Songwriter Offers Perfect Lampooning of Bad Country
Songwriter and Georgia native Brent Cobb can present a confounding case study if you try to slot him nice and clean into a country music cubbyhole. On one side, Cobb is an understudy of Luke Bryan. Luke even put Cobb up at his house and introduced him around Nashville when Brent first moved to town, and eventually helped Brent land a publishing deal with the highly lucrative Carnival Music, and cut Brent’s song “Tailgate Blues” in 2011. After releasing an EP in 2012, Brent Cobb opened for folks like Blake Shelton.
On the other side, Brent Cobb is the cousin of highly-acclaimed producer Dave Cobb (Jamey Johnson, Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell), and Dave also helped Brent get started in the music business and opened doors for him. Subsequently Brent Cobb has become one of the few songwriters left with a significant publishing deal who also can scratch out a living writing albums cuts instead of smash hits. Brent penned “Grandpa’s Farm” recorded by David Nail and Frankie Ballard, and “Rockaway (The Rockin’ Chair Song)” by Kellie Picker —one of the more notable tracks on Pickler’s SCM 2012 Album of the Year 100 Proof.
But if you’re wondering where Brent Cobb’s loyalties may lie—with the industry and the bros, or the people doing their best to offer a counterbalance—this new song leaves nothing to question.
What’s so great about “Yo Bro” is that it’s deftly inclusive of both of the audio plagues country music finds itself suffering from at this very moment. As Bro-Country is trending downward, but still trying to hold on in its last dying gasps, and Metro-Politan is attempting to rise up and take its place, “You Bro” straddles the line between the two, offering an illustration of the absurdity of these “country” styles.
Brent Cobb was assisted by Neil Medley and Oran Thornton on the track.
April 6, 2015 @ 8:14 am
Man I keep reporting those Luke Bryan ads up above as inappropriate but they keep coming back.
April 6, 2015 @ 10:10 am
Because nobody is willing to sponsor Saving Country Music, the ads are served by Google, and Google chooses what each individual viewer sees. I do my best to cater the ads to the audience, but it isn’t fool proof. Whenever I see inappropriate ads, I ban them myself. There’s no purpose to serving Luke Bryan ads to readers here because they will be ignored. The only alternative is no ads at all, which means Saving Country Music becomes even more of a money pit than it already is, and is forced to shut down.
April 6, 2015 @ 11:33 am
at peace Triggerman I know how the ads work
April 8, 2015 @ 5:17 am
My 2 cents – Why the hell not make money of pop-country ads! Folks here just laugh at them and move on. The Nashville machine spends some money on ads that are not reaching who they want to reach, and in the meanwhile they unwittingly support good music.
I actually prefer ads not tailored to me, because I can more easily ignore them.
April 6, 2015 @ 9:30 am
Brent Cobb is a hell of an amazing singer/songwriter! Great guy as well! Any chance you could post a real song of his on here to get him the notoriety he deserves as a guy that could truly be another “country music saving grace?” You’ve got such a loyal fan base, it would be great to get some support for this fella.
April 6, 2015 @ 10:07 am
I understand posting a video of another Brent Cobb song may have some of us feeling warm and fuzzy inside, but the simple fact is people will ignore it compared to the subject at hand, which is the joke song. It would be better to feature his music in a more exclusive and dedicated manner so that that people would actually pay attention to it. I have spoken about Brent Cobb before, and I’m sure I will more in the future.
April 6, 2015 @ 11:02 am
Good call, see where you’re coming from. I appreciate this site and your work here! Keep up the good work.
April 6, 2015 @ 11:03 am
And your point is , Trigger ? I’m certain any station could playlist this and 90% of its regular listeners would NEVER get the joke . It sounds like something the Kruise Kids would release right now …..and I’m pretty certain even THEY wouldn’t the joke
April 6, 2015 @ 11:36 am
Right on the money Albert! The lampooning in this song is so subtle that even I wasn’t sure if it was a crack at the bros or not. If somebody ever has the cajones to write an anti-bro song that calls them out by name, call me.
April 6, 2015 @ 3:48 pm
Girl in a Country Song references a bunch of specific lyrics, which is about as close as it’s going to get.
April 6, 2015 @ 11:48 am
What is my point? My point was to post the song to offer it up for discussion. I didn’t say it would have some significant impact on converting bros to Sturgill Simpson fans, or even Brent Cobb fans. I thought it was funny, well done, and a good illustration of adverse trends, so I felt inclined to share it. I think the point of the song was to be funny. Instead it appears to have become a vehicle to question the administration of this site. Oh well, I guess you can’t win ’em all.
April 6, 2015 @ 11:56 am
Nobody is questioning your management or your judgment Chief, we just think this song is so subtle in its criticisms (and come on that chorus) “sittin In the back woods on the truck hood” that the people its criticizing not only won’t get the joke but will probably proclaim it a great song.
April 6, 2015 @ 12:13 pm
If anyone in their right mind would proclaim this or anything like this a great song then there is clearly something wrong with the human race
April 6, 2015 @ 4:25 pm
Hawkeye,
I thought it was already an established fact that there is something wrong with the human race.
April 6, 2015 @ 4:33 pm
Yet again mr Clint states the obvious
What I meant by my statement was that if someone believed that or anything like that to be a great song then the fact that there is something wrong with the human race
That fact was established 6000+ years ago in the Garden
Part of Gods curse on Adam and Eve after the first sin was the curse of stupidity
It still runs strong in the human race today
April 6, 2015 @ 1:46 pm
I wasn’t knocking your review or questioning your reason for posting this , Trigger . I think its funny as hell and I’m happy you did . Sorry if I gave out the the wrong vibe in my comments . This is so ‘ right on ‘ its actually scary . Radio stations wouldn’t bat an eye if a label told them to play this as one of their new hip young ‘ country’ artists .
It’s brilliant , really .
April 6, 2015 @ 4:21 pm
You’re right Albert. I imagine this thing would be a hit if they released it as a single.
April 6, 2015 @ 12:14 pm
Off topic
Thanks for clearing up my email issue trigg
April 6, 2015 @ 2:57 pm
Email issue? Were you not recieving response notifications via email? Cause that’s the issue that I have. I just assumed it was a site wide problem.
April 6, 2015 @ 4:02 pm
That wasn’t the issue, though I sm experiencing that
My problem was an attempt to change my email while commenting
It wouldn’t work but now it’s fixed
Also I don’t seem to be getting the newsletter though I did sign up for it
I’ll try that again
April 6, 2015 @ 4:04 pm
Am*
And the mailing list is what I meant by newsletter im not exactly sure what it does
April 6, 2015 @ 4:38 pm
You haven’t been receiving newsletters because I am too busy to compose them. Maybe at some point in the future we’ll start sending them out again.
As for the notification emails, I will look into that. We are in the midst of a back end redesign on the site, and there could be some strangeness crop up in the coming days.
April 6, 2015 @ 5:24 pm
Ok thanks for the warning
April 6, 2015 @ 10:48 pm
Oh ok, thanks for clarification Trig. I’ve been experiencing that problem for about a month and a half or so. I just didn’t wanna bother ya over something so trivial.
April 6, 2015 @ 1:20 pm
I hope this goes viral for what it is, because the general American music listener isn’t smart enough to get it.
April 6, 2015 @ 1:44 pm
This is my cousin. He has been singing since he was knee high to a grass hopper. All of us cobbs have. It’s just in the blood but so is that small town we grew up in. Our homes remain that way today still by the grace of God. Your family misses you Brent but glad to see you making a living out if what you love. Hope to see you soon.
April 6, 2015 @ 6:40 pm
hey Trish, are you guys relatives of Ty Cobb?
April 6, 2015 @ 2:17 pm
Kill it! Kill it with fire!
April 6, 2015 @ 4:27 pm
Granger Smith – aka Earl Dibbles Jr did one a couple years back – The Country Boy Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx5A6WMFzig
Freakin’ hilarious!
April 6, 2015 @ 5:57 pm
Oh man …that Eric Dibbles Jr. stuff is just f^%$#@ scary . Its got the bro-radio thing down cold . I’d bet money mainstream listeners would just never know the difference.
This is just laugh-your-face-off funny …..
April 6, 2015 @ 7:15 pm
It’s been pretty well established at this point that he was not offering commentary on Bro-Country, especially seeing how Granger’s latest single might be the most Bro-Country I’ve heard released in 2015.
April 6, 2015 @ 6:29 pm
I couldn’t believe it when “This is How We Roll” was on a Hershey commercial. It truly saddens me that this I how country music is presented to the masses. I can’t see any dignity in proudly offering up only the absolute dumbest songs in existence instead of actual songs with artistic value just so they can make money and feel successful. But it’s quite obvious that dignity is nowhere near the top of their priority list. But I should think they would at least want to portray southerners with a modicum of intelligence rather than the symbols of stupidity that Florida Georgia Line so perfectly imbodies. Besides not getting why they want southerners to look stupid, I also can’t wrap my mind around another thing; why in God’s Earth would these malicious miscreants wish to pervert country music in such a way that it sounds like every other genre? What possible benefits could these modern day robber barons reap by sacrificing country music’s identity?
April 7, 2015 @ 5:55 am
I share the sentiment about the Hershey’s ad. I may have to boycott them like I did Pizza Hut when their spokesperson called me an old fart and a jackass. Every time my programming takes a break I hear that hodgepodge of stupidity, I usually only have to mute the viagra commercials but now with Hershey’s playing FGL and Blake/Luke (Bluke?) advertising the ACMs I feel like I’m playing Space Invaders with the mute button.
April 6, 2015 @ 6:59 pm
I admit, I read “Luke Bryan understudy” and my mind immediately jumped to Cole Swindell. I suppose all Brent’s hobnobbing with the likes of Luke Bryan happened before ol’ Luke bought a one way ticket to doucheland, so we can’t really judge him for that. Cole “Swindle” just got big because he was Luke’s frat buddy. So yeah, I’ll play Brent Cobb’s game… Still suspicious of any and all bro associates…
April 7, 2015 @ 5:59 am
Really? Luke bought a ticket to get there? I thought he earned an all expense paid trip from the King of Doucheland. What is this world coming to where proffessional douches have to pay their own way to Doucheland?
April 7, 2015 @ 7:26 am
He paid with his soul.
April 6, 2015 @ 9:25 pm
I get what hes doing.. but cant even stand to listen more than 5 seconds of this bullshit sound. shoulda taken the wade bowen route with songs about trucks.
April 6, 2015 @ 10:00 pm
Trigger, you have recapped my dilemma. I love Brent, love his work…but I also love this song…even though I’m not supposed to? I guess folk aren’t getting the joke. His lyrics are clear…dunno how folks are missing it. If this is the crap you want, I will quit working so hard and churn out some crud for you.
April 6, 2015 @ 10:54 pm
I find it sad that parody pieces like this get the full release complete with lyric video, while the same artists hide their actual serious songs in their albums and provide the public only with 30-second previews on Amazon.
I know that this may be a bit off topic on this thread, but I will state it anyway: I love the SCM reviews, but having nothing more than 30-second previews to judge the music myself truly irritates me and leaves me feeling music-starved.
April 6, 2015 @ 11:17 pm
Actually that’s perfectly on topic. Apparently this is the article to air long-standing grievances with the shortcomings of this site. Only thing missing is a “GET AN EDITOR!” comment.
I petitioned Dwight Yoakam’s peeps to allow me to preview his upcoming album, but inexplicably they went with NPR. 🙂
April 6, 2015 @ 11:28 pm
Believe me, I’m not complaining at all about the work you do at all. I’m just annoyed by the artists’ choices of songs to release.
April 6, 2015 @ 11:29 pm
Ha! Based on that double-use of “at all”, it looks like I should probably get an editor myself!
April 7, 2015 @ 7:34 am
Hilarious! CMA and ACM song of the year. Just needs a funny video.
April 7, 2015 @ 8:15 am
Ha Ha! “Fake it till you make it”. Yeah, I see a bunch of those charlatans in the construction trades too. This guy has to be sharp to be such a satirical smart-ass. That song should get play too. It sounds like that other shit out there”¦the message doesn’t matter bro! Except for painted jeans, the truck hood and sipping’”¦.that is all that matters bro!
April 7, 2015 @ 8:55 am
Loved what came up at the end – “Life is fun and shouldn’t be taken too seriously. It’s also a gift that shouldn’t be wasted .. all the time.” Bazinga!
Sadly, those who that’s pointed towards won’t get it, or won’t care …
April 7, 2015 @ 12:30 pm
Clint is so Cute when he talks Dumb.
April 7, 2015 @ 1:09 pm
If you want to criticize another commenter, you should respond to that person’s comment directly.
April 7, 2015 @ 2:07 pm
really Eric? not responding directly is the problem? Isn’t insulting Clint supposed to be the problem? and Riley: did you really come here just to bully people? If so, please repress the urge.
April 7, 2015 @ 2:15 pm
This has been going on for awile All I can say is He and his counterpart NEVER have anything positive to add. So if it seems out of context I will own that. But if you feel like I’m bieng unfair you need to back a bit and then decide.
Agreed was intended to respond direct. Always do
Country will be saved. TRIGGER for President!!
April 7, 2015 @ 2:27 pm
Rileyben: I’m not sure who Clint’s counterpart is but I have a suspicion that you’re insinuating it’s me and I have no idea how I’m supposed to take that. I don’t think you’re being unfair, I think that you shouldn’t waste time debating people’s opinions just because you disagree. Citing facts or perceptions as part of constructive conversation is one thing, but let’s not just wantonly insult people.
April 7, 2015 @ 3:03 pm
Albert is who I was referring. Not you. Apparently I have offended you. If Trig has issue with my comments he will let me know. As he has before. I understand completely how a blog works and in particular this one. I love this site and try and contribute when I can. Now if we can pick the Penalty Flag up.. OR write me a Demerit slip because I left my hall pass in my locker.
April 7, 2015 @ 6:01 pm
I’m not at all insulted, perish the thought haha. I for one enjoy the posts of both Clint and Albert, and I think it’s sign of poor character that the only thing you offered in your comment was an insult aimed at someone else.
April 7, 2015 @ 4:02 pm
When you reply directly to a comment, your response gets automatically emailed to that commenter if he or she elected to receive notifications that way. Therefore, when you criticize a commenter without using the reply button, you are hamstringing that person’s chances of even seeing that critique and having a chance to respond.
April 7, 2015 @ 2:47 pm
Albert is who I was referring. Not you. Apparently I have offended you. If Trig has issue with my comments he will let me know. As he has before. I understand completely how a blog works and in particular this one. I love this site and try and contribute when I can. Now if we can pick the Penalty Flag up.. OR write me a Demerit slip because I left my hall pass in my locker.
April 7, 2015 @ 8:41 pm
I think it’s awesome that you like there comments. So here’s what you do. Go to Alberts Blog and then you and Clint can blow smoke up each other’s Ass there. This site is about music not email responses or the status of the human race or a plug for your own shit. Quit using this site for whatever agenda you guys have. It detracts people that have been sincerely loyal for years. Your bogging it down. Poking the bear looking for negative reactions to negative comments. Yeah I said someone was “Talking dumb” if you want to be technical. I am not a random blog attacker “BUBBY”.. Why didn’t you come to my rescue when the situation was reversed? Oh that’s right I didnt need you to. BTW I found my hall pass it was in
” MRS Fuzzy2shirts” Locker
SCM forever
April 8, 2015 @ 8:21 am
HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Is this Miley Cyrus?
April 10, 2015 @ 12:14 am
I don’t have a blog so there’s really no point in sending folks over there to blow smoke up each other’s asses , Rileyben . If I did have a blog , I’d police THAT behaviour .How the hell would that help Save Country Music ? Like it or not , my friend , I call it like I see it ( or like I hear it , as the case my be ) – I’m not sure why that bothers you . BTW , I also e-mail artists, publishers and radio stations when I’m compelled to by the stuff they try to pass of on us as ” country ” music . Am I passionate ? You better believe it . If there was ever a time to be vigilant and vocal about what’s going on with country music , it’s NOW ! If I didn’t have a good laugh over it I’d have to have a good cry . It’s sad , it’s pathetic , it’s offensive and insulting . Do I cross the line ? Maybe . . Has the ‘ country music’ business crossed the line . ABSOLUTELY !
April 9, 2015 @ 7:35 am
I liked the “half written” line lol
April 9, 2015 @ 10:45 am
Brent Cobb wrote Old Shit on Miranda’s Platinum cd.
April 13, 2015 @ 9:27 pm
Is Brent Cobb part native American ewok?