Wait! I know, I know. Country music is for hillbillies and rednecks and they only sing about trucks and dogs. Trust me, I get it. I'm from Nebraska and it seems that every radio station is a country station and it drives me nuts!
But, tonight I was watching the Grammys. Willie Nelson, Blake Shelton, Merle Haggard, and Kris Kristofferson took the stage to sing some of Country Musics best hits - when it hit me! All four of these guys are playing guitar and singing. How many pop/rap/r&b artists can do that?
These country artists are TRUE musicians. They pour their heart and soul into their craft and don't rely on others to make it sound good. Too often these days the top tracks are so auto-tuned that it makes my ears bleed. Call me crazy, but I don't want to hear an electronic, altered version of a song - I want to hear a melody and the artist's voice.
I grew up listening to oldies from the 50's and 60's. My dad was in a quartet and I knew all of their songs. "Silhouettes", "Standing on the Corner", "Barbara Ann", "Sherry", etc. I love these songs (and still know most of them by heart) because they are perfectly imperfect. I can hear every breath and every break, and to me that is how it should be.
Country has all that. Yes, I'm sure they have some auto-tune and digital remastering, but in comparison it has less that most of the other genres of today. I think it is time to give these honky-tonk boys and girls the love they deserve. I think we can all look past the lyrics and enjoy some good ol', toe-tappin music.
And be honest - Who hasn't sung along with "Red Solo Cup"!?
~~Later 'tater. Alligator. Don't be a Stranger. Bye!~~
