Building an Underground

Rock fans have long been attracted to bands that they think are the "next big thing." They love going to dingy clubs and listening to local, "underground" bands. They go so far as to form street teams and fan clubs for bands that don't even have a record deal.

So why doesn't country work like that? Is it that the country fans are less loyal?

I don't believe so. I think it's the overall culture of what most venues are looking for in a country act. If you want to get a gig at most music venues in my area, they absolutely positively do not want original music. They want songs that everybody knows, and they don't care how prolific or talented you are as a writer.

That, my friends, is crap.

Country fans don't follow original acts around, form street teams, put up posters, etc because they don't get exposure to the people performing the original music. Outside of coffeehouses and open mic nights, most bars are featuring cover bands every Friday and Saturday.

Originality, artistry, and any attempt at all to break out of the mold is frowned upon.

I'm not even sure it's the fault of the bars and clubs, frankly. I believe the structure of Nashville is feeding this mindset. Nashville believes they hold the patent on country music. They take in artists, trim the rough edges with their cookie cutter, hand them the songs they're going to sing, and send them on their way.

Country songwriters, unless they're working for a Music Row record label, are stifled and silenced at every turn. We're caged up and muzzled by the system and not given the opportunity to get ourselves heard for who we really are as artists...not just as the lead singers of cover bands forced to rehash Chesney songs every night.

Nashville's doing their very best to ensure this poisonous attitude trickles down from the record labels to the radio stations to the venues to you. Don't take it. Don't let Nashville tell you what you should and shouldn't be listening to. Support your local original artists. Demand bookings. Demand airplay. Spread the word.

Build the underground.

In Memorium: Rick Roy

We've lost one of the greatest musicians I've ever had the pleasure of performing with.

Rick, you'll be missed and never forgotten.

Heaven just got a piano player.

Yet Another AI Rant

It's Grand Ole Opry Week.

Are you kidding me?

Look, I know you're going to ask, "If you hate the show so much, why do you watch it?" Well, the fact of the matter is that once in a great while something worthwhile happens on this weekly karaoke contest that I actually enjoy. Secondly, I'm an avid reader of Vote for the Worst, and my enjoyment of that website would not be as great if I were not properly primed for the commentary.

Here's the deal. I love country music. Some people don't, and I get that. In fact, I respect that. I'm not going to cram anything down anybody's throat. If you don't like country, I'm not offended. It's cool. People enjoy what they enjoy and there's no sense in trying to change that.

I, however, was raised on country music. It's in my blood and I'm proud to carry the flag of what I consider to be a great American art form. As a result, I'm less than enthusiastic about the prospect of 11 contestants and 4 judges defecating on the music I love.

In my opinion, they should do away with country week altogether. I've seen it in seasons past, and it's rarely pretty. Aside from one and a half notable exceptions (Kelly Clarkson being the half, as she leans country on occasion), AI is looking for a commercial pop star. Why even bother making country music look bad by having these people hack through a genre they likely won't ever touch professionally? Having a range is one thing, but if you're never going to sing a country song in your professional career what does is matter if you can or not? As far as I'm concerned, it's pointless and damaging to the genre.

Benefield out.

Addendum: I watched the show tonight and felt that some of the contestants did a fantastic job. They really dug into the tunes, told the stories, and felt the emotion upon which country music is built. I'm incredibly relieved that this wasn't as gimmicky as I feared it would be when I wrote this blog earlier today. All I asked for was respect and, for the most part, I saw that.

The Wrath of J has been averted......for now.