Comments on: Classic CMA Awards Moments, #3: Charlie Rich Sparks Controversy (1975)

By: Danny

Danny — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 00:09:37 +0000

One of the most amusing moments in country music history I say

By: Zack

Zack — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 17:14:16 +0000

Erik, you are right, I think nowadays the ‘small town life’ ideal is what backs most country artists such as Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert as being genuine “country” acts.

Quite different than when it was back in the 70′s or even 80′s (and maybe even the 90′s?).

By: Erik North

Erik North — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 14:05:23 +0000

John Denver clearly was an outsider, an interloper, insofar as the country music establishment back then went. However, I think he understood the rural way of life that gave rise to the genre in the first place far better than those who slammed him, and far better than those artists today who proclaim themselves “country” without possessing any real understanding of that lifestyle.

By: Jill Helms

Jill Helms — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 23:50:08 +0000

I LOVE John Denver music, but in opinion he was in NO way “country” I still remember the ’75 incident and I thought it made an awesome statement about the then current country music trend without actually saying anything negative.
They were both outstanding musical artists, but I feel they belong in different genres– there is no comparison.

By: Lyn

Lyn — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 20:33:16 +0000

Does anybody know where I can view the clip? There was one on Youtube but it’s been removed.
Apparently this incident pretty much killed Rich’s career.Denver was the biggest pop star of 1975 and his fan base has always been pretty loyal.And John’s songs about the beauties of the American West strike me as a lot more country than Rich’s dreary ballads.
FWIW,Charlie’s son said it was a joke that went wrong.He even showed up at John’s home and tried to apologize,but alas John was away touring.So at least he kinda got that he overstepped the mark.

By: Zack

Zack — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 14:30:00 +0000

As someone referred to before, I wish they had “like” buttons on here, you guys (country universe) have the best responses [to naysayers or people who say bad/mean things] on the web that i’ve seen. :))

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 13:55:50 +0000

…it’s a bit rich, though.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 13:51:32 +0000

Having seen that Charlie Rich clip, it sounds like something he would’ve said that night anyway.

By: Dan Milliken

Dan Milliken — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 13:23:52 +0000

I want to keep ^this spam comment intact out of sheer creativity of content.

By: limbs andthings

limbs andthings — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 05:01:00 +0000

you people are idiots. especially the dog