Kellie Pickler vs. Wade Bowen
Some readers have suggested that I need to open my mind a little more. You know who you are. The ones who tell me I'm too focused on mainstream pop country. So today, a day that the close-minded me would have reserved for talk of only Kellie Pickler's new album, I will also tell you what I think of a not-so-mainstream new album, Wade Bowen's If We Ever Make It Home.
I dig Bowen's red-dirt sound, with all its haunting stories and gritty vocals. (See, don't I sound edgier already?) This Texan makes me feel like I'm at a poetry reading with the way he strings words together to come up with lyrics like, "I'm a lone survivor of the wreckage that is left/I brought the walls down, baby, I made all this mess." Even the heavyweight guitars, which usually turn me off, seem to fit here.
But what I love about country is that music like Bowen's can peacefully coexist in my heart with music like Pickler's. While he combines traditional country with rootsy rock, she combines it with pop. And I am not ashamed to say that I love every single on her new album. Like "Don't You Know You're Beautiful," because what girl doesn't need to hear that on a regular basis? But it's the tune she penned with Taylor Swift, "Best Days of Your Life," that really is it for me. I love it when the tables turn -- when a boy breaks up with you, but he's the one who will ultimately be bummed out. And you can tell from the strength in Pickler's voice that she means it. If you call it quits with her, you will have already had the best days of your life. This tune lacks the whiny begging that sometimes pushes its way into breakup tunes. It's not in the lyrics and not in the vocals. There's no "please come back, I'll leave every light in the house on, I can love you better" crap.
So in a way, Pickler's a lot like Bowen. Someone who knows heartbreak, can sing about it passionately, and regardless of messy sub-genre labels, can still call themselves country.
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RedMaZ says:
Nice to see you’re opening up a bit Alison! It’s fun isn’t it? Now that you’ve checked out Wade, and some of the Red Dirt Music scene, don’t stop now. How about some Reckless Kelly? (I recommend the CD “Under The table and Above The Sun”), but any one will do. Stoney LaRue and The Arsenals (I recommend “Live at Billy Bobs”), but anyone will do. and of course you must check out the band “Modern Day Drifters”, which features our own little Red Dirt Girl, Kristen Kelly. In return, I will check out Kellie Pickler ;) However I see nothing messy about the “sub-genre labels”. To me that makes everything crystal clear.
countryfan11 says:
Hi RedMa, I love Kellie, me & hubby went & saw her in Aug. She might be a bit saccharin for you but her latest song at least has a good message. Believe it or not, I don’t have her first CD yet, (on my Christmas list), so now this is 2
I need to get, although I heard most of her material from the first at her concert. I would be more inclined to check out YOUR faves online if I had a sound card. Hopefully soon.
Kellie Pickler, Kellie Pickler says:
Kellie’s album is fantastic! I don’t see a listening party on CMT yet so here’s a link to the Sony Music full album preview including the 3 outstanding digital bonus tracks
myplay.com/music/kellie-pickler/kellie-pickler-deluxe-version
Note that the audio quality of these samples is lower than iTunes and Myspace, probably to help prevent illegal downloading. The actual tracks sound much clearer!
country music says:
We need to get back to the old styles and sounds of true country music, bring back more steel guitars, madolins banjos and harmonicas like clint black would do. country music is about feeling and reality no matter how bad things are
RedMaZ says:
country music…There are hundreds of todays artists with the “old styles and sounds of true country music” (as you put it). It’s called Roots Country. If you’re interested I can list many artists for you to check out.
countryfan11 says:
I loved Clint Black’s signature harmonica.
Kellie Pickler vs. Wade Bowen - Kellie Pickler Fans says:
[...] passionately, and regardless of messy sub-genre labels, can still call themselves country. source: Kellie Pickler vs. Wade Bowen | CMT Blog __________________
countryfan11 says:
Wade’s pretty good lookin.’ I might have to check him out & see if he SOUNDS as good as he LOOKS. lol
Kellie Pickler, Kellie Pickler says:
Kellie’s album is already on iTunes! I bought the deluxe version with 13 songs and it’s great!
AOL Music has a full CD listening party! Just 10 songs but the sound quality is much better than the Sony site samples!
music.aol.com/songs/new_releases_full_cds?defaultTab=2
theboot.com
Keith says:
Pickler is one of the best embassadors for country music, unfortunately country radio seem too stupid to realize they have an actual talent, a lady who is not only beautiful but also believe that country music is the thing that she lives for. This album shows such growth, but i don’t expect many to recognize it, after all we live in an era where Kenny Chesney’s vocally challeged male vocalist and entertainer of the year hits number one with anything, i no longer expect country music to do right by the few artist with actual talent.
Vicki says:
Kellie has a good, beautiful heart. She is one of the most open, honest country singers out there today and it’s refreshing. I agree, Country Radio needs to give her a chance. I admit, so do I. I love her as a person. Now I’ll go check out her songs.
Gary says:
Kellie Pickler is the real deal! In a genre that can’t figure out if it is pop or country, Kellie leaves no doubt with her honest soul and her honest music. Kellie Pickler to me represents the best of country music and will some day be compared to Dolly Parton as he likely successor…..Give ‘em heck Kellie!
Come see us in Virginia!!
CjJ says:
Kellie Pickler is as cute as can be. Her personality is Wonderful. One day I sat and listened to her without looking at her. Her voice is really the old country. She has an awesome voice…..I would buy her albums as soon as she makes them….Thanks Kellie!
Ms. Feathers says:
Alison, I’m glad you found another artist that you like, but don’t feel guilty or under pressure to like what you don’t like. Enjoyment of music is one of the most subjective topics on our planet. If you don’t like steel guitar, whiny fiddle and twangy vocals, don’t listen to it. If you don’t like heavy metal, don’t listen to it. Etc.
Since you are a blogger for COUNTRY Music Television’s website, you do have a responsibility to present topics on country music and artist, BUT, I’ve never seen you mention anything that’s not on a country label.
I still shake my head in curiosity when I see people acting so surprised that “Country Music” encompasses so many different sounds. Just because a song has steel guitar doesn’t make it country, but the reverse is also true - just because it DOESN’T have steel guitar doesn’t make it NOT country. Country music isn’t necessarily a “sound”, it’s a perspective. If an artist like, oh, say, Keith Anderson recorded “Livin’ on a Prayer” today, you’d call it country - it’s got a country perspective with a great story about two young people struggling to survive.
So Alison, stand your ground and don’t give in to a few grumps who can’t accept the fact that Country Music is the widest, most inclusive genre of music out there. And while you’re at it, maybe CMT can find someone to blog incessantly about “red dirt”, hillbillies, steel and twang to keep the grumps off your case.
countryfan11 says:
LOVE Kellie Pickler–sweet, funny, great voice (on key),
entertaining, caring. She IS like Dolly in a lot of ways, although I would say Dolly is more calculating in a business sense (and I say that with admiration). It will be fun and interesting to see what Kellie does with her life, but I sure wish her the BEST OF SUCCESS in whatever she pursues.
Can’t wait for her to come back to the NW!
Cricket from Froggy 104 says:
I agree with Ms. Feathers. You shouldn’t let readers with an agenda dictate what you do. I will go check out Wade Bowen, but it will be because you described it so well in your blog, not because RedMaZ dropped his name. (Has he dropped that name? I never read his lists.)
evie crouch says:
Kellie picklers music is awesome i love her song red high heels it is like the bomb and i love all of her song and small town girl
J.R. Journey says:
This is a superb article. Every music snob around should read this. They could also take a page out of your book too and stop nit-picking the ‘messy sub-genre labels; to death and beyond.
countryfan11 says:
Hmmm. I wonder where the music snobs are, seems they’ve mysteriously vanished.
mrskelliemc says:
Absolutely Love listening to Wade. He is honestly my favorite in the Texas/Red Dirt scene. My husband and I even played a song of his @ our wedding. He is not only an amazing artist, but is a very sincere & nice guy. Its always nice to go to a show of his and have him take the time out to speak to us. His music is very touching to me, and when I least expect it, moves me to tears.
Donna Wayer says:
I am one of Kellie’s Older fans, I have loved her sence I saw her on American Idol!!! She is the real deal!! I wish her all the best in her career,She is a great talent,!!!! She reminds me alot of Dolly! They need to make a record togeather, would’nt that be cool.!!!!!!!
RedMaZ says:
Alison, just keep on doing what you’re starting to do. Music is infinite. and knowledge is power. Anyone who sits around waiting for the music to come to them is a fool. If you love music as much as I do, expand your musical knowledge every chance you get.
countryfan11 says:
Yes Donna, I am one of the “older” generation that LOVE Pickler and rooted for her on AI- love her in concert too. I wish she & Dolly WOULD do a duet. I’m willing to bet Kellie wouldn’t forget the lyrics either. She sings 9 to 5 in her concerts.
Kim says:
too bad jessica simpson got the duet first.
Andrew says:
I am one of the “older” Wade Bowen fans, all the way back to when it was just West 84. Wade Bowen is AWESOME!! His new cd is even better then his better last one, which is hard to do.
As for Pickler’s “popier” sound, it’s just bubble gum pop. Same as Jess Simpson is putting out. They should take a page from Carrie Underwood’s book.
countryfan11 says:
Andrew, it’s all Pop country, Carrie too. That is not to say they are not good, they are. However, “pop” (as in popular) or mainstream/top 40 music pervades ALL genres.
Kim says:
I see you’ve been reading RedMaz’s lectures!
brandon says:
thanks for shining a little light on wade. he’s a great artist and a great guy that truly deserves it. i love his music and a lot of other red dirt/texas bands. that said i got nothing against kellie, taylor, or any other pop country act. if you like it, listen to it. i’m not sure how to feel about being called a “red dirt hillbilly”, but i think i’ll be alright.
PA MUSIC JUNKIE says:
Nice write up! I am not a fan of Kellie’s music but everybody has their own taste. I prefer the more country sounds with some rock vibe. Randy Rogers Band, to me, is the best band in Country Music right now. Wade Bowen has been writing some great songs through the years and puts on a great show. There is nothing like a good songwriter singing his/her own songs. Today’s music is way overproduced and the industry big wigs are only after the soccer moms and certain age/gender groups. It’s all about the $$$ and that is why we here so much crap on today’s radio.
Keep up with the writing and continue to listen to non-mainstream music. It will open up a whole new world! Music is in the dirt down there!
Andrew says:
Countryfan11: Carrie has a more “country” type sound then most of the so called “country artists” out there like Kelly.
Kim: I don’t listen to anyone’s “lectures”, I also don’t let the radio dictate what I listen to like most.
countryfan11 says:
yeah Kim, I know, sorry. lol Although I don’t listen to the music RedMa promotes. I LOVE Kellie, Carrie, Miranda, and all pop country artists. Reminds me of the “bubblegum rock” people called my fave tunes back in the day. Whatever it is, I really don’t care. I either like an artist/song/video, or I don’t.
Jon says:
Hey country music(from the top of the page),
If you want steel guitar, listen to Jason Boland and Aaron Watson
Justin says:
Jerry Jeff Walker, Robert Earl Keen, Jack Ingram, Pat Green, Cory Morrow, Roger Creager, Boland & the Stragglers, Ragweed, Randy Rogers Band, Blue Mountain, Uncle Tupelo, etc. All country music. Different subgenres, etc. Great Songs.
Peace.
bingo says:
KELLIE RCKS AND SHE DOES REMIND ME OF DOLLY!!! and by the way carrie is NOT as country as that person andrew said!!!GO KELLIE AND TAYLOR!!!