Six Gun Britt to Tackle American Idol
Yes I know, Fox Television’s American Idol is a Barbie and Ken-style prancing poodle popularity contest that promotes celebrity worship and rabid consumerism, and is causing a general decay and homogenization of our culture to a prim and prissy style of music that is heroically void of soul.
BUT, just indulge me for a second, and imagine a truly talented, REAL country Outlaw-style artist getting on there, and using the machine of POP, to expose millions to what REAL country music can be all about. I have had this little scheme in the back of my head for years: some highly talented artist wiggling their way on to that show, giving a voice and a face to this movement to take country music back.
Well Six Gun Britt at this very moment is trying to do that very thing. I am trying to not get too excited about this, or lump any undue pressure or expectations on her, but this whole idea has me pitching a tent in my music pants for sure. It is going to be very difficult, if the whole thing isn’t outright rigged, and if Six Gun doesn’t at least make it deep into the contest, we will all know it is rigged for sure. Six Gun Britt is one of the most raw talents our country has to offer. It is as simple as that.
Six Gun Britt has been working at a nursing home. In a recent bulletin from her, she said, ” Usually i’m not one to care about Main stream hit list shows, but after playing last Sunday at the nursing home ( during my breaks), my fellow co-workers and the residents really wanted me to go for it. I am doing this for my residents and yall.” Now if that is not as cool as all get out, I don’t know what is. Think of the smiles on those faces at a nursing home back in Kentucky if Six Gun makes it on to the show. That is what this is all about. That is what music is all about; uplifting the spirit and coping with sorrow; not selling pimple cream and purple pants. And Six Gun Britt and what she is trying to do embodies that spirit.
I know there will be some punks out there thinking Six Gun and the rest of us should not even recognize American Idol or give it our time, and I completely understand this point of view, and under normal circumstances, I would agree with it whole-heartedly. But this is a war, and if we can use the machines of POP to expose a REAL talent, or even to turn the tables of the machines themselves, I think it would be foolish not to.
But let’s not make this all about our disdain for pop country or American Idol. This is about a girl and a guitar, and a dream. It is about the bond Britt has made with people at a nursing home that she shares no blood with.
In the end she may not be America’s Idol, but Six Gun Britt and her story is about as American as it gets.
Go get ’em Britt, this is one guy who is behind you 100%.
(Six Gun Britt is in Atlanta at the moment. Registration is on Tuesday and tryouts are on Thursday. I will keep everyone posted on how she does.)
June 15, 2009 @ 2:23 pm
That really ment sooo much more than you could imagine, to see this write up. For people to understand that this is not something I am doing for myself at all. I agree with people that think that we should shun the whole main stream scene… I usually do. I don’t have hard feeling for no who believes that. I most of the time agree with this. But, if I get onto the show. Trust me… you’ll be hearing me shouting ” Free Hank” and supporting all my outlaw friends and the new ones to come. We don’t need anymore tinnie-bopping, no song writting, country hippacrits to be taking over. There needs to be a change and it’s coming soon if i can help it! Thanks for everything and in every way I am going to change it all if I can. Thanks for the support and take er easy!
Always yours,
SGB
June 15, 2009 @ 7:35 pm
Awesome Britt, we’ll all be cheering for you!
June 15, 2009 @ 8:18 pm
Let me tell ya, this young woman has amazed me from day one. I’m one of those “punks” in a way, sure … I loathe the show, and TV in general. But for Six Gun Britt, my hands-down favorite country singer in America today, I’d tune in every … that’s Tuesday and Wednesday, right? She brings so much authenticity to the table, a voice that is undeniable, original, and untameable, and … get this: she’s tugged this old scumbag’s heartstrings more than once with her songs. Every chance I get, I’m popping on one of her songs for someone, and people from all walks of life enjoy her. I’ve yet to meet one person who’s listened and didn’t think she’s one of the most talented undiscovered artists going. A quote from a close ladyfriend of mine: “One listen, and I wanted to MARRY her.” Yeah, I was a little jealous, but hey, who could blame her? I fell in love with that music and that attitude, too. I promote her music often, and am offering CDs of her online releases real soon at http://www.myspace.com/drrlabel (with Britt’s blessing, of course; I practically begged to be involved). This woman can go real far in this world with that voice, those songs, and her attitude. Six Gun … well, dammit girl, I love everything about ya and I want you to get out there and show ’em how it’s DONE!!!
June 15, 2009 @ 10:10 pm
Well said Randy!
June 17, 2009 @ 10:22 am
I just want to say thank you to the producer of this website for seeing what I have been seeing since Britt was 5 years old. She is truley pure and has a love for music and songwriting like none other. Though she is my little sis, I look up to her in many ways especially in the lyrics she procures in her songs. Every song hits me, (and many of my friends) in ways that mainstream country music can’t imagine to hit. So once again, thank yall for all the support and standing behind her. And if you are reading this Britt, I love you and will always be proud of you no matter what happens with that teenie bopper show. 😉
Go gett’em girl!
June 17, 2009 @ 10:32 am
No problem Brandon, that’s what we do. I’ve been a fan of Britt for a slightly shorter time than you :), but I can’t think of anyone else better suited to take on this challenge!
June 19, 2009 @ 12:42 pm
UPDATE:
Well… It’s Friday and I’m back in Kentucky. Yesturday I stayed in line for HOURS to try out. After singing Britney Spear’s ” Oopps I did it Again” for over an hour with the crowd, I finally got to go onto the field with a couple hundred people to try out. Unlucky for me, I was sent to the executive Producer’s Stand.
I tried out with a set of 4 people. I sang my heart out with one of my favorite songs, Jolene, and told him why I was there. ( About the whole Country music thing and for my Residents) , and he just smiled. After all 4 of us sang, he asked all of us to come to the table. The girl next to me sang soooo awesome, you couldn’t possibly believe the set of pipes this girl had on her. She was AMAZING! There was a guy next to me that didn’t sing as good. BUT!!!… here’s the kicker… After calling all of us to the stand he told all the girls that we weren’t quite what he was looking for and asked us to go to the door. The guy made it. Then it hit me… there were 4 lines of people infront of us also. Every line included one guy. And every guy was asked to stay and get a golden ticket. I finally realized why we weren’t what he was looking for! lol!
But no big deal. I really had a blast. I do think the show is biased though in many ways. I witnessed it myself. I’m not a sorry loser at all, but it was obvious that there were certain people they were looking for… weither they could sing or not. Do I think that American Idol is crippling out Country music traditions? Yes I do. It’s a factor that’s incrediably hindering it. I wish I could have done more than I did, but a try country music singer ( Classic country Hank, Jones, Jennings, Cash, or even Nelson) wouldn’t have even stood a chance with these people. It’s sad to say, but it’s true. You wouldn’t see them living to the beat of a pop culture tune either. And so I am sticking to my roots. That’s all I’ve got and that makes the most sense to me! So lets live loud and keep up with trying to save Country Music. Stick to our Roots and Tradition because we’re nothing without them! Thanks so much for the support and everything yall have done for me. Seeing yall support me like that ment more than me making it onto the show or not. Thanks again and take er’ easy! I love yall!
ALways,
SGB
Saving Country Music » Blog Archive » Conclusion: Six Gun Britt & American Idol
June 20, 2009 @ 12:21 pm
[…] my last post I talked about how singer/songwriter Six Gun Britt had decided to try out for American Idol. […]