The Mainstream Has Fallen for Country and I Am The Mainstream

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Blog Rodeo March 2013: How the Mainstream Realized Country Music Sells and Why I Fell In Love with It. I moved away from my home state of Texas almost 15 years ago, and moved on to good ole Memphis, TN, arguably one of the most important cities in the U.S. as far as music is concerned (hello, mo-town, Elvis and the blues…). That being said, I have been exposed to whole lot of different music, at a whole lot of different phases in my life and I am better off for it. Interestingly, despite my state of origin, it wasn’t until I arrived on the scene in Northwest Arkansas that my true love for country music began to blossom. Yes, I knew who the big players were, and when in Memphis I listened to our local country station Kix 106 on a regular basis. Still, I knew about 1% of what I know now, which is considerably more. I’m telling you all this because I feel my back story places me in particularly interesting perspective when answering the March Country Music Blog Rodeo topic; “Why is the mainstream media loving so much on country music these days?” Country Music Sells. I’ve studied communications and the media for a few years now, and the easy answer to this question is far less romantic that most folks might want to admit. When surveying the media landscape as it exists today, it is impossible to deny that country music is everywhere. ABC plays host to the CMA Awards and the CMA Country Christmas annually, and debuted their prime time soapy drama, Nashville and Reba’s new sitcom Malibu Country in the fall. NBC has experienced major success with reality competition series, The Voice in large part due to Blake Shelton‘s ability to draw a crowd and create a buzz. FOX continually churns out the next big country star via American Idol while CBS continues to air the ACM Awards every year. Meanwhile, country artists are getting cameos on shows like Hart of Dixie and The Bachelor, and more and more, for better or worse, country stars pop up in the mainstream gossip rags, and also on the covers of more legitimate news sources, like InStyle. Everyone is looking to get a piece of the country pie, and it’s for one simple reason, country music sells. Country Sells Because of the Fans Marketers, network execs and anyone who is paying even the smallest bit of attention have realized that country music offers a fan base that is loyal and willing to spend their hard earned dollars on their favorite artists. This conclusion is in no way a major revelation, and not really the point I want to make. What interests me is not that savvy business people have finally figured out country is a niche they can target but that this niche even exists and that it’s so strong. Plainly put, I’m interested in that fact that country fans are so loyal. As I said Continue reading The Mainstream Has Fallen for Country and I Am The Mainstream→

Mainstream Media Adopts Country Music

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BlogRodeo March 2013 asks: Why is Country Music the Current Darling of Mainstream Media? To answer this question I’m going to focus primarily on network television’s recent display of their country music obsession. Not since the days of  Hee Haw and the Dukes of Hazard has network television been so in love with all things southern. Lately it seems that every network has come up with SO MANY ways to market to the country music crowd. From music competitions like American Idol and The Voice, to pulling Reba back into sitcom world on Malibu Country and drawlin’ out the drama on ABC’s Nashville, it seems everybody is in on this country revival, but why? It would be easy to say that it’s because country music is so awesome, but that wouldn’t be fair to the industry or its fans, so I’ll give you my two cents. I think there are several factors at play here: Country Music is Relatable During the Down Times: We’ve always been singing about being broke, tired, and beat down, so when the rest of the country is feeling that way, our tunes start to really make sense to them. In times of hardship, we look for things to console us, and often we find it in music. Country music offers a simple way of life through song. We focus on love, loss, friendship, hard work, and having a good time. We do it without excess, and we’re happy with what we have. That’s something people relate to, and that translates well in television. Our stories are everybody’s story right now. Country Music is Safe Although us die-hard fans know that Fancy was a whore, and we’ve all got an eyebrow raised at the words in Waylon’s songs, on the whole, country music and country stars are generally reliable as being wholesome, trustworthy, and of a higher moral caliber than their pop counterparts. Nobody expects a Superbowl “nip slip” or a limo-panty-shot from the darlings of Dixie. Instead you get modest sundresses, and a gentleman who tips his hat to say hello. That being said, I’ll still defend my next point… Country Music is Sexy Hate the idea if you want, but when you’ve got Hayden Panettiere’s legs and Luke Bryan’s smile to work with, you’ll have hearts dropping on the floor everywhere you go. Back in the pre-Shania days, as I like to call them, nobody cared what country stars looked like, but we’re in a pop-celebrity culture now. Media conglomerates look for the visual package… appearance, charisma, charm, likeability, all as part and parcel to the talent of that individual as a whole. The greatest musicians are now getting overlooked in favor of mediocre but marketable finds. And finally, The Sponsors are Great: The products that appeal most naturally to country fans are the basics of American life. Kraft Foods, Ford trucks, Wranglers, and all those guys are the ones that will always have a foothold in the American consumer market. And unlike many Continue reading Mainstream Media Adopts Country Music→

I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool

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Blog Rodeo March 2013: Is The Love That Country Music Is Feeling The Real Deal? Or Will It Be Gone Before You Can Say Gaucho Pants? I consider country music to be one of the staples in my life. I grew up on the lyrics and have never been afraid to show my support in front of large crowds of strangers. As cliché as it sounds, I feel a real connection with Barbara Mandrell’s famous words, “I was country, when country wasn’t cool.” The topic for this month’s Country Music Blog Rodeo is “why is the mainstream in love with country music?” Well, for the most part I think people like to jump on the latest trend train and make sure everybody knows they have a first-class, window seat! We all know someone who bought skinny jeans and bubble necklaces in every color. Maybe you know a girl who proudly displays a bright pink browning sticker on her vehicle, yet she has never spent a minute in a deer stand. There are plenty of examples I could throw your way, but you get my point. If the “man” is telling them one thing is all the rage, then they’ll be the first on their block with that particular item. The Voice introduced countless people to Blake Shelton, Oklahoma’s own outspoken troubadour, and opened the doors wide open to display the country scene. I’m not saying it’s impossible that someone, who once was only a fan of Rap music would never hear of Shelton, but I will say that it was a pretty good chance. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think it’s bad for country music to gain new fans…heck bring them all…but only those who are truly connecting to the music will last. In my opinion, those are the only ones you can call “fans.” Some things I know, you aren’t a cowboy/cowgirl just because you grew up in Texas, you aren’t an expert on country music because you have two Brad Paisley CD’s and a Shania Twain cassette tape, and I’m not a hillbilly because I live in Arkansas. No matter what TV show is or isn’t getting a high rating, my love for country music isn’t going anywhere. Blog Rodeo Roundup: See What Everyone Else Is Saying! CMchatLive: “Insight from Country Stars like Scotty McCreery, Sunny Sweeney, Tracy Lawrence and more!“ Urban Country News : “Why Country Music Is Like the Zombie Apocalypse“, “A Love Affair For The Ages“ For The Country Record: “TV and Nashille: It’s Merits and Implications for Country Music“ UKCountryMusic: “Is Country Music About To Be Mainstream In The UK?“ Country Music Tattle Tale: “For The Love of Country Music“ Country Music Pride: “Country Music Has A Little Something For Everyone, Traditional, Pop, Americana and More“ Keepin’ It Country Blog: “Everyone Loves Country Music“ Focus On The 615: “The Mainstream Hasn’t Fallen In Love with Country, Just The Opposite,” “Remember When Country Wasn’t So Cool?“ Country Music News Blog: “The Mainstream Has Fallen Continue reading I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool→

Gwen Sebastian Rocking New Single Annie’s New Gun

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Gwen Sebastian’s Annie’s New Gun Is A Sassy Rocking Good Time. Gwen Sebastian has a voice that is raw with emotion, powerful in range and is guaranteed to grab your attention on first listen. You probably know her from her stint on NBC’s The Voice, and subsequently from her on going professional collaborations with Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert. Soon enough though, with an upcoming album release this summer, folks will know Gwen for her talent alone, and her new single, “Annie’s New Gun,” is proof positive of just that. This track is everything that I love about women in country music. Strong, take charge lyrics matched equally with sassy, energetic delivery showcasing Gwen’s undeniable talent. It’s easy to see why she fits so well in the Lambert/Shelton wheelhouse of country. Take a listen below, and be sure to catch up with Sebastian on Twitter! Listen! Gwen Sebastian “Annie’s New Gun.”

2013 ACM Awards Winners: Special Awards

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Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton and More Win Off Camera Awards for 2013 ACMs. If awards shows, like the ACMs, gave out every trophy for every category live, we would be sitting in front of the TV for a whole lot longer than three hours (who can do that?). So, every show, for the most part, will announce “off camera” winners usually ahead of the air date, sometimes after or the day of. Well, the Academy of Country Music released Friday (March 22nd) the list of artists who earned nods in the “special awards” categories. These were voted on by the ACM Board of Directors and are apparently only bestowed when this board considers artists to be particularly deserving. Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award, honoring individuals who are pioneers in the genre: Keith Whitley and The Judds Crystal Milestone Award, given to an artist or industry leader to commemorate a specific, remarkable achievement Jason Aldean Gene Weed Special Achievement Award, acknowledges unprecedented, unique and outstanding individual achievement, Blake Shelton Jim Reeves International Award, presented to an artist for outstanding contributions to the acceptance of country music throughout the world, Lady Antebellum Mae Boren Axton Award, which is given in recognition of years of dedication and service by an outstanding individual to the Academy of Country Music, Tommy Wiggins Poet’s Award, honors songwriters for outstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their careers, Guy Clark and Hank Williams To read more about past winners, and the “special awards” go here. The 48th Annual ACM Awards will air LIVE from Las Vegas on Sunday, April 8th and will be hosting by Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan!

Rascal Flatts Live and Loud 2013 Summer Tour

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Rascal Flatts Announce Brand New Live and Loud Tour for Summer 2013! Rascal Flatts fans get ready because this country group, who just wrapped their Changed Tour in early March 2012, have announced that they will be heading out again for the summer with the Live & Loud 2013 Summer Tour! The tour will be making stops in 34 different cities and will kick off on May 31st. They’ll be joined by special guests The Band Perry and The Voice Season 3 winner Cassadee Pope. Rascal Flatts is currently nominated for an ACM Award for Vocal Event of the Year for their collaboration on “Easy” with Natasha Bedingfield.

Dolly Parton: What She Taught Me About Being A Woman

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Dolly Parton and Everything She Taught Me About Being A Woman! I’ve learned a lot from Dolly Parton. As a woman, I don’t think I’m alone in searching for a role model who accurately represents my own struggles and my sense of overwhelming ambition to escape the confines of a life unsatisfied. Dolly’s ‘rags to riches’ life certainly seems to fit that mold, and you’d be hard pressed to find an interview or public appearance where she doesn’t mention it in addition to its influence in a great deal of her songs. Dolly as a Model of Success. While I haven’t had a personal interaction with the rural experience that Dolly describes, she has been inspiring to me in the motivation to find your way out of a difficult situation, and to want to strive for better. She worked extremely hard to get where she is today, and as someone who was unhappy where I began in life, I find her example very powerful. To view the things she has achieved in comparison to her origins, why should I, with a better start in life than her, not become successful? Dolly as a Star On Her Own Terms. In addition, she has been able to become a global star, be accepted by Nashville but also by legions of fans of other genres, and at times transcend the limitations of country, where perhaps it might have negative perceptions, for example the UK. She has been able to do exactly what she wants, and never appears to have gone by a rule book. I mean, she left a national syndicated television show at the height of its success, only to write one of the biggest selling songs in music about it, become a movie star in her own right and then open a hugely successful theme park. I could list all her crazy achievements here but I might just go beyond my word limit. Dolly as a Rule Breaker. So she has taught me you don’t have to follow the rules, and that brings me to my main point – Dolly taught me so much about being a woman. The thing that’s so remarkable about her success, particularly as a businesswoman, is that she is a woman. To have managed that during the 1970s and 1980s when women were still burning their bras and feminist scholars were abstaining from sex in protest, Dolly dressed up like a small town prostitute and became one of the most respected women in the industry. It is this that taught me the most. Dolly exploited the male perception of female beauty, by exaggerating it, mocking it, and taking the power into her own hands. On the one hand she was selling herself as a sex symbol, yet at the same time shifting the power from men to women and exposing the farce of expectations of female beauty for what it really was. Feminist is perhaps seen as an ugly word (although it shouldn’t be), but Dolly Continue reading Dolly Parton: What She Taught Me About Being A Woman→

Ben Wells Untuck Ya Shirt Tour 2013

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Ben Wells Lets Loose and Hits the Road with Untuck Ya Shirt 2013 Tour! Ben Wells, and his rock and roll country vibe, jumped on our radar last fall with his debut his self-titled album and his party friendly single “Get Down.” Leading up to his release, he spent a fair bit of time “on the road” in 2012, and now he’s ready to announce his very first independent concert series, the Untuck Ya Shirt 2013 Tour. He’ll be kicking things off on June 12th and cover 11 nights, 9 cities, 7 states through June 22nd! 2013 Untuck Ya Shirt Tour Dates: June 12 – Valdosta, GA – Milltown Groove June 13 – Atlanta, GA – Peachtree Tavern June 14 – Myrtle Beach, SC – The Boathouse June 15 – Raleigh, NC – Longbranch June 18 – Nashville, TN – 12th & Porter June 19 – Louisville, KY – Tin Roof June 20 – Sullivan, MO – Bliss June 21 – Birmingham, AL – The North Tavern June 22 – Valdosta, GA – Bluewater If you haven’t taken a listen to this talented young artist yet be sure to check out his album, and look him up on Twitter!

Jiggley Jones Baby Blue Music Video

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Alt Country Artist Jiggley Jones Releases Music Video for Single Baby Blue. Jiggley Jones has a unique sound that is reminiscent of the alt rock we heard come out of the nineties with just a little bit of twang mixed in here and there. His music isn’t exactly what I would call easily classified, and current single “Baby Blue” is featured on Jones’ EP No Spring Chicken which features four tracks that all seem to offer a different side of this new on the scene artist. While I am not over the moon crazy about the new video, shaky editing and overly dramatic effects detract from the quality of the song, I think there is some real potential in the honesty and heartfelt, almost raw, emotion in the lyrics on his tracks. Take a couple minutes to check out the video below, listen to the single, and let us know what you think. If you want more, you can find Jiggley Jones on Twitter! Watch Jiggley Jones New Video for “Baby Blue.”

Jason Aldean 1994 Music Video

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Jason Aldean Premieres 1994 Official Music Video. Jason Aldean debuted his new music video for “1994” exclusively on Entertainment Tonight yesterday (Wednesday, March 20th). Further channeling his “rap” side, Jason does a lot of slow talking in this single especially in the open of the song, and overall it has a really addictive rock vibe. While the video is a lot of fun featuring cameos from Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Hayden Panettiere and others, there’s a lot more daisy duke clad booty shaking than I expected and even a little break dancing mixed in there. It’s a modern and fresh track, but it’s interesting to me that while it’s an homage to Joe Diffie, except for the lyrical references, it couldn’t be less in line with Diffie’s brand of country. In a way, Aldean’s “1994” encapsulates where country was, where it is now and possibly where it is headed as a genre. Take a look below, and let me know what you think. Jason Aldean “1994” Official Music Video.