What Is The Definition of “True Country”?
Recently Saving Country Music was asked to participate in the True Country Podcast, hosted by Texas musicians Justin Mason and Vic Andrews. After warning them I can talk their ear off on the topic of country music, the conversation stretched into two 30-minute podcasts, which can now be heard on their website, and via iTunes.
At the end of the initial conversation, Justin and Vic asked me the same question they ask all of their guests, which is to define what true country is to them. Since this topic commonly comes up and it’s an important one to underscore, I’ve posted my answer to the question below.
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What is true country music?
Obviously that’s the million dollar question, the hardest question to answer. If you go to the Country Music Hall of Fame, and you walk around it, in the cornerstones there are etches by country music greats—Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn—explaining what they believe country music is.
To me, the most important point to make about this these days is to understand that regardless of what anyone’s definition of country music is, we all should agree that there is one. That may sound like it’s avoiding the question, but so often you’re seeing people say, “What do we need genres for? Country music is indefinable. It doesn’t matter. There is no definition for it.”
No, there is.
Country music means something. Country music is not just music. It’s a culture. It’s a way people identify with themselves. And when you say that it doesn’t have a definition, you’re rendering it meaningless. And if you render the music meaningless, then your rendering those people with a sense of meaninglessness. They don’t feel like they have a cultural identity. And when people feel like they don’t have a cultural identity, that’s when they become like waifs. It’s like a weak tree that didn’t get enough water.
People who’ve had their culture robbed from them are more likely to be drug addicts, they’re more likely to not have self-esteem, or self-confidence, or know who they are. Country music is for people from the country. That’s what it is. It’s their expressions, their experiences put to music. That changes over time, and the country is vast. Someone in south Alabama is going to have a different life experience than someone in rural northern California. But they’re both country. And their story is important. And it’s so commonly overlooked and alienated in culture. You tune into pop culture, and people are impugning the hillbilly left and right. You can make fun of hillbillies all day, and it’s great fun. And when you impugn people like that, you take their sense of self worth from them, there’s much bigger problems out there than bad music to listen to.
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So yes, even though everyone’s definition of country or “true” country may be different, it’s important for all of us to agree that there is one.
August 3, 2018 @ 9:07 am
I didn’t really know what to expect when I clicked over onto this, and you took it in a surprising direction. But it was a great one and I really enjoyed reading this.
August 3, 2018 @ 9:33 am
There are two major genres of music I was drawn to growing up and it’s not by accident: Real country and hip hop. They both spoke to me, albeit in different ways, due to the core of who I am and what I come from. There’s a layer of veracity we place upon a piece of art even if it is conjured from the blue if it comes from a place of genuine wherewithal. This is why Turnpike Troubadours resonate so well with folks. It’s why Nappy Roots do too.
The quote about self-esteem and self-confidence is profound. Where I come from, rural southern Indiana, it’s been such a mish-mash of poverty and lack of identity for years. It was essentially populated by the poorest of people before the railroads came through, and when the railroads did come through those poor rural people became the definitive underclass of local society. These are my people, two hundred years ago from when we first appeared on Census documents in Scott County.
People like that, people that come from that, they know real when they see it. You can’t sell them fake. I don’t really know how to quantify it other than that. In our current climate of Real vs. Fake there seem to be no winners but there are, and they are the quiet ones. We observe without saying a word and we can size up authentic at first glance.
In the words, the sounds, the tones, we can hear it and know it’s a thing that’s meant for our ears. That’s true country.
August 3, 2018 @ 9:40 am
I actually think that the term “Country and Western Music” better describes the true genre. Country music should sound different in different parts of the country. In the Mountain West, listeners still like the cowboy tunes and image, along with the Western sound of artists like Marty Robbins, or Chris Ledoux. The world would be a better place if there were more cowboy songs on the radio.
August 3, 2018 @ 3:23 pm
This reminds me of father in law. The first time he road with me I had some random metal CD in and he turns and looks me in the eye and says dead serious there’s only two kinds of music, Country and Western.
August 3, 2018 @ 9:51 am
The ironic part at this moment is that both country and rap are going through the same thing. By that I mean both are engrained in specific cultures that was defined by people within that culture and giving them a way to relate to their roots. In recent times, purists from both sides have raised hell as they’ve seen the current state of both be influenced by outsiders with no respect to the past and creating tons of crap. I agree with your main points on this trig but had to point out the irony in that two genres you traditionally wouldn’t put together are going through related struggles with the current state.
August 3, 2018 @ 10:49 am
I have little to no knowledge of hip-hop. But I’ve always said I can imagine there are parallel conversations to the ones we have here every day going on in hip-hop, with folks frustrated that influences outside the genre are sullying the music, and the mainstream doesn’t properly represent the music, or push the best music to the forefront. Those individuals are our brothers and sisters in arms. This isn’t just about saving country music. It is about fighting for the integrity of cultural expressions from all people that makes us all unique in the tapestry of American culture.
August 3, 2018 @ 10:53 am
Agreed on all fronts on the hip hop front the rise of sound cloud rap is their version of bro country. There are parallel conversations going on their boards as well. It sucks because as you pointed out the mainstream is all about finding niches and exploiting them while making as much money as fast as possible.
August 3, 2018 @ 12:38 pm
Trig,
You hit the nail on this one.
Country music is truly the expression of the country lifestyle and integral part of the american/canadian identity. I personally have great respect for those who builded western canada. There wouldn’t be any Western Canada if it wouldn’t be from those Ranchers and farmers who made it all possible.
Just like German Folks songs, Celtic folks song etc. Each nation has its own version of “country music”.
Those genres should be celebrated. It’s certainly a great asset to this world. The plurality of culture make this world worth exploring. You are also absolutely right on the social consequences of loosing your heritage and culture.
August 4, 2018 @ 5:03 am
No, if you go by this definition, then anything can be country. Luke Bryan’s country, flgay line is country; bullshit! This is a rambling answer made up of cliche filler material.
August 4, 2018 @ 11:25 am
HipHopDX had a video on Youtube (I listen and follow a little hip hop on the side) I watched once describing what they call the 3 Lane Theory. Essentially, hip hop has three lanes that describe artists: hip hop, hip pop, and pop. Only thing I could think of the whole time was the similarities in that theory that could be applied to today’s country music identity crisis. For comparison, you have hip hop artists who are true to the genre’s roots (in country, the traditionalist), hip pop artists who incorporate hip hop in pop songs (in country, country pop) and pop artists (pop artists like Sam Hunt, who end up on country charts but no where in a just world would be). It’s interesting stuff and the same things country music is going through now. The older hip hop artists some would call ‘old heads’ now are not totally liking where the genre is going. Same as you hear Cody Jinks, Alan Jackson, etc. talk about the way country music is going now.
August 3, 2018 @ 9:51 am
Stories of real country life, told by the people who’ve lived them, with real voices and instruments.
I’d say that’s the heart of country. It branches out from there, of course.
August 3, 2018 @ 9:59 am
Well said Benny
August 3, 2018 @ 10:36 am
Delta and Piedmont blues performers. Zydeco and Cajun performers. Memphis and Alabama soul and R+B prefomers. Country folks with real stories played with real instruments sung in real voices. What are the core common threads that distinguish a song as being Country? I’m so confused.
August 3, 2018 @ 10:53 am
Yeah, most of the simple and rigid definitions of such a diverse and complex thing can’t really hold up.
August 3, 2018 @ 11:56 am
I’m old white guy that has been listening to music since the late 50’s in the NYC area. Farmed in northern Vermont, consulted with dairy farmers for most of my career. Lived in city and country. Learned to love and appreciate many forms of roots music. Domestic and foreign. The older I became, the harder it was for me to define music into rigid categories. Townes said it best in my opinion, “There’s only two kinds of music: the blues and zippety doo-dah.” Works for me anyway.
August 3, 2018 @ 12:53 pm
I always liked that quote. Kind of yin and yang, lightness and darkness if you think about it.
August 3, 2018 @ 10:25 am
“Country music is for people from the country.” Only? Really? I know some non-country, classical and other music fans from the country. Should I break the news to them that they aren’t listening to the music that is “for” them? That’s a problematic thing to say.
“It’s their [people from the country] expressions, their experiences put to music.” So EDM made by people in the country, about their experiences…is Country?
Answering this is tricky for sure.Your definition seems less academic and more reactionary to whats going on in our general culture right now (which is understandable). And it reads more like why you think it’s important to keep your vision of country culture alive (whatever that is) , and not “robbed, than an answer to “What is country music?” My 2 cents anyway.
August 3, 2018 @ 10:55 am
Obviously country music is there to be enjoyed by everyone, and I wasn’t meaning to imply that it isn’t. It can even be performed from people from the city as long as it’s done with respect. JUst wrote a whole article on country music from New York a few weeks ago. However its origination point and compass should be to represent people for them country.
August 3, 2018 @ 11:02 am
I know I read that article, and it was a good one. But your definition presented here is not consistent to either that article or your comment here. At the end of that article you wrote “If anything, the old 80’s catchphrase “Get A Rope” is now more appropriate to much of the country music coming off of Music Row in Nashville, not New York.” But here you say country is “for people from the country.” I know you have a very open minded and informed view of country, I’m just surprised to see you define it so simply and rigidly.
August 3, 2018 @ 1:26 pm
I don’t believe living in Nashville is equivalent of being from the country.
August 3, 2018 @ 3:01 pm
And living in the country in a mansion isn’t the same as living working class in the country. We could play that game all day, but sometimes we need to make a point. Right or wrong (more wrong now) it has been historically considered the epicenter of said music.
August 3, 2018 @ 3:58 pm
I definitely agree that just because you’re from the country doesn’t mean you are country.
August 3, 2018 @ 7:26 pm
At the beginning of my definition I said,
“To me, the most important point to make about this these days is to understand that regardless of what anyone’s definition of country music is, we all should agree that there is one.”
At the ending I said, “So yes, even though everyone’s definition of country or “true” country may be different, it’s important for all of us to agree that there is one.”
THIS was the ultimate take, and I’m a bit confused why folks are getting worked up, and glossing over this in the discussion. Clearly Saving Country Music regularly posts music from artists from New York, cities, Europe, etc. Folks are completely missing the underlying point.
August 3, 2018 @ 8:00 pm
I’m just telling you what I feel about your definition. Its not about me being from the country vs. the city to me or taking any kind of offense (and yes I know, as stated, that you are very open minded and inclusive) …I just think your definition is “interesting.”
I love most of the music you champion here. I go to shows, stream AND buy a lot of music, shirts posters, etc. It means a lot to me. I want to see it continue, and I get enjoyment in listening to it. I’m thankful to your site to pointing me to a lot of it. Am I doing something wrong by not having my own little definition? Am I going to become addicted to drugs if I don’t?? As I said previously, it seems like this is a reaction to the stupid outlets out there trying to re-define country. I get it, that sucks. But we shouldn’t let them get to us.
August 4, 2018 @ 7:39 am
I’ll try to be succinct with my deplorable 2 cents worth-
Back story: A few weeks ago I had a buddy from a political message board I used to frequent send me a text asking where I was posting now. He said he missed my “man of the mountain wisdom”- my response was, besides where I post, that “I didn’t think people were looking for wisdom so much as they want to be right”- I see that a lot here as well as another board I read only (don’t post).
My point being; Your response was, to me, a bit ambiguous. As it should be given your (written) personality which I don’t question as being how you are as a person. You gave your response and now some (those who want to be right) want to tell you where you’re wrong in *your* response- that makes no sense to me- and as I’ve said on other message boards- start your own damn *whatever* then you can make the rules the way you want to make them- point here being: It was *your* response which is what was asked for, not your readers response which is what some wanted you to give.
And no, I’m not kissing your ass- I disagree with a lot of what you say, but, by god, you say it well and it’s what you believe. Another point: I’ve often seen where celebrities are applauded and lauded and given kudos for saying what they believe- but, when a non-celebrity speaks his mind it seems to not be applauded and gets attacked, personally e.g. recent posts in another thread about Sarah Shook and Jamie Lin Wilson- and don’t even start in on that readers it’s just an example to validate this paragraph-
As for defining country music- most of the what I see here, ain’t, IMNSHO, but, it is better than what most of Nashville puts out- what do I consider country?- what I like, and I was country when country wasn’t cool- or intentionally misinterpreted.
August 4, 2018 @ 8:39 am
DJ, I agree a lot with what you say here. I’m assuming you are referring to me, but its not clear. I usually agree with MOST of what Trigger writes. In few cases I don’t. Arguing my point with him, I don’t think requires or warrants me starting my own website. If I was constantly telling him what he is doing wrong on his website, maybe. But disagreeing and debating a point he has made, that welcomes comments? What’s wrong with that? I thought he was still misunderstanding my response, so I replied again. So? Nowhere has he said he doesn’t like debate or for people to question him. Might it be annoying sometimes when people don’t agree and want to debate it or question it? Sure. It would be much more pleasant if we all agreed on everything. Meanwhile, I’m listening to you Waylon link in the background. I like that response….
August 4, 2018 @ 10:23 am
No drama here. I responded to ScottG’s second comment, then decided I meant to respond to his first comment, thought I deleted the second pone, apparently didn’t. Didn’t mean to be redundant.
August 4, 2018 @ 12:03 pm
And nothing but respect and appreciation here.
August 4, 2018 @ 3:05 pm
Scott G: I’m assuming you are referring to me,
Me: I see that a lot here. (If the glove fits, wear it). I said what I meant- some here as well as other message boards- I don’t know how I could be more specific w/o quoting and naming names on every article he writes. I also stated (as succinctly as I could) what I think about his response, and writing.
It’s what “I” see, here **and elsewhere**- if you feel I was directing it at you, sorry- go and read all the posts. I just got tired of all the “this is what country music is, this is what it is and this is what you should say” attitude that I see “here and elsewhere”.
August 4, 2018 @ 12:40 pm
You being hung up on having a different definition than Trigger misses his whole point that though many people may have many different definitions, the most important thing is that we agree that there IS a definition. Country Music is a real thing that can be defined though differently from different perspectives. The danger lies in perpetuating the myth that it can no longer be defined.
August 4, 2018 @ 1:03 pm
I’m not missing that point. I kind of take it as a given and assume most semi-intelligent people do. I’m debating HIS definition. People can have different definitions and opinions? Duh
August 3, 2018 @ 10:38 am
I’m interested in the core country traditionalist’s fan view of this question. Benny’s response above is great, “Stories of real country life, told by the people who’ve lived them, with real voices and instruments.” I’m OK if someone else helps write the song – as long as the signer/band connects honestly with it. However, even with this description, an artist like Cody Johnson who’s real & independent still gets hate from core traditionalists. Consider: Zephaniah Ohora is living and making *amazing* country music in New York City and core traditionalists love him. Consider also: country artists can shift from real country to ‘fabricated country’ because success often takes you out of a struggling ‘real country’ lifestyle. However, those artists can still write great country music for real country fans who can still connect. Do we now hate the artists’ previous work, or can we respect that work? I do. Million Dollar question is right, Trigger
August 3, 2018 @ 10:53 am
Country music at its core is all about which instruments are used and which are not. Plain and simple. It’s not that complicated.
August 3, 2018 @ 11:19 am
Which instruments are exclusive to country? Or do you mean a certain combination of instruments?
August 3, 2018 @ 11:01 am
“Country music is for people from the country.”
What kind of nonsense is this? I guess since I’m from a city, I should just listen to vapid pop music and hip hop? I guess I should also stop listening to classical music, since my favorite composers were born in European cities.
August 3, 2018 @ 11:12 am
Oh please. Nobody is saying people not from the country can’t enjoy, or make country music. That was a statement about what the foundation and compass of what country music is. After all, it’s called “country” music.
August 3, 2018 @ 12:43 pm
““Country music is for people from the country.””
I actually wish that were true. Then it wouldn’t suck so bad.
August 3, 2018 @ 3:27 pm
But then what would you have to complain and/or feel superior about? 🙂
August 3, 2018 @ 5:36 pm
Superior?!?!
How can I feel superior, when my entire culture, and everything I hold dear, has been defecated on, day and night for 30 years?
August 3, 2018 @ 6:46 pm
Wait now you’re a victim? How about by constantly putting almost everything else down, which is my point. That is a classic symptom of insecurity…. but it all makes sense now. You’ve been shit on.
P.S. I’m mostly half messing with you as I know you can handle it.
August 4, 2018 @ 8:30 am
I dunno, you manage
August 3, 2018 @ 11:03 am
I know what’s not “true country”. The Nashville music industry. All the clueless, overpaid vice-presidents of this & vice-presidents of that. Is it a #1 hit on the Billboard “Country” Charts…it’s true country for the bigwicks.
When guys like Scott Borchetta are gone & forgotten somewhere out there a young woman will take her fiddle & a young man will take his guitar. Both will play a simple melody & sing about love & cheating & grandma. That’s true country.
August 3, 2018 @ 11:13 am
“True country” music has been dead since around the year 1955. Everything after that is just watered down commercial corporate excrement. Nashville has sucked all there is from people willing to make a quick profit. All those “outlaws” or “outsiders” were/are just a brand to make a buck by pretending to be something they weren’t/aren’t. True country shall return when people stop ingesting this incredibly unhealthy diet of insufferable faux country.
August 3, 2018 @ 11:21 am
What’s happening in country is no different than what’s been happening in metal since the 80s. The core genre is still there, but the number of sub-genres has steadily increased. Some are passing trends that will fall by the wayside, like nu-metal and bro-country, others will become a permanent fixture. And more sub-genres are on the way. Music evolves, changes, and recycles. That’s never going to change, and that’s a good thing. If a genre of music doesn’t push in new directions, good or bad, the alternative is to become stagnate. We should always strive to preserve the traditional sound or roots of any music genre, but also be open minded about new interpretations and variations. If country had stayed exactly the same since the 70s, with no growth or expansion, there would be no Cody Jinks because he would probably be bored by it, as would many other young artists. Diversity feeds creativity and the love of traditional music is enhanced by the presence of competing sounds and styles. You don’t have to love every sub-genre or jump on every new trend, but it’s foolish to deny their importance in the overall health and sustainability of any music genre.
August 3, 2018 @ 11:24 am
No pedal steel makes Whiskey_Pete sad.
August 3, 2018 @ 11:25 am
I’m not sure who said it first, but “I know county when I hear it, and even more when I don’t.”
August 3, 2018 @ 3:17 pm
I’d have to agree with your statement.
August 3, 2018 @ 11:44 am
I was surprised by your rather narrow view of Country Music especially in the wake of the Brooklyn article. I would bet that lyrically the majority of classic Country songs don’t make any reference to the “country” at all. Things like heartache, drinking, cheating, working, being poor, etc. are pretty universal, and those themes are what draw many people to the music, whether they are from the country or not.
Rap is music for people from the Bronx, NY, since that is where it originated. Make sense?
August 3, 2018 @ 12:07 pm
The demographics are changing. Country music is going extinct.
You don’t preserve your culture and traditions then it goes adios.
Maybe if all country music merges with Tejano music it will be somewhat saved. Like a bunch of Texas Tornado type bands or Rick Trevino types. We should just start singing all country songs in Spanish. That’s the only way it will survive.
I should probably learn the accordion.
August 3, 2018 @ 12:24 pm
Are you serious? What a defeatist attitude. Like hell if you think I want my country music all in Spanish or lsome German rubbish.
August 3, 2018 @ 12:48 pm
Yeah the only constant is change. The sun is going to burn out at some point, and we will all die way before that.
That said we can still enjoy all the awesome artists still making traditional or roots based music. There are plenty. And although it is on the decline, sometimes things come back. Folk music in 60s etc….sometimes the cycle comes full circle and people want simpler, more traditional and authentic art. There’s something about human made, acoustic music, and traditional country, and although they might not be the most popular forms of music, they will hoepfully appeal to enough of us for a long time.
August 3, 2018 @ 2:18 pm
Whites are going to be the minority in Texas in a few years and the numbers will continue to decline. Not few billions years. We all know the people coming here don’t start listening to country music. What do you think it’s going to happen? The prospects of country music making a strong comeback are getting smaller and smaller.
August 3, 2018 @ 2:56 pm
I guess I would ask if it needs to be the dominant popular music to be alive and well, and enjoyed. Your point is taken though, it won’t ever be what it was. Personally I’ve never been a fan of most mainstream artists anyway, so that in and of itself doesn’t bother me.
People do surprise sometimes. I like a surf rock band from S. Korea.
August 3, 2018 @ 3:35 pm
Blacks are the minority and yet hip hop/rap is thriving and influencing other genres of music not just in the US but the world.
If whites being the minority in Texas means country music dies out then it was shit music that didn’t resonate. Building a wall isn’t going to save country. It’s up to country artists to make music that people actually want to listen to.
August 3, 2018 @ 3:50 pm
Hip-hop thrives with the support of all ‘minority’ groups not just blacks. Country music is regarded negatively as white music, redneck, hillbilly, and has right-wing connotations. White culture is currently unfairly being demonized. Lot of things working against country music right now.
When I see a young Asian, Black, Middle-Eastern or Hispanic male there is a 90% chance they are listening to hip-hop/rap in their vehicle. I see it/hear it all the time. They never listen to country music.
August 3, 2018 @ 5:39 pm
If country was white music it would be far more popular but the truth is the majority of white people think it’s redneck and hillbilly that’s why even in the white community it’s less popular than what you deem to be minority’s music.
August 4, 2018 @ 7:53 am
I have to disagree a bit- there’s only one of me but I have 2 sons who listen to and love real country music, stuff I grew up with (thanks Pop). The oldest has a son and a daughter who also listen (constantly) to country music – disclaimer: The boy likes Erich Church, the daughter like Willie- that said, that’s at least 3 replacing me and the youngest is expecting in December(?) and knowing him (my intellectual clone) the kid(s) will be raised listening to good music-
Oh, I like Tejano music too- especially Mariachi.
August 4, 2018 @ 12:11 pm
90% of young white males are playing hip hop in their cars as well. I am in that age group and my love of country music is a distinct minority. Trigger mentioned before how hip hop is dominate in popular culture and disfranchised rural males gravitate towards it.
August 3, 2018 @ 8:31 pm
The decline of Country and Western Music makes sense to me because of the changing demographics. Rural America is aging and shrinking in population as younger generations move to the cities. Meanwhile, other parts of rural America, especially in the West, are becoming the city itself. There is no doubt that America is changing, and that change includes her music.
August 3, 2018 @ 12:25 pm
Fun topic. Got a chuckle out of Bills comment that essentially blues music meets Triggers definition of country music. True. Here is in my mind a key in defining what country and western music is: We know that Jimmie Rodgers, early pioneer of it, was heavily influenced by blues, much more than he was influenced by old time string bands. The Carter Family on the other hand were influenced by hillbilly mountain music, string bands and the like. Marrying the two forms together , old timey string bands which of course came from Europe as jigs and reels, hoedowns and such, and blues which directly came from Africa, I believe produced what we now call country music. It is a hybrid music from those sources , but it became a uniquely American music when white rural folks combined them together making something altogether unique. Hank Williams had the fiddle element in his music, but came at it from a bluesy point of view, in part because he was somewhat a student of both.
August 3, 2018 @ 2:46 pm
And if Country Music was born as a hybrid, why should we expect it to remain pure to someone’s definition of that purity? Artist are always looking for inspiration that they can use. This sometimes this comes from surprising and unusual sources. It has always been this way. Artists seem much more willing to experiment, collaborate and generally have more fun with music than the fans want them too. To me this is what I enjoy about music, the discovery of the new and unexpected.
August 3, 2018 @ 12:33 pm
I’m not sure what “true country” is, but by damn, I sure know it when I hear it…..
August 3, 2018 @ 1:28 pm
I can tell you there are folks out there still making great Western Music.
August 3, 2018 @ 2:36 pm
We’re living in a world where the song “Cruise” with rapper Nelly, topped the hot country chart for 24 weeks in 2012 and broke a record.
The country commercialization complex (Get it? Like the military industrial complex..) is altering country music to appeal to all ethnic groups. Throw in pop, EDM, and rap and you can appeal to a broader base audience. “Country music” stays relevant and continues to generate more revenue. You may think I’m like the Alex Jones of country music but what I’m telling you is the truth.
August 3, 2018 @ 2:57 pm
Country has always had a large element of commercialisation.
I think the blues meets folk meets yankee salesmanship would be a starting point.
The subject matter could be deep but always coated in a polished product so it could go down easier.
Made for country people is true. Music that works well on the truck radio when fixing fences and working on trucks. You can listen with half a mind and enjoy it.
This isn’t a finished theory, but the commercial side has always been a defining factor to me.
I better get to work on the building site and treat the neighbours to some quality tunes.
August 3, 2018 @ 3:34 pm
Kor-oh-nus?
August 3, 2018 @ 3:57 pm
I’m going to disagree that being from the country is a culture. It might have been 30-40 years ago but not so much anymore thanks to technology. Everybody has the internet, satellite radio/tv. The kid in rural Alabama is now playing Xbox with the kid from NY. Farm wives are on Pinterest and have YouTube channels. Been to the feed store lately? Even the old ranchers are on their phones while they wait for their orders. Technology opened up the world. Just being from a rural location doesn’t mean you have to only have rural interests.
August 3, 2018 @ 5:12 pm
Bingo. If this article was about what country “was” in the 20s, 70s, etc or about its origins, it would make more sense. But to say that is what it “is” in 2018, might not be accurate. There’s also a difference between saying what it “is” and what you wish it was.
August 3, 2018 @ 7:24 pm
At the beginning of my definition I said,
“To me, the most important point to make about this these days is to understand that regardless of what anyone’s definition of country music is, we all should agree that there is one.”
At the ending I said, “So yes, even though everyone’s definition of country or “true” country may be different, it’s important for all of us to agree that there is one.”
THIS was the ultimate take, and I’m a bit confused why folks are getting worked up, and glossing over this in the discussion. Clearly Saving Country Music regularly posts music from artists from New York, cities, Europe, etc. Folks are completely missing the underlying point.
August 3, 2018 @ 7:44 pm
Your message is confusing IMO. Country music is for people from the country. I disagree with that. Stapleton is so popular because he appeals to people not from the country. He speaks to the crowd who spend their weekends going to distilleries to sample small batch whiskey. Same with Sturgill. I’m from rural Texas and I don’t know a single person who knows who he is.
Now I’m not saying country dwellers don’t listen to Chris and Sturgill but the reason they’re doing well is because they appeal to the crowd who think chocolate milk comes from brown cows.
August 3, 2018 @ 8:09 pm
Pasting my reply here since I have the honor of you replying to me in more than one place!:
I’m just telling you what I feel about your definition. Its not about me being from the country vs. the city to me or taking any kind of offense (and yes I know, as stated, that you are very open minded and inclusive) …I just think your definition is “interesting.”
I love most of the music you champion here. I go to shows, stream AND buy a lot of music, shirts posters, etc. It means a lot to me. I want to see it continue, and I get enjoyment in listening to it. I’m thankful to your site to pointing me to a lot of it. Am I doing something wrong by not having my own little definition? Am I going to become addicted to drugs if I don’t?? As I said previously, it seems like this is a reaction to the stupid outlets out there trying to re-define country. I get it, that sucks. But we shouldn’t let them get to us.
August 3, 2018 @ 4:37 pm
Country MUSIC has a defined sound.
It’s gotta have at least some combination of fiddles, mandolins, banjos, dobros and steels.
It can NOT have any electric drums, autotuned voices or synthesizers.
it does NOT use the hippest slang or stupid phrases like “she was like oh my god”
August 3, 2018 @ 6:11 pm
Other Artists probably have said it but I remember Martina McBride a few years back say, “Country Music is America’s Music”. I personally had never heard anyone in the genre say that before and it felt nice, very inclusive, very welcoming. Like it was for everybody, regardless where you live, what your background is, what Race or Nationality you are. America’s Music.
August 3, 2018 @ 7:29 pm
Technology has made “being country” more accessible, but it doesn’t change what country is. Technology has enabled many imitators.
August 3, 2018 @ 8:05 pm
Miguel’s brief comment is right on. “Country music at its core is all about which instruments are used and which are not. Plain and simple.”
It’s not that complicated.Regardless of the stories, because stories are told in other genres of music, it is the sound. Sure it changes at times, but true country is a true sound. Can I define it? Not to anyone’s liking. Do I know it? A resounding yes regardless if I have a definition or not.
I mean, you know a rock song when you hear it don’t you? You know a rap song when you hear it don’t you? You know a classical arrangement when you hear it don’t you? Yes we do and we know what a country song sounds like, even if we have to go other places than mainstream Nashcrap to hear it.
August 3, 2018 @ 9:39 pm
“If you’re gonna play in Texas, you gotta have a fiddle in the band.”
Add in a pedal steel, and then there’s not much debate whether it’s country music or not.
August 3, 2018 @ 9:44 pm
Twangy guitars and yodeling are 2 more trademarks of the genre.
Still waiting to hear some yodeling in a rap song.
August 4, 2018 @ 3:39 pm
Potholes in my lawn by De La Soul
August 5, 2018 @ 11:04 am
Dang! There it is. And it kind of works!
August 3, 2018 @ 10:37 pm
True country music is definitely about the country way of life, and songs that tell those stories, make you laugh, or loved, or feel the sadness that the singer is portraying. True country doesn’t need reaffirming, it is what it is. It’s not about trying to own particular items or trying to live a certain way for that affirmation. It’s being country not by choice, but by nature itself. Most decades of country singers either came up in modest or poor backgrounds which brought great stories and character to them. But the recent generation of country singers most likely had it fairly easy compared to previous generations (which overall is a good thing don’t get me wrong) but perhaps maybe that’s why country music has lost most of its luster.
August 3, 2018 @ 10:55 pm
I think the most important characteristic of country music is authenticity .
Authenticity of experience , of musicianship , of a talented singer ( not coached or auto-tuned ) authenticity of lyric and authenticity of spirit .
There’s nothing authentic about Thomas Rhett’s ‘vocals’, nothing authentic or fresh about the mostly generic writing , nothing traditionally authentic about the music and the arrangements and certainly NOTHING authentic about the image his handlers and marketers have cultivated for him .
Sarah Shook and co. on the other hand oozes authenticity from the song narratives to the REAL humans making the music to the mostly un-doctored performances and ‘ come as you are ‘ presentation/image and the obvious and refreshing ” I don’t care if you don’t like this or not….this is MY passion ‘ attitude …..
There was nothing authentic about Shania Twain’s attempts to be all things to all people under a ‘ country ‘ promoted career launch. Her VERY generic music borrowed from ( and still borrows from ) pop and light rock, for the mostpart , and littel to nothing from Country music ..including and perhaps especially lyrics.
Stapleton , through his work with Steeldrivers and a solo career virtually defines authenticity in the genre with varied and substance -driven lyric and vocal and music gifts that simply cannot be questioned or denied. You can’t hide pure natural talent . he opens his mouth to sing and sure , he could sing the alphabet and move us BUT HE DOESN’T REST ON THAT FACT ..he writes or co-writes or finds great trad-informed material and delivers it authentically with a stripped down talented foursome/fivesome with nothing to hide behind but honest musicianship and mind-blowing vocals .
i think authenticity is where REAL country music has to start. When it isn’t ( Jake Owen , Shelton , Hunt , Rexha , Bryan , Aldean etc… ) you can smell that fact almost before you hear the ‘product ‘.
August 5, 2018 @ 2:32 am
The aunthenticity in experience and musicianship makes (teenage) Taylor Swift a legit country artist then (aside from her singing, which to me, even as a fan, seemed weak). Because she only makes songs taken from experiences of heartbreaks, love, family, bullying and friendship. And she was only making music with the instruments she know how to handle (guitar, banjo, piano etc.). But yeah, of course she aint traditional country. She belonged to the pop-country subgenre. There’s no debating that
August 4, 2018 @ 2:49 am
What’s true country? True country music isn’t false. It tells the truth. It doesn’t say one thing and do another. It doesn’t put up a false front. Like an apple, it doesn’t fall far from its tree. It cares for where it came from, and cares for its integrity. If it travels, you can tell where it came from. It respects other natures and boundaries, and it carries with it the accumulated wisdom and humor of its history.
August 4, 2018 @ 8:31 am
That works for me.
August 4, 2018 @ 10:25 am
I like this.
August 4, 2018 @ 12:12 pm
That’s why I’m here.
August 4, 2018 @ 5:01 am
Country music like all music needs to be a real. Willie and Waylon and Loretta sang songs that were from there life and connected to people because they could relate to it. Telling a storie and reaching people takes authenticity that you can’t fake. As culture changes so will the songs but I think the stories of real life must stay the same or we lose the meaning. It has to go deeper than just tail gate party songs.
August 4, 2018 @ 8:20 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLgfiVQLVDE
August 4, 2018 @ 8:24 am
Blue Yodel # 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEIBmGZxAhg
August 4, 2018 @ 8:35 am
Very well said. The thing about great Country music is it speaks for Rural People that maybe dont have a voice and it describes the way of life that many hard working men and women live day in and day out. Not everyone in this world is a Movie Star or a business Mogul. I myself was raised on a farm in the North of Ireland, a place where country music enjoys a strong following and although there are certain differences in my life and that of say someone raised in West Texas, I dare say the roots of who we are are quite similar. Thats what the great thing about true Country music is, if you’re a rural person in Ireland, The USA, The Plains of Canada or The Australian Outback, you can find someone singing about you and your life.
August 4, 2018 @ 11:44 am
These guys get it:
https://youtu.be/TKq6uVRSBX4
Great song, Jamie. That one’s for the ages.
August 4, 2018 @ 12:09 pm
Love that video, shared it a couple stories ago. Their other country reactions are pretty good too. Wish they chose a better Tyler selection to checkout though.
August 4, 2018 @ 4:26 pm
Yeah, someone on this site turned me on to those guys months ago. Maybe it was you. Most reaction videos are pretty stupid but these guys are both hilarious and insightful. I’ve gotten new interpretations of songs I’ve known for a long time from watching them. I have binge watched them for hours on a few occasions. If anyone else here likes Metal, or even if you don’t, check out their reaction to Jinjer’s Pisces. When the female vocalist switches from clean to guttural vocals their reaction is priceless. Sorry no link cuz I don’t know how.
August 5, 2018 @ 3:39 pm
I like those guys, but they like country that moves close to the music they already like and use their musical values as a metric. Their reaction to Stapleton is a perfect example. He’s already 3/4 of the way to Ray Charles and hardly a stretch. I wonder what these guys would think of Wayne Hancock.
I cast no stones. I listened to a half dozen reactions to their rap stuff old and new and went and watched full versions of those songs on yt. They’re bviously not for me, so I don’t fault them for not digging Tyler Childers.
It’s still a free country, give or take.
August 5, 2018 @ 5:51 pm
I retract some of that. They are good with Merle and the Highwaymen. As you were —
August 5, 2018 @ 2:34 am
in response to albert (because i cant reply to his comment for some reason):
The aunthenticity in experience and musicianship makes (teenage) Taylor Swift a legit country artist then (aside from her singing, which to me, even as a fan, seemed weak). Because she only makes songs taken from experiences of heartbreaks, love, family, bullying and friendship. And she was only making music with the instruments she know how to handle (guitar, banjo, piano etc.). But yeah, of course she aint traditional country. She belonged to the pop-country subgenre. There’s no debating that
August 5, 2018 @ 11:23 am
Trig, you should have told them the truth, something like “country is a hybridized form of American popular music combining elements of EDM, 90’s hip hop, 80’s MOR hair rock, 80’s soft rock, and, occasionally, 80’s and 90’s country. Influences include Diplo, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Night Ranger, Richard Marx, and George Strait. Instrumentation is heavily synth-and laptop-based with reliance on samplers and programmed drum beats, with some acoustic and steel fiddle guitar added for contrast. Vocals are predominantly male and digitally enhanced with auto-tune, with artificial harmonies digitally layered as well. Lyrical themes include the glorification of rural life centered around all night riverbank and cornfield parties, and the objectification of women. Lyrical phrasing borrows heavily from archaic urban expressions from 20 years ago, such as ‘all good’ and ‘got it goin on’. Lyrics are often spoken instead of sung, often in an over-exaggerated southern dialect.”
August 5, 2018 @ 5:36 pm
Redder Shade of Neck—what you said about the lyrics of (I’m guessing you meant) the Bro-Country songs, is a good point. Those of us not from the South, or a small town, hear them and really don’t get that it’s not how life there is. or wonder how much of it might be true (?) It definitely sounds like a great time always, with the Hot babe next to you in the pick-up truck always in the tight jeans and always headed to the all-night Bonfires to drink a lot of beer or whiskey. Or as a gal you imagine the Hot guy next to you in the tight jeans, still headed to the Bonfire.
August 5, 2018 @ 3:00 pm
Country Music can be Glen Campbell, Ronnie Milsap, John Denver and company who all mixed in large doses of pop in the 70’s and 80’s. It can be Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, George Strait and company who tried to pull Country Music back to its center whenever it was losing its way. Country Music can be Garth Brooks, Travis Tritt, Clay Walker and company who brought a smoother take to the traditional side in the 90’s. Country Music can be Reckless Kelly, Turnpike Troubadours, Randy Rogers Band and company who are as influenced by rock as country today. In short country music can encompass many interpretations and styles but should stay true to its rural roots and be about the everyday joe, the blue collar working experience and small town life.
August 6, 2018 @ 5:42 am
Good interview, I enjoyed listening to your thoughts. You didn’t sound like what I thought you would sound like. For the record, when I read your very hilarious rants, you sound like Yosemite Sam.
August 6, 2018 @ 7:15 am
To paraphrase Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart….I may not be able to define country music but I know it when I hear it.
August 6, 2018 @ 9:35 am
Definitions are piddlin’ shit as far as I’m concerned.
This one will work as well as the next . . .
coun·try mu·sic (kəntrē ˈmyo͞ozik): a loosely defined genre of music that the recording industry can exploit for profit.
Every big business in every market hopes to grow to the point where the only quarterly target left is to put the entire population under its thumb. Every money grubbing one of them wants to be Big Brother. If they can’t win us over, they will run us over. Don’t like how we’re being defined? Fine, change the entire fucking language–that’s what Billboard is doing with its chart nonsense.
That’s where we are, in a microcosm, in ‘country music’. Controlling the media, controlling the charts, controlling the airwaves. The definition of the thing they are exploiting is the least of their concern. As long as it proves to be exploitable–and boy has it!
That comparison to Big Brother never quite seems too crazy, does it?
Instead of the Thought Police, we have Social Justice Warriors.
Instead of the Ministry of Truth we have Taste of Country.
Instead of a rat in a face cage we have Dirt Road Anthem.
“If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face – forever.” – George Orwell
August 6, 2018 @ 6:52 pm
I enjoyed the podcast! It was good to have a voice to go with the words, and hear the enthusiasm.
I agree with those who say the instrumentation has a lot to do with defining country music, as well as the natural voice and absolutely the storytelling aspect.