Merle Haggard lives, Garth Brooks is long gone

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

I find it so ironic. Garth Brooks turned out to be just a marketing blip in the history of country music. Just like Shania Twain. Merle Haggard and George Jones will go down as living legends. Loretta Lynn also. They are still touring. They were here before, and they are here after, because they are real. Merle still writes and plays his music. Real country music prevails.

Pat Irvin · From: Kansas City, Missouri, USA

Kevin,

I hate to burst your bubble, but Garth Brooks is still a huge draw. Don't get me wrong I'm as big a Haggard fan as you'll find.

But Hag can't sell out 9 consecutive arena shows anymore, and Garth can.

It don't mean it's right, but it's the way it is.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2007-11-15-garth-brooks_N.htm
_________________
2003 Zum D-10 8x5, Late 60's Fender 400 8x0, 1954 Fender Custom T-8, 1968 Fender Telecaster, Peavey Nashville 1000, Session 500, Session 400, PodXT

Mark Eaton · Posted 2 Aug 2008 1:07 pm

Yeah, Kevin, I was wondering where you were coming from myself.

I won't be in attendance at any of Garth's concerts, but the reports are that he has been rakin' it in since coming out of so-called retirement from live performing.
_________________
Mark

John Macy · From: Rockport TX/Denver CO

100+ million records sold is a marketing blip????
_________________
John Macy
Rockport, TX
Engineer/Producer/Steel Guitar

Barry Blackwood · Posted 2 Aug 2008 3:03 pm

His 'retirement' lasted about as long as the Judd's did ...... Rolling Eyes

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Barf Who?????

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

Marketing blip? From a business point of view, more like large asteroid landing in the center of North America, reshaping the entire continent. Not saying anybody has to like this, but I think GB is still the idealized biz model for the business side of the country music biz, which is based on demographics and money, not music.

It would be good if this would change, but I don't think it has, at least yet. In fact, I think a bunch of other styles borrowed from this.

Les Anderson · From: The Great White North

I think if I could have made a 100 million in about five years, I think I could afford to live a happy life at home for a few years.

A blip on the music scene means five to seven years of hotels, buses, mosquitoes, rains, freezing cold out door shows, screaming fans, absolutely no privacy and not being able to walk into store or Arbys without being mobbed. Not to mention all the freaks who wouldn't think twice to kidnap their kids for a million dollar ransom.

Remember that little blonde babe who sang with ABBA? She still gets mobbed in stores and and on the streets everywhere she goes. Abba was a six year $$$$$$$$$$$ blip. That was thirty years ago. Rolling Eyes

_________________
(I am not right all of the time but I sure like to think I am!)

Brint Hannay · From: Maryland, USA

I couldn't be happier that Merle lives--literally and figuratively. He tours; but when he comes to this market, he plays a quality, large club, not a concert hall or stadium. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Garth certainly didn't "retire" because he was a "blip"--he "retired" at the top of the game because he'd made so much money for enough years that he could afford to! And, presumably, returned to performing because he loves it! What's not to like about that?

In my personal opinion, while I would never compare Garth to the likes of Merle, and Garth's music is not in the "traditional" country vein, for the most part, neither does it deserve to be lumped in with the abominable dung that passes for "country" on the radio today. I think his work is far better, both in songcraft and in sincerity of intent.

My opinion only.

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

I seriously doubt that anyone can call Shania or Garth a marketing scam.

Although I prefer Merle and AJ to both, I suspect that Shania , as she collects her royalty checks in the mailbox probably EVERYDAY from all of the songs she has penned, which basically are ALL OF HER SONGS, pretty much doesn't care what a few Steel Guitar players think.

Shania has earned her spot and rightfully so. She may not be what we refer to as a traditional artist but she made HERSELF what she is. She defined what the rest of the gals behind her need to do and what they should look like. She and her husband Knew exactly what to do and did it.

Garth, he's a good artist and a good singer, he earned his spot as well.

Our bands have been covering Garth tunes on the setlists along with Merle and AJ etc k like many, for years now.People love those songs.

Nothing wrong with that. Actually, we have played many gigs where they did NOT want just Merle and AJ tunes all night.

Long live, Merle, Garth and Shania I say !

Theresa Galbraith · From: Goodlettsville,Tn. USA

Shania can do no wrong! Smile

I agree Tony!

Ron Page · From: Penn Yan, NY USA

I think Kevin was primarily referring to longevity and the willingness to keep "taking it" for 40+ years.
_________________
HagFan
Emmons Lashley LeGrande II

Mark Eaton · Posted 3 Aug 2008 8:54 pm

I'm not going to assume anything about the gist of Kevin's original post until he chimes in and elaborates on it.
_________________
Mark

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

nobody loves Merle more than me, but nobody can argue that he (or his lable) have released countless retake/reissue/best of albums thru the years, some good and some, not so good. Some have the Steel removed !!!

At some point I am thinking Shania's next career will be to re-release the "reissue" CD's and like Garth , retire , then come back with a return from retirement CD..which I believe the concept was invented by the Judds . I think the only real difference is that Merle never actually stated that he retired during the process.

Remember, I love Merle, but I also have a dozen or so Merle CD's that should never have come home with me from the store !

Thank God for Rhapsody !

Probably for Shania, age will matter, Merle looks like the hobo that he sings about , Shania can't get away with that one ! Garth will probably have to give up the WIRE" across the stage routine. At some point, weight matters Smile

kyle reid · From: Butte,Mt.usa

I am definately Not a Barth Gooks fan! However, compared to that horrible sounding Sugarland gal with the waawaawaa voice! Barth is the greatest singer out there! Seriously, Shania is gorgous & sings great! Sorry for the Hyjack, but everyone's doing it!

Ray Minich · From: Bradford, Pa. Frozen Tundra

Last month I saw Michael McDonald do "You Belong To Me" from 50 feet away on a Tuesday nite, and Kenny Loggins do "Angry Eyes" (for us lifers) 3 days later from 50 feet away.

The old guys still have it...

Jerry Hayes · From: Virginia Beach, Va.

Personally I like the Sugarland babe (Jennifer Nettles) and I think she can sing her butt off. Check out "Why Don't You Stay". I just don't care much for the little weird dude in the funny hats (Kristian Bush) who jumps around and beats on a guitar or mandolin. Whatever happened to the "large" girl who was with them whent they first started? She was on the first couple of videos and then just dropped from sight.

As for Garth, he's a keeper! He's got a bunch of great songs and he's penned a lot of 'em. He showed the world that a country act could play the big arenas and put on a first class show as well as any of the big name rock acts could. He brought a lot more people to country music than just about any artist you can name. Anyone who can retire for a few years and then come back on board that strong has to have something going for him. He's put on a few pounds though, maybe he should change his name to "Girth" Brooks!.......JH in Va.
_________________
Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!!

Ron Page · From: Penn Yan, NY USA

Merle Haggard once described his career as a 30-year bus ride. True, his song catalog has been released over and over. Now it’s a 40-year bus ride and the man is still out there entertaining many nights every year.

I liked Garth’s first two CD’s. After the trapeze act and the guitar smashing he sort of lost me.

Let's not confuse commercial success with being legendary in country music's history. Check the inventory on any used CD web site and see how many are selling the original Haggard albums. Contrast that with the Garth titles.
_________________
HagFan
Emmons Lashley LeGrande II

Terry Edwards · From: Florida... livin' on spongecake...

Bob Dylan..... Lay Lady Lay.

... another marketing blip laying in the big brass bed of Country Music!

..a bed with room for it all.

T

Doug Beaumier · From: Northampton, MA

Charles Davidson · From: Phenix City Alabama, USA

I think Merle just like Hank Sr.will still be selling for many,many, years to come,after GB has faded away,Hank and Merle don't need big over hyped comeback tours to stay alive,DYKBC.
_________________
Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC !

Chris LeDrew · From: Canada

Credibility, like "cool", is hard to define. You either have it or you don't. Merle has it. Garth does not.
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com

Theresa Galbraith · From: Goodlettsville,Tn. USA

I agree with Dave's comment other than "Not Music"!
Garth has and still makes good music today. Smile

Matthew Prouty · From: Warsaw, Poland

In Germany they call Garth Brooks (who is seen as the epitome of American Country Music)

UberMegaSuperStern Garth Brooks (the s on super sounds like Zuper).

m.

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

Can you compare Madonna in musical talent to Ella Fritzgerald? I'm not of the opinion that selling millions of records equates to legendary talent. New Kids On The Block also sold millions. Some of Garth's early material was good, and I even enjoyed some of his later work, but Merle has never stopped through good times or bad. Same with Loretta Lynn. I'll agree that Garth left his mark on country music. Merle is playing a race track here at our county fair. 5000 people. I just admire his reality.

Forum Index > Music	Goto page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Next	Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic