Comments on: Monday Open Thread

By: Marc

Marc — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 01:00:32 +0000

Thanks to Leeann for linking to this thread. I know it asks for one but I can’t resist….

Travis Tritt.

Glen Campbell
Marty Stuart
Keith Whitley

Future “legends” that I can’t figure out even now:
Keith Urban
Trace Adkins
Alan Jackson

By: J.R. Journey

J.R. Journey — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 05:26:45 +0000

Garth Brooks? Barbara Mandrell? Alabama? RONNIE MILSAP? I am surprised at some of the artists on this list. Highly.

By: Erik North

Erik North — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:34:19 +0000

I really can’t think of any legends in country music that I’ve never gotten. Folks like Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, while they may not have great voices per se, have bodies of work that most of today’s country artists wish they could only have half of.

If I could name one artist of today who a lot of people have gone crazy for that I don’t get, it would have to be Toby Keith. His “patriotic” post 9/11 schtick (“American Soldier”, etc.) got very old in a hurry for me, though maybe not for others. And as much as he mentions Merle Haggard (especially the “Okie”/Fighting’ Side” era), Toby hasn’t performed anything yet that matches “Branded Man” or “Today I Started Loving You Again.”

By: LJ

LJ — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:58:54 +0000

Peter….. I totally agree with your Garth comments.
I’ve always liked Garth but when he oversings and turns on the melodramatic, I can’t take it. I can’t help but think how much better some of his songs would be if he would have saved the theatrics for the live show. I suppose that’s why I liked his first 2-3 cds best.

Reba does the same thing with getting all melodramatic and oversinging to the point of being ridiculous.

Just sing… and save the theatrics for Liza.

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:01:12 +0000

I think what some are saying about Garth is that his voice can be very expressive and he can sell the song, but that said, he has a tendency to oversing sometimes (see The Change) Personally, I can’t take him when he’s being THAT melodramatic.

By: Kent

Kent — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:25:34 +0000

I think Kevin said it about right. It just comes down to personal taste, and whether or not you like someone’s singing voice. And that would be why I don’t much like Johnny Cash and George Strait.

Perhaps my wording of “no liveliness in his voice” for Johnny Cash was a little off. I guess his deep voice doesn’t do it for me, but it is obviously more than that because I do like songs by other people with deep vices. Anyway, I guess it just comes down to that whole personal taste thing.

By: Drew

Drew — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:26:25 +0000

I just cannot understand someone mentioning George Strait, I’m sorry, that’s just pushing it too far. He perfectly blends both ages of country music, so even if you don’t like one of either the newer or the older styles of country much, you have to like him since he incorporates the essence of each. Another legend who I feel is overrated, albeit not bad by any means, is Patsy Cline.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:54:54 +0000

I don’t think any serious person could think, after reading this site and the 100 Greatest Women Feature, that I don’t have an appreciation for the older sounds of country music and that I don’t “get” them because of my age. Pretty silly.

By: Leeann

Leeann — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:08:21 +0000

Paul–

I understand your points. However, I’m a bit younger than Kevin and I really like Pride’s voice and much of his music. Likewise, I have a friend who is a year younger than me who enjoys his music as well.

There isn’t always a defineable reason for why an artist can appeal to some and not to others.

As for George Strait, I can understand. While I consider myself a moderate fan of his, I wouldn’t even call myself a big fan, because many of his songs bore me.

I guess I can’t imagine not loving Johnny Cash though, but I know I’m completely biased when it comes to his music because I’m such a huge fan.

By: Paul W Dennis

Paul W Dennis — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:48:10 +0000

And thus it shall always be – the reason that singers usually become legends is that there is something about them that appeals to “most” people.

I can understand why Kevin wouldn’t “get” Charley Pride because Kevin is young and Pride doesn’t have a voice that fits in with the current concept of a “country”, whereas Charley Pride fit the archetype for a 40s/50s/60s country voice to a “T” except he was far better than most, and listeners of Pride’s heyday felt the same as 35 consecutive singles made it to #1 on either the Cashbox and/or Billboard Country charts. A singer who sounded like Vince Gill or Keith Urban probably wouldn’t have been successful during Pride’s heyday

Similarly, I can understand someone not getting George Strait who has made a number of records that fit the “pleasant but bland” description. I can understand someone not getting Emmylou Harris (I must admit that the person who found “no liveliness” in Johnny Cash’s vocals has me perplexed – either he hasn’t listened to much Cash or is aurally challenged)

It’s simply a matter of taste – no one will appeal to everyone

And yes, I have every Charley Pride album except the Christmas and Gospel albums