Wall Street Journal Story Is a Must-Read for Country Fans
I love this article. Every. Single. Word. Because it sums up how and why country music has such a massive appeal. Not just in elusive subjective terms, like how country is so relatable and tells stories and has anthems for the everyman. But in real, quantifiable, undeniable terms. With the data to back it up.
It starts out talking about the 34 million people who watched the CMA Awards on television last week. Now, I’m no math whiz, but that sounds like a lot of people. Which is weird because so many people I talk to are pretty quick to dismiss country music as some kind of substandard genre. (Or that they used to like country but that today’s country isn’t really country at all.) Somewhere, though, 34 million people sat on their couches and watched as Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley and friends gave out all those coveted awards.
After that, the story gets into some history about how far the genre’s come. Like how 50 years ago, country was kind of the ugly sister to rock and pop, country records weren’t being played on most radio stations and advertisers thought of the country audience as impoverished hillbillies. To back it up, there are some hard and fast numbers, my favorite of which is that in 1958 there were 150 country radio stations in the U.S. And today, there are 2000.
While I don’t normally quote the Wall Street Journal in everyday conversation, I am definitely going to start. Especially the next time someone acts like I’m the backwards one for loving country music. I’ll say, “Really? Didn’t you see the story in the Wall Street Journal? They say country music is an exception in the ailing music business, a genre still thriving in tough times.” Even the snobbiest music snobs would have a tough time arguing with the Journal.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
RedMaZ says:
Well the cma certainly doesn’t cover all types of Country Music anymore. They are only covering the top money making Pop acts(which by definition is what they’re supposed to be doing), while omitting the broadcast of all the award winners. I wonder how many of those 34 million people watching the cma awards know about all of todays country music? 10% maybe?
Mike W. says:
I would be lying if I said I constantly love the genre, far too much of Country music seems dedicated to offering songs people play as background music at work or at home, rather than offering songs that actually matter.
Then Trace Adkins debuts “I Cant Outrun You”.
And my love for the genre is rekindled.
Rachael says:
Carrie and Brad did a great job hosting the CMAs as well as performing. They are both class acts, and super nice.
TimMcGrawForLIfe says:
Figures the article did not mention Carrie– just Taylor. So sick of that girl.
Jill says:
Carrie and Taylor have brought the younger crowd back over to the country side. Carrie’s Carnival Ride pulled out the music sales in the 4th quarter last year and Taylor’s Fearless has done it this year.
The CMA’s were very entertaining. Brad and Carrie did an awesome job and I thought the older classic country as well as the contemporary country was well represented.
George Strait, Brooks N Dunn, Reba, Martina, Alan Jackson vs.
Kellie, Taylor, Carrie, Miranda, Brad, Jason, James, ect.
There is room for all the types as preferences vary. I think country is looking good right now.
The reason why Carrie is my favorite is because she can sing contemporary or classic and is dead on everytime. Versatility says alot about being an artist and being able to play and instrument such as piano, acoustic, and electric guitar. Carrie Rocks.
Jenny says:
Many people believe Taylor is just a pop singer and not a good one at that. She’s just mass marketed to country and kids.
Williams: I heard her “Teardrops on My Guitar” a while back and liked it before I knew who it was.
Gonzales: Yeah that is a good track, great even, which is why I was surprised to hear the songs on Fearless. They are a bit more amateur.
Williams: Really? I mean, she is just 18 and it’s her sophomore album.
Gonzales: Yeah so was Christina Aguilera. I’m just saying it sounded like a struggle … vocally.
Williams: Well, she’s no Carrie Underwood.
jb says:
Taylor Swift is another fine example of a young, talented person knowing just where she can go to be embraced and appreciated. Along with greats like Chris Kristofferson and Carry Underwood, she belongs…. NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE!!!
Ann says:
Country can be consideered such a small venue, that we tend to only look at the big acts, but personally enjoyed the newer acts like Lady Antebellum and Jason Aldean… then they’res Martina McBride, who in my book isn’t appreciated as much as she should… carrie and taylor are generally new, and they’ve worn out on me… and i can’t get enough of martina mcbride… carrie and taylor are just overplayed and I personally have had enough of them
dj says:
Lets see how long Taylor belongs in Nashville!! Everyone–or at least the ones that are not kids–should remember what happens when they change their music for POP–just hang on. Nashville does not look kindly on that.
DIAMOND says:
SICK AND TRIED OF CARRIE SHE IS SO INTO HERSELF. IF SOME OF YOU PEOPLE ARE SICK OF TAYLOR SHE IS JUST DOING THE SAME THING AS CU DID WHEN HER CDS CAME OUT!SO LET TAYLOR HAVE THE SAME,TAYLOR HAS BROUGHT SO MANY FANS TO COUNTRY MUSIC,WELL I GUESS CU DID TO BUT DO NOT CARE FOR HER!SHE IS WAY WAY OVER PLAYED FOR ABOUT 3 YEARS NOW!
Ms. Feathers says:
That was an EXCELLENT article. Thanks for pointing it out, and thanks to the WSJ for writing it. It will be great to have this info in the back pocket for casual conversation w/ music snobs.
Country is the widest genre, encompassing the largest variety of musical styles, sells the most records, and has the most radio stations dedicated to it.
From hardscrabble roots to worldwide respectability, the CMA has done a fabulous job (even if their voters didn’t give the EotY to the most deserving artist this time around…).
BTW, How many of you who have posted on this blog entry actually READ the article, or did you just see an artist’s name mentioned in the blog and feel the need to complain or cheerlead for him/her?
Jill says:
umm Diamond that said Carrie is just into herself and she did the same thing Taylor did-I beg to differ. Carrie is constantly complimenting other artists and when she gets accolades she turns it around and praises someone else instead of her. She is very very humble. Carrie DID NOT remake any of her songs to fit pop and she won’t. They cross over as is or they don’t cross over. She’s not gonna change a song to get more sales or air play.
dj says:
Yes Diamond–you need to know what you are talking about before you talk.
star says:
I AGREE WITH DIAMOND CU DOES SEEM TO THINK ABOUT HERSELF ALOT, LIKE ON THE CMA S I NO FOR A FACT THAT SHE DI NOT HAVE TO WEAR ALL THOSE DRESSES AT THE AWARD SHOW. SHE ASKED TO WEAR MORE THAN THEY TOLD HER, MY UNCLES BROTHER WAS 1 OF THE GUARDS OUTSIDE HER DRESSING ROOM!! SO THERE YOU GO, THAT IS A FACT! TAYLOR IS MUCH MORE DOMN TO EARTH! I CAN NOT TELL ANYONE HIS BUT I NO THAT ONE FOR A FACT ALSO!
MiaT says:
Amen! The Wall Street Journal of all places. Go figure. I LOVE IT ! I feel so good I will pat myself on the back. ( I knew I wasn’t nuts) LOL
hotelmotel says:
I don’t quite see how the WSJ provides ammunition against music snobs. It seems that the WSJ article demonstrates that some people on the business end of country music have been very successful in terms of creating a climate that makes it possible for country artists to sell their product.
I guess this article might contradict the snob who says, “nobody listens to country,” but it won’t contradict the snob who says “country music isn’t good - its just background noise at best.” After all, a lot of junk has mass appeal.
I think this article shows that that people on the business end are very talented and deserve praise (recall that this is in the WSJ), but it doesn’t show that the actual artists are talented. That would take another article.
Lisa says:
There is a reason that so many artists are crossing over to country. Some of the biggest moneymakers are in country. Country has the most dedicated fans that give the artists a very long career. All this is causing a big change in country…..pop goes the country. Big companies are buying country radio stations which in the past have been resistant to playing alot of crossover music…..now most of them are. Country is one of the few genres that is still doing well. While some music purists may complain, music that doesn’t sell doesn’t survive. Many jazz musicians were very crtical of Kenny G because he was so commercially successful. He gave many, many fans alot of enjoyment. The same is true of many of today’s successful country artists….they are providing many fans with what they want. Alot of artist’s music is also not going to be played on any other type of radio except country unless they alter it with a few exceptions. These artists have true universal appeal no matter what they sing and could sell snow to an eskimo. They have it and they are the ones that are most criticized because of their success. Music is one thing that you can count on to change whether good or bad thee is something for everyone. Country is here to stay and seems to be the genre that is thriving right now.
nova says:
What a wonderful blog…. and you better believe I am going to share…. with about a thousand friends right off the start of the gate…. ooops… I forgot we intelligent and educated country music radio way of life in the millions don’t contuiously buy our favs alwqays. I personally believe we have the best stand alone music genre on the planet; and we alway have.
Country fans pick and choose their artists… and keep them for life. Country music is the one genre that fans continue on like the families they grow up with and it is continuous and simply a given. It is the one music genre outside of classical that has no “time” no “age”… it just is. You Tube is proving that all the greats like Miss Brenda Lee, George Jones, Bluegrass and tons of videos are being watched and picked up by the global public who picks and chooses their own. Along with all the new talent, the masters and the legends and the established are all bearing witness to a wonderful lifestyle that country music has garnered over these many years. A wonderful piece and you wrote it so very well. Thanks so much.
star says:
i do not think diamond is saying bad things about cu she is just stating the facts, if you have the facts about someone with making it seem like your notbashing then iam sure they will not take it off. just my opinion.
barbara baer says:
why dont all you people stop bashing carrie
first of all she has an amazing voice unlike
some people stop being so jealous of her.
she did american idol proud. carrie belongs
in country
goldie says:
LOVE TAYLOR AND KELLIE!!! CARRIE SO SO TOO MANY CHANGES AT CMA AWARDS BUT I GUESS SHE CAN SING OK.
Karen says:
Carrie is the nicest, humble artist I know. She is always thanking us fans for everything and tells us in her fanclub blogs how much she appreciates our support. So quit bashing her. Carrie wear all those dresses as a tribute to Reba, who she looks up to, who would also wear alot of dresses when she was hosting. Carrie just wanted to make the show entertaining and interesting. So quit being jealous.
Karen says:
wore
Karen says:
Sorry but TS and Kellie P are just okay for me and just sing okay. Carrie on the other hand singing is just wow.
Jill says:
What did it matter how many dresses Carrie wore? She wasn’t changing them on the stage. It didn’t matter if she had 1 or 7. She doesn’t pay for them and it added something interesting to look at. No one had a problem with Reba changing. Carrie is going to introduce the guests regardless of what she is wearing. It should not even be an issue.