an absolute wellspring of musical material for other artists, and one that helped lay the groundwork for country music’s Outlaw era. A somewhat reclusive character, the case could be made that Mickey Newbury was one of the very first, if not the first true American country music “Outlaw.”
Jackson Taylor’s “Crazy Again” Is A Damn Good Time
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“Crazy Again” is a complete effort. Sensible, but not stylized, sincere but not sappy, it simply fills you with an appreciation of life, even when it delves into sad subjects. There’s something unexplainable about Jackson Taylor & The Sinner’s music that makes you want to meet these dudes in person and try to tear off some of their infectious and everlasting good time attitude and incorporate it into your own little world.
How Wal-Mart Is Helping The Spread Of Hick-Hop
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One of the principle purveyors of this underground hick hop is the record label Average Joe’s. What The Wall Street Journal piece explains is how Average Joe’s has been working very intimately with Wal-Mart to market country rap to certain areas seen as favorable to the emerging sub-genre. While physical CD sales are falling overall, Average Joe’s has been able to keep the CD alive with the help of Wal-Mart, and country rap.
Want to Meet Shooter Jennings? That Will Be $85.
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Announced a few days ago, “VIP meet & greet packages” are being offered at many of Shooter’s upcoming appearances, including at the Muddy Roots Festival this late August. What do you get for your $85? A T-shirt, a tote bag, 5 guitar picks (that all grand total will cost Shooter less than $12-$15 wholesale), and this is my favorite one, an “Invitation to pre-show private shopping experience.”
Randy Travis in Texas Hospital – UPDATE: OUT OF HOSPITAL
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Country Music singer Randy Travis is in critical condition in a Texas hospital, according to his publicist. Travis was admitted the the hospital on Sunday for complications with viral cardiomyopathy that he acquired recently. Nothing else is known at this time. Please check back to Saving Country Music as we continue to update this developing story.
David Allan Coe Back Performing After Bad Accident / Thanks Fans
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David Allan Coe is back performing, and on the 4th of July made the trek to Billy Bob’s Texas in Ft. Worth to participate in Willie Nelson’s 40th Annual 4th of July Picnic—an event that Coe has been a mainstay at for years. It was one of his first shows since an auto accident landed him in the hospital. Coe also penned a personal letter to all of his fans who supported him through the incident.
Lindi Ortega: Frida Kahlo Meets Wonder Woman Meets Johnny Cash
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Exquisitely antiqued and strikingly original, old school country singer and native Canadian Lindi Ortega is the northern emissary for country music’s current female revolution. A class act all around that is regarded just as highly for her self-penned songs as her heavenly (or devilish) voice, Lindi is a creative maelstrom that sends the room spinning from her ability to expose the most blinding beauty from life’s inherent darkness.
40th Annual Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic LIVE Blog
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Happy 4th of July everyone, and welcome to Saving Country Music’s LIVE blog of the 40th Annual Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic! This year the picnic is being held at the historic Ft. Worth Stockyards in the courtyard outside of Billy Bob’s Texas. In between barbecuing and shooting off Black Cats, please check back as we post pictures, observances, and a play-by-play of the event.
Ronnie Dunn Starts A Record Label. And Maybe, A Revolution.
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After parting ways with his record label Sony on June 8th, 2012, Ronnie Dunn’s been making bold moves in the music business, accompanied by inspired, breathy statements on his Facebook page that many times decry the current structure of the country music business, especially radio and distribution. Yesterday (7-2-13), Dunn took to Facebook to announce he has formed a record label, “Little Will-E Records.”
Song Review – Florida Georgia Line’s “‘Round Here”
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Like pretty much every Florida Georgia Line song, “‘Round Here” works in a very similar formulaic fashion. You take an easily-identifiable pop culturally-relevant lyrical hook (“that’s how we do it ’round here.”), add some inane cultural artifacts to fill out your verses (hammer and a nail, stacking them bails), have the chorus rise in the vocal register, and boom, you’ve got yourself a commercially-viable hit.