Country Quizzin’: Country-Rock
April 22, 2009
UPDATED
I’m really glad I let y’all go rogue again this week; as you’ll see in the comments, there was some really informative, really amusing stuff firing around today! I know this format kind of weeds out some folks, but I’d like to thank those of you who braved it out. I certainly learned a great deal from reading through the thread.
Here are this week’s top three scores. This was easily the hardest week yet to grade, so feel free to question me, although I’ll note that it won’t make a difference in deciding who this month’s winner is.
15/15 – Sam G. | pselby | Erik North
14.5/15 – Paul Dennis
14/15 – BLL | Hollerin’ Ben
And here are the final results for the month of April. Please join me in congratulating our newest addition to the Winners’ Circle!
42 – Sam G.
39.5 – Paul Dennis
38.5 – pselby
37 – BLL
30.5 – Michael
Thanks so much for playing, y’all! I hope you’ll join us again next week for a new month of Country Quizzin’! – DM
- – -
Hey again, quizzers! Welcome to the final installment in our April investigation of sub-genres and relatives of country music. This week, you’ll be contemplating some of the finer points of country-rock.
More so than any other sub/relative genre featured this month, the development of country-rock factors prominently into the nature of current mainstream country. The musical cross-pollenations conducted by some of the artists featured this week played a huge role in opening the commercial and creative doors for modern mainstream artists to perform the kind of genre-straddling music they do, even as many of the artists below never reached as wide an audience as those they eventually influenced. Country-rock also formed the bedrock of what would later be termed “alt-country,” so that impact is also demonstrated by some of the artists below.
Anyways, this week’s quiz will employ the same “jot down what you know about X Artist” format as last week’s, because I think that makes for a more interesting and informative pool of information than I alone could provide for this sort of subject; however, taking into account that this format is inherently more time-consuming for the commenter, I am extending the period you have to take the quiz by an hour, just for this week while we’re still using this format. That means you should have your answers submitted by 11:30 EST, at which point I’ll reveal the answers and rankings and everyone’s comments will become visible. I apologize if anyone is radically opposed to this format; I’ll change it up next month again, promise!
Without further ado:
For each person/place/thing identified, briefly summarize whatever you personally know on the subject, particularly in relation to the subject’s blending of country and rock. As always, if you know nothing, you may earn partial credit for absurd made-up information.
1) Gram Parsons (who else?) -
2) Eagles -
3) Linda Ronstadt -
4) “Bakersfield Sound” -
5) Emmylou Harris -
6) Steve Earle -
7) Michael Nesmith -
8) Poco -
9) The Rolling Stones -
10) Neil Young -
11) The Outlaw Movement -
12) Bob Dylan -
13) Rodney Crowell -
14) Uncle Tupelo -
15) Whiskeytown -
Category: Country Quizzin'
Tags: Bob Dylan, Eagles, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Michael Nesmith, Neil Young, Poco, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, The Rolling Stones, Uncle Tupelo, Whiskeytown
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1) Gram Parsons – doomed avatar of country-rock – was a member of the Birds formed International SUbmarine Band and FLying Burrito Brothers. Seemed more attracted to the pain in Country music than to any other elements of the genre
2) Eagles – very popular 70s band started out as Ronstadt’s backing band before seeking their own fortunes. Glen Frey and Don Henley were among several to issue solo LPs. Had one major chart hit on the Country Charts during the 1970s in “Lying Eyes”
3) Linda Ronstadt – excellent singer capable of handling many genres of music well – started out as part of the Stone Ponies, had several hits during the 1970s in which one side charted country and the flip charted pop. Best work, although not most commercially successful came after she drifted out of this genre
4) “Bakersfield Sound” – originated by the likes of Tommy Collins and Wynn Stewart, but brought to its peak by Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, the style featured hard driving guitar, upbeat rhythms and featured prominent steel guitar
5) Emmylou Harris – Gram Parsons acolyte who went on to have a very successful career in mainstream country music. Best harmony singewr in the world – member of CMHOF
6) Steve Earle – “Guitar Town” kicked off this fellow’s career. Controversial figure, made excellent album with Del McCoury , now married to Allison Moorer
7) Michael Nesmith – once part of the Monkees, today probably best remembered for “Silver Moon”
8) Poco – from the early 1970s, IMHO the best of the country-rock bands, several members of the Eagles (Randy Meisner, Timothy Schmitt)served first in this band. Rusty Young (Neil’s brother) featured prominently on steel guitar. Never very successful commercially
9) The Rolling Stones – blues-based British Rock band of the 1960s and beyond – occasionally dabbled in country sounding material (“Honky Tonk Women”)
10) Neil Young – dreadful vocalist, excellent songwriter, member of Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – wrote some songs recorded by mainstream country artists – “Get Back To The Country” charted country for him in the mid 1980s
11) The Outlaw Movement – Tompall Glaser, Waylon & WIllie, etc, spearheaded a less producer dominated form of country music in the 1970s
12) Bob Dylan – can’t sing a lick, talented songwriter – NASHVILLE SKYLINE influenced many to dabble with country-rock
13) Rodney Crowell – more of a mainstream country artist than country rock – once married to Roseanne Cash – worked for Emmylou Harris before achieving solo success – had five #1 country singles off the DIAMONDS AND DIRT album. Wrote songs that were hits for the Oak Ridge Boys and other mainstream country acts
14) Uncle Tupelo – more alt-country than country rock. Jeff Tweedy & Jay Farrar were the driving forces in this band – split into Son Volt (Farrar) and Wilco (Tweedy). Album NO DEPRESSION inspired magazine of same name
15) Whiskeytown – Ryan Adams’ band during the mid to late 1990s . I think that they were from North Carolina but I really don’t remember much about this band
1. Performed soem duets with Emmylou Harris. Died in 1973 at age 26 from a drug overdose
2. A country rock band whose greatest hits include “Tequila Sunrise and “Take it Easy.” Broke up in 1980, but reunited in 1994, which Don henley Calls a “14 year vacation.” Travis tritt may have some credit with reuniting the band thanks to his video for “Take it Easy”
3. Part of the Trio. Had a hit with “Blue bayou”
4. a sound made popular by Buck Owens, and Merle Haggard
5. See #1, but also covered a lot of songs…Sweet Dreams, save the Last dance for Me, mr Sandman, etc
9. English band, named after a song by Muddy Waters
11. Included Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jessi Colter and Tompall glaser, Kris kristofferson and George jones. Known for its lack of strings, blue collar anthems, and its rebellion againt the Nashville sound
13. From texas. Notorious cherry Bombs. Married roseanne cash, and they went #1 with “It’s such a Small World” Solo Hits include i Couldnt leave you if i tried” and “After All This time”
Not my best subject, but here goes…
1. Gram Parsons – the guy who gets credit for getting the whole thing kicked off. Wealthy kid form Florida, decides not to go to college and instead plays music. Has huge influence as a member of Byrds, then forms Flying Burrito Bros. and Submarine Band. Eventually goes solo and reocrds awesomely sad songs, often with the help of Emmylou Harris. Dies still in his 20s. Some buddy of his steals his body and cremates in Joshua Tree N.P. Also owned great Nudie suits.
2. The Eagles – Don’t get me started! The band people that don’t like country music cite as the type of “country music” that they do like. Doesn’t stop them from being on all of the country music awards shows. See also, Don Henley Must Die by Mojo Nixon.
3. Linda Ronstadt – Sang Blue Bayou. I’m sure she’s a nice person.
4. “Bakersfield Sound” – Term used to describe the sound produced by artists hailing from Bakerfield beginning with Buck Owens and then attributed to Merle Haggard and others. Using electric guitars and an almost punk sound to update country music from the west coast.
5. Emmmylou Harris – Got her start with Gram Parsons as mentioned above and after his passing began so career that has stretched to the present day. Embraced the traditional message and style of country music, while also acknowledging the changing times in which she was performing. OR the short answer is…what angels sound like.
6. Steve Earle – Besides being th eguy that Jennifer Nettles has a crush on, Steve Earle is tough to define. Grew up in Texas with wild older cousin that taught him guitar. Moved to Nashville and met TVZ and Guy Clark and became their protege. Record labels didn’t know what to do with him, cut some amazing records with his band the Dukes, took vacation in the ghetto where he got hooked on heroine/crack/who knows, rehab, more great music, ran for mayor of Nashville, etc. Great songwriter, period.
7. Michael Nesmith – Grandson of the guy who invented basketball.
8. Poco –
9. The Rolling Stones – Brought into country music at least partly because of friendship between Gram Parsons and Keith Richards. This frriendship and the stuff that Gram did brought about the Stones foray into country-rock with Exile on Main Street and subsequent albums. Their music shifted back away from country after some time, but there is no denying that they have written and recorded excellent country songs (Dead Flowers, Honkytonk Women, Wild Horses).
10. Neil Young – The guy trying to get a 60s pontiac to run on tree sap or french fry grease. Also, pissed off Lynyrd Skynyrd like 30+ years ago. Former member CSN&Y, but his more country stuff was by himself or with Crazy Horse. One of the best songs about a dog ever is his about King.
11. “Outlaw Movement” – Name given to musical shift brought about as a reaction to the formulaic “Nashville Sound.” Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings are oftened credited with this shift as they left Nashville for Austin. Began to record at independent studios, i.e. Hillbilly Central, and using their own bands rather than the same studio musicians.
12. Bob Dylan – I think I heard of this guy. Kind from Minnesota plays guitar listens to Woody Guthrie moves to NYC. Writes a bunch of great songs, some would say he’s the best ever, and eventually grows a frog in his throat. Actual comment from ACL festival that he performed at a few years ago, “He sounds like a cross between Mandarin Chinese and Scooby Doo.” No offense.
13. Rodney Crowell – Guy who never really got the credit/respect/radio play he deserved. Another Texan that was around for the TVZ/Guy CLark/Earle times in Nashville late 70s early 80s. Writes great songs, was in Emmylou’s Hot Band. Had big commercial success with Diamonds and Dirt, which earned him 5 #1s. Has faded from radio, but is still making well-crafted records.
14. Uncle Tupelo – 90s band that many credit with beginning the alt-country genre. Jay Ferrar, Jeff Tweedy, Mike Heidorn (original lineup)were much more famous after their breakup than they were before thanks in part to Tweedy’s success with Wilco. Cover of Carter Family’s “No Depression” gave name to scene and magazine during the 90s.
15. Whiskeytown – Another group given a lot of the credit fo rth erise of the alt-country scene and Ryan Adams original vehicle. Now he’s “given up music” and in return we get Jaoquin Phoenix.
Sorry it’s so long, thanks again for the quiz.
1) Lured the Byrds into C&W; founded the Flying Burrito Brothers in 1968 with Chris Hillman, and gave us THE GILDED PALACE OF SIN; introduced the world to Emmylou Harris (and vice versa); died of a fatal OD in 1973.
2) Took the country-rock of the Burritos and Poco a few steps further towards harder-edged rock and became one of the biggest selling rock bands of any kind since the Beatles.
3) The Queen of the genre; though known for hit remakes and a penchant for exploring dozens of other genres, she is a stellar interpreter of songs by friends like Randy Newman, Warren Zevon, and Lowell George among others.
4) The great California honky-tonk sound of the 1960s as personified by Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, and Wynn Stewart (to name just three); personified by a harder-edged twang that clearly inspired one of today’s greats, Dwight Yoakam.
5) Introduced by Gram Parsons; championed by Linda Ronstadt; her ability to be both progressive and traditional at the same time has given her the kind of crossover street credibility with rock fans that almost no other country artist, apart from Johnny Cash, has been able to muster.
6) Hard-edged Texan with a penchant for delving into the kind of subject matter that very few would touch with a barge pole; had a big hit in 1986 with “Guitar Town”, but is even better known now for left-wing sentiments that make him a maverick and royally tick off the political far-right.
7) Hey, hey, he’s a Monkee, but he also pioneered country-rock as well with his First National Band, getting a substantial hit in 1970 with “Joanne”, and creating a so-called “red, white, and blue” trilogy of country-rock albums. He also wrote “Different Drum”, Linda Ronstadt’s first big hit in 1967.
8) Formed from the ashes of Buffalo Springfield, this band was overshadowed for much of its time by the Eagles, but they have persevered, giving the world hits like “Crazy Love”, “Heart Of The Night”, and many others. Early on, they also did a rockier version of the old George Jones hit “Honky Tonk Downstairs.”
9) Mick and his Satanic majesties owe practically all of their C&W-influenced material to the inspiration of Gram Parsons (“Sweet Virginia”; “Dead Flowers”, etc.). A truly countrified version of their hit “Honky Tonk Women”, called “Country Honk”, appears on their 1969 album LET IT BLEED; and in 1978, they also gave the world their C&W parody “The Girl With Faraway Eyes.”
10) Canadian maverick whose hard-edged presence in Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young made him an inspiration for others. “Heart Of Gold” remains a classic of the country-rock genre, as do albums like HARVEST and HARVEST MOON. Linda Ronstadt also did a bluegrassy take on his “Love Is A Rose” and copped a big country hit from it.
11) Personified by Waylon and Willie, this movement made it clear that Nashville’s days of the be-all, end-all of country music were over forever. Classics like “Lukenbach, Texas” and “Good Hearted Woman” personified the form, with a hard-edged honky tonk style that crossed all boundaries
12) The folk music legend was known for doing a number of countryish things. Two of his best albums, JOHN WESLEY HARDING and NASHVILLE SKYLINE, were recorded inside the Nashville city limits; and the latter gave us the classic “Lay Lady Lay.” Dylan was also good friends with Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson.
13) Part of Emmylou Harris’ Hot Band and once married to Rosanne Cash, but also known for being not too bad of a songwriter (“Shame On The Moon”; “I Couldn’t Leave You If I Tried”; “Give It To Me [Obscenity Prayer]“).
14) Example of 1990s alternative country movement (their 1990 album NO DEPRESSION led to an alt-country magazine of the same name). The band split in 1994, with one guy, Jay Farrar, forming Sun Volt, and the other guys continuing on as Wilco.
15) North Carolina based alt-country band whose members were often interchangeable, save for the mercurial Ryan Adams and vocalist Caitlin Cary. Adams has continued on with his group The Cardinals, while Cary has pursued a solo career and formed the folky female trio Tres Chicas with Lynn Blakey and Tonya Lamm.
[...] This week’s edition of “Country Quizzin’” at Country Universe is all about c… [...]
1) Gram Parsons (who else?) – Father of country rock, person who gave Emmylou Harris her big break, former member of the Byrds & Flying Burrito Brothers before releasing two brilliant solo albums. Pissed away all of his creativity by OD’ing before he even had the chance to join the 27 Club. Right up there with Hank Williams for biggest wastes of talent.
2) Eagles – Scourge of rock music, harbingers of doom, waterer-downers of country-rock music. And they STILL manage to get people to pay hundreds of dollars for nosebleed seats to hear them sing “Peaceful Easy Feeling” live in concert. Don Henley has clearly signed some pact with the devil.
3) Linda Ronstadt – Sang “Silver Threads and Golden Needles,” which puts her among the first generation of country-rock singers. On the country side, she’s probably best known for her albums with Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton.
4) “Bakersfield Sound” – Music that came from Bakersfield, duh. Buck Owens was one of the leaders in the movement, which differed from the countrypolitan Nashville sound. Dwight Yoakam and The Derailers are helping to keep this tradition alive.
5) Emmylou Harris – Goddess of country music, Gram Parsons’ protege. Released many classic albums in the ’80s (Roses In The Snow, Blue Kentucky Girl) and continues to be a creative force. Helped give people like Ricky Skaggs and Rodney Crowell their start in her band, as if she needed any more good karma.
6) Steve Earle – Graduated from the Texas music scene to the big time with “Guitar Town” in the ’80s. Never had a big radio presence in country music after that, but he’s released a string of great alt-country albums. Left Nashville for New York City. Survived a long drug addition and roughly 25 marriages. Jennifer Nettles, who probably couldn’t name 3 Steve Earle songs if you put her on the spot, wrote a song about him.
7) Michael Nesmith – Drummer in the Monkees, son of the lady who invented Wite-Out. Also wrote and recorded some early country-rock albums, “Some Of Shelly’s Blues” being the only song I actually know. He always seemed like the most chagrined guy to take part in all the Monkee reunions. Wore a sweet hat.
8) Poco – I know they were a country-rock band from the ’70s, and I know one of the guys in the band (Rusty Young?) joined with John Cowan and Bill Lloyd in a supergroup called the Sky Kings.
9) The Rolling Stones – Along with all their rock anthems, they also sang “Dead Flowers” and “Honky Tonk Women” which had definite country elements, and they let the Flying Burrito Bros. record the first version of “Wild Horses.”
10) Neil Young – Member of Crosby Stills Nash & Young and a prolific solo artist. “Harvest Moon” is considered a landmark album. “Southern Man” earned him death threats from Skynyrd fans.
11) The Outlaw Movement – It’s done got a bit out of hand, according to Waylon. It was mostly all about Willie and Waylon, but Jessie Colter and Tompall (sp?) Glaser also were on the “Wanted… The Outlaws” album.
12) Bob Dylan – Before he turned into the barely intelligible desiccated corpse of Vincent Price, he was the most famous folk singer in the country. He also recorded in Nashville and released some country-ish albums. Johnny Cash was his champion in country music.
13) Rodney Crowell – Rosanne Cash’s ex-husband and former member of Emmylou Harris’ backup band. In Nashville, he scored a bunch of #1 hits from the “Diamonds and Dirt” album before country radio realized that intelligent and diverse-sounding singles don’t produce line-danceable remixes. Now he periodically releases albums that get embraced by the alt-country crowd.
14) Uncle Tupelo – The band that gave Jay Ferrar (Son Volt) and Jeff Tweedy (Wilco) their start. They released 4 albums in the 90s that combined traditional country themes and some choice covers with a garage rock sound. Their version of A.P. Carter’s “No Depression” led to the rise of a fanzine/magazine/Web site/online community of the same name.
15) Whiskeytown – The band that gave Ryan Adams his start and led him to be the pretentious douchebag that we know and love today. Personally, I have an unrequited crush on Caitlin Cary, the fiddle player. “Strangers Almanac” is one of the landmark albums of the alt-country inception period.
1) Gram Parsons (who else?) -Truly a one-off personality. Hickory Wind and Love Hurts will trandscend any genre
2) Eagles -Originally put togeter as a backing band for Linda Rondstadt
3) Linda Ronstadt – Used to perform barefoot. Very shy person, but what a voice. Major influence for Trisha Yearwood.
4) “Bakersfield Sound” -Buck and Haggard at their best.
5) Emmylou Harris – Ethereal; Boulder to Birmingham gives me chills every time
6) Steve Earle – Not a huge fan, but Guitarown is enjoyable
7) Michael Nesmith -His mum invented liquid paper. He wasa songrwriter prior to becoming a Monkee
8) Poco -Ironically Timothy B Schmidt replaced Randy Meisner in this group and the Eagles as well
9) The Rolling Stones -Not a fan, but Jagger and Richards were in a skiffle band in Kent- thank you Jeopardy for that bit of trivia!
10) Neil Young -is Canadian; Buffalo Springfield was IMO the best band he was in; not a fan, too whiney.
11) The Outlaw Movement – Waylon and the boys tell Nashvegas to stick it.
12) Bob Dylan – Real name: Robert Zimmerman. Amazing writer, annoying vocalist.
13) Rodney Crowell -played in Emmylou Harris’ band with Ricky Scaggs. Vince Gill was in his band, played fiddle. Diamonds and Dirt still holds up today.
14) Uncle Tupelo -Saw them opening for Warren Zevon88/89ish- bass player was drunk, not impressive.
15) Whiskeytown -not a fan; don’t like Ryan Adams vocal style.
Sorry for the double post. Can someone delete one?
1) Gram Parsons (who else?) – singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist, was a member of the The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers. As a solo artist he recorded and performed duets with Emmylou Harris.
Died of a drug overdose September 19, 1973 at the age of 26 in a hotel room. He has been attributed to helping to found both country rock and alt-country. A favorite song is “Hickory Wind”.
2) Eagles – Band members Glenn Fry & Randy Meisner first backed Linda Ronstadt as “The Stone Ponys”. Name was a homage to “The Byrds”, one of the best selling country/rock bands of the era, bitter break up and later reconcilation produced “Long Road Out of Eden”.
3) Linda Ronstadt – First hit “Different Drum” as the “The Stony Ponys”, first solo hit “Long, Long Time”, 1974’s “You’re No Good” made her a household name. Went on to record a 3 LP set of “torch songs”. In my collection I have the picture cover 45RPM of her 2nd single “Up To My Neck in High Muddy Water”, the song was not a hit.
4) “Bakersfield Sound” – Buck Owens is often credited with the sound, but The Maddox Brothers and Rose were early pioneers, Merle Haggard and the Strangers, along with Buck popularized the sound to the nation.
5) Emmylou Harris – Gram Parsons’ early duet partner, sad and lovely rendtion of The Everly Brothers “Sleepless Nights” is a personal favorite.
6) Steve Earle – “Copperhead Road” most famous Album, Sugarland sing about him on their lastest CD. He’s has never been a favorite of mine.
7) Michael Nesmith – From The Monkee’s to a country rock classic “Joanne”.
8) Poco – Band formed after demise of Buffalo Springfield, the band has had quite of number of different menbers over the years.
9) The Rolling Stones – “The gritty Beatles” part of the British invasion of 1964, just like their name, they are still rolling strong.
10) Neil Young – Part of Buffalo Springfield, went on to solo success, After the Gold Rush & Harvest Moon best known works.
11) The Outlaw Movement – Willie and Waylon’s answer to the slick production values of Nashville.
12) Bob Dylan – “Lay Lady Lay” I’ll never forget this song, I was working for a record and tape distributor in the at the time, as we boxed up orders, we played “Nashville Skyline” over and over for months.
13) Rodney Crowell – critically acclaimed album, 1988’s Diamonds & Dirt, produced five No. 1 hits during a 17-month span. Married to Rosanne Cash for a time.
14) Uncle Tupelo – newer alt country band, don’t really know thier music.
15) Whiskeytown – Ruyan Adams’ band.
First off, I’ll disagree with your statement that
“More so than any other sub/relative genre featured this month, the development of country-rock factors prominently into the nature of current mainstream country.”
Rodney Atkins, Carrie Underwood, and Rascal Flatts owe nothing to Gram and Emmylou. But setting that aside.
1) Gram Parsons (who else?) – Ahhh Gram. His road manager Phil Kaufman (who famously stole his corpse) said of Gram “I like Gram, Gram wasn’t a nice guy, but I liked him”. Rich and deeply troubled – his father committed suicide on Christmas – Gram worked his way into and out of one of the biggest bands in the world;The Byrds. He went on to form The Flying Burrito Brothers with Chris Hillman and Country Rock was firmly on its way. He introduced the world to Emmylou Harris. He blew a chance to cut a record produced by one of his idols, Merle Haggard. He had a disdain for The Eagles. He loved to pretend to be in the Rolling Stones. And he met his maker via an o.d. at The Joshua Tree hotel, leaving behind a legacy of music that artists three times his age would envy.
2) Eagles – The undeniably talented and tragically smooth country rock group whose Greatest Hits is one of the best selling records of all time. They no doubt wrote catchy, engaging songs, and musically they were more than competent. But compared to their musical peers – bands such as The Byrds, CCR, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and The Rolling Stones, The Eagles represented a slick, mass appeal, shopping mall approach to music. Sadly, they have been one of the most influential bands of the past 35 years.
3) Linda Ronstadt – a country pop-rock singer in LA who famously sang barefoot and who had vocal chops for days which were perhaps best showcased in her album of Mexican music – Canciones De Mi Padre
4)”Bakersfield Sound” – Exhibit A that country music exists authentically outside of Nashville TN. Best expressed in Buck Owens’ telecaster driven, tight, driving sound. It was a form of country music that tilted more towards the Sun rockabillies than Eddie Arnold, which for my money is a good thing.
5) Emmylou Harris – She bagan as Gram’s duet partner, then went on to continue down the path he laid with her hot band while introducing the world to Rodney Crowell. She is perhaps the best duet partner in country music, a heck of a songwriter, and has a voice that at times is otherworldly.
6) Steve Earle – Steve Earle is a man who rushed as fast as he could into the world of hard core country songwriting, but tragically managed to be about 10 years too late to make the kind of impact he should have. He had a Nashville hit record with his Guitar Town and briefly threatened to help save country music, but alas, it was not to be. He once declared “if Garth Brooks is a country singer than I’m not” and the industry enthusiastically agreed with him. That didn’t stop him from producing amazing album after amazing album however, and now his son – Justin Townes Earle – is on an explicit and even unlikelier quest to save country music from itself.
7) Michael Nesmith – My perfect score is in jeopardy. Normally I’d answer “one of those lesser known country rock guys” but that’s not sufficient in this context. I’ll wager a guess that he was a member of the Monkees who decided to pursue music honestly and decided the best way to do that was to peform an updates, progressive form of America’s most sincere form of music – Country.
8) Poco – Country Rock group with Richard Furray in it. I’ll tell you more about them when I see them at Stagecoach.
9) The Rolling Stones – The best rock and roll band of all time (take that Beatles fans!). The stones spent a significant amount of time exploring country sounds – thanks to Gram Parsons – and their Dead Flowers and Wild Horses and Honky Tonk Women have become country rock standards.
10) Neil Young – I’ll tell you a story about Neil Young. I was in Boston a few summers ago doing this thing at the Berklee College of music and when people asked what kind of music I was into, I’d tell them “country”. I had three people – THREE! – respond “oh yeah, I like country, I listen to a lot of Neil Young”. Contrary to what those pepole say – Canadian Neil Young’s singer songwriter pop folk rock owes very little to country music, but his incandescent voice and songwriting abilities make him very worthwhile nevertheless.
11) The Outlaw Movement – Perhaps the most overly namechecked movement in country history, the Outlaw movement – as best expressed in the work of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Billy Joe Shaver – was an eclectic movement whose main hallmark was a return to mature songwriting and musical excellence and which existed mainly as a protest to the dumbed down, click and soulless sound of much country at the time. Some of country’s finest music came from this period, though sadly it has very few legitimate heirs in country music today – despite it’s number of self-confessed fans
12) Bob Dylan – Rock and roll’s greatest songwriter, folk’s most popular performer, the master of any American musical form he attempts (from folk to blues to gospel to soul to rock and roll to you name it Dylan can do it well). When we say country “rock”, often the kind of rock we mean is the “Dylanized Rock” that groups like The Band, Neil Young, and The Byrds played.
13) Rodney Crowell – A fine songwriter who began his career working with Emmylou. He’s written his share of classics such as “Ain’t Living Long Like This”, and still puts out interesting and engaging records.
14) Uncle Tupelo – Founders of Alt-Country and were the first band to really mix hard core folk and country sounds with modern rock rather than “rock and roll”. They backtracked beyond honkytonk and instead incorporated sounds from bluegrass and the Carter Family. They were also totally badass. Eventually they split into Son Volt – which still played country rock after a sort – and Wilco – which is lame. ha.
15) Whiskeytown – Ryan Adam’s breakthrough project. But don’t call it Country Music, he hates country music and thinks that grand ole opry sucks. Despite showing disdain for Country music, he still plays country and country rock influenced material all the time. Also, he’s married to Mandy Moore, which I consider to be a great injustice.
Damn you Michael Nesmith and Poco, why don’t I know more about you????
1) Grievous Angel, Helped start Emmylou Harris’ career. Dead.
2) Their Greatest Hits is the biggest selling album of all time. Last fall they released their first studio album (a Wal Mart Exclusive – Yuck) in 28 years. The Common Thread tribute to Eagles (I guess they really hate the use of “the” preceding their name) released in 1993 remains one of my favorites.
3) Huge in the 70s and early 80s with some of my favorites including “Poor, Poor Pitiful Me” and “Long Long Time”. In the late 80s she teamed with Dolly & Emmylou, James Ingram for a song from the Feivel movie and Aaron Neville.
4) Pioneered by Buck Owens and Merle Haggard in the 60s, revived by Dwight Yoakam in the 80s. Could Gary Allan be considered a modern Bakersfield-esque artist?
5) Ah-mazing! Angelic. Love her. Commercial peak in the 70s and early 80s. My favorite album is 1993’s Cowgirl’s Prayer. Something of an alt/indie favorite now. Can harmonize with anyone. Seriously. Anyone. Love her classy gray mane. I mean it, it’s sexy.
6) Country Rock (duh) artist, married to, dammit, um, Alison Moore?
7) Brother to James Nesmith – inventor of Basketball. Actually, that was James NASMITHand I have no idea why I remember that. It was part of 6th grade gym class orientation and, because I sure can’t remember how to play, I did hang on to that useful bit of trivia. C’mon! Give me a quarter point. Pretty please.
8) Pancho and Lefty’s third friend, never really got much attention in song though. The Federales got him right away. Original title of a David Lee Murphy hit until he realized that “Loco” made more sense.
9) Excellent rock band. British. I like them more than the Beatles. Blasphemous? I Don’t Care. Sticky Fingers: Ultra cool. Anyway, I like “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” “Tumbling Dice” (also covered by Linda Ronstadt) and my favorite, “Thru and Thru” (from 1994’s Voodoo Lounge)
10) Folk artist. Harvest. Farm Aid. Love “Unknown Legend”. Often outspoken about his political views. Had a legitimate hit video (ironically) in the early 90s with “This Note’s For You”.
11) Late 70s. I think Waylon, Willie, Jessie and Tom Paul’s album Wanted! was country’s first platinum album. Inspired countless (weaker) imitators. “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” is one of the first songs I can remember singing. That and John Anderson’s “Swingin”… or as I used to sing, “Just a ‘wingin!”
12) Critically acclaimed singer songwriter. Been in the game for 40 + years. Still a consistent seller. “Like a Rolling Stone” is my personal favorite.
13) Ex Mr. Rosanne Cash. Diamonds and Dirt spawned 5 #1 hits, a record unmatched until Brad Paisley accomplished the same feat with 5th Gear.
14) My creepy Dutch uncle who wears a baby blue polyester tux and flirts with his 20-something-year-old nieces at every family wedding, funeral and graduation.
15) The prolific Ryan Adams’ original band
By golly, I thought I should check on this a little earlier than usual due to my screw up last week; I’m glad I did! Here we go —
1. Gram Parsons – privileged kid who joined the Byrds in their latter days and made a couple of albums with them, “Sweethearts of the Rodeo” being one. Covered several classic country songs. They played the Opry, but were not well received. After the Byrds, he moved on to the Flying Burrito Brothers. Emmylou Harris got her start with Gram. Gram had substance abuse problems, died young and is buried in the desert somewhere (Joshua Tree?). Considered the father of the country rock movement, but Rick Nelson deserves some credit, also.
2. The Eagles – The adjective “smarmy” comes to mind. Began life as backing band for Linda Ronstadt. Original lineup was Don Henley, Glen Frey, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner. Early albums leaned toward country; latter albums leaned more toward Southern California rock. Later members were Timothy B. Schmidt, Don Felder, and Joe Walsh. Nearly all members shared lead vocals. Broke up after studio album “The Long Run” and famously said they would reunite when Hell froze over. Several solo hits for Frey and Henley. Henley got angry at an audience member at Alltel Arena in Little Rock and threw a tambourine at her and struck her. After they regrouped, they named their reunion tour and album “Hell Freezes Over.” Reunion spurred by appearance of all group members on Travis Tritt’s remake of their “Take It Easy.”
3. Linda Ronstadt – began career as member of Stone Ponys, who had a hit with Monkee Mike Nesmith’s song “Different Drum.” Went solo and charted both rock and country. Not a songwriter; performed other people’s songs. Hits included country classic “Silver Threads and Golden Needles”, Buddy Holly’s “It’s So Easy”, Roy Orbison’s “Blue Bayou”; Warren Zevon’s “Poor Poor Pitiful Me”; and Chuck Berry’s “Living In The U.S.A.” Tried her hand at big band classics long before everyone else did it and also dabbled in Spanish music. Joined with Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton for famous “Trio” albums, where their cover of “Mr. Sandman” was a hit.
4. “Bakersfield Sound” – typified by the Maddox Brothers and Rose, Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, and Wynn Stewart, among others (wasn’t Jean Shepherd in there, too?). Buck and Merle were both married to Bonnie. Guitar sound in this genre represented by very trebly Telecaster (see the great Don Rich, Buck Owens’s right hand man). Latter day torch bearer of the Bakersfield sound is Dwight Yoakam.
5. Emmylou Harris – as mentioned above, started with Gram Parsons and part of “Trio” with Dolly and Linda. Sang traditional country in early part of career, such as hit cover of Louvin Bros. “If I Could Only Win Your Love.” Her “Hot Band” spawned such stars as Ricky Skaggs and Rodney Crowell. Ex-husband Brian Ahern was producer. Hit duets with Roy Orbison, Earl Thomas Conley, and Don Williams. Later experimented outside of country music with “Wrecking Ball” album.
6. Steve Earle – first rose to prominence in mid-1980’s at the same time as Dwight Yoakam and Randy Travis. First hit was “Guitar Town.” Tony Brown produced first and second albums, I think. Had AOR hit with “Copperhead Road.” Derailed career with drug abuse and then prison sentence for getting in a fight with someone. Returned as singer songwriter who no longer has mainstream hits, but is greatly respected. Politics generally left leaning; courted controversy with song about American Taliban member. Son is Justin Townes Earle, who is beginning to make a name for himself as a singer-songwriter. Steve is married to Allison Moorer. Steve did an album with the Del McCrory band; his forthcoming album is a tribute to Townes Van Zandt.
7. Mike Nesmith – former Monkee; his mother invented Liquid Paper. As mentioned above, wrote “Different Drum” for Stone Ponys. Solo hit “Joanna” was country influenced. Was he in the International Submarine Band? AOR hit with “Cruisin’”. Video compilation “Elephant Parts” considered to be forerunner for MTV, so he is to blame.
8. Poco – one of the earliest country-rock bands. Richie Furay was one of the first members. Members Randy Meisner and Timothy B. Schmidt both played bass in the Eagles. Ever changing line up — group that had hits “Crazy Love” and “In The Heart of the Night” in the late 70’s was a completely different group than the one that had hits with “Call It Love” and “Nothing To Hide” in the 1980’s.
9. Rolling Stones – sticking to country-rock influence only here: “Dead Flowers” is a country rock classic. “Far Away Eyes” was a satirical country song that was the flip side of the “Miss You” single. “Country Honk” was a different country version of “Honky Tonk Woman.” Charlie
Walker covered “Honky Tonk Woman,” but was ashamed of it (learned from “Bill Anderson Visits With The Legends” on XM radio — I miss your show, Bill!). Keith Richards noted for love of country music; his duets with George Jones are great! And the great Merle Haggard opened for them in Little Rock on their last tour!
10. Neil Young – this has nothing to do with country rock, but I have to mention that he was once in a band with Rick James, because that blows my mind!!! Like Linda Ronstadt, Neil dabbles in various genres, and one of them is country music. “Are You Ready For The Country” and “Harvest Moon” were two country albums. Was in Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. Nicolette Larson sang with him; she had some country success before her death. “Heart of Gold” would now be considered “too country” for country radio, when it was considered to be “too rock” back when it was originally released.
11. Outlaw Movement – Willie wasn’t happening in Nashville, but was having success in Texas where traditional country fans and bikers seemed to coexist peacefully. Told Waylon that it was cool down in Texas and that you could follow your muse down there. RCA capitalized on the burgeoning movement by releasing a collection of old album tracks by Waylon, Willie, Jessi Colter, and Tompall Glaser. Was a massive success (Wanted: The Outlaws) and was country’s first platinum album. Waylon and Willie prospered greatly, but Waylon recognized that “this outlaw bit had done got out of hand.”
12. Bob Dylan – folkie who went electric at Newport Jazz Festival and was booed by many. Country rock connection probably originated in his work with the Band, legendary Americana artists, though the only American in the Band was Levon Helm. Dylan later recorded albums in Nashville, such as “Nashville Skyline.” Hit single “Lay Lady Lay” from that era was flat-out country. Charlie Daniels was a session musician on Dylan’s Nashville work. Bob was guest star on Johnny Cash Show; the two had great respect for each other. Bob’s Theme Time Radio Hour on satellite radio is a treasure, and he often demonstrates his love of country music on the show (I heard Buck Owens’s “Made In Japan” on there recently!)
13. Rodney Crowell – as mentioned above, Rodney was in Emmylou Harris’s Hot Band. As a songwriter, he wrote Waylon’s hit “Ain’t Livin’ Long Like This”, Oak Ridge Boy’s “Leavin’ Louisiana In The Broad Daylight” and I think he wrote “Stars On The Water” that George Strait covered. Married to Roseanne Cash at one time. Rodney had five number 1 hits from his album Diamonds and Dirt in the late ’80’s; one of them was a duet with Roseanne, “It’s Such A Small World.” Rodney has retreated to alt-country in recent years, frequently politically oriented. Was in the Notorious Cherry Bombs with Vince Gill and Tony Brown.
14. Uncle Tupelo – fathers of the No Depression movement; later split into Son Volt and Wilco, I think. Wilco has been the more commercially successful of the two. Wilco’s last album was actually compared in some circles to early Eagles, much to Wilco’s chagrin, I believe.
15. Whiskeytown – 90’s alt-county band that spawned the prolific Ryan Adams, who, like Neil Young and Linda Ronstadt, now dabbles in various genres. Mr. Adams apparently releases an album per month. I think Rhett Miller from the Old ’97’s may have also been in Whiskeytown, but I am not at all sure about that.
congratulations, SamG
Yay! Thanks for running this Dan, as it was a lot of fun. Thanks for being really lenient on the Mike Nesmith and Poco answers, too. Can’t wait for the next edition.
I really enjoyed reading all these answers
A couple of things I want to clear up regarding some of the answers people gave in this quiz:
1)–Neil Young and Rusty Young are NOT related in any way. Rusty (the steel player for Poco) is from Colorado; Neil is from Canada.
2)–Mike Nesmith played lead guitar, not drums, in the Monkees (Peter Tork was the drummer there).
3)–None of the Eagles were EVER in the Stone Poneys, let alone Glenn Frey and Randy Meisner.
For those who are interested in this wacky sub-genre called country-rock, look for the book “Desperados: The Roots Of Country Rock” by John Einarson. There’s stuff about this movement that’ll make your head spin.
Wow, you guys certainly know your stuff. Apparently I have been missing out, because I know nothing about Poco. Congratulations to the winners and thanks to Dan for another great quiz.