The Country Music Thread (yeah, you read that right)

[Dr. SeaWolf]

I would imagine this is probably the most hated genre in this forum, but I've really been getting into the classic "outlaw" scene of the 1970s... a lot of really good stuff from Willie Nelson ( Redheaded Stranger), Waylon Jennings, David Allan Coe, etc.  So much passion and great musicianship from these guys, it would be a shame for it to go unappreciated, even on a progressive metal forum.

Any other fans here?

[elyster]

Well living in Austin, TX we are required by law to listen to country. 

I love the old country music - Waylon, Willie, Merle, etc.  Theres a new batch of "Texas Country" coming up such as Randy Rodgers, Roger Craeger, and others that have really kept with this style of music.  Now most of the country music coming out of Nashville, like Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw and artists like that are pure crap in my opinion.  Too poppish for my tastes.

Looking forward to checking out Willie's 4th of July picnic next month.  A lot of great bands and since one of my best friends is his granddaughter it'll be nice hanging out backstage for a large part of it too.

[hefdaddy42]

In some parts of North Carolina, David Allan Coe is worshipped like a god.

I love Willie and Waylon, and really a lot of that era of country music.  Redheaded Stranger is fantastic.

[Dr. SeaWolf]

Yes it is.  It's slowly becoming one of my all-time favorite albums, not just within the country genre.

I'm also not a fan at all of the overproduced, fake, pop oriented Nashville country scene.

[contest_sanity]

My love of country was fostered by a childhood and teenage existence in southern Georgia.  Being the 90's, my favorite artists were people such as Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson -- people who were still somewhat "old" country but also beginning to become transitional.  So most of the country I own is stuff from the 90's.  I don't care for much of what country music has now become, however.  As far as more classic country goes, I honestly haven't heard a lot of it, except for Johnny Cash (whom I enjoy).

[PlaysLikeMyung]

The closest to country I'll go are a select few songs by The Outlaws

[YtseBitsySpider]

Brad Paisley does it for me...the man can flat out play. And if you listen to some of his instrumental stuff you get the sense that he's a little proggy too....

[elyster]

Yes his latest album - which is mostly instumental - is a very good one.

[Dr. SeaWolf]

Does he avoid any of the cliched lyrical trappings and overproduction that most modern country artists suffer from?  That's really my main objection to modern, Nashville style country.

[The Curious Orange]

Being from the UK, I enjoy the over-produced poppy Nashville Sound. Country Music is unheard of over here, and I'm always up for anything that the mainstream hasn't heard. Slightly different in the US, I imagine, where Country is the mainstream.

Looking forward to seeing Brad Paisley in London later this month - yeah, the man can play. The great thing about being a UK Country fan is that you get to see these artists in much smaller venues than they play in the US. Acts like Sugarland and Martina McBride get to sell out gigantic stadiums in the US, then come to London and play small clubs, it's fantastic - more than makes up for the limited number of acts that bother to cross the pond to play here.

And the point about clichés - Things become a cliché because they work, dammit...

Also love - Allison Moorer, Shelby Lynne, Tift Merritt, Eve Selis

[Volk9]

I like some Conway Twitty. Thats it for the most part, though I don't mind country music

[Dark Master Of Sin]

Kenny Chesney
Tim McGraw
Brad Paisley

[DarkEternalNight]

Conway Twitty, Johnny Cash, and The Statler Brothers. Love them all.

I'm actually getting Don Reid of The Statlers to speak at my church.

[contest_sanity]

Jennifer Nettles has an AMAZING voice!  I'm not a fan of everything she's done with Sugarland, but some of it is good.  Right now I'm listening to one of her pre-Sugarland bands, Soul Miner's Daughter, which I knew before she was doing Sugarland.  It's really good folksy rock. 

[hefdaddy42]

I like some Conway Twitty. Thats it for the most part, though I don't mind country music

I called a customer the other day.  His ringback tone was "Hello, Darlin'."  I lol'd.

[Jakartabassplayer]

I'm a big admirer of Johnny Cash

[sonatafanica]

My Morning Jacket is one of my favorite bands. They are what I consider to be the best of country/folk bands.

[Volk9]

I like some Conway Twitty. Thats it for the most part, though I don't mind country music

I called a customer the other day.  His ringback tone was "Hello, Darlin'."  I lol'd.

Thats awesome

[Zydar]

The only countryish music I listen to is The Band, they're great. Country-rock.

[Dr. SeaWolf]

I'm a big admirer of Johnny Cash

Definitely.  Folsom Prison is one of the best live recordings ever.

[LudwigVan]

If you like the outlaw-western style country, definitely check out Marty Robbins' stuff.   He even has a compilation album called Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs, with old standards like  Big Iron, They're Hanging Me Tonight, Billy the Kid and El Paso

I also looooove me some Patsy Cline.  

[Jakartabassplayer]

The only countryish music I listen to is The Band, they're great. Country-rock.

Also very great
I love the Band
Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, Robbie Robertson.... ETC
All great

[sonatafanica]

Alright, I've seen these guys live twice now, once opening for Band of Horses and once headlining, and they kick absolute ass.


They are called Josh Roberts and The Hinges

https://www.myspace.com/joshrobertsandthehingesrock


They have fucking excellent music, and when they play live they add these five minute progressive-esque interludes to their songs. It's fucking amazing. They've been steadily growing in popularity, and for good reason.

And if you want to see how experimental they are, check out "Nautilus".

[TioJorge]

I'm a big admirer of Johnny Cash

This is pretty much where it ends for me thanks to a certain ex that shoved the genre down my throat like a fresh boudin link (which I would have swallowed willingly had this boudin not been filled with cheesy BULLSHIT! (I kid...not really. But srsly)). I've liked a few other country songs here and there, but I truly do weep for my past because I could see myself liking the genre a bit more had it not been forced onto me. Either way, let it be known I'm not here to bash, by the bye. I respect certain artists in the genre.

(I might have to bash a 'lil if I hear The Rascal Flatts mentioned, however...wait....Ohhhh. Oh no.)

[sonatafanica]

I never liked country. I still don't like any country you would hear on the radio or anything.


I would say my country tastes would be in indie/country type bands.

[contest_sanity]

I never liked country. I still don't like any country you would hear on the radio or anything.

I would say my country tastes would be in indie/country type bands.

Do you like Son Volt?

[sonatafanica]

I can't say I've heard their music, but that name sounds very familiar.


The bands that I would consider country/indie/folkish that I listen to are

My Morning Jacket
Josh Roberts and the Hinges
Joanna Newsom

which are not many, but I listen to them a lot.

[contest_sanity]

I can't say I've heard their music, but that name sounds very familiar.

The bands that I would consider country/indie/folkish that I listen to are

My Morning Jacket
Josh Roberts and the Hinges
Joanna Newsom

which are not many, but I listen to them a lot.

Check out Son Volt.  I'm sure you've heard of Wilco.  Jeff Tweedy from Wilco used to be in an alt-country band called Uncle Tupelo with Jay Farrar.  When that band broke up, Farrar formed Son Volt, whereas Tweedy went on to Wilco fame.  So give Son Volt a try, and Uncle Tupelo, too, for that matter.

Son Volt - "Drown" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2at1BnmCVzU&feature=related
             - on Austin City Limits: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhsryMt3TP0&feature=related

Uncle Tupelo - "No Depression" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUJbT89wKHI

[SPNKr]

Apparently American Recordings is a very good record, what would you peeps think?

[icysk8r]

My dad writes for a country artist who just opened for Charlie Daniels.
Check out the latest (and definitely best) song, I'm comin' home.  Tell me what you think!

https://www.myspace.com/bryancolemusic2

[Gadough]

When I was in Kindergarten and 1st Grade I'd listen to Alan Jackson in the car on the way to school every morning. I need to look up some of his stuff, I bet I'd still like it for the nostalgia factor...

[contest_sanity]

When I was in Kindergarten and 1st Grade I'd listen to Alan Jackson in the car on the way to school every morning. I need to look up some of his stuff, I bet I'd still like it for the nostalgia factor...

I love Alan Jackson, without shame -- easily my favorite country artist.

[Gadough]

When I was in Kindergarten and 1st Grade I'd listen to Alan Jackson in the car on the way to school every morning. I need to look up some of his stuff, I bet I'd still like it for the nostalgia factor...

I love Alan Jackson, without shame -- easily my favorite country artist.

Can you give me 4 or 5 songs to check out? Preferably some of his hits?

[contest_sanity]

Chattahoochee (probably still his biggest hit)
Little Bitty
Gone Country
Chasin' That Neon Rainbow
Little Man
Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)?  -- the best 9/11 song, bar none!

[Gadough]

Appreciate it man