Everybody wants to go country

[markjsmith]

I'm not really talking the ala listings-but the general listings. I do instrumental stuff (you don't want to hear ME sing, believe me), and there was a listing for "country instrumentals". That was the description of what they wanted, "that was it". So what to send in? Is it any certain type of "country instrumental", is it a range? It should state it in the listing! So, I sent a rock tune (the guitar was a Tele with a hint of twang) and a western swing tune and both were forwarded. Thats great! BUT, I had the same thing occur in another genre on another listing that was very vague (New Age Instro) and was told my tune was too mellow. I can deal with a slew of other reasons that would get a return, but too mellow for a new age listing, Come On! The listing made no reference to uptempo, lots of energy, etc... These are the listings I have a beef with! I know it is hard to read between the lines on what someone wants, but the screeners know what THEY are listening for-why can't TAXI update the listing? That being said, this is not the norm! MOST listings are pretty clear, but I find at least one each month that isn't or I need to call TAXI about-Which has only really helped one time!I'm sorry about getting so off subject with the contemporary/modern/pop/traditional/hillbilly/? "country" thing, it's just something that has come up with listings and in general life that has frustrated me. Heck, I actually play with a pop/country artist! It's just weird to me how people who say they listen to country (or are country artists for that sake) don't know a lot of the influental artists that helped define the genre. I'm not saying everyone needs to be a historian and know every Carter Family song by heart, but at least have an idea of what they sound like. I respect everyone here! I hope I didn't ruffle any feathers too much!-Mark

[ottlukk]

Claire: Re: your comments regarding posters on this forum having a hit in the 70' s or 80's. You're right on target. I actually got a comment to that effect, from a Taxi screener, essentially saying that that my efforts would have been quite successful 20 or so years ago . . . Ott

[mojobone]

Not entirely true; I'd like to think my music would be a hit in the fifties...

[frayedknot2b]

Country music is a true American art form. Still has songs that reach the heart and emotions of the people and so many can identify with the lyrics. Still tells a story in most cases. I started out playing country 50 years ago and even though I still prefer the songs of the 50's and 60's there have still been many great ones through the years. The sounds of the music has changed a lot and I think the musicians of today are far more advanced than in the past. Still love Country after all of this time. Think I will write a song with that title "Still Love Country after All of This Time"

[toddt]

Aug 12, 2009, 2:44pm, southpaw wrote:The songwriting in country is truly a craft of "songwriting"! The songs (lyric and structure) and arrangement are hits.. Not savvy production techniques and a talented singer saying things like oo ya babby babby, your so fly - you make me high, blah blah So i think its natural that after some tired dog and pony tricks people will want to hear more substance in a lyric. Perhaps that may contribute to why some are noticing more people are getting into the country music market?It's not really fair of you to armswipe the whole genre of pop (assuming that's what you were referring to) into the trash like that - I mean, each genre has its own particular issues.

[mojobone]

I think Southpaw's referring to the fact that pop radio (and many other modern genres) feature the sort of song that could end up in a fakebook full of what Tony Bennet refers to as the Great American Popular Song maybe 'bout three times a year. The sort of Tin Pan Alley thing that stands on its own regardless of singer or style, with a strong enough melody to make a good head for a jazz improv is what's referred to, I believe, and the writers that are trying to achieve that are mostly working in the country idiom, these days.

[toddt]

Nobody wants is a pointless genre argument... 'twas meant to be a bit tongue-in-cheek, just like the linked article.For what it's worth, what's your estimation of the equivalent number of songs in Country per year?(btw I'd never heard the term "fakebook" before - had to look it up!)

[mojobone]

I guess you takes yer choice between lyric cliches and production cliches like "Radio voice"and autotune-but I'm also hearing a lot of those on country radio, too. Sometimes I think the most original and fresh thing I could hear would be a well-written song in any genre. It would appear that the bulk of pop music is written for the lowest common denominator. But hey, I did my share of line-dancing to Achy Breaky Heart, too.

[matthoggard]

What a great thread Adrienne!!The latest Rowfax i looked at doesnt give listings for "Country songs that sound like pop"Or "pop songs that sound like country" etc. etc.It gives the artists influences and a'la's but almost every listing just says "Uptempo songs".There are always a few "ballad" and "traditional" listings on rowfax but ive never seen a deliberate call for "PopCountryRock songs".The thing I learned in Nashville while spending a day in a Studio demoing songs, is:Any song can be made to sound like any genre. I heard a distinctly sounding rocknroll worktape get recorded as a pure traditional country song with pedal steel and fiddle yet it kept a hint of a rock vibe. I know Ive had my beef about where country music is today and I do have my own convictions about what it "should" sound like. (Jamey Johnson etc.) But i am growing to love the total mixing of styles and genres that we are hearing today. For a rock/country guy like myself, Jason Aldean is totally cool and has a great mix of rock and traditional country and some of his songs just plain "JAM"!A new artist thats coming out of Nashville soon: Frankie BallardA Michigan boy who SMOKES on the guitar and has a voice and style the harken back to the great days of southern rock. Search him. His music is fantastic.Im starting to believe its all perception. I dont really care for Kelly Picklers songs but Ill be damned it those pop melodies dont get stuck in my head for hours. The publishers and pluggers Ive met with have said the same thing. "We just look for GREAT songs." They dont worry about genre and style until its time to pitch then they see what is in the catalog that might fit a certain artist. The equation is pretty simple.GREAT songs + KILLER demos + the right moment in time = a fair chance at a publishing deal OR an artist cut.And I stress KILLER demos. The samples Ive heard that are getting pitched are radio ready and fully produced. No matter what we get told. The simple piano/vocal and guitar/vocal demo days are fading fast!And, Mojo line dancing to Achey Breaky heart = OMG!!! M~

[ontariolightning]

achy breaky heart has to be in the top 10 country songs of all time...in my books anyway, it has everything! LOL