Pls define neo-traditional & contemporary country

[cameron]

I had three returns today. Received almost all eights but was told songs did not fit the listing... a first for me. Based on screener's comments I don't think I would have gotten a forward anyway, but I am bothered that one of us doesn't understand what is contemporary and what is neo-traditional country.The listing said "Great Country/Pop crossover songs will be considered in addition to solid Contemporary and/or Neo-Traditional songs"I say contemporary is not just Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban, but also someone like Kenny Chesney or Toby Keith.Neo-traditional (not to be confused with Alterntative country) I say is Josh Turner, George Strait, Randy Travis, etc. Am I wrong?I submitted the following songs. Just wondering whether I was really off-target or not. It seems to me the first is contemporary and the other two are neo-traditional.Same Shirt, Different Day http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... am=trueI'd Rather Be Lucky than Good http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... =trueWe're Done http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... Thanks,Cam

[matthoggard]

Neo-Traditional is a strange one for me too.Neo meaning new. Id think that a somewhat modern sound with a traditional influence is what they are looking for. I got returned on this also. Im too folk w/e the hell that means.All 3 or your songs could fall in the Neo genre IMO. Same Shirt is pretty damn Contemporary.Im starting to really wonder about the Country listings these days. Id be willing to bet that the addition of just one instrument ( dobro, mandolin, ) or taking out one of the 2 could make the difference to the screener. Im pretty sure if it doesnt have a rock guitar in it then it wont be considered "Contemporary".Im not sure Ill be submitting to anymore country listings. The listings are too vague these days.M~

[cameron]

Here's what Wikipedia says:"Neotraditional country was born as a reaction to the perceived blandness of mainstream country music. New (or "neo-") traditionalism looked to the elders of country music like Ernest Tubb, Hank Williams and Kitty Wells for inspiration, and was a precursor to the more general categorization known as New country.In the mid-1980s Ricky Skaggs, a picking prodigy who took his inspiration from Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley (Skaggs was a Clinch Mountain Boy as a teen), began making music that he believed brought country back to its roots.The old was not only new again, it seemed to be widely welcomed. Skaggs was not alone, however. Artists like Randy Travis, George Strait and The Judds used vintage musical stylings, covers of classic country material, and carefully crafted vocal delivery to help bring New Traditionalism to the vanguard of country music for a time. Neotraditional country music became very popular during the 1980s and the 1990s, but with the coming of the new century, pop-rock-oriented musicians took over the charts.In 2000, George Strait and Alan Jackson recorded a song titled "Murder on Music Row" which spoke directly to the rift between neotraditionalists and new country artists. Among the lyrics are brazen barbs at the Nashville establishment such as "Someone killed tradition and for that someone should hang.""

[billg]

Hey There Cam & Matt . . . I think the whole "neo" thing is really pretty loosely defined by the listener and it's not restricted to country. There's neo soul, neo garage, neo retro (fill in the blank). I always thought it meant a pretty faithful use of elements that were specific to the original genre but with production values that were a bit more "refined". Is that what the wiki definition is trying to say? I still don't think I really get it.

[sgs4u]

Dec 31, 2008, 1:21pm, billg wrote:Hey There Cam & Matt . . . I think the whole "neo" thing is really pretty loosely defined by the listener and it's not restricted to country. There's neo soul, neo garage, neo retro (fill in the blank). I always thought it meant a pretty faithful use of elements that were specific to the original genre but with production values that were a bit more "refined". Is that what the wiki definition is trying to say? I still don't think I really get it.Neo Young, Neo Diamond - great modern genres as well...

[jchitty]

Dec 30, 2008, 9:06pm, cameron wrote:I had three returns today. Received almost all eights but was told songs did not fit the listing... a first for me. Based on screener's comments I don't think I would have gotten a forward anyway, but I am bothered that one of us doesn't understand what is contemporary and what is neo-traditional country.The listing said "Great Country/Pop crossover songs will be considered in addition to solid Contemporary and/or Neo-Traditional songs"I say contemporary is not just Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban, but also someone like Kenny Chesney or Toby Keith.Neo-traditional (not to be confused with Alterntative country) I say is Josh Turner, George Strait, Randy Travis, etc. Am I wrong?I submitted the following songs. Just wondering whether I was really off-target or not. It seems to me the first is contemporary and the other two are neo-traditional.Same Shirt, Different Day http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... am=trueI'd Rather Be Lucky than Good http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... =trueWe're Done http://www.taximusic.com/song.php?song_ ... nks,CamHey, Cam, since the listing asked for a BROAD spectrum of country styles...anything from country/pop crossover songs, contemporary country or Neo-traditional songs, I think your three songs have the bases covered. They would certainly fit under any of these categories. It doesn't seem like you'd be off target to me, but then again, I'm not a screener. Maybe you should e-mail Robin and see what she says about this one.

[adrienne]

I agree with Chits. When it says broad spectrum and then lists all types of country music, I think pretty much anything goes, as long as it's country! I think all 3 songs you submitted would be on target. I also tend to agree with your artist samples of each of the styles. I think sometimes it depends on the screener. There are some who are bang on, but there are others who I question if they are familiar with country music and what's on the radio. If something doesn't sit right with you, for sure give TAXI a call.

[cameron]

Thanks y'all. I don't think I'll contact Robin since I don't think the forwarder liked the songs enough to forward them anyway. If I thought that was the only reason they didn't get forwarded I might do that. I just really wanted to know if I had it wrong, but it seems the screener was off base on that point. Now I just have to fix the things the screener was right about.Cam

[claire]

Yeah, I got a return on that one also. My song went towards the country/pop crossover part of the listing and it was on target for the listing but the screener had questions about the verses. No biggie. As for neo-traditional, damned if I know what that means. I know it's not Keith Urban or any of the pop starlets (Carrie et al.) or Rascal Flatts or Lady A, but other than that? You got me.Claire

[matthoggard]

Dec 31, 2008, 1:23pm, sgs4u wrote:Dec 31, 2008, 1:21pm, billg wrote:Hey There Cam & Matt . . . I think the whole "neo" thing is really pretty loosely defined by the listener and it's not restricted to country. There's neo soul, neo garage, neo retro (fill in the blank). I always thought it meant a pretty faithful use of elements that were specific to the original genre but with production values that were a bit more "refined". Is that what the wiki definition is trying to say? I still don't think I really get it.Neo Young, Neo Diamond - great modern genres as well...Damn thats good Steve!!Made me spew bourbon all over myself!!!!Oh time for another drink!!Happy year new!!!!M~