"But I Traded That for Cocaine and a Whore"
I've seen several shows at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. When I saw Kid Rock perform, I thought I had probably seen the rowdiest crowd to have ever hit that prestigious venue. After all, he was chanting "deeeeeevil" while performing "Devil Without a Cause" and, at his request, had the fans sticking out their middle fingers in support. But then again, this was before Thursday night (May 29).
That's when I attended the benefit concert held by Jamey Johnson and Randy Houser with special guest performances by Lee Ann Womack, Bill Anderson, Mel Tillis and Buddy Cannon. At the start, the show was rather demure as fans were still finding their seats and, of course, the beer. (They were even selling beer inside the doors of the actual performance area. Usually, all concession stands are located in the Ryman's lobbies.) But as the show progressed, so did the fans' excitement -- and their buzzes. When Johnson sang, "High Cost of Living," the fans were so excited, they sang right along to "I had a job and a piece of land/My sweet wife was my best friend" but actually screamed the next line, "But I traded that for cocaine and a whore." Wow, I didn't know so many people were in favor of drugs and prostitution.
The crowd, let's say, was a very passionate bunch. There were two men arguing a couple of rows in front of me. I couldn't hear exactly what they were talking about over all of their cussing, but they finally decided the only way to end their disagreement was to take it outside. Luckily, one backed out. In fact, I even heard there were fights breaking out in the men's restroom. And it wasn't just the men. I witnessed one woman pull another's hair because she couldn't see over her head. (I never thought I'd actually be thankful to be short.)
Nonetheless, the show itself was great and full of exciting performances. But as the evening progressed, seemingly so did the intoxication level of the audience. And though I thoroughly enjoyed the night of music, I was reminded of that night I saw Kid Rock and how happy I was to have made it home safely. Perhaps some of the audience should pay attention to the lyrics of "High Cost of Living." I think they may have missed the point Johnson was trying to make.
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
Linda says:
Whatta wimp! I’ve been to shows where a whole gang of bikers were sitting on the row in front of me. The wildest country show I ever went to was a Waylon/Hank Jr. show in Orange County, where they ran out of beer by the intermission. Today’s country fans are such a bunch of boring soccer moms. I wish the Palomino Club was still around.
Jasper says:
sounds like good times
itchycorn says:
Yuck
Kim says:
Ah…some country music at the Opry. imagine that. keep on keepin’ on Jamey.
Ally says:
Was this a musical event review or a Miss Manners convention review? Must’ve left before hearing the whole audience sing “In Color” back to Jamey onstage!! It was an incredible performance by artists and friends who certainly enjoy sharing their talent.
Tracy says:
Jamie Johnson is what country music is about… So what if he curses at least he’s stating things the way they are…We have lost that somewhere along the way! I have two kids, a great husband and a wonderful life but I also believe reality is reality - we can’t hide from it…god puts us in circumstanses so we can over come them…Look at Waylon, Hank and Johnny Cash…..i’m more than sure there was cocaine and a few whores along the way!
Sandy says:
Have you seen the interview he recently did or Crossroads with Shooter Jennings? There’s no need to apoligize for who he is! It may be raw but it’s real! Divorce, addition and loss of love is something we all deal with…it’s time someone actully tells it like it is!!!
Brianna says:
If you don’t like it- turn the station. Country music is what it is. If you want to be a critic learn what you are talking about- We aren’t at a soccer game.
sunkie says:
I loved the review. I am one who loves to listen to country music, but I agree with Whitney, sometimes people get out of hand. For those of you who don’t get it, it is called manners and so many people feel as if they can invade others space and do as they please. Country music expresses itself through the words, but that does not give a group a people the right to act out and put others in harm.
Peggy Canard says:
I am a fan of Mel Tillis. Even though Mel came on after Kid Rock. You would have had to pay me to attend a show like that. I say “YUCK TOO”.
RedMaZ says:
Cocaine and whores at the Ryman…
Mary White says:
I was country before country was cool. This stuff today is just a lot of scraming and hollering. What happened to good old music with a tune and words you can understand so that you can sing along? If the it’s not dirty it is not cool today!!
The George Strait show on tv this week was the BEST I have seen in years!!! They all wonder why George is King.
solongsowrong says:
Sorry, but please explain what of today’s Country music outside of what is played on Pop Mainstream radio, is just hollering and screaming. Can’t say I’ve heard any screaming out of the new music from artists like Dale Datson, Wayne Hancock, Kathy Mattea, Alison Krauss, Sara Watkins, The Flatlanders, The Greencards, Buddy and Julie Miller, or Gurf Morlix, just to name a few.
Either you or I are listening to the wrong Country radio stations. Since I’m quite happy with the Country music I listen to, it must be you.
Linda says:
Anyone who listened to real country music like Cash or Waylon would have heard more about cocaine (”Cocaine Blues”) or whores (”Frisco Mabel Joy,” “Streets of Baltimore”) than sippy cups and pickup trucks. Commercial country music today has become so watered down and insipid that hearing the real thing is a shock.
J.R. Journey says:
This is a great review.
RedMaZ says:
Does anyone know if this was crack cocaine or the powder kind?
brown bear says:
Now that’s a country music concert I wouldn’t mind getting tickets to haha. Your blog actually made me laugh out loud in a couple parts. Keep up the great writing!
Taylor says:
If lady a fans and someothers keep voting againts kelliepickler on purpose on cmt powerpicks than people will vote against lady a and someothers On cmtpowerpicks.Plus cmt shows lady a videos all the time everyday as it is.Its getting annoying!!Take care all!
Taylor says:
Hi.Im sorry i just went off there.We have nothing against lady a or their fans and we have nothing against anyone and their fans.We are just sick and tired of kelliepickler losing to lady a on cmtpowerpicks!Kelliepickler loves all the fans and so i dont see why there is this vedetaa against kelliepickler by somepeopel who come onto cmt and by the cmt people.Its sad that people are holf\ding stuff against kelliepickler when kelliepickler has done nothing bad to the fans or to cmt.Please vote for kelliepickler on cmt powerpicks and for the top20 and for the cmt awards.Please!!Thank you for your time everyone.Im sorry i went off!Take care everyone!Have a great day all!Also jamy johnson is cool!
Michael says:
Hah! Great review, Whitney! Very funny. I love “High Cost of Living” and pretty much think it is the most interesting thing on the radio dial today. It’s actually about something as opposed to, oh, I don’t know, the latest Rascal Flatts hit. Keep up the good writing. :)
RedMaZ says:
Any info would be appreciated. The whore too. What about the whore?
Big AJ fan says:
she was a cheap one!
Mama says:
It’s the Ryman Auditorium!
Show some respect, audience.
Country music fans are better than that!
You can still have a great time, respectfully.
BByrne says:
Isn’t it great that we live in America and can all have opinions and voice them…I don’t necessarily agree with everyone but wouldn’t the world be dull if we all thought alike. I, personally don’t get into the “beer drinking” and roudiness of a lot of country music shows..or any music show for that matter. I don’t need it to have a good time..the music itself is all it takes for me…but that’s me…. I LOVE traditional country music. Incidently I went to see Jamey yesterday and he was really awesome and it WAS awesome listening to the audience sing along with “In Color” which is an amazing song. He actually had the audience sing the last verse and he listened and smiled. I figured there would be roudiness but went knowing this. I could have stayed home and not been around all of that but I would have missed a great show. Actually I didn’t see any roudiness at all …yes, there was beer drinking but where do you go that there isn’t? I have seen roudier crowds at sporting events…Will I attend another of Jamey’s shows….probably not…but I did want to go and see Jamey and experience his music and be taken back to a time before the change in country music and Jamey did that. There were moments when I would have sworn ole Waylon was up there…. I thought Jamey did a wonderful job. He sang his heart out. I did purchase the CD and will enjoy it ….Just my perspective…
RedMaZ says:
To Mama, it’s nice to see someone else who was disgusted by this. These losers (including the Opry, the fans, and the performers) have no respect for the Ryman Auditorium.
Kevin says:
Ohhhh… so Red can call people “losers” but I cant respond by calling out Red’s constant lack of respect on these blogs? Nice move CMT.
Kevin says:
If you’re going to start deleting comments, dont be stingy with your deleting…..get em all.
ITWASME says:
THIS IS A FIRST FOR ME, BUT MS. SELF TOUCHED A NERVE. I WAS THERE AND I HAD A FEW DRINKS…DIDNT FIGHT ANYONE–DIDNT PULL ANYONES HAIR–JUST HAD A REALLY GOOD TIME. I’M REALLY NOT SURE WHY MS. SELF WOULD PUT HERSELF INTO SUCH A SITUATION…WAS IT JUST TO GET HER NAME OUT THERE OR IS IT HER JOB? WHATEVER HER REASON, SHE HAD TO HAVE KNOWN WHAT SHE WAS WALKING INTO. THE MOTHER CHURCH IS THE MOTHER CHURCH…PERIOD. LETS LET THEM DECIDE HOW THEY WILL CONDUCT AN EVENT, BECAUSE I’M RELATIVELY CERTAIN THAT IS NOT THE POSITION THAT MS. SELF HOLDS. I WOULD HOWEVER LIKE TO HEAR THE OPINIONS OF THE CROWD FROM JAMEY AND HIS FRIENDS…EX: MR. ANDERSON, MR.TILLIS, MR. CANNON, MS. WOMACK, ETC….THANKS TO THE RYMAN FOR SUCH A GREAT SHOW AND THANKS TO THE ARTISTS AND FANS WHO SUPPORTED THE FUNDRAISER.
JEANNIE says:
I think that jamey is worth enduring a few drunks just to hear him sing.