Between a Rock and a Hard (Country) Place
I already blogged a little bit about loving the collaborations on Wednesday (Nov. 11) night's CMA Awards, especially when Jamey Johnson and Kid Rock sang Johnson's "Between Jennings and Jones." They sounded good together. Not good like a duo would. But good like two guys with their own sounds coming together. While Johnson has that outlaw moan to his voice, Rock's is more of a gritty Southern rock thing. The twist at the end of that song -- how it's not just his sound but also the spelling of his last name that would put his records literally between Waylon Jennings and George Jones -- gets me every time. Since hearing the CMA performance, I keep thinking that someday, maybe 10 or 20 years from now, some new artist who was inspired by both their styles of country will sing about being right there between Johnson and Rock.
Photo Credit: Rick Diamond/Getty Images
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Tonja says:
Best Part Of the awards. This was country.
Joe says:
I agree but at least the cma allowed them to say jennings and jones. Usually they diss their legends.
Magnolia says:
Thank God Jamey Johnson, The Zack Brown Band and George Strait showed up at the CMA’s. Those were the only “true” country acts that made an appearance. Jamey Johnson has an incredibly unique country voice that is reminiscient of the legends such as George Jones, Merle Haggard, Keith Whitley, Randy Travis, etc.
He is pure country and should have been in the Male Vocalist category. It seems that the folks who are truly “country music” get left out in the cold today.
Shadow says:
The folks who are truly Country, are making it happen on the Americana scene these days. If you’re looking for “true” Country artists, check it out.
Redmaz says:
Shadow…you are absolutely right. Americana has every type of Country Music anyone would want. NEW music that carries on the tradition from every decade. Most people don’t know this fact, but more are learning. It’s taking a while though.
kc says:
that was the best preformance! im soo glad jamey won an award and kid rock is just so fun to watch him, he got good talent.
hell yeah to real country music!
Mary Dunn says:
I think that the best part of the show was when Jamie Johnson & Kid Rock sung Between Jennings & Jones and when George Strait sung Twang! Other than that it was just an OK show.
Redmaz says:
“Twang”? Did you know Americana Music legend Jim Lauderdale wrote the song “Twang”? Strait has covered many Lauderdale songs.
indygirl says:
Thanks for using the word ‘covered’ - I am a huge songwriter fan and often find I prefer their version of the song to that of the artist released to radio. Just do some research people - there are tremendous songwriters out there - give them your support!!
Mike K says:
“Twang” was written by Lauderdale, Kendall Marvel and Jimmy Ritchey. Let’s give everybody credit, not just the Americana guy.