In an industry that tightly crams artists into commercialized categories, what happens to the outcasts?
Over the years the definitions of country music and rock and roll have shifted so greatly that it’s hard to tell the difference anymore. We’ve got Kid Rock and Bon Jovi on our local country station, and Taylor Swift is pop’s favorite princess. The Daily Beast did an excellent job drawing conclusions that it’s the genres that have bent, and not the artists themselves. Above that, the radio stations have started to blur together just to get the highest ratings regardless of what their genre-market is.
But what about those artists that don’t fit in either category? The ones that are too rock for country and too country for rock? We’re talking about groundbreaking performers like Shooter Jennings, Lucero, Drive By Truckers, Blackberry Smoke, Old Crow Medicine Show, and practically any band that fits in the Americana, Rockabilly, Red Dirt, and DIY Rock families? Shouldn’t they have an opportunity to be heard? Shouldn’t they have categories on the award shows, and sections in the record stores, and genre classes in the magical little iTunes app?
I sense a civil unrest in the music industry. Country die-hards want authentic music. They want that dirty southern sound of Lynard Skynard and David Allan Coe. They want the play-till-it-bleeds passion of Hank III, Honky and Tiger Army. They even want the homegrown comfort of Reckless Kelly, MotorTrain and Scott H Biram and the regional sounds of Dolly Parton and Dwight Yoakam. I know I do!
That is why I signed the petition at www.givememyxxx.com. I want the industry to know that even us “mainstreamers” are ready for a musical revolution. Give Me My XXX is a grassroots movement to give “outer-edge” artists a home. To bring them to the forefront of commercial music distribution and recognition. To celebrate their talent and fanbase. Many thanks to Shooter Jennings for lighting the fire of the music industry riot that is about to unfold!
6 Responses
I think this says it all! Good job!! Thanks.
Posted on January 7th, 2011 at 6:58 pm
NOW I NEVER WAS MAINSTREAm ,NEVER WAS PART OF MY DREAm.THEY DONT WANT ME ON THE RADIO ,CAUSE IM JUST A SIMPLE MAN YOU KNOW!JUST LIKE JESSE JAMES YOU KNOW ILL BE THE SAME .WHEN THE SMOKE ALL CLEARS & THE BATTLES DONE WELL BE STANDING WITH ARE GUNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!R.D.CLAYs MY NAME!!!!!!!!OUTLAWS ALIVE!!!!!RDC
Posted on January 8th, 2011 at 2:56 am
Good idea. By the way, there are no A’s in Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Posted on January 8th, 2011 at 10:27 am
I am horrified at this! This is very poor decision making for Shooter Jennings, to misguide and confuse folks like this. When are we going to stop with all the branding and just record GOOD music. I am thinking if Shooter had already used all the resources in the world that was given to him, he wouldn’t be wasting his time with this nonsense. Maybe suggest your readers involve themselves in something like http://www.rootsofrock.co.nz/home . Everyone is categorized perfectly. Nothing confusing. Boo Shooter for misrepresenting.
Posted on January 21st, 2011 at 1:01 pm
Hello I’m from southwest Virginia Near Kingsport Tennessee in east Tennessee. and I Listen xm radio a lot and I’am also a singer I sing Traditional and original country music and some Blues. and I was just woudering if you can give my music a Listen to becouse I would love to get some Air play. to Listen just go to my myspace at: http://www.myspace.com/TommyShortt or http:wwwReverbnation.com/TommyShortt you can also fine me on Google
Thank you so much
Posted on October 12th, 2011 at 11:19 pm
my kids are into heavy metal they hear what I'm listening to and really like it.then I tell them its country and they can't believe it.
Posted on April 23rd, 2012 at 4:05 pm
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