American Icons

Country Music Isn’t?

By admin ⋅ May 27, 2008 ⋅  Email This Post ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

The battle for the soul of country music is very much underway and has been for the last two decades:

This writer and music fan wonders where country music has gone and opines for days of old, choosing to opt for authenticity and twang of the alternative country genre rather than listen to more popular mainstream country.

The writer further suggests:

Country music isn’t country music anymore. And who do we have to thank for that? Garth Brooks? Toby Keith? Record Executives?

For the author, the best alternatives to mainstream country include:

…The Jayhawks, The Cowboy Junkies, Wilco, or Ryan Adams, there is something earnest in their music.

Or perhaps Dwight Yokham…

The writer ultimately suggests:

The country music I grew to love over the years has its roots in the hills of Kentucky and Tennessee. Some may call it hillbilly, some may call it bluegrass, or some may call it traditional, but is from the heart. When I listen to what passes for country music, I think Hank Williams, Sr. would roll over in his grave.

Is country dying on the vine or is it merely re-inventing itself?