Carrie Underwood and "Country Western Tassels"
How long are we going to keep seeing the term "country western" in articles and blogs about country music? Apparently forever, as far as I can tell. Especially when even a so-called fashion reporter for a Las Vegas rag looks down her nose at Carrie Underwood for a supposed fashion faux pas, after praising Underwood for having previously "shed her country western tassels." Well, who the hell wears tassels these days, to begin with? Maybe some Music Row execs with their tassels on their $500 Moreschi loafers, but otherwise I have seen nary a tassel in these parts since Cybill Shepherd wore them on her drum majorette boots. And mighty good-looking tassels they were, indeed.
But these writers grab onto the term "country western" and worry it to death, like a dog with a bone. Once upon a time, there were two distinct areas of country music – western, which involved music of the West with cowboy singers like Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, and hillbilly music which evolved into country. Even in 1962, when Ray Charles recorded his landmark Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, the term was going out of favor.
These days, there’s nothing western about what passes for country music, and what little western music lingers is just happy to still be around.
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Jim Malec says:
It is completely illogical, Chet–but it’s ingrained in our culture as a stereotype nonetheless. It’s a knee-jerk phrase, exactly the same as when a non-country (& western) listener says that all country songs are about your truck breaking down, your dog dying, and you wife leaving.
stripchick says:
They only tassels I know of aren’t country western anyway. They are for strippers to cover up certain parts so they don’t get accused of being “all-nude.” And they’re only country if she’s got them on with a cowboys hat, boots and nuthin’ else. That’s a look that would look good on Ms. Underwood.
Sparkle&Twang says:
The real worry is that anyone wearing $500 shoes has anything to do with country music. Oh, wait, they don’t.
Sparkle, tassles and twang forever..
Jay Bizzle says:
Country Western huh? Guess she hasn’t heard of Cowboy Troy. Anyways…. Carrie Underwood is the most beautiful, sexy, hot, PHAT, country western or non-country western woman in the world. Anybody think different find me on myspace… I’ll set you straight. I’m out… peace
B. W. LaRoy says:
I’m wondering how long it will be before Sir Garth (retired) and Ms. Karaoke Underwood (officially working) get a duet piece together…written by one of the inside songwriters…and of course…record it in less than 30 minutes…it goes to Number 1 in less than one day…and the entire business moves to Oklahoma…right before a huge Al Gore endorsed tornado comes sweeping down the plains…and Nashville can begin the re-construction.
Sara says:
I happen to LOVE the “country western” look I’d rather where cowboy boots the heels anyday!
tracy says:
NOW LETS SEE HERE CARRIE UNDERWOOD WOOD IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL,GORGEOUS,AND BEST DRESSED COUNTRY STAR THAT I KNOW OF.SHE LOOKS GOOD IN JEANS AND BOOTS AND A COUNTRY HAT.AS WELL AS A VERA WANG DRESS.NOW HOW ABOUT SHANIA SHES AWESOME TOO AS WELL AS FAITH HILL NOW DO YOU SEE THEM WEARING TASSELS I DONT THINK SO .COUNTRY IS COUNTRY AND I LOVE CARRIE SHE HAS AN AWESOME VOICE AND TELL THAT LAS VEGAS REPORTER TO GO TO THE MOON.I KNOW LAS VEGAS LOVES CARRIE I HAVE FAMILY THERE AND THEY JUST ADORE HER.
Elle A says:
I don’t even understand what this person is trying to say!
Everytime I see Carrie at an awards show or in magazines she is beyond breath taking…wardrobe and hair, not to mention she is one of the most if not the most beautiful women in the world. I have seen more friends turn “Country Music” crazy because of her and know that is all they listen too….and love it no less. So I am gonna choose to believe that “whoever” is jeaolous. Get over it!
hotelmotel says:
I doubt that the fashion reporter was jealous of Carrie Underwood; Rather, I think the reporter was just ignorant about country music. The reporter didnt realize that “and Western” doesn’t follow “Country” anymore. That’s all.
Lisia says:
Your rock my socks
Bj says:
Carrie Underwood movie deal for her song “Before He Cheats”..??