About.com Country Music

What Exactly Is Country Music? The Debate Rages On...

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:20:16 +0000

The fallout from last week's CMA awards is very heated here in Music City, and people are taking sides! The debate really centers on the landside victory for Taylor Swift and her four major awards, including the big kahuna, Entertainer of the Year. My last blog post received a number of very heated comments, with the vast majority falling squarely in the "Taylor Swift isn't country!" camp.

So I ask you: Just what the heck is country music anyway?

There has been debate for many years about the blurring of the lines between country, pop and rock-and-roll. In the more modern country era, many point to Shania Twain's meteoric rise to superstardom as a moment when country music lost its identity (I say "a" moment instead of "the" moment because throughout the history of country music, there have been a number of "moments" where some believe country lost its identity. More on that in a bit.)

So, should we blame Shania? Virtually all of her music crossed-over onto the pop charts regularly. Perhaps more of the blame should be shouldered by her husband at the time, Mutt Lange, who was also her producer and co-songwriter. Mutt came to country music through Shania, but his credentials were pure rock-and-roll. He produced some of the biggest names in the business, including AC/DC, Foreigner, The Cars, Bryan Adams and Def Leppard, who apparently are the new darlings of country thanks to Tim McGraw appearing on their latest album, as well as their highly-watched CMT Crossroads special with Taylor Swift.

Fast-forward to today, however, and Taylor Swift's cross-over appeal easily trumps Shania's. Every one of Taylor's eight country singles has crossed-over very high onto the pop charts. Her cross-over appeal is unmatched in the modern era.

So the debate rages on. Just what is country? Is Rascal Flatts country? What about Keith Urban or Faith Hill? And just who determines what the definition of country music is anyway?

Back when country legends like Eddy Arnold and Ray Price traded their blue jeans for tuxedos and started crooning like Frank Sinatra, people cried "foul!" To combat the smooth orchestrations of this new Nashville Sound, along came the hard-driving Bakersfield Sound with its loud drums and twin Fender Telecaster assault on the ears. People cried "foul!" then, too, saying it was too rock-and-roll to be country. And that was over 40 years ago!

So I ask you: Just what in the world is country music anyway? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

Photo � Mercury Nashville

What Exactly Is Country Music? The Debate Rages On... originally appeared on About.com Country Music on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 14:20:16.

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Tim McGraw and Friends Work the Red Carpet for His New Movie

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:54:58 +0000

Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Lady Antebellum, Julianne Hough and a host of other Nashville celebrities worked the red carpet for Tim's upcoming movie with Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side (release date: Friday, November 20, 2009). Based on Michael Lewis' 2006 best-selling book, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game, the film details the true-story of Michael Oher, a large, homeless and under-educated African-American kid who is taken in and adopted by a rich white couple, portrayed by McGraw and Bullock. Early reviews have been excellent for Tim, and there's even some serious Oscar buzz for Sandra's performance.

Oher eventually became an All-American offensive tackle for the University of Mississippi football team, and the fairytale became complete when he was taken in the first round of the 2009 N.F.L. draft by the Baltimore Ravens. Of the movie and Tim's performance, his wife, Faith Hill, said, "It's a great film, and he does a great job."

Other celebs on the red carpet included Randy Travis, Barbara Mandrell, Kix Brooks, Rodney Atkins and Wynonna.

Tim's movie career continues to move along nicely, but he made no bones about his preference for music over film-making. "I love being onstage," he said. "I think every kid grows up wanting to be onstage, slinging your hair around and sweating and playing music. It doesn't get any better than that."

Photo � Curb

Tim McGraw and Friends Work the Red Carpet for His New Movie originally appeared on About.com Country Music on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 11:54:58.

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Taylor Swift Makes CMA History

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:17:11 +0000

Wow! Some people saw it coming, while others, including myself, predicted that Music City's political machine might make Taylor Swift pay a few more dues before giving her the big tamale, the CMA for Entertainer of the Year. How wrong I was! But I was happy for her, and there's simply no denying that based on sales, radio airplay, concert sell-outs, television appearances, you name it, she's definitely at the top of the heap in country music.

Taylor's big night started early when she took home the coveted Album of the Year award, which Nashville insiders really hold in high esteem as the one award given for true artistic integrity. When Taylor won that trophy, I had an inkling that she was in for a landslide victory. Oh, and how great was it when Little Jimmy Dickens crashed the stage ala Kanye West and dissed Brad Paisley on his way to fawning all over Taylor! Classic.

At age 19, Taylor became the youngest person ever named the CMA Entertainer of the Year. "In this moment, everything I have ever wanted just happened to me," a stunned Taylor told the crowd. She then invited her band onto the stage and recognized each of them by name, which was a nice touch.

The other big surprise of the evening was Lady Antebellum taking home a couple of major awards, including Single of the Year and an upset victory in the Vocal Group of the Year category, a trophy that was in danger of being re-named the Rascal Flatts Award after their six consecutive victories before last night.

Beyond the hilarious Little Jimmy Dickens poke at Kanye West, my personal favorite moments included the Zac Brown Band's performance of Charlie Daniels' classic song, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," as well as Jamey Johnson's acceptance speech where he meekly admitted that he "didn't think they even let people like me into places like this." Another performance I really enjoyed was Lady Antebellum singing "Need You Now" with snow falling from the rafters of the Nashville's Sommet Center.

I'd love to hear what your personal highlights were for the show, as well as how you thought Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood did as co-hosts.

Photo � Big Machine Records

Taylor Swift Makes CMA History originally appeared on About.com Country Music on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 12:17:11.

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Taylor Swift Earns Top BMI Honors

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:37:03 +0000

Taylor Swift, Kris Kristofferson, Brooks and Dunn and others were honored last night at the 57th annual BMI Country Awards. The invitation-only black-tie event was attended by a who's who list of Music City swells and industry big-shots.

Swift received top honors for her wildly-successful single, "Love Story," which was named BMI's Song of the Year. To date, "Love Story" has racked up just about every major award and achievement possible, including being the year's best-selling country song and the most-downloaded country single in history. We'll know in a few hours whether she takes home Best Video honors at tonight's CMA awards show. Swift is also up for the Female Vocalist of the Year award, Album of the Year, and the big kahuna, Entertainer of the Year. No word yet on Kanye West's where-a-bouts.

In addition to honoring the songwriters, producers and publishers behind the top 50 songs of 2009, Brooks and Dunn, who have won more Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association awards than any other act, took home the BMI President's Award for their influence on country music.

The evening's shining moment, however, went to Kristofferson, who was named a BMI icon. Willie Nelson, Patty Griffin and Vince Gill all took turns performing Kristofferson songs, who later admitted telling Willie before the show that he wasn't looking forward to all the commotion in his honor. Willie fired back that the joy in watching Kris squirm at all the attention was all the motivation he needed to attend the event.

What's your favorite Kristofferson song? Mine's always been "Sunday Morning Coming Down." Feel free to write in your favorite down below.

Photo � Big Machine Records

Taylor Swift Earns Top BMI Honors originally appeared on About.com Country Music on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 13:37:03.

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Nashville Is Gearing Up for the Big CMA Party

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:25:18 +0000

"The 43rd Annual CMA Awards" takes place in downtown Nashville at the Sommet Center (home of the Nashville Predators of the N.H.L.) and will air live on ABC on Wednesday, November 11 at 8/7 c. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood are co-hosting the show.

The roster of talent performing this year is impressive and includes a number of non-country artists, which will undoubtedly infuse some different flavor into the event.

So far, the list of confirmed performers includes (in alphabetical order): Jason Aldean, Brooks and Dunn, Kenny Chesney with Dave Matthews, Vince Gill with Daughtry (that should be interesting!), Jamey Johnson with Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and the Zac Brown Band.

As of Monday morning, there were a couple of hundred tickets still available, but those should be snapped up before the day is through. Also, if you're planning to attend the show, be sure to keep an eye out for road closures in an around downtown Nashville. One major street, Demonbreun Avenue, has already been closed down in certain sections. Check the local paper or news for other traffic adjustments on the day of the show.

If you do attend the CMA's, please share your experience with us below!

Photo � UMGNashville

Nashville Is Gearing Up for the Big CMA Party originally appeared on About.com Country Music on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 16:25:18.

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Country Stars Open Their Homes on Primetime TV

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:44:06 +0000

Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Loretta Lynn and Vince Gill are among the stars giving tours of their homes and sitting down to talk with "Good Morning America's" Robin Roberts.

Airing Tuesday, November 10 at 10 p.m. E.T. on ABC, "In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts: Big Lights. Bright Stars. All Access Nashville" will also feature a number of up-and-coming performers, including Loretta's granddaughter, Tayla Lynn, and Vince's daughter, Jenny Gill.

"In The Spotlight" takes its cameras to Checotah, Oklahoma to visit Carrie Underwood, who gives Roberts a personal tour of her hometown. She also opens up about her personal life, including her current relationship with professional hockey player, Mike Fisher. Carrie also breaks out the home videos of her childhood, including footage of her all dolled-up for beauty pageants and singing in various grade school productions.

Next up is Tim McGraw, who gives Roberts a tour of his family farm, which is just south of Nashville, I believe. He talks about being a dad, Faith Hill's husband, and the difficult relationship he had with his father, Hall of Fame pitcher, Tug McGraw. Tim also spoke about how he and his father reconciled shortly before his death in 2004.

I'm especially interested in watching Martina McBride's segment because she lives just two minutes down the road from me. And her crib is awesome! (Well, from the road, anyway...). You can always tell when Martina's out touring because that big red monster of a tour bus she parks next to her palace is gone.

Photo � RCA

Country Stars Open Their Homes on Primetime TV originally appeared on About.com Country Music on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 14:44:06.

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Dolly, Charlie Daniels among New Inductees to Music City Walk of Fame

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:12:28 +0000

Dolly Parton, Ernest Tubb, Charlie Daniels, Kid Rock and "Tootsie" Bess, the owner and founder of the landmark Nashville honky tonk, Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, have been announced as the seventh class of inductees into Nashville's Music City Walk of Fame. They will be honored with the unveiling of commemorative sidewalk medallions on Sunday, November 8 at the Hall of Fame Park in downtown Nashville. Each stainless steel medallion will display the artist's name in a star-and-guitar design.

Including this induction class, 42 stars have been honored by the Music City Walk of Fame, which was created in 2006 as a tribute to artists from any musical genre who have contributed to the unique musical heritage of Nashville. Former inductees include Hank Williams, Elvis, Little Richard, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell and Jimi Hendrix.

The really notable inductee in this class is Hattie Louise "Tootsie" Bess, who in 1960 purchased a bar called Mom's right across the alley the Ryman Auditorium, which for decades was the home of the Grand Ole Opry. The bar's name was changed to Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, and it quickly became a favored watering hole and small venue for some of country's biggest singer-songwriters to mingle and air out new material on stage. Legends like Tom T. Hall, Kris Kristofferson, Roger Miller, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings all spent countless hours at Tootsie's, which still packs in locals and tourists for cold beer and great music to this day.

Put Tootsie's on your short list if you're ever in Nashville!

Photo � Matt Carr/Getty Images

Dolly, Charlie Daniels among New Inductees to Music City Walk of Fame originally appeared on About.com Country Music on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 00:12:28.

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Carrie Underwood Tapes CMT Special

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:56:02 +0000

The Carrie Underwood promotion machine is already in high gear to support her upcoming CD, Play On, which has a November 3 release date.

In addition to the recent video debut of her CD's first single, "Cowboy Casanova," Carrie is scheduled to perform live in Nashville with her CMA Awards Show co-host, Brad Paisley, on Good Morning America on Tuesday, November 10 on ABC. The concert takes place on the outside plaza of the Sommet Center at the corner of Broadway and Fifth Avenue and is free and open to the public.

If you happen to be in the area and wish to attend, take my advice and get there good and early because it's going to be an absolute madhouse in downtown Music City that morning. And be sure to schedule time after the event to hang out in some of Nashville's famous honky-tonks, which are right across the street from the Sommet Center. It's bound to be a big party all afternoon and evening long.

Carrie has also finished taping a special for CMT, titled "Invitation Only: Carrie Underwood," which will premier on Tuesday, December 1 at 9 p.m. E.S.T. Taped before a live audience, she performed a number of her biggest hits, including "Before He Cheats" and "Last Name." She also performed her new single, "Cowboy Casanova." The evening's biggest treat, however, was Carrie fielding questions from the audience. Word has it she was very revealing and candid with a number of her responses.

Carrie Underwood Tapes CMT Special originally appeared on About.com Country Music on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 13:56:02.

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Breakfast with Alan Jackson

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:11:09 +0000

Listen up Alan Jackson fans! You are invited to drop by the Cracker Barrel restaurant in the Nashville suburb of Mount Juliet on Monday, November 2 at 9 a.m. to meet Alan and have items signed from the new Alan Jackson Collection. He had a hand in designing each item in the 41-piece collection, and it's all available exclusively at Cracker Barrel restaurants nationwide.

Notable pieces include the Alan Jackson Limited Edition Rocker (rocking chair) and the CD Songs of Love and Heartache, which includes such hits as "Here in the Real World," "Livin' on Love" and "Remember When." As a bonus, the CD also contains two new singles, "That's What I'd Be Like Without You" and "Nothing Sure Looked Good on You."

Of his life-long relationship with Cracker Barrel, Alan said, "I grew up in the South. It has been a part of my family since I was a young man. I've been very impressed with the variety and quality of the items we've put together. I think my fans and their families will appreciate everything in the collection."

Numbered tickets for the event will be distributed on a first come, first served basis, and no one is allowed to get in line for the tickets before 6 a.m., so no camping out! Cracker Barrel will serve breakfast throughout the event, which ends at 11 a.m.

If you're able to attend, post a comment here and tell us about meeting Alan!

Breakfast with Alan Jackson originally appeared on About.com Country Music on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 18:11:09.

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Celebrate the Season with Sara Evans

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:14:04 +0000

For those of you looking for some early stocking-stuffer ideas, Sara Evans is helping to kick off this holiday season with a new four-song digital Christmas EP followed by a 12-city holiday concert tour.

The digital EP, titled I'll Be Home for Christmas, will be available for download on November 3 and features the holiday favorites "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and "O Come All Ye Faithful," plus an inspiring rendition of "Go Tell It on the Mountain." The EP's biggest treat is a duet between Sara and Brad Paisley on the song "New Again."

On November 27, Sara will launch her Celebrate the Season concert tour, which will play primarily in the western United States. In addition to performing many of her biggest hits, Sara will also sing traditional holiday songs and carols. The 12-date tour concludes on December 14 in Greeley, Colorado.

Meet and greets are available at each show. Visit Sara's official website for more information.

Photo � Robert Ashcroft/RCA Nashville

Celebrate the Season with Sara Evans originally appeared on About.com Country Music on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 19:14:04.

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