Country Music Controversy
November 16, 2009 • By Kathryn Manning Sheriff,
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Like the GOP, the Genre’s Base is Split Between Traditional Roots and Pop Radio Hits
To quote Barbara Mandrell, “I was country when country wasn’t cool.” Whether or not you’ve ever heard of Barbara Mandrell, please continue reading, because recent history shows country is becoming an ever-expanding realm of musical inclusion.
Indeed, I was country when country wasn’t cool. Until age 10, I desperately wanted a career as a country singer. I owned a personal cowgirl ensemble and wore the outfit everywhere from the supermarket to a Reba McEntire concert. I was ridiculed in my suburban elementary school for preferring Alan Jackson to Ace of Base, but country music was, in many ways, my first love, and I have never abandoned it.
But a growing rift seems to plague the music most near and dear to my heart. Taylor Swift’s sweeping victories last week at the Country Music Association Awards, the CMA’s, unleashed a wrath of fury from country purists who claim that Swift’s “poppy” music makes her an unworthy recipient of such prestigious awards as Female Vocalist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.
The backlash over Swift’s victories magnifies a growing divide within the country music fan base. Many people believe artists such as Swift, Rascal Flatts and even Carrie Underwood, who are frequently played on pop radio, are “fake” country singers who don’t truly represent the genre.
Perhaps my political science tendencies show here, but the war over “true” country music reminds me of the current battle within the Republican Party: conservatives clashing with moderates to determine the direction of the party. The more traditional country listeners are dismayed that the likes of Swift are now the face of the genre, while more mainstream listeners are happy to see cross-over artists expanding the world’s interest in country.
It doesn’t help that many people believe the music played on pop radio is solely pop and nothing else. Consider The Temptations, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Nickelback or Rihanna, just a few of the many artists heard on popular radio. Would anyone argue that they fit only into the pop genre? No, and country is no different. Perhaps Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” can be heard regularly on pop radio, but it is still a country song, plain and simple.
In reality, much of country’s history is filled with musical blurring. Elvis Presley, the King of Rock ’n’ Roll, was known as the “Hillbilly Cat” on the country music scene before he ever began wagging those famous hips. Garth Brooks, country entertainer extraordinaire, is the highest-selling solo artist in U.S. history, surpassing even Michael Jackson. I guarantee you that Brooks didn’t reach that point without attracting listeners across musical lines. And Taylor Swift may be a “cross-over artist” but recall that she got her start with the hit song “Tim McGraw,” named for the famous country heartthrob whose own hit “Live Like You Were Dying” is still played on both pop and country stations across the nation.
The mark of a good country song remains a good story, and I’m just as happy to follow the dramatic saga in Swift’s “Love Story” as Johnny Cash’s silly tale in “A Boy Named Sue.” The delivery is certainly different, but the meaning is still the same: Country remains the “music of the people.” People change and therefore so will their music, but the essence of the country genre will always be honest lyrics and homegrown melodies.
Unlike political parties, musical genres can thrive when their base is split. Sure, Swift took home the big prizes, but the fact that the CMA’s routinely acknowledge (and award) the guitar-pickin’ stylings of Brad Paisley, the time-honored voice of George Strait and the Southern harmonies of Lady Antebellum indicate the genre’s roots are alive and well. Country fans should be celebrating that the music they love is able to speak “across party lines” while simultaneously staying true to its core. Perhaps the GOP can learn a little something from Miss Taylor Swift.
Kathryn Manning Sheriff is a JMU alumna (’08)and former Opinion writer for The Breeze.
Contact Kathryn Manning Sheriff at kathrynmsheriff@gmail.com
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17 Responses to “Country Music Controversy”
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Heavens, the controversary over traditional country vs country pop and country rock did not just start with Swift. This has been going on for years and years. If I had to name a specific time when the wide divide was really there I would say 1989. But, some people would put it back a lot futher than that. What an uproar over John Denver and Olivia Newton John winning country awards…so much so that some artiss formed ACE.
I think the bigger controversy with the Swift wins and Underwood before her if that they came on the scene and then bingo they are winning the top awards. They did not “pay their dues.” ones needs to work your way up the ladder. That is how it is done. Sure that can change but it remains to be seen if it is a good then to win the top honors so early. WIll these artists just as Swift and Underwood have longevity in the business. They will not win awards forever. WIll they be able to go onand have even greater success when they are no longer winning awards. Awards open doors. But, does longevity need the coming up the ladder before the awards come in order to have a shot at longevity. Time will tell. Most artists do not win awards at all. Of those that do win awards, only a small portion of them go on to become legends in the business. I think longevity is needed to go on to greater success after the award years. It remains to be seen if I am right.
Then, the other thing with the Swift wins. Many are saying she cannot sing. I tend to agreed but I say this simply because the few times I have seen her do live performances on TV…she is not a singer. Does she deserve female vocalist if she cannot sing. That is something being discussed these days. Underwood can sing.
So, I do not really thing the disagreements today are really over traditional vs. whatever country music. Many who like traditional have fallen away from the newer country music and are not fans of it and have not been for many years. They will say I like country music…the old country music and not todays country…but todays country goes back to at least 1989. But, these people are not griping about the sound of todays country. They do not like it and have dealt with it in their own way long before now.
I am a Taylor Swift fan and I do agree that Taylor Swift brought lots of attention and lots of new fans to Country Music but that’s because in my honest opinion she is being labeled off as a Country Singer and has her songs played on both Country and Pop Stations. I am originally from Brooklyn, NY and every time I go back to visit I blast Country Music. As you know New York doesn’t know much about Country Music as Country Music is rarely ever played there and there are no Country Stations there at the moment. The last time I went to NYC I blasted Country Music and all my friends who either didn’t know what Country Music is or were Country Music haters couldn’t get enough of Keith Urban’s music. If Keith Urban’s “I wanna kiss a girl” or Lady Antebellum’s “Need You now” were played on Pop Stations I guarantee you they would both be HUGE hits. A friend of mine told me how he was listening to a top 40 station in Brooklyn, NY and he heard someone call up and request Lady Antebellum and the DJ hadn’t a clue who they were. I honestly believe that MANY of today’s standards for what’s considered a Country Song could grab the attention of Pop lovers.
In my honest opinion, the 90’s were my FAVORITE decade of Country Music and still MANY people would have considered the 90’s as too pop.
Today’s Country Music is seriously destroying Country Music’s reputation. Don’t get me wrong. I happen to like today’s stuff but it honestly doesn’t have that Country feel that Country Music used to have. I know with today’s Country Music my friends won’t be teasing me as much as 90’s Country Music but that’s because today’s Country Music hardly sounds Country.
In my opinion Keith Urban should have won Entertainer of the Year. He has worked hard for it for MANY years.
If Taylor Swift is a genuine Country Singer then how come she allows non-Country Stations to use a pop beat instead of a Country Music beat on her songs?
I remember Kelly Pickler saying that she would NEVER let any non-Country Stations alter the beat to her music. She said that she sings Country and if other stations refuse to play her music because it sounds Country so then let it be it. Now that’s being loyal to the Country Music genre.
There are sooo MANY genuine Country Singers that do NOT get the recognition that they sooo deserve.
Billy Currington
Emerson Drive
Chris Young
Jason Aldean
Reba McEntire
Gretchen Wilson
Josh Turner,
Craig Morgan,
Lee Ann Womack
Jake Owen
To name a few.
If you are going to sing Country then sing authentic Country Music otherwise Country Music Stations should change their names to Country Pop.
It reminds me of when I called up 99.5 The Wolf in Dallas, TX and they refused to play “Hal Ketchum - One More Midnight Rider” because in their opinion it sounded too Country and the ironic thing was that they were a Country Station but they were trying to attract a younger audience by ONLY playing Country Pop. It’s ridiculous!
I am NOT even a Carrie Underwood fan but even I have to admit that she sooo deserved the Female Vocalist Award and NOT Taylor who can’t keep a note.
I also don’t feel that Taylor Swift deserved to win the Entertainer of the Year award. I honestly believe that the Country Music Industry takes one or two people and ONLY focuses to publicize those acts.
I agree with you that today’s Country Music doesn’t at all sound like Country Music but at the same time I do believe that it is bringing a younger audience into Country Music. Maybe some of these youngsters hear a KOOL Country Rock song and they might be saying “WOW” this sounds GREAT and they start listening to Country Music a little more often and they start liking some of the REAL Country stuff?
I am only 27 yrs old but I got quite a few of my friends into liking some Country Music by first playing them some of the Country Rock stuff so they saw that some Country Music is actually KOOL and then after a while some of my friends started enjoying and appreciating the REAL Country Music sound. Start by the lighter sounds of Country and then slowly they start getting used to hearing a heavier and heavier country music sound.
Anyways since there seems to be such a HUGE argument over the new Country stuff and the old Country stuff why not Country Radio break it up into 2 genres. Have some Country stations called a Country Pop/Rock stations and other stations called a Country Music Station? This way y’all can pick and choose.
Thanks for your GREAT post and have yourself a GREAT evening!!
My hometown of Tamworth is considered the Australian equivalent (or as close as any town can be) of Nashville. Each year since 1973, the city has hosted a country music festival, which has grown from a little awards presentation for Australasian country music to a couple of weeks of diverse and wonderful music and various awards presentations, cultural exhibits and markets. Even people who don’t normally like country music enjoy the atmosphere of the festival and the great mood of the town. The facilities which host the entertainment have changed from just the old town hall to about 53 different places around the city. You get buskers in the street (where many great Australian musicians started…including Keith Urban) to clubs, pubs and a new entertainment centre. I was at a club there last year when a lot of young people in the top talent quest got up and sang and played, and an old stager said “That ain’t country, that ain’t Johnny Cash.” He said this about 15 times. The thing is, Tamworth and other places hosting country music present country rock, country blues, celtic country, bluegrass, country and western, etc. 90 percent of the bands and the crowds at Tamworth were made up of young people. They want music that means something and that tells a story. They want music that they will remember in 20 years and not a lot of bubblegum stuff. I prefer Reba and Trish and Alan and Randy and Mary Chapin Carpenter best too, but there is still room for everybody.
Ms. Sheriff makes a compelling argument, but like the Republican party much of country music’s rift is internal.
The old timers, like Cash, Haggard and Porter Wagoner, are forced to look outside the Nashville labels to get new music releases and anyone that creates music that doesn’t hew closely to whatever is “hot” right now does not et the time of day. It’s a business, not an arts program.
The newly emerging Americana label allows a lot of these “traditional” country artists a home and, in my opinion, houses much more interesting work than the narrow official country music genre will allow.
I do not think Taylor Swift can sing. All of her songs sound the same. If you have heard one you have heard them all. I like the older country groups, only because they sing about true country things. The newer one sing alot of rockabilly type of music. But Taylor does not sing country at all.
That´s not country music but southern american pop.
Plain and simple.
They have “stolen” the country music industry and transformed in Barbieland.
George Jones said recently they should look for a name for this new style. He was right. Rock and roll was in the country music lists in the 50´s but evolved and left them, it´s time for this new style, nashpop, to grow up and leave the familiar home. Americana did it, why not them?
Taylor Swift and Johnny Cash compared? what a bad joke. Listen to his Man In Black song and you´ll find the difference.
Perhaps you should listen more Kris Kristofferson, Bobby Flores, Dale Watson, Heather Myles, Leland Martin, Jason Allen, Johnny Bush, Josh Turner or Patty Loveless to remember what you are missing: original country music.
Thanks, everyone, for your comments. I do think it’s fun to see how people get so enthusiastic about country music–as a lifelong country fan, it warms my heart to see people care enough to write these comments.
Obviously we all agree and disagree in various places, and certainly that will always be the case. I do want to make a point to those of you who mentioned that young singers like Swift and Underwood need to “pay their dues” before winning. I would definitely disagree. The award is called “Entertainer of the YEAR” because it is about the YEAR that has passed, not a lifetime. Perhaps this would have been a good fact to include my article, but Taylor Swift was the highest-selling artist this year outside of Michael Jackson. She toured with every single other artist who was nominated for Entertainer. She was, truly, a proven entertainer this past year. She owned it. She she drew huge crowds, she sold millions upon millions of records, and she became an icon. She was a remarkable entertainer, like her or not, and her award reflected the fact that she stole the stage.
As to the comment about “pop beats,” I totally agree that those stupid driving beats make the music sound worse. I much prefer “Love Story” in its original acoustic version as opposed to the “poppy” version. Same with “Teardrops on my Guitar.” But again, I point back to Swift’s original hit “Tim McGraw.” That is a country song if I’ve ever heard one. The other ones are, too, without those stupid beats. You can call Swift a “traitor” for allowing her music to be altered, but Tim McGraw himself has done that–ever heard the “rock” version of “I Like It, I Love It”? I hate it, personally, but it’s extra-rocky just for those people who prefer that. If we disowned any person who allowed their music to be changed for a different audience, we would be excommunicating many people from the country genre.
Perhaps, once again, country purists are being a bit narrow and exclusive. Some of music’s greats have been cross-over artists (I didn’t bring up Elvis for nothin’), and we need not villianize every person who’s music doesn’t sound like Hank Williams, Jr. or Patsy Cline. Let’s face it, their style wouldn’t be popular right now. And I don’t know of many modern country songs that sound much like those artists. Be honest–that’s just not “in” right now. But do Williams and Cline represent the ONLY thing that country can sound like? I don’t think so…otherwise, we have no true country singers left. That’s why I talk about the “essence” of the genre–the sound of it will change, the meat of it will remain. Country music has always evolved, but this one really seems to have people wound up for some reason.
Country Music defined
Whether or not someone is country, is hard to define now days. Language with its many definitions is constantly changing and is being re-defined everyday. Country music started out as a WAY of life not some genre or style of music. Country music was born from America’s backcountry rural farm and rancher type people, not city folk. The roots of country music came from hard working people who were generally poor and had little or no entertainment but to sit in the shade after a long hard days work on the front porch or wherever and express his or her soul of ordinary country life lived everyday in the form of music. Most of the instruments used back then were homemade guitars, fiddles, banjos, mandolins, and what not. Over a period of time, music of this nature developed into a genre or style and became very popular. The genre, “Country Music” was born.
Now days just because someone produces a certain sound or style, they feel they are country. The problem is… that certain sound has evolved over the years into something entirely different than it’s roots, not only the music but also the lyrics. Country music is no longer clearly defined as country. There has always been a rift and lack of understanding between country people and city people. Country people feel they are more closely in touch with the land and therefore feel more of a simple down home connection with nature and the earth with it’s way of life. City folk commonly do not have the same connection with the country way of life and therefore do not feel or express their souls with the same style of music. Consequently, Country music and city music have been mostly very different in lyric style and musical score. Now that most feel it’s all about the style or genre instead of a way of life, the true definition of country music has been lost. Genre’s and musical categories are subject to constant change…not so with the country way of life. The country way of life and its people change very slowly if at all.
Because of this, the genre or style of country music has changed dramatically as more and more city people have gained access to the country music industry. It takes lots of money to produce music and push it over the airwaves. City people seem to have more of the green stuff so naturally the style of country music has been altered by people who were born in the city and have very little real connection with the original grass roots country music sound. Like it or not, this is the TRUE definition of COUNTRY MUSIC!
I agree with the person that said the music industry takes one act and promotes that act and drives that artist into the ground and shoves them down the fans throats until you are sick of that person…case in point Taylor Swift! She was over marketed…IMO. I thought when she first came out she was cute and sweet, but her live singing was horrible and still is. If she has a good night, she might hit a note or two. The difference in her and the others that were heavily promoted….Gretchen Wilson, Carrie Underwood….they can sing, especially Carrie..never was a fan of Gretchen’s. But the pitiful opening that Taylor did for the CMAs the other night was so embarrassing and no where near anything to do with a Country Music show and the same with her show(concert doesn’t apply here, because it was so rehearsed and choreographed. I saw her the night she opened for Keith Urban and man, what a difference in these performances. Keith out sang, out performed and brought the house down. Her little teeny bopper show was like a Disney musical. I am sure all the little young girls enjoyed it but at my age, that is not what I buy a ticket to a country concert to see!! You all that support her can have her. SHE IS AND NEVER WILL BE ANYTHING TO DO WITH COUNTRY MUSIC! I don’t care if she sold more records or was more in demand, she is not as great as the music industry promoters and all the music execs make her out to be. I don’t care that she was on Oprah, Ellen, SNL or any of these shows. I only care how she performs on stage, what type music she sings and so far, she is not what I want when I watch the CMAs, ACMs or anything to do with country music. If all the other artist were like her…..oooooh parish that thought! I believe she won’t be around for the long haul, people will tire of her because IMO, she’s a passing fad. If not, then you fans of hers can keep on seeing her choreographed shows and Disney performances and hearing her make fun of the boys that have dumped her in all her songs. She did not deserve EOTY and especially FVOTY. Even the other nominees that sang on the show out sang her! Of all the thousands that complained about her, surely we all cannot be wrong.
“Perhaps you should listen more Kris Kristofferson, Bobby Flores, Dale Watson, Heather Myles, Leland Martin, Jason Allen, Johnny Bush, Josh Turner or Patty Loveless to remember what you are missing: original country music.”
Thanks for the suggestions, but they are not needed–like I said, I’ve been a country fan since I was old enough to sing. Believe it or not, it is possible to enjoy Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Patty Loveless, Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, The Statler Brothers (Yes, I love them!), the occasional Oakridge Boys AND Taylor Swift and still maintain your sanity. Forgive me, but the somewhat aggressive and exclusive comments like yours are what make people feel ostracized in their own genre.
Oh Vicky Bergfeld get over yourself.
Country music is a wide spectra of styles: Honky Tonk, Traditional, Bluegrass, western swing…Thats why i love country music so much. I never get bored. Its always something new to listen too. As long it never forgets its roots…
But when you involve rock and pop ( a different genre) into country music where do you draw the line consider its still country? How much pop and rock can you put in country music and still call it country?
If you lookin at CMA - Awards and Nashville you really cant say you hearin country cause it lost is heart and soul.
In Taylor Swifts music, and many more singers, i can’ t find country music nowwhere. I mean shes just a pop and rock artist who takes advantage of an already established genre. Nashville has stolen the name and indentity country, flirting with pop and rock listeners just to make more money.
They have change the sound into less country( or none at all) so more people would be attracted to it, listen to it, and buy it.
If you start wonder if its country, its probably not!
Those who like and make country that still got roots (like Dale Watson) can’ t even say country anymore cause its already been taken (stolen) so they have to come up with a new name or what?? Make their own award with music that still got roots in their music?
I think music you hear in CMA- Awards and Nashville should come up with a new name to better describe their music, cause the certainly not makin country music. I think that kind of music doesnt belongs in country music…But if these people doesn’ t change and is the future of country music i dont want to be part of that industry. In that case i dont listen to country music, my favourite music has no name…
First of all:
I don’t give a BLEEP how many records Taylor sells (first of all, it’s only because she has little teeny bopper fangirls), that girl cannot sing her way out of a paper bag and in no way shape or form does she deserve ANY award with the word “Vocalist” in it.
Second of all:
I don’t know why everyone thinks Carrie Underwood ISN’T country. Listen to her lyrics, listen to the production….she has ONE song that is played on Adult Contemporary Radio, “Before He Cheats”, which is no doubt a country song. “Inside Your Heaven” was briefly played after she won Idol, but that was a required single release from 19 and the AI production staff. She has never remixed any of her songs, and all of her albums are country….not boondocks country, but country never the less. Rascal Flatts is borderline. But Taylor is just flat out pop. The entire Fearless album is a joke, not one of those songs is appropriate for country radio. And then to make matters worse, all she does is remix her songs to sound even more pop. It’s ridiculous!
Third:
Taylor’s reaction to winning is so phony it’s unbelieveable. Why are you people buying into this garbage? Can’t you see right through her? She’s so full of herself, this is all going to her head. She is the most overrated singer I have EVER seen. And no, her songwriting skills are not anything special and yes, they ARE way overrated.
Taylor Swift:
1) Can’t sing.
2) Isn’t country.
3) Is NOT a good entertainer (as someone said, her shows are like Disney musicals).
4) Is about half as good of a songwriter as she is hyped up to be.
5) Cannot sing.
6) Is way overrated.
7) Has little tween fangirls that only started liking her when she started remixing her songs and that’s why she’s so damn popular all of the sudden.
Oh yeah, did I mention that she CAN’T SING??? I am still scratching my head at the CMA wins, and I suggest that everyone who defends Taylor Swift get their ears checked. She is the worst singer in music today, and yet she’s also the most successful. It’s a joke.
Could Carine possibly be Miley Cyrus in disguise??? Sounds like a lot of bitterness there…
Thanks again for more comments. I do have to wonder, though what credentials all of these commenters have in order to pronounce condemning judgment on Swift’s talents? Seems to me she CAN sing, otherwise she wouldn’t have a record deal, let alone plenty of awards and sales to her name. Perhaps you don’t like the style of her voice and that’s your prerogative, but as much as you might hate to admit it, she is talented. Your opinions don’t negate her abilities. Millions of people can’t be THAT wrong, unless you’re talking about politics.
Unfortunately entertainers like Swift often fall victim to overzealous female criticism. Female singers and other celebrities are hammered by their own gender, namely because we women are so superb at being critical. I’ll admit I’m quick to bash Lindsay Lohan, Miley Cyrus and every other “good girl” who turns out to be…well, pretty darn trashy. Swift’s critics, especially the female ones, will find plenty of reasons to criticize her: she seems “Disney,” her dresses are too sparkly, her face is weird, her voice is too high, her guitar is shiny, her blond hair looks bleached, she has too many teeny-bopper fans, some of her songs add pop beats, her name could also be a boy’s name, etc. I don’t expect everyone to like her, or to agree with me, but we chicas need to take a chill-pill when it comes to projecting our own insecurities onto successful women.
I think this is more serious and devastating than just Taylor Swift. Its a mass problem with an attitude that started long before Swift. If these people doesnt come up with a new name or label for their music, i dont want to be part of callin myself listen to country music, even if it is. Of course my music still be out there, but its a cryin shame that the name country has been robbed and abducted to rock and pop people.
Remember the roots makin country music!