It's Time To Raise A Fuss

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

This morning, I turned my T.V. to Station "True Country" (Musical Choices), hoping to hear a few steel intros, turnarounds, and fills. I listened to 14 songs, and decided conclusively that the steel guitarists are currently taking a backseat to orchestration and/or lead rock guitarists. If there ever was a time to make valid complaints about wanglings in the affairs of promoting true country by the deliberate exclusion of publicizing the sounds of true country music, it is now. I took a few notes for purposely checking out samples of recordings played in succession:

John Anderson - "Swinging"
Barbara Mandrell - "One Of A Kind"
Sammy Kershaw - "She Don't Know She's Beautiful"
Steve Warner - "The Weekend"
Chad Brock - "Ordinary Life"
The Judds - "Cry Myself To Sleep"
Dolly and Kenny - "Real Love"
Forester Sisters - "I'd Choose You Again"
Shania Twain - "Come On Over"
Travis Tritt - "Modern Day Bonnie And Clyde"

You won't find enough steel that is truly audible and worthy of mentioning in that line up!

Remember the big hit about the "fiddle in the band", when the steel commenced to fade? The lyrics stressed; "You've "gotta" have a fiddle in the band."
Perhaps a steel in the band would exemplify the intent of a specified bandleader.

Bill Fisher · From: Oklahoma, USA

NONE of those songs are true country, in my opinion.

Bill

Stephen Silver · From: Asheville, NC

It's time to raise a fuss

It's time to raise a holler

Another Hankey post

That I can barely foller

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

Geez Bill, you're a little bit late don't you think? There's nothing "current" in your list. Those songs are over 10 years old....some way over. Country has gone through pop phases, particularly in the late 70's and 80's. Nothing new about that. Some of those tunes you mentioned are pretty good IMO. Steel guitar and country music are not always synonomous.

I think there's way more steel on current recordings that in that period I mentioned. The quality of said song material notwithstanding.

Yeah, I know....I bit. These comments then out of the discussion. Have fun, boys Exclamation

Richard Damron · From: Gallatin, Tennessee, USA (deceased)

Bill -

It wasn't that long ago that someone, in a post, lamented that the steel guitar in Marty Stuart's band was buried in the mix and nearly inaudible. I brashly fired off an email suggesting that they raise its' level of prominance. Someone graciously replied and informed me that the mix was that which Marty, himself, preferred. In essence, I "raised a fuss" - but to no avail. Make of this information what you will. 'Tis only a small smattering of color in a much larger mural.

Richard

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

You've hit the nail right on the head!
I brought this up about one year ago and it flew like a lead balloon but I feel it's worthy of bringing up again. So here 'tis.

The JERRY BYRD Fan Club under Pres. Millie Annis used to have monthly contests. She would designate a specific disc jockey for a given date during the weeks ahead. She'd provide the proper spelling and correct mailing address. She'd select a specific Mercury release of JERRY BYRD's that she was wishing to promote at the time.

The 300 or so dedicated and highly energized JBFC Members would then see to it, that their personal "Request Letters" would reach the particular disc jockey on/or about the established date.

Most programs in this country DO expect viewer/listener input. Their ratings for advertising and bottom line income/PROFITS rely heavily on viewer/listener response. For every letter they do receive, it's generally accepted there are at least some 20-40 additional folks in the audience that share the same views (Good or Bad!). This is where the POWER lies!!!!

After the substantial influx of REQUESTS for JERRY BYRD's latest record release, that DJ often continued to play more and more BYRD music.

It would be pretty difficult for any show producer to ignore some 8,000 cards/letters from people all around the world, provided they all arrived on/or about the same date. That would be at least a couple of heavy bags of mail.

Some of you disagreed before and you likely will disagree with me at this time, however, an activist program of this type by truly concerned, caring and interested SGF Members could bring 'some pressure' to bear if handled as I've suggested.

b0b or some other respected and knowledgeable Forumite could designate the time and place to concentrate our writings each month or whenever. We could work together and see if it just might be possible to turn this disgusting trend around and get steel back up on the stage and in the spotlight as it once was and should be this day.

The considerable amount of time some of you guys spend griping and complaining about this g'tar, amp, TV Show, steel jam or concert, strings, or whatever on this Forum, could be put to exceptionally good use by such an active and CONCENTRATED effort.
sharing in an endeavor of this type.

I believe in it so much I'd volunteer to head-up such a steel guitar "project".......HOWEVER, here on the LEFT COAST, we get so little radio/television that has any leanings toward classic country music,
I'd be in total darkness. You easterners and southerners seem to have a wide range of stuff to view/hear that has country music associated with it.

Oh yes, a Valuable PRIZE, could be claimed by the individual Forumite that sent out the most letters on the SGF Publicity Campain. Maybe an olde thumb pick once worn by Buddy Emmons or whatever. We're talking about 'motivational incentives' here, gentlemen/ladies.

Okay.....go ahead and flame me! It only shows your limited thinking, and negative core and establishes for the world to see, that YOU are not a team player. (Woe is me........)

Bobby Burns · From: Tennessee, USA

This relates to a couple of other threads about the decline of steel, or decay of "country music" in general. Don't get me wrong, I'm no fan of a most "hot country" on the radio these days. There are lots stations that call themselves "true country" or " "classic country" or "the legend" and play mostly crap of the sort as you are speaking of. These stations are doing more harm to the popularity of what WE all know as real country music, than the modern top 40 country stations are. The reason teenagers didn't listen to country radio in the late seventies to early eighties, is that it really sucked bad. This was when to me country music really hit the bottom. Why these new stations pick that era to promote as country is beyond my understanding. Maybe it has something to do with who is making the money from the airplay of these songs? I think a station that is supposed to be classic country should not consider playing anything that does not have a fiddle or a steel. And, most of what they play should have both. These two instruments define country music, two leave them out, shows that you are trying to be considered something other than country, or that somehow you are ashamed of being country.

Bobby Burns · From: Tennessee, USA

I think THAT is Bill's point, that none of that is real country music, and that it is all old.
Jerry, I guess I was typing while you posted. It's comforting to know other people like and hate the same music. I just wish there was something to be done about it. Complaining, as comforting as it is, does not seem to do a lot of good.

Richard Damron · From: Gallatin, Tennessee, USA (deceased)

Ray -

With all due respect, might I suggest that you edit your post so as to eliminate the last couple of lines? As written, it is much too easy to view those words as a personal affront and would, most likely, generate unneeded negativity towards your effort. Diplomacy and all that rot, don't you know. (Forgive me, Bama.)

Richard

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

RICHARD.......a very good point you've chosen to contribute here and I admire you for your strength and belief that moved you to make those comments. I thank you most sincerely.

This world of 'political correctness' doesn't always inspire large bodies of people to get off their back sides. Some folks just enjoy preaching to the choir but that's not where the action comes from.

We can dance around the point and get more of what they're stuffing down our throats musically, or we can get SOME of OUR FOLKS engergized over the issue and to the point that something ultimately gets done.

Thanks again, Richard. I got flamed the other day by two of our own over a post I had contributed. They happened to be the first two respondents on that topic. They obviously couldn't wait to be the first two with their negative points of view. It was their right to do so but was it productive?

AFTER THEIR NEGATIVE sayings, most all other posts had a positive factor therein. I thank Pete Burak and all the others that had worthwhile things to contribute to the topic.

Rick Campbell · From: Sneedville, TN, USA

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Ray,

Thanks for your efforts in the past, and present for zeroing in on the current country music fiasco, defined as pleasing those who know absolutely nothing of the workings of the steel guitar, and its bountiful potentialities. The versatility of the instrument is the blade with the capability to glide with ease through any unfair practices.

Jean Shepard was a powerful advocate of suggesting to the people who tune in to radio stations that they have a voice in how disc jockeys conduct themselves on the selections of preferences and requests. She encouraged her audiences at her shows to speak up!

Ray, there are over 8000 members signed into b0b's Forum. 2,200 replied to a post containing a specialized chord chart. Names that rarely appear
suddenly came flooding in to request a free copy. We both know that these country players possess thoughts on current trendings of country music. The free chord chart was effective in amassing support from many who dwell in the woodwork. Our tentative goal would be to retrieve country from the jaws of a type of monopolized intervention. We could start by taking a long range view of what lies ahead.

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

If I can be of any help to you on any project similar in nature to what I (and you) have described above, let me know.

I'm olde and don't have much time!

But 8,000 + pieces of correspondence zero-ed in on a special target, I do believe, could produce a significant impact on what we're getting out of Nashville and elsewhere.

I'm a TEAM PLAYER and I'm ready to take up the responsibility that goes with it.

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

Thanks Ray, you can count on me to always be supportive in the interest of country music. I witnessed a single giant of all types of music, with the strongest bonds to country music, front the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Stanley Park in Westfield, MA., in 1985. Not too shabby for a country boy named Atkins from Luttrell, TN. The Louvins visited my hometown. Can you top those two examples of fine entertainment? Most youngsters are not aware of entertainers of the past. There are literally thousands of screaming ladies purchasing tickets well in advance to see "country artists" who play music that has changed more into rock-oriented groups. They roam the stages, applying themselves to gymnastics, and in many situations feign playing the guitar, and the screamers are none the wiser. It reminds me of duet singers switching harmony parts while singing. My interests would be mainly directed to identifying culprits who have beleaguered the progress of country music, and supporting musicians, who have devoted years of practice to their instrument.

Bill Duncan · From: Lenoir, North Carolina, USA

Great post! I'll help. Who do I write?
_________________
You can observe a lot just by looking

Ian Sutton · From: San Francisco, CA

I came to country and steel guitar through punk rock and hardcore and this thread got me to thinking: Had I been introduced to proper country when I was younger instead whatever it is they call "country" on the radio I may have skipped the punk rock thing entirely. It's really too bad to hear what's accepted and considered country music.

Not to mention, do you have any idea how hard it is to try and put together a honky-tonk/classic country band out here in Boston?

Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

I made a comment a couple of years ago [NO STEEL,NOT COUNTRY] Got a lot of flack,Having four ex wives,I'm used to that,might as well save your breath. Have not and will not change my mind, [NO STEEL,NOT COUNTRY] DYK?BC.
_________________
Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC !

Bill Hankey · From: Pittsfield, MA, USA

We as a group have the ability to increase in size, and our voices will eventually reach faraway places. I have a good buddy living on Scottish soil. Leigh, are you there reading the web? Leigh has devoted his life to entertaining folks here in the past. Don't you think it's time to make a fuss?

Bo Legg · Posted 7 Aug 2009 12:40 pm

If there is not enough steel guitar and traditional country music being featured in the media and you say there is a great demand for it, then it follows that the most logical place for great success as a Steel player would be outside the media such as a local live bands, touring traditional country bands and underground studio, all featuring a lot of steel guitar.
But alas! There seems to be even less steel players in those venues.
The percentage of the population that like traditional country music is very small and the percentage of those who think you have to have a steel guitar in the mix to be traditional country is is not in the majority.
The media is geared to the large percentage of a large percentage not the small percentage of a small percentage.
Letters won’t help. We have to buy. But we don’t because most of us have 7000 traditional country songs featuring steel on iPod.
Given all the above it is not hard to figure out why the media could care less what we think or how many letters we write about traditional country or Steel guitar.

Kenny Martin · From: Chapin, S.C. USA

Well i see ya still out here Bill, but this one is a good one for me! Did ya know that some older "Real Country" singers are still producing the real stuff! Gene Watson and Daryl Singletary have new CD's out that has steel all over them! Mike Johnson kills it on Singletary's CD!

Point is talking with Gene Watson he said it best and that is, the best way to get the message out is to support the "Real Country players!
Scream at the radio stations, buy the CD, go to the shows! Demand the real stuff in my opinion!

Its nothing but kiddie music now! Taylor Swift, Kieth Urban, Gloriana, Sugarland all are nothing but trash pop punk rock!!!!
Help clean up Nashville! But a punk rock producer a bus ticket!!!

Sorry Bill but had to make a splash in this one!

Rick Campbell · From: Sneedville, TN, USA

I love to debate the real country issue, but I'm kind of tired of it. I know all the angles, and I'm sad because of the turn country music has taken. But, the fact is we are preaching to the choir. There's not enough of us to make a difference. The only way to make it popular again is for the top country radio stations to play it and tell the masses that it's cool. I guarantee you that with enough money for promotion and fluff, Jack Green could be as popular as Kenny Chesney, but it ain't gonna happen.

Leslie Ehrlich · From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

I guess I'll withdraw my volunteerism and willingness to try and make something happen.

Since all of the angles have been figured out and letters can't do the job.......and one has to buy their way into the mix.......I'd say, let's just all give up and be content to merely whine and snivel about our plight. Since there is no future in steel guitar since there's not enough of us to influence anyone......why should we romantically beat a sleeping dog with a stick?

I agree. I give up.
I've got a whole bunch of guitars and amps I'm now ready to dump. One is already on eBay.

Bill Fisher · From: Oklahoma, USA

OK. I'm back. I've been gone all day. If you noticed, my answer was "in my opinion". Let me tell you what I think TRUE Country Music is. It's nothing new. You'll need to go way back in time to find it. If you want to hear lots of steel, fiddle, electric guitar, then it's nice to listen to Webb Pierce, The Wilburn Brothers, Carl Smith, Faron Young, Buck Owens, etc. When I hear of a station telling me they are broadcasting TRUE country, then these are the artists I want to hear. But anymore, I rarely hear any of this great TRUE country music; the kind that has lots of steel, and fiddle in it. And, as I recall, this is what this thread is supposed to be about. Yes, there are some so-called country songs on the original post, but I like TRUE country, and I really didn't see any that met my satisfaction. I hope this explains my answer a little better. Thanks for your time.

Bill

Bill Fisher · From: Oklahoma, USA

Hey, Richard, I just saw your post about Marty Stuart's steel player. I, too, sent off an e-mail asking to "turn up the volume". I didn't receive a reply, but not long after, someone posted that the steel player was NOT a part of Marty's band, but that of his wife's band. Now we know the rest of the story.

Bill

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