Will the CMA Ever Disarm?
I wish the Country Music Association would decide whether it wants to be a trade group that promotes a particular brand of entertainment or an adjunct to the American Legion. It's one thing for the CMA to applaud the good work that some soldiers do some of the time, but it's quite another for it to fawn over all things military and to coerce those attending the CMA Music Festival to do the same. Here's what I'm talking about. This year, the CMA arranged for a "flyover" of four military jets before the start of each nightly concert at LP Field. This went on for four evenings. Then, during breaks in each concert, the pilots and support team members of these aircraft were paraded across the stage and introduced to the crowd by name.
What in the name of Roy Acuff does any of this have to do with spreading country music to the masses? Who is the CMA to take upon itself the role of propagandist for the U. S. military? And by what right does it unilaterally involve festival-goers in its martial enthusiasm? There's something spooky about conditioning a crowd to leap to its feet and cheer when instruments of death fly over.
Aside from my jurisdictional qualms about mixing music and militarism, I found it odd that the CMA was preaching recycling on the ground while, at the same time, implicitly encouraging the waste of fuel and the spewing out of carbon overhead. Still, I really did like Dwight Yoakam. Let's have him back and stow the jets.
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Rhonda Terstegge says:
I thought the flyovers were great. Whether you agree with the Iraq war or not, the military is helping to keep us safe in America. You were not required to stand for them or clap for them but I really do not understand your problem with them being there. I salute all military personnel for doing a job that many refuse to do. I take every opportunity to thank any military folk that I encounter. So, do you also feel that the playing of the Star Spangled Banner is propagandizing? Instead of thinking of the jets as instruments of death, perhaps we should think of them as instruments of safety (our safety in our own country). True, I did think about the fuel though, on that I have to agree with you.
David Nisbet, Scotland says:
You might not agree with what your military has to do but that’s no reason to disrepect them. A countries military defends them and you should respect them.
Vicki says:
So true David! BTW, where in Scotland? My Mom’s from Paisley.
David Nisbet, Scotland says:
Kirkintilloch next to Glasgow.
Chris S says:
I, for one, felt that the patriotism that was displayed at the CMA Music Festival was spectacular. From some of the acoustic song choices to the nightly fly-overs, it made me proud to be an American. Those in the military are fighting for our freedom to be able to vacation in this great land, and for that everyone should be thankful. My brother and sister-in-law are both in the reserves after serving in active military for years. My niece is presently in Army boot camp. My brother has done 3 tours of duty to Iraq. Am I a proud American? You bet! Should you be? You bet! If you’re not, I’m sure there is plenty of room for you in another country…
R. Breckel says:
Why does it bother you living in a free country , you know that isnt by accident.whether you like it or not,those brave people do what they do for us.keep your Vietnam mentality to your self, its really old and your not fooling anyone with it.
porky says:
Mr. Ed… Perhaps you should “stow” the unpatriotic remarks. I liked the patriotism, as did most of the people around me. You seem a bit biased…
JCH says:
I couldn’t agree more. This blog is not failing to support the troops, nor it displaying any form of so-called Un-Americanism. The reality is, when someone goes to Fan Fair, it’s to celebrate country music, not to have exhibitions of the military performed in between sets. I am all for supporting the troops and I am all for celebrating freedom, but don’t turn this into a pseudo Dixie Chicks situation. This blog isn’t proclaiming: “Screw the War” or “Screw the troops” or even disrespecting the service people, it’s analyzing the fact that Fan Fair seemingly morphed into an advertisement for the military when it was a country music festival.
funnygirl says:
Well said Mr. Morris.
DYGoddess says:
I thought this blog is about Dwight Yoakam! ; )) I was not able to go to Fan Fair, but I heard he was awesome.
I belong to his Fan Club, you should join! You can find out all things DY at http://www.route23club.com. Use DYGoddess as your referral.
kayefun says:
I was just replying to a friend the other day,
“MAKE MUSIC, NOT WAR”
Diane says:
Perhaps UNLIKE YOU apparently, they are proud of the men and women that fight for our freedom. There is alot of pride in country music and most of the fans are proud of our country and our music. I guess you can go move to a country where there is no respect and honor and see how you like that with NO FREEDOM whatsoever.
Harley says:
Mr. Ed I respectfully disagree with your comments. I was there all four nights and couldn’t be prouder of the military and the great majority of fans who gave them a standing ovation during their fly overs. In our country you have the right to state your beliefs and comments and those men will die to defend your right. Shame on you. I strongly suggest you reevaluate your position and thoughts and might I suggest the great majority of country musice fans DO NOT share your opinion. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!
Mark Albertson says:
“It’s one thing for the CMA to applaud the good work that some soldiers do some of the time, but it’s quite another for it to fawn over all things military”
Some soldiers do some of the time? I suggest to you that the mere fact that these folks get up every morning and put on a uniform, puts them doing more for their country then you have ever done or will ever do. Since when is country music NOT about patriotism? How many country songs talk about the American spirit or at least have some reference to the ideals that the military embraces. Have you ever noticed that the vast majority of the folks that go into foreign countries to support our troops are in fact CW singers? Perhaps you would do better in a hip hop crowd where it’s all about you. You have the right to your opinion, you have the right to say it out loud if you want, but you ought to have more respect and gratitude to those who have given you that right. Country music and country musicians for the most part, are greatful to those that have given them the right to make a living with their music; if you don’t share that gratitude, maybe you don’t have as much in common with country music as you think you do. You like Dwight so much, why don’t you go ahead and post your thoughts on his website. That would prove very interesting.
Mark Albertson says:
Geeze, next thing you’ll want is for us to leave NASCAR out of country music too! What planet do you come from?
AllanLCampbell says:
This is a great blog post by Edward Morris. These flyovers are just part of the over the top militarism over the last several years. The flyovers have nothing to do with Country Music. It’s all part of too much force feeding of the military and Country Music recently. It is hypocriitical to support recycling while at the same time having flyovers causing pollution. Progranda for the military shouldn’t be at Fan Fair.
Proud military mom says:
I was not able to attend fan fair this year and now that I hear there were military flyovers, i am doubly sorry for missing it. Mr. Morris, have you ever served this great country that we live in? Do you stand and put your hand over your heart during the Pledge of Allegance?
There is a bond between the military and country music that obviously you have missed. When the USO performs for the soldiers, most of those performers are country music artist. Many of our current country favorites are retired military. Seems every top rated artist in country music has or has had a hit song that supported the military. Much of country music is about PATRIOTISM and the military is PATRIOTISM.
My 19 year old son and many of his friends are serving in Kuwait and Iraq so that people like you can enjoy your vacations, safely and without worry. Yeah, you’re welcome to your opinions but in this day and age comments like that are better left said in the privacy of your own mind, not broadcast to people who obviously love country music and support the military.
JCH says:
This isn’t about anyone’s support of the military, or alleged lack thereof. It was focusing on the military being interwoven in a country music festival…not a social commentary on the men and women serving in the military.
But remember, as a gifted gentleman once revealed to Barbara Kopple in certain documentary: “Freedom of speech is fine but by God you don’t do it outside of the country and you don’t do it in mass publicly.”
Be careful Edward Norris, you might be mistaken for asserting your right to free speech.
hotelmotel says:
I agree with Edward Norris here. I don’t see why the CMA has to engage in this sort of blatant propaganda for the Military. Of course, I guess the CMA does this sort of thing because it knows many people will like it. But these flyovers and introductions seem to me to be the most blatant form of propaganda and manipulation.
Someone is going to accuse me of being un-American and lacking in patriotism for saying this. My complaint though isn’t with patriotism, its with propaganda and manipulation. For instance, the absurd comment that “the military is PATRIOTISM.”
GLORIB says:
I HAVE A HARD TIME READIND OR HEARING COMMENTS LIKE THOSE OF ED’S. MY HUSBAND SPENT 20 YEARS PROTECTING OUR GREAT COUNTRY. I STILL GET EMOTIONAL WHEN THE NATIONAL ATHEM IS PLAYED. I APPLAUDE ALL PEOPLE THAT SERVE IN THE MILITARY SO I CAN SLEEP SAFELY EVERY NIGHT. I ALSO APPLAUDE ALL COUNTRY SINGERS THAT GO AND DO CONCERTS AND RECORD SONGS IN PRAISE OF THE MILITARY. THANK YOU CMA FOR SUPPORTING THE MILITARY. THANK YOU EVERYONE THAT SERVES IN THE MILITARY, IN ALL BRANCHES, WITHOUT YOU WHAT WOULD OUR LIVES BE LIKE? KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!
Rhonda says:
I don’t have a problem with Ed stating his opinion, just wanted to give mine as well. See earlier post. Agree to disagree, I guess.
Bill Carson says:
Mr. Morris, though you are technically correct in pointing out that a military display has nothing to do with country music, you miss the true connection: People who like country music tend to like the military. It’s that simple. The flyovers were not meant to indoctrinate anybody; they were merely an entertaining spectacle for an audience that overwhelmingly appreciated the military.
By “giving the people what they want,” the event organizers did as they were supposed to. If your fundamental objection is therefore to the fact that so many of your fellow patrons actually liked what they saw, then that is an entirely different (and far more complex) matter…
Eva says:
To everyone who wrote a comment, your comments prove exactly why country music has been stereotyped. Because someone is analysing and thinking about the use of military jets at a music festival, your calling them unpatriotic? Your comments indicate why people stereotype country music listeners as ignorant rednecks.
Harry Wang says:
Hey Eva,
Sterotypes don’t just come from nowhere. Are you saying that there is another style of music with more ignorant redneck listeners than country music?
I didn’t think so!
H. Wang