JTRoberts - Posted - 05/28/2014:  14:18:16

Country music used to be by and about real people. 

That was before the suits took over and Taylor Swift became the country darling. Hank Williams 111 gives them nightmares.

And yes, there is a Scruggs style banjo player in the group. 

Edited by - Bill Rogers on 05/28/2014 23:52:41

VIDEO: Three shades of black- Hank III (Vogue Paris) (click to view)

Ebanjo - Posted - 05/28/2014:  15:10:01

Hope Hank III keeps up the good work.
Eric Ellis

tjolson81 - Posted - 05/28/2014:  15:36:43

I'm pretty sure Ben Clark (Taylor Swift's banjo player) would be willing to go head to head with that fella.

Earls 5 - Posted - 05/28/2014:  15:57:41

 that's my laugh for the day right there now!

Banjophobic - Posted - 05/28/2014:  17:24:42

Whew....that is just bad all around...haha

JTRoberts - Posted - 05/28/2014:  17:37:56

Tjolson81:



"Taylor Swift's banjo player would be willing to go head to head with that fellow."



Well whadda ya know? A Taylor Swift fan. You and a lots of 14 year old girls with relationship issues.

Edited by - JTRoberts on 05/28/2014 17:43:01

Jack Baker - Posted - 05/28/2014:  18:21:41

JT,

Sit tight and bluegrass banjo playing will survive. I don't care for this new stuff either but every generation changes things musically. I'm hoping for a retro b,grass banjo return. I get asked to teach this new way of playing banjo every day.

I write it out and have my students play it and sure enough, when separated from the band, they usually hate it. My students are great personally but they lack any history of bluegrass and it's my job to teach them what it is and let them decide. Is it tough? oh yeah...Jack   p.s. I've seen several of Banjo Ben's videos and he teaches with a wonderful and positive spirit which can only draw people to the banjo.

---

Originally posted by JTRoberts

Edited by - Jack Baker on 05/28/2014 18:27:58

eagleisland - Posted - 05/28/2014:  18:22:06

This topic may belong in the "other banjo related topics" forum, but it sure as hell doesn't belong in this one. It's been reported to the mods.

JTRoberts - Posted - 05/28/2014:  19:05:14

Eagleisland"

"This doesn't belong here and has been reported to the moderators."

Good God, does there always have to be a hall monitor trying to kill the fun?

bluenote23 - Posted - 05/28/2014:  19:50:02

Well tjolson81, I know what you're talking about (and what you mean to say) but I'll just shut up now and let these old men have their fun...

Kenneth Logsdon - Posted - 05/28/2014:  21:22:18

An excellent... What not to do with a banjo example.. And no it doesn't belong in this forum..

MOUNTAIN GOAT - Posted - 05/28/2014:  22:02:09

That video stunk, but who cares where it is on here.

JTRoberts - Posted - 05/29/2014:  00:00:15

Not too many open minds it seems. That's just fine.

Bill Rogers - Posted - 05/29/2014:  00:01:31

I don't go for the "drums with instrumental and vocal accompaniment" approach.  I sure can't label the musical style though.

Edited by - Bill Rogers on 05/29/2014 00:04:40

warpdrive - Posted - 05/29/2014:  03:45:00

Wow, i want to thank the old foggie and wish we could go back to the 1950's mentality that frequents this hangout! Most importantly, thank you for making me realize(as i did many years ago) people are afraid of change, and long to stay in a comfort zone, and will b****, gripe and complain about really small things that doesn't really contribute to the life process. I often wonder what life is like for people so un-excepting of others abilities and talents, is it jealousy? or do you just have too much time on your hands? and the hangout is available for your personal disposable, to download and infect others with your lack of understanding of the life process! Understand this, we are a very, very, small, insanifigant group that happens to like the banjo, and at the end of the day, that is what we still will be, nobday is seeking us out, were not going to change the world, and when your laying own your death beds, are these really the things that you will be most proud of as you play out the last thoughts before you go? Really!

country frank - Posted - 05/29/2014:  04:50:46

Hank III rules. Does he still split his live show with half a hardcore set?

Taylor, however......harrruuummmmppphhh....

steve davis - Posted - 05/29/2014:  05:14:50

I like the 60s mentality more than the 50s.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 05/29/2014:  05:14:56

I saw him on the Marty Stuart show a couple of weeks ago and was not impressed.  Not my kind of music.

mike gregory - Posted - 05/29/2014:  05:20:36

quote:

---

Originally posted by JTRoberts

Eagleisland"



"This doesn't belong here and has been reported to the moderators."



Good God, does there always have to be a hall monitor trying to kill the fun?

---

Bluegrass Police

Hotrodtruck - Posted - 05/29/2014:  06:36:38

I think of traditional Bluegrass music like I do Classical music, in that it will stand on it's own long after the young and restless move on to whatever is new and different. Many people will keep the music alive and many people will return to it after they explore other music. I returned to it and I bet many other people here did too.

Mike

mike gregory - Posted - 05/29/2014:  07:44:06

When an individual carries a famous name, there may be expectations from others, which may have nothing to do with what the individual might rather do.

It is interesting to imagine that if Hank Jr had named his son "Andy", the whole arc of his life might have been different.

country frank - Posted - 05/29/2014:  08:06:21

quote:

---

Originally posted by mike gregory

When an individual carries a famous name, there may be expectations from others, which may have nothing to do with what the individual might rather do.



It is interesting to imagine that if Hank Jr had named his son "Andy", the whole arc of his life might have been different.



 

---

or Venus.....

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 05/29/2014:  08:12:01

People have been arguing about what "real country" is since the 60's. I don't like Hank 3 (or Hank 2 for that matter) - but if this is supposed to demonstrate some great application of banjo in country music, it doesn't do that either.

country frank - Posted - 05/29/2014:  08:44:40

Okay, so is this regarded as 'real' country in the 21st century?

 

youtube.com/watch?v=0LLvfpGpEyg

Edited by - country frank on 05/29/2014 08:44:59

Banjophobic - Posted - 05/29/2014:  09:15:30

quote:

---

Originally posted by JTRoberts

Not too many open minds it seems. That's just fine.

---

I wasnt commenting on it being 'country' or not, but the quality/musicianship. It was simply bad singing and mediocre musicianship, regardless of the label.

JTRoberts - Posted - 05/29/2014:  09:26:21

I think Hank 3 would be smiling that there was so much complaining on the bluegrass forum (where I originally posted this thread), that this was moved to the backwaters of "other".  The moderators were right to move it. I prefer it over here with the outcasts.



Here is the bottom line, from my perspective. Country music is real people making real music. The current incarnation that calls itself "Country" is not. The bosses of the Country Music Machine don't want outlaws, old people, homely people or blacks in their club. They want to look on the stage and see young and beautiful, and they want 16 year old hotties filling the audience.



Love or hate Hank 3 and all he represents, the boy speaks for the disaffected, and does it in a way that makes you think and feel something. His Granddaddy would be proud.

Edited by - JTRoberts on 05/29/2014 09:41:05

Banjophobic - Posted - 05/29/2014:  09:49:25

Modern 'country' is not country anymore, save for the rare artist who still manages to appear amongst the fodder. It is pop, left over out of work rock players, rap and some idiotic repetitive lyrics that represent the pure stereotypical image that feed the dumb masses. Oh, did I mention that I hate it? 

warpdrive - Posted - 05/29/2014:  10:26:03

Are not some of the arguments the same things that our great grandparents griped about in there day(with out instant social media)i mean come on guys, the generation of the gay 90's(1890's and yes there were gays) they hated seeing big band music, and big band hated seeing rock and roll (thank goodness earl scruggs was open minded)and rock and roll(elvis the beetles , rolling stones)they were all going to send us to hell, and now what, you don't like any of the country music because it doesn't sound like the late 50's to whenever you decided you hate it? I guess this is why we don't live much longer than 100 years huh, hell from the way some of you talk, you might as well been dead at 50, times change, people change, taste in music change, you don't have to like it, but you damn well better except it, but rather than stand in the rain, shaking my fist and cussing it, i choose to get an umbrella and get in it! just saying!

bluenote23 - Posted - 05/29/2014:  10:40:49

I have to take exception to that word 'hate'. It's a pretty evil word and I don't think we should ever hate music! Maybe 'strongly dislike' would be a better way of putting it.

Tomcat - Posted - 05/29/2014:  11:20:46

No when it comes to rap or the Taylor Swift stuff, hate is pretty accurate

JTRoberts - Posted - 05/29/2014:  11:28:53

Real Country........you know it when you hear it............or you don't.

VIDEO: Hank Williams - Ramblin' Man (with lyrics) (click to view)

Doconc - Posted - 05/29/2014:  11:39:00

Love Hank III, Jason Isbell,  Drive By Truckers, Justin Townes Earl.  As to what genre they belong to, who knows.  I know that the people who I know who say they like country music don't like this.  In this day and age, I think genre classifcation is mostly dead. 

jbgreen - Posted - 05/29/2014:  11:54:32

quote:

---

Originally posted by JTRoberts

I think Hank 3 would be smiling that there was so much complaining on the bluegrass forum (where I originally posted this thread), that this was moved to the backwaters of "other".  The moderators were right to move it. I prefer it over here with the outcasts.



Here is the bottom line, from my perspective. Country music is real people making real music. The current incarnation that calls itself "Country" is not. The bosses of the Country Music Machine don't want outlaws, old people, homely people or blacks in their club. They want to look on the stage and see young and beautiful, and they want 16 year old hotties filling the audience.



Love or hate Hank 3 and all he represents, the boy speaks for the disaffected, and does it in a way that makes you think and feel something. His Granddaddy would be proud.

---

I can't address how well Hank III speaks for the disaffected.  I blew through that stage years ago and now pitch my tent in the disillusioned stage.

However, I do share your perspective on today's "country" music.  To me it is little more than overstyled clones with pretty faces being plugged into a formula. 

William Hayes - Posted - 05/29/2014:  12:16:07

I recently spent 4 years playing with a very popular local NEW COUNTRY band as a utility musician that mostly played banjo, and towards the end of that 4 years I came to the conclusion that I hated NEW COUNTRY.
The band was booked every weekend with 2 or 3 and sometimes 4 gigs on a weekend, a very busy band. We recorded 2 CD's, the last one was done in Nashville with the guys from Jason Aldean's band producing it. We did a lot of opening shows for national acts that came through our area like Toby Keith, Trace Adkins, Zac Brown Band, Sugarland, Keith Urban, Willie Nelson and many others, so I did get to bump arms with these people and learned a little about the music business and realized that I was wasting my time.

Most of the band, and the people around the band, never heard of Merle Haggard or Ray Price and Bluegrass? forget it..... I was very alone with my musical interest's and it bugged me the whole time I was playing with these guys. I'm not gonna waste my time playing that crap again......

Hotrodtruck - Posted - 05/29/2014:  13:42:41

I try to find something good in most everything but if I tune in to a country radio station I find little that I can appreciate. I don't know exactly how to define what I mostly hear, but it seems to be a combination of Pop, Rock and Rap. I call it Poprocrap. Yes, I am a boomer who grew up with the greats, who had such a signature sound that I always knew immediately who was singing. Now, not so much it seems.

Edited by - Hotrodtruck on 05/29/2014 13:43:19

Ebanjo - Posted - 05/29/2014:  14:00:29

I think the rough/raw in Hank III's music is intentional and I like it, not saying I like everything he does. The big thing about the modern country music, as with modern rock, pop, etc. is that it's manufactured and not captured ( such as being recorded live with a group of musicians in a studio). In other words it's FAKE. The modern music has helped people with little to no talent become stars IMHO.
Eric Ellis

JTRoberts - Posted - 05/29/2014:  14:35:22

Ebanjo:

"It's fake. Little or no talent musicians become stars."

Exactly.

Since you are in Wilkesboro, your probably know where Dehart is located. All my Mother's family comes from there. Back in the day they had no paved roads.

steve davis - Posted - 05/29/2014:  15:26:24

I find Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives' brand of Country Music to be right on the money.

1935tb-11 - Posted - 05/29/2014:  15:41:09

quote:

---

Originally posted by steve davis

I find Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives' brand of Country Music to be right on the money.

---

i am a big marty fan too steve,,, some much talent there,, the whole band is awesome... as for hank the 3rd,, he does his own thing just his dad and his grandpa did,,  and no one on earth can sound more like the old man the hank III.. when he wants too.   hank jr did some of the best country ever laid down in the late sixties....  but got tired of being who every one around him wanted him to be.. so he done his own thing,, i guess it worked out pretty good for him...  

  i listen to all kinds of music , and try to learn something from each,, no i don't care for the new country but once in while you hear one that strikes a nerve...  the world changes don't matter if we go along or not.

terry m

steve davis - Posted - 05/29/2014:  16:24:01

I want tasty steel in my Country.
Marty's steel player Gary Carter has everything I look for in one.

Crying steel dripping with tube tone sustain.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 05/29/2014:  16:29:07

quote:

---

Originally posted by bluenote23

I have to take exception to that word 'hate'. It's a pretty evil word and I don't think we should ever hate music! Maybe 'strongly dislike' would be a better way of putting it.

---

And I think political correctness is evil.

ken

drew-gurbach - Posted - 05/29/2014:  16:30:26

The “Country” (and Bluegrass, I might add) that I cherish is from the 50’s to early 70’s time frame. I have a hard time listening to today’s “Bluegrass” (although the talent and skill levels are amazing), and absolutely CAN NOT listen to any of today’s “Country.” Strangely, the young guys in my shop will listen to Sirius XM and know ALL the words to today’s “country”, and flip the channel and know all the words to today’s Hip Hop and rap. Weird!

Ebanjo - Posted - 05/29/2014:  18:21:48

JTRoberts, I do know where DeHart is here in Wilkes County.
Eric Ellis

Kenneth Logsdon - Posted - 05/29/2014:  18:44:35

?????Is that one of those sheds, shreds? dreds or whatever they call those joke videos?? Surely they don't think their making music??

3 finger ninja - Posted - 05/29/2014:  20:21:32

quote:

---

Originally posted by warpdrive

Wow, i want to thank the old foggie and wish we could go back to the 1950's mentality that frequents this hangout! Most importantly, thank you for making me realize(as i did many years ago) people are afraid of change, and long to stay in a comfort zone, and will b****, gripe and complain about really small things that doesn't really contribute to the life process. I often wonder what life is like for people so un-excepting of others abilities and talents, is it jealousy? or do you just have too much time on your hands? and the hangout is available for your personal disposable, to download and infect others with your lack of understanding of the life process! Understand this, we are a very, very, small, insanifigant group that happens to like the banjo, and at the end of the day, that is what we still will be, nobday is seeking us out, were not going to change the world, and when your laying own your death beds, are these really the things that you will be most proud of as you play out the last thoughts before you go? Really!

---

Really...all that because a few of us here think new country sucks? I like some country music from the 50s...not all of it. I like some from the 60s and some from the 70s.. and even up to modern days a country song may sound pleasing to these ears....but I think your making more out of this than what it really is. 

I may very well be a jealous, insignificant old foggie who is afraid of change, but at least l'm not insulting people for not liking a certain genre of music.....do your meds need adjusted?

Edited by - 3 finger ninja on 05/29/2014 20:22:53

3 finger ninja - Posted - 05/29/2014:  20:35:09

I guess my main gripe with the new "country music" is the overwhelming lack of musicianship. I like ALL music as long as it is good. It is sad to see musicianship itself taking a backseat to pre programmed "beats' and choreographed a--shaking while someone poses with a real instrument. Its sad to see real music die. That is why I listen to roots, blues, old time, bluegrass, jazz etc..because I like to hear real music.

As a side note, I think the lack of musical taste is learned behaviour....Little kids seem to be drawn to live music..it fascinates their young minds...then they grow up and are brainwashed to follow  whatever stupid trend they and their friends are being spoon fed that day...get in line and shake the booty like all the other sheeple.

ok....im done lol

Edited by - 3 finger ninja on 05/29/2014 20:49:08

dmiller - Posted - 05/29/2014:  20:48:42

"Real Country Music"  is probably as subjective as "Which banjo is best"?

IMO - - Hank III can't hold a candle to George and Tammy.

I guess everyone has their favorites.  These two are mine.

warpdrive - Posted - 05/30/2014:  03:37:29

ninja, i don't live that far from you, would be happy to come pick you up, and we could roll downtown listening to hip-hop with the windows down! I could give you some of my (xanax,) we could spark a big fattty, hit some of the adult clubs, and then, i could show you how to make banjo blend into every form of music there is, even some of the stuff you just refuse to wrap your head around! But know this, i am the most understanding of all music and talent and ability YOU, OR ANBODY ELSE will meet, i don't just talk the talk, but i walk the walk and i consider old foggieism the biggest obstacle we as human beings have to overcome!

a g cole - Posted - 05/30/2014:  05:49:35

We need to be objective in our judgment of new "country " music.  OK, I'm being totally objective here:  The current hot "country" stars, with their cowboy hats etc. are phonier in their get-up than a cheap movie set.  The noise they produce is pure crap.  This is pure fact.