What makes it country music?

Karlifornia · 03-26-2007, 07:29 PM

I don't dislike country music. It's not my favorite, but it's actually quite easy to relate to most of the lyrics, and a good country song can make allow any wayfaring man to wallow in self-pity. My question, though, is what makes country music..country music? What I've noticed is they all sing in that....I guess..Southern accent? Without this accent, can it still be country?

King of New York · 03-26-2007, 07:34 PM

It's all about the fiddle.

HerRealName · 03-26-2007, 07:36 PM

I really hate the music they play on popular country radio stations and I don't even think of it as country music. They need to start calling that crap pop country instead.

I see what you are saying though. A guy and his guitar and a southern accent gets qualified as country but if you substitute a northern accent it is considered folk music.

MrIllini · 03-26-2007, 07:36 PM

the label

JonInMiddleGA · 03-26-2007, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karlifornia

What I've noticed is they all sing in that....I guess..Southern accent? Without this accent, can it still be country?

I'm not sure I can tell you any single thing that works as a hard & fast rule to determine whether something is/isn't country.

I can, however, tell you without a doubt that a Southern accent isn't a requirement. Keith Urban (Australia), Martina McBride (Kansas), and Dierks Bentley (Arizona & New Jersey), put that notion to rest pretty quickly.

As for any arguments about "country" vs "pop country" vs "alt country" vs "rockin' country", etc., I'll agree that there's all sorts of niches, but that they'll all still reside under the broad banner of "Country".

Karlifornia · 03-26-2007, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

I'm not sure I can tell you any single thing that works as a hard & fast rule to determine whether something is/isn't country.

I can, however, tell you without a doubt that a Southern accent isn't a requirement. Keith Urban (Australia), Martina McBride (Kansas), and Dierks Bentley (Arizona & New Jersey), put that notion to rest pretty quickly.

As for any arguments about "country" vs "pop country" vs "alt country" vs "rockin' country", etc., I'll agree that there's all sorts of niches, but that they'll all still reside under the broad banner of "Country".

Ok..I've never heard Urban, McBride, or Bentley. I'll give it a listen. I've just always assumed that it's not country without that twang in your voice.

MrIllini · 03-26-2007, 07:52 PM

making out with your sister helps, too

dawgfan · 03-26-2007, 07:53 PM

The "twang" of the signing (that southern accent you refer to) seems to be a big part of what constitutes Country music for most people. Beyond that, I think it's also about the musical style, which is often in major chords with fairly straight-forward tempos and rhythms as well as the typical instrumentation - guitar, bass, drums, often accompanied by fiddle, banjo and/or slide pedal steel slide guitar.

I'm not a big fan of much country music outside some of the older classics like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Patsy Cline, but I do find that I like a lot of songs by rock artists that are decidedly "Country" in style - "Dead Flowers" by the Stones being a prime example.

MrIllini · 03-26-2007, 07:54 PM

dead flowers is a fan-goshdamned-tastic song...you're the best

dawgfan · 03-26-2007, 07:57 PM

The Grateful Dead also had a number of songs that flirted with a "Country" style that were pretty good, as did The Band.

lordscarlet · 03-26-2007, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karlifornia

Ok..I've never heard Urban, McBride, or Bentley. I'll give it a listen. I've just always assumed that it's not country without that twang in your voice.

Wow. If you've never heard Martina McBride I don't know what country you are listening to.

SackAttack · 03-26-2007, 08:58 PM

If you're gonna play in Texas, you gotta have a fiddle in the band.

Young Drachma · 03-26-2007, 08:59 PM

Cowboy Troy

I kid, I kid.

Young Drachma · 03-26-2007, 09:00 PM

alt country and bluegrass for me pls thx

JonInMiddleGA · 03-26-2007, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

Cowboy Troy

The innovator of hick-hop

Young Drachma · 03-26-2007, 09:06 PM

Ugh, you know what the problem with him is? If they just had a producer who knew anything about hip-hop, it wouldn't sound so terrible.

Ok, it probably would. But...mostly because he can't rap a lick.

I think if someone was to do it, this kid should be it. He's signed to the Muzik Mafia. His name is Chance. His other songs don't sound as good. He's on myspace. I think he needs to strip it down (musically..) and stick to this sort of thing to start off. Folks will be confused. But at least it won't be as...painful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfcc6ZD-N9I

Rizon · 03-26-2007, 11:38 PM

The teeth.

I mean, the lack of.

EagleFan · 03-26-2007, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrIllini

making out with your sister helps, too

He didn't ask how to tell if someone was from Illinois....

sooner333 · 03-27-2007, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

alt country and bluegrass for me pls thx

What kind of stuff would you consider alt country?

When I think of it, I'm thinking Texas Country or Red Dirt Country...but that's probably because I'm in Oklahoma and that's the "different" country you might hear on the radio once in awhile or at a concert.

Schmidty · 03-27-2007, 01:31 AM

I love country music, but I hate a majority of the horrific crap that is popular now.

Give me the mid '80s and before, and I'll listen.

Pyser · 03-27-2007, 02:02 AM

that dierks bentley song What Was I Thinking is the shit!

Sporkimata · 03-27-2007, 02:23 AM

I like some so called alt country bands, 16 horespower, The Damnations, Jay Hawks...lotta stuff out there

Chief Rum · 03-27-2007, 04:20 AM

I wouldn't be surprised if non-country music listening people haven't really heard a Dierks Bentley song, but I would bet there are a few Martina McBride songs (like Valentine) or Keith Urban songs that just about everyone is familair with. You just didn't know it was a country singer.

wade moore · 03-27-2007, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

I wouldn't be surprised if non-country music listening people haven't really heard a Dierks Bentley song, but I would bet there are a few Martina McBride songs (like Valentine) or Keith Urban songs that just about everyone is familair with. You just didn't know it was a country singer.

Yup.

And I just absolutely love the generalizations in this thread.

I've never understood the venom that goes toward country music and it's fans. It has to be the least offensive form of popular music out there, yet so much venom towards it.

I generally view this as one of those "thou doth protest too much" moments...

MrIllini · 03-27-2007, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EagleFan

He didn't ask how to tell if someone was from Illinois....

it took you all night to come up with that?

Draft Dodger · 03-27-2007, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

Ugh, you know what the problem with him is? If they just had a producer who knew anything about hip-hop, it wouldn't sound so terrible.

Ok, it probably would. But...mostly because he can't rap a lick.

I like country, I like hip hop, I like hybrid music. I REALLY want to like Cowboy Troy, but he is just, flat out, the worst rapper I have ever heard in my entire life. His rhymes are awful, and his delivery is worse.

Draft Dodger · 03-27-2007, 08:21 AM

I think it was EW that had a short blurb a couple weeks ago about some of the folkier pop artists getting squeezed out by the urbanization of the pop genre, and so they are moving more towards country. Jewel, would be one example (no doubt inspired by her recent stint on Nashville Star).

personally, I listen to a ton of country, and I don't really see much difference between it a lot of the other stuff I listen to

Karlifornia · 03-27-2007, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

Ugh, you know what the problem with him is? If they just had a producer who knew anything about hip-hop, it wouldn't sound so terrible.

Ok, it probably would. But...mostly because he can't rap a lick.

I think if someone was to do it, this kid should be it. He's signed to the Muzik Mafia. His name is Chance. His other songs don't sound as good. He's on myspace. I think he needs to strip it down (musically..) and stick to this sort of thing to start off. Folks will be confused. But at least it won't be as...painful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfcc6ZD-N9I

No thanks, I'm not ready for a second helping of Kid Rock.

rkmsuf · 03-27-2007, 12:16 PM

man shirts, short skirts

hoosierdude · 03-27-2007, 01:58 PM

Quoting my wife about country music...

"Country music wouldn't be so bad listening to if they could get rid of that awful twangy slide guitar. I can't stand it."

One of the reasons I listen to it along with talk sports radio.

Did I mention we have been married 28 years? I love that woman but she has terrible taste in radio and music appreciation. (ducks)

"Sorry hon. I will get right on those dishes, yes ma'am."

JPhillips · 03-27-2007, 02:00 PM

I like both types of music, country and western.

BrianD · 03-27-2007, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

I like country, I like hip hop, I like hybrid music. I REALLY want to like Cowboy Troy, but he is just, flat out, the worst rapper I have ever heard in my entire life. His rhymes are awful, and his delivery is worse.

Country and rap? My two least favorite genres mixed together...I'll have to be sure to stay away.

st.cronin · 03-27-2007, 02:03 PM

Its un-American to dislike country music.

BrianD · 03-27-2007, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by st.cronin

Its un-American to dislike country music.

What is it to hate country music with every fiber of my being?

MrIllini · 03-27-2007, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianD

What is it to hate country music with every fiber of my being?

I'm no expert, but I heard that means that Subby will come to your place with half-marathon induced ball sweat.

st.cronin · 03-27-2007, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianD

What is it to hate country music with every fiber of my being?

Nancy Pelosi.

watravaler · 03-27-2007, 03:08 PM

What do I hear on the radio? Bubble-gum pop with southern accents and a slower tempo.

03-26-2007, 07:34 PM	#2
King of New York High School Varsity Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edge of the Great Dismal Swamp	It's all about the fiddle. __________________ Input A No Input

03-26-2007, 07:36 PM	#4
MrIllini High School Varsity Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Where you live	the label __________________ if i said you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?

03-26-2007, 07:52 PM	#7
MrIllini High School Varsity Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Where you live	making out with your sister helps, too __________________ if i said you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?

03-26-2007, 07:54 PM	#9
MrIllini High School Varsity Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Where you live	dead flowers is a fan-goshdamned-tastic song...you're the best __________________ if i said you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?

03-26-2007, 09:06 PM	#16
Young Drachma Dark Cloud Join Date: Apr 2001	Ugh, you know what the problem with him is? If they just had a producer who knew anything about hip-hop, it wouldn't sound so terrible. Ok, it probably would. But...mostly because he can't rap a lick. I think if someone was to do it, this kid should be it. He's signed to the Muzik Mafia. His name is Chance. His other songs don't sound as good. He's on myspace. I think he needs to strip it down (musically..) and stick to this sort of thing to start off. Folks will be confused. But at least it won't be as...painful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfcc6ZD-N9I Last edited by Young Drachma : 03-26-2007 at 09:07 PM.

03-26-2007, 07:36 PM	#3
HerRealName College Benchwarmer Join Date: Dec 2002	I really hate the music they play on popular country radio stations and I don't even think of it as country music. They need to start calling that crap pop country instead. I see what you are saying though. A guy and his guitar and a southern accent gets qualified as country but if you substitute a northern accent it is considered folk music.

03-26-2007, 07:53 PM	#8
dawgfan Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Seattle	The "twang" of the signing (that southern accent you refer to) seems to be a big part of what constitutes Country music for most people. Beyond that, I think it's also about the musical style, which is often in major chords with fairly straight-forward tempos and rhythms as well as the typical instrumentation - guitar, bass, drums, often accompanied by fiddle, banjo and/or slide pedal steel slide guitar. I'm not a big fan of much country music outside some of the older classics like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Patsy Cline, but I do find that I like a lot of songs by rock artists that are decidedly "Country" in style - "Dead Flowers" by the Stones being a prime example.

03-26-2007, 07:57 PM	#10
dawgfan Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Seattle	The Grateful Dead also had a number of songs that flirted with a "Country" style that were pretty good, as did The Band.

03-26-2007, 08:58 PM	#12
SackAttack Head Coach Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Green Bay, WI	If you're gonna play in Texas, you gotta have a fiddle in the band.

03-26-2007, 08:59 PM	#13
Young Drachma Dark Cloud Join Date: Apr 2001	Cowboy Troy I kid, I kid.

03-26-2007, 09:00 PM	#14
Young Drachma Dark Cloud Join Date: Apr 2001	alt country and bluegrass for me pls thx

03-27-2007, 01:31 AM	#20
Schmidty Coordinator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Early, TX	I love country music, but I hate a majority of the horrific crap that is popular now. Give me the mid '80s and before, and I'll listen.

03-27-2007, 02:02 AM	#21
Pyser Pro Rookie Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Los Angeles	that dierks bentley song What Was I Thinking is the shit!

03-27-2007, 02:23 AM	#22
Sporkimata High School JV Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Kennewick WA	I like some so called alt country bands, 16 horespower, The Damnations, Jay Hawks...lotta stuff out there

03-27-2007, 04:20 AM	#23
Chief Rum Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Where Hip Hop lives	I wouldn't be surprised if non-country music listening people haven't really heard a Dierks Bentley song, but I would bet there are a few Martina McBride songs (like Valentine) or Keith Urban songs that just about everyone is familair with. You just didn't know it was a country singer.

03-27-2007, 08:21 AM	#27
Draft Dodger Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Keene, NH	I think it was EW that had a short blurb a couple weeks ago about some of the folkier pop artists getting squeezed out by the urbanization of the pop genre, and so they are moving more towards country. Jewel, would be one example (no doubt inspired by her recent stint on Nashville Star). personally, I listen to a ton of country, and I don't really see much difference between it a lot of the other stuff I listen to __________________ Mile High Hockey

03-27-2007, 12:16 PM	#29
rkmsuf Head Coach Join Date: Dec 2001	man shirts, short skirts __________________ "Don't you have homes?" -- Judge Smales

03-27-2007, 01:58 PM	#30
hoosierdude High School Varsity Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Great Lakes	Quoting my wife about country music... "Country music wouldn't be so bad listening to if they could get rid of that awful twangy slide guitar. I can't stand it." One of the reasons I listen to it along with talk sports radio. Did I mention we have been married 28 years? I love that woman but she has terrible taste in radio and music appreciation. (ducks) "Sorry hon. I will get right on those dishes, yes ma'am." __________________ TC Dale Last edited by hoosierdude : 03-27-2007 at 01:58 PM.

03-27-2007, 02:00 PM	#31
JPhillips Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Newburgh, NY	I like both types of music, country and western. __________________ To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.. - Mr. Rogers

03-27-2007, 02:03 PM	#33
st.cronin General Manager Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Mexico	Its un-American to dislike country music. __________________ co-commish: bb-bbcf.net knives out

03-27-2007, 03:08 PM	#37
watravaler High School JV Join Date: Jun 2005	What do I hear on the radio? Bubble-gum pop with southern accents and a slower tempo. Last edited by watravaler : 03-27-2007 at 03:11 PM.

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