| Author |
Topic: New Old Songs |
David Fields
From:
South Carolina, USA
|
Posted 29 Aug 2008 6:21 am |
|
I am not sure if this is the place to post this, but I am one who loves the old stuff. I am a huge Hank, Sr. fan, and anytime I have a chance to perform will sing a variety of his songs.
I am also a Merle Haggard, Ray Price, Willie Nelson, Gene Watson, TG Sheppard, etc. fan.
The question that I have from these men is why don't they come up with some newer older type material.
I know that they occasionally put out an album, but nothing big. Have they lost their touch with songwriting, or what?
Have they become complacent and well off to the point where they just don't have to worry about such?
I hear Ray Price sing the 'night life' and 'heartache by the numbers' and I think.....if they could write those songs then, then they can do it today. Maybe I just think too much. |
|
|
 |
Sonny Priddy
From:
Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA, R.I.P.
|
Posted 29 Aug 2008 6:35 am old songs
|
|
| The Young People Don't Want The Good Old Country Music They Won't Buy It They Want The New Rock Or Whatever It Is Junk.The Old Don't Sell To Good Now. My 2 cents. SONNY. |
|
|
|
Ray Minich
From:
Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra
|
Posted 29 Aug 2008 7:11 am
|
|
| "It's a young man's town" - Vince Gill? |
|
|
|
David Fields
From:
South Carolina, USA
|
Posted 29 Aug 2008 7:23 am Thanks Sonny
|
|
I agree Sonny, but that still doesn't explain why the good entertainers, the old ones, aren't putting out the same caliber of great songs that they used to.
When you hear live performances of bands doing covers songs from any of these great performers you don't hear anything that is beyond the 80s.
Why aren't these men and women coming out with anything as good as the old stuff? |
|
|
|
Pete Finney
From:
Nashville Tn.
|
Posted 29 Aug 2008 7:36 am
|
|
Well, first... Ray Price didn't write those songs you mentioned and has never been known as a writer.
It also seems kind of unreasonable to expect people in their 70's to still be at the creative peaks they might have reached in their younger years. Don't you think Willie and Merle etc. have contributed enough already for us to just be grateful instead of complaining that they don't write as many great songs as they used to? And some of them (Merle for one) are still great performers even if they're not as prolific as writers.
And there are plenty of people still writing great classic country songs if you look; Jim Lauderdale, Robbie Fulks and Dale Watson come to mind and there are plenty of others. We should make the the effort to support the ones that are out there even if they're not played on the radio so much. |
|
|
|
Jim Pitman
From:
Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA
|
Posted 29 Aug 2008 7:47 am
|
|
I heard Bob Dylan say on his radio show that he can't believe how good a writer he was back in the sixties. - There may be something to the notion that young energy is more creative.
I also believe the powers in Nashville don't really have their fingers on the pulse of mainstream America. On the contraty, I think they are quite aggorant and assume they can direct musical taste.
I recall a time when younger people started embracing Johnny Cash etc. Nashville never hopped on and continued dropping old timers.
I love Jim Lauderdale's music. My band does "I'm the Happiest When I'm Moving" |
|
|
|
David Fields
From:
South Carolina, USA
|
Posted 29 Aug 2008 7:48 am Thanks Pete
|
|
I'm not complaining....I just want more. People are complaining about what is out there now, and how the new isn't as good as the old. I agree. Pete, I do believe if a song of the caliber like 'Working Man', or 'Heartache by the Numbers' came out today that both the yound and old would buy it.
So if Ray isn't a writer, then he must have had a good songwriter working for him.
Merle has written a lot of good songs in the past and I wish he could do more now.
I realize that must of these men mentioned are in their 70s and older, but with the right songs I believe they could be back on top today. I just believe that they are that good of entertainers.
I have heard of some of the song writers that you mentionded Pete, but nothing has the critical acclaim that the old songs have.
My opinion only.
Another great song writer and performer that comes to mind is Loretta Lynn. |
|
|
|
Roual Ranes
From:
Atlanta, Texas, USA
|
Posted 29 Aug 2008 1:06 pm
|
|
Check out Ray Price's "Time" CD.
Bet you cant get it played on the radio...that is where the real problem is. |
|
|
|
Rick Campbell
From:
Sneedville, TN, USA
|
Posted 29 Aug 2008 2:43 pm
|
|
David,
The cure for your problem is to get XM Radio and tune to Channel 13 Willie's Place. Also, check out Heart of Texas Records on the Internet.
For country music, I find FM radio to be practially worthless. No disrespect for the current Nashville talent, but it don't appeal to me. |
|
|
|
chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
|
Posted 29 Aug 2008 5:01 pm
|
|
| david..willie nelson wrote ray's 'night life'...and i would be very surprised if willie and merle haven't written piles of songs in the last few years, whether or not we have heard them! |
|
|
|
Ellis Miller
From:
Cortez, Colorado, USA
|
Posted 30 Aug 2008 7:27 am
|
|
Just to throw another thought into the mix.... Back in the day - Price, Haggard, Patsy, etc, the Nashville establishment was driven by musicians and artists. For example Chet Atkins was the President of RCA. Subsequent to the sale of WSM and the Opry during the 70's, a transition has occurred and now corporate executives, accountants and marketing people are charting the course of "Country" music. Up until 5 or so years ago, this Nashville establishment had a strangle hold.
Fortunately for Country Music lovers, sattelite radio has opened up a new arena for air play and exposure that Nashville does not control. Some great talent has been emerging, including the names mentioned previously in this thread.
_________________
Ellis Miller
Don't believe everything you think.
http://www.ellismillermusic.com |
|
|
|
Johnne Lee Ables
From:
Minnesota, USA
|
Posted 30 Aug 2008 8:11 am I can't buy this....
|
|
| Pete Finney wrote: |
It also seems kind of unreasonable to expect people in their 70's to still be at the creative peaks they might have reached in their younger years.
We should make the the effort to support the ones that are out there even if they're not played on the radio so much. |
Hey Jim,
Some people lose the fire... It usually has more to do with the expectations of others and health, not age.
And, no, it is not...
"...unreasonable to expect people in their 70's to still be at the creative peak..."
Speaking as a "Senior Citizen", I feel that this kind of thinking is 'Age-ism' at it's worst. I want no one to have lower expectations of me than of anyone else. The Grandfather who raised me was schooling colts at 90.
Bill Monroe, Chet Atkins, Andres Segovia, The 14th Dalai Lama... Of, course I could go on ad infinitum.
This entire subject has to do with some folks' fear of their own aging (and death) and America's obsession with youth and beauty.
I do agree that we should give support to ANY artist that is involved in whatever style of music that we enjoy. And, age should have no bearing on it!
Just MHO (but then is reasonable to expect me to have an opinion at my age! Just kiddin'...
I know I have FAR more opinions than most folks care to hear! ; -]
Take care,
Johnne Lee 
_________________
Justice S10-Pro 5x4 C6
Roland Cube 80GX
Wonderful Wife
"In the course of a long life a wise man will be prepared to abandon his baggage several times." |
|
|
|
Ron !
|
Posted 30 Aug 2008 8:55 am
|
|
David,
good question.This has been discussed many many times and still no matter what the people say.....the record industry does not comply to the demand.
The record companies call the shots...not the performer.
Somehow they don't seem to understand that there is more then 1 age group running around on this earth.
It seems that to them the only thing that counts is the youth and their demands.
That there are people that listen to the older style country does not seem to bother them a bit.
We blame it on the artists....but the ones that should be blamed are the big shots behind the executive desks.
Right now when you have an older style song and you take that to the studio or a record company you'd be out the door faster then you came in.
Somehow there is no market anymore.I sure hope that this will change again.The sooner the better.
Look at Tobie Keith and his efforts.He started his own label and plugged it all the way to the top.He found out that for the style of country he was playing(in the beginning)there was absolutely no demand.
He changed it very rapidly and that got him where he is now.
Karen and I still believe in the older style of country and western and therefor do we not change our format.
Here is a song that Karen wrote some time ago that reflects perfectly in what you asked for.
Raise up the Country<----click here
Ron |
|
|
|
chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
|
Posted 30 Aug 2008 10:33 am
|
|
| nice music, singing and steel from a nice country couple!! |
|
|
|
Johnne Lee Ables
From:
Minnesota, USA
|
Posted 30 Aug 2008 11:00 am I'm not so sure...
|
|
| Ron Steenwijk wrote: |
...the record industry does not comply to the demand.
The record companies call the shots...not the performer.
Ron |
Hey Ron,
As you well understand, the record companies don't comply with artist demands. They do comply with consumer demand.
As do many artists...
That's why my homeboy Tobie sold out!
I'm sure you've read this:
"Entertainment Spending Looks Bleak
By Bruce Houghton - Wed, 04/23/2008 - 10:58am.
The weak economy is beginning to have an effect on the entertainment industry...Americans believe they will spend less on entertainment...in 2008...Teens were the only age group where spending tipped positive; 30% believed they would spend more..."
(I guess I should have highlighted that in green instead of red, huh?) ; -]
Money trumps the music every time!! Always has; always will.
As for me, I'm kinda like Barbara M., "...I was country when country wasn't cool..."
Reba and Kenny Chesney????
YMMV,
Johnne Lee
_________________
Justice S10-Pro 5x4 C6
Roland Cube 80GX
Wonderful Wife
"In the course of a long life a wise man will be prepared to abandon his baggage several times." |
|
|
|
Ron !
|
Posted 30 Aug 2008 12:10 pm
|
|
No I did not read that yet Johnne....thanks for sharing this.
Ron |
|
|
|
