"The Case For New Ideas In Country Music"
Classical music isn't dead. Folk music isn't either.
Hawaiian, Polka, and jazz are still there for people who want to listen.
They don't generate the revenue that popular airplay brings,
but as art forms they still exist.
They can't be "ruined".
All forms of music are the result of change from other forms.
There are elements of eastern European music in the earliest Country.
We are for pushing the envelope, but gently.
If you're not careful you can tip it over,
and it becomes something else.
I have an imaginary friend
who is such a country music purist that he wants it all acoustic:
No drums, strings, horns, or anything else,
even if it's done with taste and respect for the art form.
He's still mad at Tom T. Hall for using a trumpet on "Clayton Delaney".
He doesn't seem to know that Jimmy Rodgers,
The Singing Brakeman, a pioneer of country music,
used clarinets and other dixieland type instruments.
My imaginary friend has never forgiven us
for using a Wah-Wah pedal on "Tennessee Birdwalk".
I guess we should have used a live chicken.
He's against change, even if it's good.
I agree that just because music changes, doesn't mean it gets better.
The value of the music depends upon the talent and motives
of the people making it.
If it's just stale and hack written, needing fireworks to sell it,
and the main motive is profit, it is probably crap.
Country, or any other music should change a little once in a while,
just to keep our eyes from crossing out of boredom.
But, it should change naturally and gently.
Good changes must come from talented, sincere people,
who get an interesting idea, and have the guts to stick it in there.
The good old music is still there for those who want to hear it.
I know I do.
It's just nice to have a choice.
I'm for keeping all the good things about Country music intact,
but adding a new idea here and there.
Exercising our music muscles, to keep them from getting brittle.
Main stream country music is in a state of stagnation.
Let's bring back inventiveness and style.
Copyright © November 27, 2001 by Jack Blanchard. All rights reserved.
