I think what we call “pop” music has changed radically over time (compare Perry Como’s “pop” to Rihanna’s “pop”), but I think it’s safe to say that a pop song is generally defined by a strong rhythmic focus and the nature of its chord progressions as opposed to a lyrics-first approach, which is more characteristic of country or folk (which are traditionally minimalistic from a musical standpoint). I’d call “pop country” anything that combines that melodic/rhythmic sensibility with a “country”-sounding vocal and storytelling style. Kenny Roger’s “The Gambler” is a great example of such a song. But I wouldn’t call Randy Travis “pop country” despite the fact that he’s been played on mainstream radio, because his music rarely relies on pop music devices; it’s pretty much straight-ahead country most of the time (listen to “Three Wooden Crosses” for recent evidence).

To answer your other question, I’m not sure which artists you’d count as Americana/Roots, but iTunes says I’ve been listening to Bruce Robison, Dwight Yoakam, Justin Townes Earle, the Avett Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Robbie Fulks, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Kasey Chambers/Shane Nicholson lately, along with a lot of modern bluegrass (Cadillac Sky, the SteelDrivers). I’m always open to more enrichment, but I wouldn’t call myself a slave to contemporary country, no.

To Blake, I disagree, Genre description/classification for me makes everything crystal clear. Again, by definition the Pop music industries intent is not to convey vestige of music’s original concept, whether it be Country or Rock. In Country music for example…if someone tells me they are going to by some of todays Roots Country(as a genre), I know what to expect, just as I do if someone said the same for Pop Country(as a genre).

Let me ask both of you, do you listen to any of todays music know as Americana/Roots music? Just wondering.

My favorites tend to be those that reinvigorate the format without aiming to reinvent it. I’m interested to see what the future holds, but to hazard a guess, I see a more distinct split between country and country pop occurring in the coming years. Country music in its current state, with the dramatic decrease in agrarian communities, has become music for the suburbs. These people grew up on not just country music, but also pop, rock and blues among other genres, and they enjoy music that combines all these elements.

In my opinion, the change in country music is as much due to a societal shift as in the creative decisions of the almighty record labels. Too few artists continue to keep the long-standing traditions alive because a certain country lifestyle ceases to exist in many areas. And if these artists attempt to sneak into the forefront, they are met with the corporate resistance that defines Nashville circa 2008.

Contemporary country is still a successful enterprise, but generally, I prefer country artists whose roots are showing.

That’s not to say I think musical evolution isn’t a valid concept, but I wish people would call it like it is. Brad Paisley, however you feel about him, is a clear evolution of country music; he has a distinctly contemporary sound, but it’s rooted in some sort of discernible tradition. You can’t say that about most of Kenny Chesney’s recent output; songs like “Young” may appeal to country fans, but when they clearly have much more to do with John Mellencamp than they do with George Jones, why pretend otherwise?

One of my biggest issues with the ‘traditional only’ mindset is that music has ALWAYS evolved and genres do shift over time. ‘pop songwriting structure’ or ‘blues’ or classic/traditional rock sounds are bound to influence singers and songwriters nowadays.

Do I think there are some songs that are more ‘pop’ than perhaps would’ve been on country radio in the past? Sure but the same can be said for any time in country music’s history. Hell, there was a time when Hank Williams was considered ‘different’ for country radio. Waylon too.

I enjoy much of what falls under the big tent that we call country music. I can easily listen to “There Stands The Glass” and then listen to this song or even a Jimmy Wayne song and go right into another ‘genre bending’ song. I define music buy this: if I like it and if I think the lyric and spirit of the song are country, then they are.