When One Artist Skyrockets, Everyone Gets a Boost
Garth Brooks had his share of critics when he went stratospheric in the early ‘90s, but there's no doubt that he brought more fans (and money) to country music with his larger-than-life personality than anyone else before or since. When Brooks was at his peak, artists who can't even get a record deal today were routinely selling albums at gold and platinum levels. As one artist skyrockets, all the others get a boost, and that means good times for the whole music industry.
A respondent to my grouching last week about Gretchen Wilson's lyrics speculated that I had probably beaten the drums for her songs back when she was making her first big splash and selling a ton of records. Not so. I was just as critical of their content then as I am now. Even so, I was ecstatic at the attention the singer's redneck persona gained for country music.
Similarly, John Denver's genre-bridging tunes of the early ‘70s, Dolly Parton's detour into pop music and movies later in that decade, Waylon and Willie's Outlaw movement, the Urban Cowboy craze, the explosion of the group Alabama, Gary Morris' and Reba McEntire's successful ventures into Broadway musicals, the traditionalist surge of Randy Travis and the O Brother, Where Art Thou? phenomenon all lured additional fans and different demographics to country music. It looks like the same is happening with Taylor Swift, who appears to be attracting hordes of teenage girls to the format.
So here's to charismatic mavericks of every stripe, from cosmic cowboys to redneck women to prom queens. Those of us who are in the business love you unconditionally and tip our hats every time we draw a paycheck you've made possible.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
LC says:
Gretchen’s music is real! Maybe that why you can handle it!
She and her music brought a lot of fans back to country music. It’s just a darn shame, you and others have to always be so critical!
Have you ever seen her live? If not you should, because she’s put on a great show.
Keep on keeping it real Gretchen, because there are a ton of us out here that can relate to your music,and wish radio would play more of it!
Kenny Chesney’s Comments About Fan Voting Are On The Money — The 9513 says:
[...] role does fan voting actually play? Let’s pull the description of the award directly from the voting criteria on the ACM website. This award is presented to the individual, duo or group who showed the most [...]
OutlawSteph says:
What about all the hipsters flocking to see Charlie Louvin while we still had the chance? People who really respect legendary talent never needed fireworks and marketing campaigns to know what’s good and culturally relevant. And at age 80, Mr. Louvin didn’t sing any dang medleys.
-Stephanie
Joseph says:
Add Kenny Rogers to that list. And maybe Crystal Gayle.
What’s interesting is the ways the industry treated these genre-hoppers during and after their fifteen minutes. Along with Anne Murray (yes, I am a fan), John Denver and Gary Morris were respected and lauded but history may not record them as “country stars.”
As well, Willie/Waylon/the Outlaws experienced success despite their unwillingness to play by the industry rules.
Alabama and Randy Travis were treated like saviors. If any artists are wishing SoundScan was introduced a few years earlier, it’s them. Add Kenny Rogers here too.
The words “urban cowboy,” until this post today, seemed to have fallen off Music Row’s collective memory, despite the massive success — and the paychecks — it produced.
My fantasy exhibit at the Hall of Fame, in fact, would be one involving that era in the late 70s/early 80s that most of Nashville’s historians tend to ignore. Regardless to why it happened (though an in-depth examination of that would be fabulous), there are plenty of us who grew up listening to our local radio stations play the likes of Marie Osmond, Louise Mandrell, Dave & Sugar, Sylvia, “contemporary” Dolly, Dan Seals, Larry & the Gatlins, Lee Greenwood, etc.
Always Right says:
Anne Murray sucked. She always sang songs that were already hits for somebody else.
ed morris says:
Joseph, you’re right on target. I should have included Kenny Rogers.
Shannon says:
I think that its a shame that Gretchen Wilson has all of a sudden disappeared from country radio. She brought country back to where it was suposed to be when it started goin pop, and being too polished. She brought it back to what its really all bout.
I think its sad that she continues to make wonderful records and writing her own music, and that she no longer gets agnoliged for her new songs.
But Gretchen, you know youve got fans who love you, so please keep doin what your doin!!