Remember Country Music? Here Are 5 Reasons Why You Should

Country music is one of the most maligned of American music forms, almost as much as disco in the late 1970s. Remember disco?  Remember hearing “disco sucks!” and it actually meant something?  That all started in 1979 when fans, musicians, and actors across the land took a unified stance against the boogie-woogie four on the floor.

This fervor culminated on June 12, 1979 at the Disco Demolition night when half-crazed and angry fans rioted. The event, sandwiched between a Cubs double-header at Comiskey Park in Chicago, was organized by local DJs who rallied fans together to blow up a crate filled with disco records. Things got out of hand and the fans first tore apart the stadium, then turned their rage onto the field.  Needless to say the second game of the double header had to be scratched and the Cubs forfeited.

Country music never elicited such venomous rage but it did come close. In the late 1970s due to the popularity of 1960’s rock and the massive influx of new bands and musicians, many country stars, whether through their own ill-judgment or unscrupulous record labels, licensed their music to be sold on TV. Once highly respected musicians were now having their lesser-known material added to collections such as 20 Great Country & Western hits or 24 Great Truck Driving songs and featured on the K-Tel label.

Performers such as Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty, Ray Price and Slim Whitman all regularly appeared on TV commercials looking as if their once vibrant careers were all but over. The cheap ads were broadcasted on local television networks and usually shown at off peak times, which added an element of cheese to the equation.  For a new generation, country music was the laughing stock of Saturday afternoon TV.

Then in the late 1980s things got a little bit worse when along came Mr. Garth Brooks.  The damage sustained to country music by Mr. Brooks cannot be underestimated.  Garth was an instant success when he released his first album in 1989. The self-titled album peaked at number 2 on the USA Billboard charts and instantly brought about a wave of interest in country music.

Garth Brooks changed country by adding over-produced rock elements and creating a hybrid that came to be known as new-country.  This new format featured big stages with lots of production, pyrotechnics, perfectly shaven beards, plenty of tight jeans, and a soft-rock backbeat.  The success of new country swept the nation and Garth was the Pied Piper leading everyone out of their minds and into cowboy shirts & boots.

As if things couldn’t get any worse then along came Billy Ray Cyrus.  Daughter Miley Cyrus is causing a stir these days but this is nothing in comparison to the lamentable tornado Billy would cause in 1992.  Again like Garth Brooks, with his first release, titled Some Gave All, Cyrus had a massive hit, selling more than 20 million copies and featuring one of the biggest singles of the 20^th century:  Achy, Breaky Heart.  Achy Breaky Heart could be heard the world over and was the final nail in the coffin for country music as it spurned line dancing.

Line dancing signified the true and final death of country; no self-respecting hipster could ever be associated with line dancing. Although line dancing can be traced to other music, it wreaked the most havoc with country music as people everywhere were flocking to bars and clubs in their cowpoke wear and lining up to follow along.  The cheese factor was off the charts and this became something more akin to the Mackarena or the Chicken dance that is performed at awkward company functions and weddings

But, this does not mean that all has been tarnished that has come before this atrociousness.  Below are 5 reasons to completely forget that the abomination known as new-country ever existed.

1. Willie Nelson.

Willie has become an icon and is a large part of the American music and cultural heritage.  Prior to recording and touring with his family band in the 1970s, Willie was a DJ and songwriter and penned a number of songs that have since become country standards. He later went on to fame with his Family band recording numerous hits, such as On The Road Again, Whisky River, and Bloody Mary Morning that would all come define outlaw country. Besides being a musician and songwriter, Willie is an activist and has continually fought for middle class American values.

2. Merle Haggard.

Merle Haggard continues to tour and record but more sporadically so than Willie. The Hag, as he is known in country circles, has a solid catalogue of material and is perhaps best know for penning Oke From Muskogee, a humorous ode to grumpy, rightwing 1960s values. Given his incarceration during his early life Haggard had immense sympathy for the common man and reflected this is in numerous classics such as Mama Tried, Sing Me Back Home and Skid Row. Following Muskogee with The Fightin’ side of Me in 1969, Merle quickly became seen to represent a rebirth of patriotism in the late 1960s and became immensely popular.

3. Waylon Jennings

Besides, Waylon’s success as a solo singer and songwriter, his first claim to fame was playing base in the Buddy Holly band. After this tenure with Holly, Waylon released a number of classic albums starting with Ladies Love Outlaws in 1973.  The follow-up Lonesome On’ry & Mean solidified his appearance as a staunch individual when it came to his music and lifestyle.  In 1975, Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way was released with the flipside Bob Willis Is Still The King.  Both songs clearly outline Jennings’ respect for all things related to Texas-styled country music. Later in the 1970s Waylon released Ramblin Man, Are You Ready For the Country, and Wanted! The Outlaws, with Willie Nelson.  All fine offerings with a heavy dose of guitar playing and solid writing.

4. Hank Williams

Although Hank had a relatively short career, passing away at age 29 en route to a show, he recorded a massive catalogue of material. Hank is perhaps the king of country music as he had a total of 35 singles that would place in the top 10 Billboard Country & Western charts.  Your Cheatin’ Heart, Hey, Good Lookin’, and I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry are just a few example of the masterful writing of Hank Williams. His music continued to chart after he died and is still re-recorded and played live to this day. Mainly constructed in the 12 bar-blues format and all following a similar lyrical style, his songs are filled with humour, sadness and longing.

5. Johnny Cash

Known as the Man In Black, Johnny Cash is one of the most popular country musicians.  His music connects people through his lyrics as about common man trials and experiences.  Specifically writing about the downtrodden, Cash often puts himself in his songs and gives his characters strength, even in the most dire of circumstances.  His catalogue is large yet the most succinct and accessible work is the At Folsom Prison / San Quentin collection.  The recording quality, setlist, and subtext all create an undeniably clear image of Cash as a performer at the height of his career.