Modern "Country"

[klejst]

Hi,



Case in point. Here are some of the audience members I play for.

And there's more were that came from. I'm not in the market, been married for 20 years, but it's fun to play for the lovely ladies.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Exactly what I was getting at

 

[Jack Butler]

I know the lyrics are predictable and often silly, but the new stuff is fun to play, is guitar driven like rock, and the ladies love it. Count me in! I like Rush, King Crimson, and Weather Report as much as the next guy, but that's not what is bringing the paying customers into the bars.

 

[Kmonk]

Never been a fan of Santana so playing with guitar players who insist on playing his music would drive me crazy. I like a lot of the music in country songs but I really can't stand the twang that almost every singer has in their voice. If I can't stand the vocals, I won't listen to or play the song.

 

[City]

Hi,



Yes sir, you certainly do have to choose wisely. We usually learn three or four new songs a month. Some fall out of the rotation quickly while others we are still playing after a year. It does seem to be a waste of time but I look at it like an exercise to keep my chops up, both mental and physical. As long as I keep leaning new songs quickly, I can keep learning new songs quickly. I have a full time day job and a family too so time is precious to me. But I make it work somehow.

Best of luck to you Mr. City.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Well I got out of that music genre. In PA, most modern country bands play about 80% of the same music the next modern country bands play. Of coarse, we don't have the hot singers, and if we do, they are singing the old top 40 stuff. Keep bottoming out Mr. Cliff!!

 

[SpruceGoose54]

Actually, music is where it has always been. It is we humans with our OCD drive to put everything in the right box. It really drives us crazy when we find an object that doesn't belong in an existing box.
How many remember the big argument in the mid 60s about Mods and Rockers?

I was just making a subjective observation on music. It doesn't drive me "crazy" that music is in a strange place. Usually great bands and sounds come out of it. Nirvana, anyone? Waylon Jennings and Dwight Yoakam were a reaction to how pansy and soft country had become. I can't wait for the next new thing, especially in country.

And we do have to classify things to make them easier to describe, explain, organize, identify, and understand. It's the same thing with food. An apple and an orange are both fruits but we differentiate them cause they are very different and have a unique flavor. Think of all the different basses on the planet. Do we classify them cause of an "OCD" human nature? No, we classify them cause they have differences and by "boxing" them due to certain qualities it does make it easier to communicate to one another what we're talking about. Same with music. But I'd argue that the best music ironically is the kind you can't classify such as The Cramps or The Replacements.

Music isn't where it always is. Life would be boring if that were true. Music constantly progresses or merges with other styles. Some music movements reach back into the past and bring back it's roots which can shake things up. Sometimes music can progress to a point where it's no longer in touch with it's beginnings and it needs it's own category to describe it. Would you say death metal is classic rock? I wouldn't, but bands like Black Sabbath and AC/DC are the main influence for that style.

The demographics seem to have shifted dramatically recently and that's why country music isn't where it use to be. "Country" is the arena rock and party station now which it never has been. Someone made a great point that if you listened to just the music without lyrics, you'd think it was a rock n' roll band from the 80's.

I understand it's not everything on the radio, Kacey Musgroves, Zac Brown Band, and Brad Paisley still have a foot in the traditional sound while still being progressive and modern.

 

[GregT]

Modern country all sounds the same to me. Same mix, same sound. For a while everyone was just trying to out-Garth-Brooks Garth Brooks. Now it all sounds so studio that I can't listen to it. I still think Paisley is pretty darn good though. He can sing and actually play his own guitar. And well! For the most part, it is just a bunch of songwriters trying to get you to laugh or cry with guys in the studio who have their missing board's knobs super glued in place. Same songs; different words.

 

[Jack Butler]

...It's 2000 and #$%ing 14. We don't wear tunics, frock coats, powered wigs, or stiff celluloid collars anymore either. Its an anachronism. You know who else loves cowboy hats? Bret Michaels from Poison. Square that circle.

Wow thanks for being the fashion police and telling us how we have to dress. Personally I've never worn a cowboy hat, but it's a better option than a lot of the "2000 and #$%ing 14" looks you are likely a fan of...

 

[RandalPinkFloyd]

I played in a Modern Country band despite my disdain for Country music. It was my first real band, and I did it to grow. I'm glad I did. Some of the tunes I actually enjoyed. The drummer was a big rock and southern rock guy so he was very adamant about getting my bass out front of the music. We took a lot of the tunes and made them bass heavy, which I of course loved. I wouldn't call modern country, rock. But it's definitely not "country". I'd say it's Pop or some type of pop hybrid.

For the record, I did not dress the part, F that. I stuck out like a sore thumb, purple faux hawk, ripped jeans, black t-shirt. I don't wear cowboy boots and I can't pull hats off.

 

[socialleper]

Wow thanks for being the fashion police and telling us how we have to dress. Personally I've never worn a cowboy hat, but it's a better option than a lot of the "2000 and #$%ing 14" looks you are likely a fan of...

No one said have to. If you want to play pretend and wear a cowboy hat go for it. I love teasing people about them because they get so butt hurt so fast about something as pointless as head gear.

"but it's a better option than a lot of the "2000 and #$%ing 14" looks you are likely a fan of.."
Yeah, I like super weird stuff like t-shirts and jeans. That's some whacky @%&ing stuff right there.

 

[Fat Steve]

I know I always feel better about myself when I mock other peoples clothing. Makes me feel more secure in my fashion choices.

/sarcasm

 

[Jack Butler]

... I love teasing people about them because they get so butt hurt so fast about something as pointless as head gear.

I assume you mean teasing people on the internet. Like I said, I personally can't pull off a cowboy hat and don't wear one ever. But most places I've been to, going into a country bar with your attitude, teasing drunk farm boys and rodeo guys about their hats, would not result in them standing there while you mock them.

 

[denton57]

Most farm boys I know are ready and willing to knock some teeth out when the slightest opportunity presents itself.

 

[bigboy_78]

No one said have to. If you want to play pretend and wear a cowboy hat go for it. I love teasing people about them because they get so butt hurt so fast about something as pointless as head gear.
.

I don’t see the need for a cowboy hat inside or on stage, same goes for sunglasses, but widebrim hats and tough leather boots do serve a useful purpose out in the paddock.

A necktie on the otherhand, or tattoos, *** use are they for anything.

 

[obimark]

I know the lyrics are predictable and often silly, but the new stuff is fun to play, is guitar driven like rock, and the ladies love it. Count me in! I like Rush, King Crimson, and Weather Report as much as the next guy, but that's not what is bringing the paying customers into the bars.

Unfortunately this is true- other than some select drunks- noone cares when we play Rush anymore- at all- unless they are fellow musicians there.

 

[DwaynieAD]

The wife wants to go see Luke Bryan play. front row tickets are 864 dollars each. nosebleed seats are 84 dollars each.. gonna go get a loan to make the wife happy (that last part is a joke)

 

[Gab124]

Call it modern country, rock country, crap country I don't care. I know one thing for me - I have played classic, alternative and modern rock in biker bars for some time and have found out all they want to hear is modern country. Play some Jason Aldean and the dance floor fills with chicks followed by the guys of course. It works and as a cover band I have to say you play what they like. Over time I really started enjoying it a great deal as well. As far as lyrics.... i never listened to those in any genre anyway so I am good and don't care bout that either. I am an old rock guy, and I can't stand the stuff coming out in that right now, everything is tuned so low and mashed together I really can't even say there is a bass line in it - whereas some of these country cats like Tully Kennedy are putting together some really cool lines. At the same time I refuse to live in the past and play crap I grew up with over and over again so I have embraced it, and like someone else stated above I got my boots coming in the mail.

 

[denton57]

True.. You play what the audience wants to hear. Last summer (when we played quite a bit), the biggest reaction was to Pontoon, Honey Bee, pretty good at drinking beer, down the road I go, Wagon Wheel, and a couple other new country tunes. Girls listen to modern country, so that's what they want to hear. And the guys follow the girls.

It is what it is

 

[Gab124]

I think you missed my point. You can still listen to rock without the vocal and tell it is rock. I never said it didn't change, I just said it still easily identifies as rock music. If you take the vocal tracks out of a country song you would have a hard time figuring out it was country and not rock or pop. The country style of song writing is gone, it has turned into rock/pop with a southern drawl

I am not sure I agree here, though the vocals are a dead giveaway. But as an old rock guy myself if, back in the day, you played me a voiceless track with mandolin, banjo and steel guitar and call it rock I would have laughed at the thought, regardless of the Marshall amps, hot guitar solos, beat and basic song formula. It is more complex than that I think. No argument it is rock inspired, but it is just as much country inspired. I should add though that this statement is from someone who absolutely hated classic country, my god. And as far as lyrics, years and years ago we complained about country lyrics, it was all tear in my beer and my dog is the only one who loves me stuff, so not sure that has changed dramatically.

 

[Hopkins]

I am not sure I agree here, though the vocals are a dead giveaway. But as an old rock guy myself if, back in the day, you played me a voiceless track with mandolin, banjo and steel guitar and call it rock I would have laughed at the thought, regardless of the Marshall amps, hot guitar solos, beat and basic song formula. It is more complex than that I think. No argument it is rock inspired, but it is just as much country inspired. I should add though that this statement is from someone who absolutely hated classic country, my god. And as far as lyrics, years and years ago we complained about country lyrics, it was all tear in my beer and my dog is the only one who loves me stuff, so not sure that has changed dramatically.

Lyrics haven't changed much?

Then

"Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)"

I have seen the mornin' burnin' golden on the mountain in the skies
Achin' with the feelin' of the freedom of an eagle when she flies
Turnin' on the world the way she smiled upon my soul as I lay dyin'
Healin' as the colors in the sunshine and the shadows of her eyes

Wakin' in the mornin' to the feelin' of her fingers on my skin
Wipin' out the traces of the people and the places that I've been
Teachin' me that yesterday was somethin' that I'd never thought of trying'
Talkin' of tomorrow and the money love and time we had to spend
Lovin' her was easier than anything I'll ever do again

Comin' close together with a feelin' that I've never known before in my time
She ain't ashamed to be a woman or afraid to be a friend
I don't know the answer to the easy way she opened every door in my mind
But dreamin' was as easy as believin' it was never gonna end
And lovin' her was easier than anything I'll ever do again



Now

"That's My Kind Of Night"

I got that real good feel good stuff
Up under the seat of my big black jacked up truck
Rollin' on 35s
Pretty girl by my side

You got that sun tan skirt and boots
Waiting on you to look my way and scoot
Your little hot self over here
Girl hand me another beer, yeah!

All them other boys wanna wind you up and take you downtown
But you look like the kind that likes to take it way out
Out where the corn rows grow, row, row my boat
Floatin’ down the Flint River, catch us up a little catfish dinner
Gonna sound like a winner, when I lay you down and love you right
Yeah, that’s my kind of night!

Might sit down on my diamond plate tailgate
Put in my country ride hip-hop mixtape
Little Conway, a little T-Pain, might just make it rain

You can hang your t-shirt on a limb
Hit that bank and we can ease on in
Soak us up a little moonlight
You know I know what you like, yeah!

All them other boys wanna wind you up and take you downtown
But you look like the kind that likes to take it way out
Out where the corn rows grow, row, row my boat
Floatin’ down the Flint River, catch us up a little catfish dinner
Gonna sound like a winner, when I lay you down and love you right
Yeah, that’s my kind of night!
Yeah, that’s my kind of night!

My kind or your kind is this kind of night
We dance in the dark and your lips land on mine
Oh oh oh oh oh, gonna get our love on
Oh oh oh oh oh, time to get our buzz on

All them other boys wanna wind you up and take you downtown
But you look like the kind that likes to take it way out
Out where the corn rows grow, row, row my boat
Floatin’ down the Flint River, catch us up a little catfish dinner
Gonna sound like a winner, when I lay you down and love you right
Yeah, that’s my kind of night!
Yeah, that’s my kind of night!
That’s my kind of night!
Yeah, that’s my kind of night!
Come on...

Lyrically modern country is simple minded rubish.

 

[Gab124]

Lyrics haven't changed much?

Then

"Loving Her Was Easier (Than Anything I'll Ever Do Again)"

I have seen the mornin' burnin' golden on the mountain in the skies
Achin' with the feelin' of the freedom of an eagle when she flies
Turnin' on the world the way she smiled upon my soul as I lay dyin'
Healin' as the colors in the sunshine and the shadows of her eyes

Wakin' in the mornin' to the feelin' of her fingers on my skin
Wipin' out the traces of the people and the places that I've been
Teachin' me that yesterday was somethin' that I'd never thought of trying'
Talkin' of tomorrow and the money love and time we had to spend
Lovin' her was easier than anything I'll ever do again

Comin' close together with a feelin' that I've never known before in my time
She ain't ashamed to be a woman or afraid to be a friend
I don't know the answer to the easy way she opened every door in my mind
But dreamin' was as easy as believin' it was never gonna end
And lovin' her was easier than anything I'll ever do again



Now

"That's My Kind Of Night"

I got that real good feel good stuff
Up under the seat of my big black jacked up truck
Rollin' on 35s
Pretty girl by my side

You got that sun tan skirt and boots
Waiting on you to look my way and scoot
Your little hot self over here
Girl hand me another beer, yeah!

All them other boys wanna wind you up and take you downtown
But you look like the kind that likes to take it way out
Out where the corn rows grow, row, row my boat
Floatin’ down the Flint River, catch us up a little catfish dinner
Gonna sound like a winner, when I lay you down and love you right
Yeah, that’s my kind of night!

Might sit down on my diamond plate tailgate
Put in my country ride hip-hop mixtape
Little Conway, a little T-Pain, might just make it rain

You can hang your t-shirt on a limb
Hit that bank and we can ease on in
Soak us up a little moonlight
You know I know what you like, yeah!

All them other boys wanna wind you up and take you downtown
But you look like the kind that likes to take it way out
Out where the corn rows grow, row, row my boat
Floatin’ down the Flint River, catch us up a little catfish dinner
Gonna sound like a winner, when I lay you down and love you right
Yeah, that’s my kind of night!
Yeah, that’s my kind of night!

My kind or your kind is this kind of night
We dance in the dark and your lips land on mine
Oh oh oh oh oh, gonna get our love on
Oh oh oh oh oh, time to get our buzz on

All them other boys wanna wind you up and take you downtown
But you look like the kind that likes to take it way out
Out where the corn rows grow, row, row my boat
Floatin’ down the Flint River, catch us up a little catfish dinner
Gonna sound like a winner, when I lay you down and love you right
Yeah, that’s my kind of night!
Yeah, that’s my kind of night!
That’s my kind of night!
Yeah, that’s my kind of night!
Come on...

Lyrically modern country is simple minded rubish.

I won't deny you gave a great example, but I don't know if it is representative of popular country new and old. I will admit that with older country I only know what was on the radio, but we did have a good time back then making fun of the crappy lyrics. And Country, for me, was ubiquitous to growing up in Oklahoma for sure. Though, I don't know the two songs you gave and would have to say even with crappy lyrics I might prefer to listen to one over the other depending on the hook and instrumentation. Some of the most beautifully lyrical songs in history don't get my foot moving.