Middle America's soul:If you want to understand (USA), turn that dial to a country-music station

the economist ^

[bannie]

As a woman from Bakersfield, may I thank you for appreciating Mr. Haggard. My son is friends of one of his nieces...they were in Children of the American Revolution together.

[csmusaret]

I grew up in Pixley watching the Cousin Herb Henson Show. I am also a big Don Ritch fan.

[bannie]

My best friend through most of high school was a Mellow--Mellow's Towing, just south of Pixley.

:-) It's a small world!

[csmusaret]

Small indeed. One of the Mellows was a mail carrier. I left Calif in 1964 and haven't lived there since. Still have a sister in Shafter.

[Arizona Carolyn]

I'm with you. I love country music and would like nothing better than for Garth Brooks to come back out of retirement.

Better kids learn to appreciate Country Music and love our Country than listen to Rap Music and learn to hate our Country.

[NaughtiusMaximus]

More than anything else, it tends to be music that tells stories, which I tend to like in whatever genre.

Back when the world was young, I was an English major. The style of music which you like, the kind that tells a story, is called the "ballad". That's very good, one of the oldest forms of literature.

[Gunny P]

Long Live the the music of Bob Wills, Ernest Tubb and Hank Snow...and many others including a pot full of Bluegrass groups...of course, still think Hendrix and Clapton are great and no serious "pop" been created since the Eagles broke up...then there's the Blues.. :-)

[Grimmy]

there appears to be the beginings of a "sea change" in some quarters. The CW music and fan base has always been stalwart and for that deserves much praise.

But there is this kind of thing starting up from the "speed metal-rap" type as well.

These are the lyrics of a song by Stuck Mojo called "Open Season" (not exactly work safe so I edited a bit)

Open Season
Music: Ward
Lyrics: Aborn, Nelson
String Arrangement: Eric Frampton

I speak peace when peace is spoken, But I speak war when your hate is provoking, The season is open 24-7-365, Man up yo time to ride, No need to hide behind slogans of deceit, Claiming that you're a religion of peace, We just don't believe you, We can clearly see through, The madness that you're feeding your people, Jihad the cry of your unholy war, Using the willing, the weak and poor, From birth drowning in propaganda, rhetoric and slander, All we can say is damn ya

My forefathers fought and died for this here
I'm stronger than your war of fear
Are we clear?
If you step in my hood
It's understood
It's open season

I don't need a faith that's blind, Where death and hate bring me peace of mind, With views that are stuck deep in the seventh century, So much sand in your eyes to blind to see, The venom that you leaders preach, Is the path to your own destruction, Your own demise, You might say that I don't understand but your disgust for me is what I realize, Surprise!
Your homicidal ways has got the whole world watching, Whole world scoping, So if you bring it to my home base, Best believe it, The season's open

I see you, Hell yeah I see you, M

---

r naw, I don't wanna be you, If you come to my place, I'll drop more than just some bass, Yo you'll get a taste of a, Sick m

---

r from the Dirty, I ain't worrying not a f*****g bit, I'm telescoping like Hubble, Yo you in trouble, Yo on the double, I'm wild with mine, Bring that style with mine, ***k with my family I'll end your line, Just the way it is, Just the way it be, Do you understand? No matter if you're woman or man, or child, My profile is crazy, That ***t you do doesn't amaze me, I'm ready to blaze thee

I don't give a damn what god you claim, I've seen the innocent that you've slain, On my streets you're just fair game, Like a pig walk to your slaughter, The heat here is so much hotter, And my views won't teeter totter or fluctuate, Step to me you just met your fate, And I'll annihilate, With the skill of a Shogun assassin, Slicing and dicing precise with a passion, In any shape form or fashion, Bring it to my home, Welcome to the danger zone, Cause your attitude's the reason, The triggers keep squeezing, The hunt is on and it's open season

It's Open Season

_____

This song was posted on youtube as a music video and it has sparked a firestorm.

The group is providing this and everyother song on their latest album "Southern Born Killers" for free download. If you think that Open Season was a "one off" I would suggest you consider listening to "For the Cause of Allah" (spoken piece, no speed metal or rap in it), Prelude to Anger (also not a speed/rap piece) and finish with I'm American. These guys are speaking from their hearts and make that real clear on their forums.

[durasell]

Middle America's soul:If you want to understand (USA), turn that dial to a country-music station






Uh, okay -- all the women cheat and all the men are drunk in a pick-up truck.

[Freedom4US]

Don Williams songs are always well crafted, and his sense of rhythm and timing unmatched. "I Believe in You" might be an example. Some of the modern country music is way too plastic w/ formula lyrics, like they are working backwards through an advertising agency. whatever sells, I guess. If I hear "Lets talk about me" one more time, I'm gonna hurl.

[Uncle Meat]

I favor the "hippie" country stuff.Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen,New Riders of the Purple Sage,Flying Burrito Brothers.I do love Charlie Daniels and David Allen Coe's stuff.Can't stand the New Wave pretty boy country crap.

[Paulus]

I really cannot appreciate C/W music. I listen to a song here and there but most of those could also be called poop.

I always think it is funny is how fast the C/W performers are at coming to market with tribute songs to memoralize some sort of tragedy...

[durasell]

Hank Williams Sr., who IMHO is largely misunderstood, was a bonafide genius. I'd put Willie Nelson close to him.

What we have now is a bunch of pandering morons who sound more like pop than country.

[killjoy]

Mojo Nixon. The only country worth listenin to.

[durasell]

Elvis really is everywhere....

[durasell]

Plus, Kris Kristofferson has the best resume of anyone, ever.

[Paulus]

I could not agree with you more. Most appear to be selling faces and image not music.

[durasell]

It's a business. They have to sell a bunch of seats to concerts and a bunch of CD or downloads to stay in business. So they pander. Not that different than what Madonna does.

[bert]

......Crystal Gayle ......

Nothing there but long, long hair

[DainBramage]

She got the gold mine

I got the shaft Bump