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Modern "Country"

#41
I don't care for it, Nashville pop that is, my wife is into a lot of the new stuff. Then again, I'm not into Rap either. I recognize it for its artistic value and cultural voice, just don't care for it, not my art or my culture....Then again I'm a curmudgeon and don't like new metal, new pop, new r&B, kids on my lawn, and most contemporary Christian stuff....So I'm just gonna live and let live....unless you get on my lawn.
(Oh and it seems to be really popular here in Waco with the young 'uns!)
 
#42
bigboy_78 said:
Is this what country fans are into these days? Do they still want Alan Jackson and Garth Brooks? I really dig the new stuff, some great party tunes.
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Just depends on your demographic and how well you know you audience, do you know what they want to hear? Then you’ll know what country songs to throw out there, a pretty good gauge is taking a look at the top 20 and then the popularity rating via iTunes, and then talk it over with your band-mates.
 
#43
Without hopefully being railed on.... Isn't this just a case of, if you are happy in your own modern rock, alternative, jazz, cover band, classic rock band etc, then cool, be happy. BUT if your only good options are to play this....? I mean, we can all sit at home, practicing and grumbling about not "finding anything" or if you have the option, you can play music that YOU many not listen to for your own enjoyment, but I've played "Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy" among other songs and styles that are definitely NOT my favorite stuff, and have a great time, made sometimes a ton of money doing it, and who doesn't enjoy a dancefloor full of attractive ladies/people having a great time and telling you and the band how great you are? I'd say Win Win.

Unless you are once like I was who only would do originals, and would NEVER do any covers...I've done both, both can have pluses, but so far, stuff I never thought I'd play has been the thing that has exposed me to the largest crowds, and without question the most cash. Also attractive ladies.
 
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#44
Couldn't agree more nofrets5, I've never had as much fun or made as much $$ as I have playing in a country band, Lots of people dancing, and lots of pretty girls, (we play old and new)...did I mention lots of pretty girls ;)
I could be playing in a Jazz or Metal band to a mostly empty room of dudes every time I gig (but its not any fun)...lol
 
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#45
Each style of music is worth existing.

I don't care about the name given to the style. My only concern is: do I like it? If yes, I keep listening. If no, I listen again just in case, then I may stop listening.

I happen to like listening to some Big n' Rich songs. It probably falls under 'modern country' but in fact it's more like pop/rock with a fiddle and a banjo. It is what it is and it's not a problem as long as there are people enjoying their music and ready to pay for it.
 
#48
Mike N said:
Modern country is just 80's hair metal version 2.0 if you ask me.
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It is mostly rock, but I wouldn't go that far. 80s hair metal was much heavier, distorted, and focused more on the music than modern country. I'd say modern country sounds more like late 70s arena or mid-west rock, Like Kansas, Skynard, Boston, Foreigner, that kind of stuff. Only with dumb hats and really dumb lyrics.
 
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#50
Hi,

pklima said:
The funniest thing is that in five-ten years people will be talking about how "modern country sucks" and how old-school, REAL country like Taylor Swift was soooo much better.
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Gaffaw!! Yep, that's pretty funny right there. :roflmao:

How many of you in modern country bands are playing "Wake Me Up" and "Timber", btw?
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Katy Perry's "Timber"? Yes, we do it. The crowd eats it up. :whistle:

DwaynieAD said:
how many disparaging modern country threads can we do a week. it's turning into p vs j
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Yes, I hear you. This subject has been making the rounds.

Have we discussed the fact that "smooth jazz" is not really jazz? :rolleyes: ;)

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
#52
socialleper said:
It is mostly rock, but I wouldn't go that far. 80s hair metal was much heavier, distorted, and focused more on the music than modern country. I'd say modern country sounds more like late 70s arena or mid-west rock, Like Kansas, Skynard, Boston, Foreigner, that kind of stuff. Only with dumb hats and really dumb lyrics.
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Some of the 80 stuff was heavy, I guess the hair metal bands I was comparing to modern country were bands like Poison, Warrant, Ratt etc.... you know the cheesy ballad bands.

For the record I like some of the modern country stuff so I don't want this to come off like I'm bashing them. I'm trying to talk my guitar player in to doing a country side project, just something on the slightly heavier side. I mean if they can mix country and hip hop, why can't we bring some Iron Maiden into country?
 
#53
Mike N said:
Some of the 80 stuff was heavy, I guess the hair metal bands I was comparing to modern country were bands like Poison, Warrant, Ratt etc.... you know the cheesy ballad bands.

For the record I like some of the modern country stuff so I don't want this to come off like I'm bashing them. I'm trying to talk my guitar player in to doing a country side project, just something on the slightly heavier side. I mean if they can mix country and hip hop, why can't we bring some Iron Maiden into country?
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i'm right there with you man. some of it drives me up a wall and i love some of it. same goes for poison, warrant, ratt, etc.. people are looking too hard and ignoring the fun in front of them. and god forbid somebody like something you don't.
 
#54
BassCliff said:
Katy Perry's "Timber"? Yes, we do it. The crowd eats it up. :whistle:
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Ke$ha and Pitbull's "Timber". I just wonder how American country audiences would take to it, since it was such a big mainstream hit and has a bit of a country sound. Though Pitbull has said it was inspired by Avicii, so any country influence is very second-hand. Did Katy Perry also do a song called "Timber"?

Anyway, I miiiight be joining a country band here whose setlist apparently includes Haddaway's "What Is Love" and C&C Music Factory's "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)".
 
#55
I have the misfortune of living in North Carolina right now (hopefully not for long), and I learned quickly that Darius "Hootie" Rucker is a hero in this place. I cannot go anywhere to avoid hearing that horrible Wagon Wheel song.
Modern country is fine, as long as I don't have to listen to it. However, if you live in the South, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to avoid it.
 
#57
Hi,

pklima said:
Ke$ha and Pitbull's "Timber". I just wonder how American country audiences would take to it, since it was such a big mainstream hit and has a bit of a country sound.
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Oops. Yes, that's the one we do. I got confused. Forgive me, I'm just the bass player. No, I don't think Katy Perry does "Timber". :oops:

The audiences love it when we do it. The drummer does the rap part. He's good at it, has the right attitude. I can never pull off a rap. I sound like a white guy at a bad poetry contest. :bag:


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
#59
Hi,

Worldeeeter said:
I have the misfortune of living in North Carolina right now (hopefully not for long), and I learned quickly that Darius "Hootie" Rucker is a hero in this place. I cannot go anywhere to avoid hearing that horrible Wagon Wheel song.
Modern country is fine, as long as I don't have to listen to it. However, if you live in the South, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to avoid it.
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I love a song that tells a good story. "Wagon Wheel" doesn't bother me at all. It's turned into a quintessential two-step much like Hal Ketchum's "Past The Point Of Rescue", one of my favorites. Now, most of Darius' other songs are real stinkers, you betch'ya. ;)


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
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#60
City said:
The problem I have with Modern Country is that most songs that get popular get one to three months of airplay, then they move on to the next "hit". If you learn a "new" country tune you have to be certain that it has staying power, or you are constantly learning the next "new" hit. It is trying.
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That's actually a reason I like playing in a country band, new material all the time. I've been in bands that might learn a couple new songs every few months, and maybe some people like playing the same 40 songs over and over, week after week, but to me, the band, the audience - soooo boring.
 
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