Phid, after much thinking about our constant "what is and isn't country music" debate I have come to a few conclusions. Country music is like soup. It can have many different ingreedents but soup is obviously soup and must take on a certain form despite these different parts. Here are a few things that I feel must be part of music to classify it as country.
#1 The format of the music. As this is a nation of immigrants, country music is a melting pot of music. If you listen to classic country you will notice many different influences from the traditional music of different ethnic groups. Waltzes, cajun music, Irish music, and even polka can all be found in country music.
#2 Instruments. Since country musics roots are from the south and west from poorer settlers and farmers the instruments have always been pretty simple. Guitars, banjos, fiddles, bass, steel guitar, dobro, maybe a mandoline or a piano. It seems anymore modern country is getting more and more complicated.
#3 Content. The lyrics to the songs should either be about having a good time, or remembering hard times. Lost love, regretfull mistakes, or just out drinking and having a good time. As inspireing as some songs are I really don't want to hear a song about folks with ovarian cancer or going to the bahamas.
#4 Presentation of the artist. IMO this breaks down into two subsections.
A: Vocal style. The artist should sing like country people talk, both with the accent, and vocabulary.
B: Physical appearance. The artist should look like they're from the country. I don't see many cocktail dresses and guys with spikey hair or soul patches at the local tavern or MFA.
Get a good combination of these qualities together and you have (IMO) real country music. There ate some newer artists out there that I feel could be good country artists if they don't go too far in commercializing their music. Jason Aldean, and Taylor Swift both have it in them to make some good country music. Jamie Johnson would probably have fit in well with DAC, the Hag, and Bocephus 40 years ago. I can understand that all music evolves but Country has really gotten away from its roots. I know you're a music buff Phid. What do you think?
#1 The format of the music. As this is a nation of immigrants, country music is a melting pot of music. If you listen to classic country you will notice many different influences from the traditional music of different ethnic groups. Waltzes, cajun music, Irish music, and even polka can all be found in country music.
#2 Instruments. Since country musics roots are from the south and west from poorer settlers and farmers the instruments have always been pretty simple. Guitars, banjos, fiddles, bass, steel guitar, dobro, maybe a mandoline or a piano. It seems anymore modern country is getting more and more complicated.
#3 Content. The lyrics to the songs should either be about having a good time, or remembering hard times. Lost love, regretfull mistakes, or just out drinking and having a good time. As inspireing as some songs are I really don't want to hear a song about folks with ovarian cancer or going to the bahamas.
#4 Presentation of the artist. IMO this breaks down into two subsections.
A: Vocal style. The artist should sing like country people talk, both with the accent, and vocabulary.
B: Physical appearance. The artist should look like they're from the country. I don't see many cocktail dresses and guys with spikey hair or soul patches at the local tavern or MFA.
Get a good combination of these qualities together and you have (IMO) real country music. There ate some newer artists out there that I feel could be good country artists if they don't go too far in commercializing their music. Jason Aldean, and Taylor Swift both have it in them to make some good country music. Jamie Johnson would probably have fit in well with DAC, the Hag, and Bocephus 40 years ago. I can understand that all music evolves but Country has really gotten away from its roots. I know you're a music buff Phid. What do you think?
