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The passing of a a legend: Country music great Eddy Arnold passes

By admin ⋅ May 15, 2008 ⋅  Email This Post ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

(image credit: wikipedia)

Chet Flippo of the Nashville Skyline aptly points out:

As remarkable as the late Eddy Arnold’s country music career was, his lasting legacy will be that he made the world safe for country pop music. His enormous success with a smooth brand of mellow songs won over pop and country audiences alike and took the rough edges off country’s rowdier side. Remember, when he began recording in the 1940s, it was still called “hillbilly” music. Arnold’s triumphant reordering of what could legitimately be considered country made it possible for such country crooners as Jim Reeves, Ray Price (in his second country career), Patsy Cline and later performers all the way up to and including Rascal Flatts.

Chet Flippo continues:

In one of his last interviews, Arnold told CMT that he never abandoned his emphasis on the kind of songs that worked best. “Love songs,” he said. “Love songs. I’m crazy about love songs. And, you know, when you really stop and think about it, if you don’t have love, you don’t have anything.”

Eddy Arnold is without a doubt a light that will not fade and will not flicker out. Arnolds impact on country music and the world will endure.

For more info about Eddy Arnold’s legacy check out videos and other media at CMT Online.