Fifteen years ago, never mind THIRTY years ago, the biggest country acts in America couldn’t have sold out a stadium, probably not even an arena, in Boston.
Time to start taking country music seriously. It’s not a sideshow, but one of the MAIN SHOWS!
Used to be Top Forty was everyman’s format. Now it’s an urban wasteland playing to a slim part of the musical audience. Hell, despite all the carping about me-tooism in country, there’s more room for innovation in the Nashville format than there is on Top Forty. Hell, Big & Rich feature a BLACK RAPPER!

I’m not a huge country fan, but i can definitely acknowledge that it is a force to be reckoned with. In Chuck Klosterman’s book “Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs” he devotes a chapter to this trend, even go as far as calling The Dixie Chicks the equivalent of 80′s Van Halen. With teenage women changing to become more like teenage men, both in sexuality and in demeanor, it’s fitting that their music is just as outspoken and rocking. I’m not completely sold on the analogy, but still an interesting idea.

He also remarks that Country music is one of the few types of music that can actually be understood, as the words are very literal and actually understandable – vs. most of electronica and current rock (he also says that this is one of Eminem’s strengths too).

Ok, i’ll quit paraphrasing klosterman now. Great post, keep ‘em coming!

Well, in fact I do. But I only know Mindless Self Indulgence. If I have to compare them to another act I should say its a mix between Marilyn Manson and Jane’s Addiction. Not bad though. Recommended listening. Absolutely.

Best regards,
Gerrit Mesker
The Netherlands