Aww Mondays
Monday’s Music Moves Me
This week is a freebie week at 4M so I am going to spin a few tunes from the Country. Recently PBS television broadcast the Ken Burns series “Country Music” that traced the history of the genre from it’s beginnings to the early part of this century. While country music had its roots in folk and gospel, the genre has incorporated bluegrass, rock, pop, soul, and jazz into it’s sound over the years. The PBS series was a master piece and if you have any interest in the genre it is a must see. Just for the record, the genre didn’t officially get it’s name until 1949 when “Western” was dropped from Country & Western, leaving us with country music. From time to time a new trend in music will bleed into the country sound. Fortunately, when that sound threatens to dominate and change the industry, a group of artists rise up, get back to the roots, and remind all of us just what country is all about. Personally, I think it may be time for that phenomenon to happen again. the sound has become too pop and too predictable. The current sound seems to be dominated by the beat, the sound, and the party anthem. At one time it was said that a great country song began with three chords and a story. Here are a few stories.
Many experts in country music will tell you that the greatest male vocalist in the history of the genre is George Jones. Others might argue that George Strait holds that position and a few will tell you that sold out stadiums validate Garth Brooks as the best ever. George Jones’ biggest hit was He Stopped Loving Her Today. It is not a break-up song, but a fond farewell from a husband’s passing. When you know the story, it brings a whole new appreciation for the song.
The 90’s saw a resurgence of the classic sound of country and one of the leaders was Alan Jackson. There were no rhinestone suits, no chorus of back up singers, just Alan, three chords and a story.
My favorite female vocalist from the 90’s is Trisha Yearwood. There were several great ladies of country in the 90’s, Martina McBride, and Shania Twain to name a couple, but I thought Trisha could sing the phone book into a top ten tune. Yes, there is a heavy blues influence in this song, but it showcases what I consider the best female vocalist since Linda Ronstadt.
A country set from me wouldn’t be complete without a Dwight Yoakam song. Dwight and Buck Owens brought the “Bakersfield Sound” to country music. There was a little rock n roll, a little hillbilly and a lot of country in the sound. Dwight is one of my favorite artists. What does a break-up bring to your life…Heartaches by the Number. Have a blessed week.
Driller's Place 
I missed the Ken Burns series and not sure why becuse it would have been of interest to me, even though I’m not a huge country fan. But there are country singers (including some who crossed over into rock, or vice-versa) that I will eagerly listen to, including Johnny Cash, Roger Miller, Glen Campbell. Of the songs you featured, I was familiar only with Heartaches by the Number, although I had heard of the other singers. I’ll agree with you on too much country having crossed over into pop. It will be interesting to see the next course correction.
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I am sure that the Ken Burns series will be aired again and it’s probably on YouTube as well, but it is definitely worth watching.
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That dog just looks so placid!
Thanks for the tunes, i actually got to watch one episode (or much of it) while cleaning someone’s house. It would be worth the time spent catching it all.
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I thought the Cocker was priceless. And yes, the Ken Burns series is a tribute to the genre.
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Sorry, I’m so late, but my computer is running so slow. I definitely have to get this bugger cleaned out! Anyway, got some heave song pickins’ here my friend! I hope we are friends aren’t we? Anyways at least some rock & roll buddies, right? So, you have got some wonderful tunes that had me rockin’ in my seat for sure! Like for example Heartache by the number and an ol’ favorite of mine, “Don’t rock the jukebox”, hehe that sounds like something the Fonz would say, right? hahaha Well, anyway as I said you did a great job in sharin’ some faves of yours!!! Thank you so much! Have a great evening!
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I’m thinking the Fonz might be fond of “Prop Me Up Against the Jukebox When I Die”. Have a blessed week.
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Driller,
I’m running behind. I took some Mucinex DM for this crazy stuff going on in my head after my procedure last week and am feeling so loopy. Yikes, I don’t get the appeal some find in getting a buzz from alcohol because I sure don’t like this feeling at all. Anywho, I have a deep appreciation for the old country & western genre but it’s a bit too much for me generally. I prefer a bit of the rock country sound. I have noticed on shows like The Voice a few contestants who sing old school country in the past few years. They were always Team Blake and usually wound up in the finale but I can’t recall now if they’ve won. I don’t think they have but at least they got some excellent exposure. Hopefully, those individuals got a recording offer. Thanks for sharing some familiar names and voices from the Country & Western circuit on the dance floor this week, my friend. Have a boogietastic week and give that cute pup a pat on the head for me. 🙂
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While they may not have achieved A-List stardom, several of Team Blake members have carved out a decent career in Country music. Music is such a difficult way to make a living these days and getting a record deal seems to be the impossible dream for most artists.
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Nice playlist!
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Thank you.
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Great selections this week Driller!! I am not a huge country fan but I like it. It may be time for another back to basics movement because as you say they have strayed far from the stories. In one of the segments that I loved of the PBS series they talked about how a resurgence began when John Denver won one of the major awards and he wasn’t even attending and they showed a view of him looking totally hippie or something.
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Yes, John Denver was never considered “Country” by the purists. I don’t really think John Denver considered himself country. He looked as surprised as anyone when they announced his name. Country artists seem to make every effort to be at the ceremony when they are nominated for an award.
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Stellar song choices as usual! I used to not be a country music fan, but then my hubby played with a country band for over 9 years, so it grew on me. 😉 Still not a huge fan of the ‘old country’, but I love all your choices, old and newer! 😉 Thanks for the dance!
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I think every era of country music has had a few artists that are great vocalists, even back in the “old days”. I am not a huge fan of the current country scene as it has become very predictable and to similar too top 40 pop music. There needs to be a renaissance of the classic sound in this genre.
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