What Is Country Music?

Country music means different things to different people. Some people think Rascal Flatts or Taylor Swift are producing the best country music ever performed. Other people think George Strait and Alan Jackson are the only 'real' country music there is. Then there are the people that think country music died with Conway Twitty. Of course, I am exaggerating to make a point. Over the past 70 years, country music has changed several times. It seems to me that since about 1980 it has come full circle once again. We've gon from overly orchestrated 'pop' country to 'Urban Cowboy' country to George Strait and Randy Travis' traditional sounds to the 'band sound' era of Restless Heart and Shenendoah and Blackhawk to big name solo artists like Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney to the 'female' uprising and stars like Patty Loveless, Faith Hill, and Martina McBride. Now there is a whole new set of country stars like Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, Toby Keith, Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean, Taylor Swift, Darius Rucker, and Uncle Kracker. Yes, I said it... Uncle Kracker. The guy has had a couple of records make it high on the country charts. Go figure. I know I've left out numerous artists that deserve recognition, but if I try to name all of them, we will be here all day. The cool thing about today's country music is the variety of styles that can be heard side by side on your radio. (and by 'on your radio, I mean KIXS 108 :)

I've told you before that I am a fan of 'traditional' country music and 'guitar slingers', but I also listen to a lot of different genres of music, which brings me to my original thought. What is country music? I used to tell people that the Beatles were one of the best country bands I have ever heard. They would look at me like I was crazy. Go back and listen to some of those old Beatles songs. Country through and through. What used to be considered strictly 'rock and roll' is strangely reminiscent of today's country music. The Eagles made a living blending the two genres for years, in fact, they're still doing it.

I have posted a video of 'Poco', a band formed in 1968, to help prove my point. Music is music and really doesn't change all that much. We may call it something different, but it's all been done and it will all come around again. Please enjoy the video from 'Poco' and let me know what you think!