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Loving
country music at Brown often gets me disapproving looks and an occasional
eye roll. But country music is cooler than your mother, and for such an
“open-minded” school, Brown students often succumb to narrow-minded,
musical bigotry. The strange stigma attached to country music is worse
than any other type of music. I have not been able to figure out the rationale
behind this misplaced aversion, but there is a style of country music
for everyone and there is as much variety in country music as in any other
musical genre. It is not all about horses, drinking, and depression. Country
music can be progressive, intelligent, and oh-so enjoyable.
Twangy zip
In a promo spot for Brown Student Radio, filmmaker Michael Moore proclaims
his admiration for country music, saying that it is one of the most progressive
forms of music today. He urges us to listen to the words of the music.
While I cannot vouch for all country music lyrics, many songs have political
and social messages, which perhaps people disregard because they are,
after all, in a country song. Furthermore, country music can be poignant.
The lyrics often express sympathy to those who have made mistakes, and
provides solace to those who have seen better days.
Although the roots
of country music can be traced to the early European settlement of the
Americas, the rise of the national country music scene was not apparent
until the 1920’s, when Nashville became its center. What was once
considered folk music quickly became a new type of music. Jimmie Rodgers
and The Carter Family are credited with starting the national phenomenon,
which included steel guitars, pianos, fiddles and banjos. Like any other
music genre, country music has gone through many changes, and it is becoming
much more difficult to explain the typical features of country music.
I believe it is like pornography: you know it when you see (or hear) it.
Hear them roar
Perhaps one of my favorite aspects of country music is the status
that women have attained in the industry. In some music genres, women
still lack equal status to men, but in the country music industry, women
are extremely influential. Musicians like Patsy Cline, Patty Loveless,
Lucinda Williams, and the Dixie Chicks have reached commercial and critical
success. These musicians have been praised without having to compromise
their music or their morals. The Dixie Chicks have had a profound influence
on the current country music industry, even proclaiming on the CD booklet
of their latest release “we are changing the way that we do business.”
In “Long Time Gone,” the first song released from their newest
album, they make a pointed statement about the current state of country
music. The lyrics state “we listen to the radio to hear what’s
cookin’ / But the music ain’t got no soul/ Now they sound tired
but they don’t sound haggard/ They got money but they don’t
have cash.” Their statement recognizes that most people get their
opinion of country music from the songs that are played on the radio.
Do not make the mistake of only believing what you hear on the radio.
For example, Kelly Willis has not had wide commercial success, but her
music is nevertheless a testament to the presence of talented women in
the country music scene. Women are making the biggest artistic strides
in the industry. Many argue that the future voice of country music is
a woman’s voice.
Se habla espanol?
Country music also has a unique relationship with Tejano music. Tejano
music originated in Texas, combining traditional Mexican folk music and
the musical traditions present in Texas. Many artists are successful in
both the country music scene and the Tejano music scene. The crossover
success can be attributed to country music’s influence on Tejano
music and vice-versa. Artists like Rick Trevino have had success in both
music genres, and proving the criticisms of country music as a strictly
white artistry to beunfounded. The same instruments are used in various
styles of country music and Tejano or Conjunto music. A couple of times,
when listening to Tejano music in my dorm, people have asked me to “turn
down your country music,” without even realizing that the lyrics
were in Spanish. And there are a lot of Latinos, myself included, who
simply love country music.
Hipper than whom?
For those of you who already like country music and are ashamed to
admit it, I hope that you have been empowered. Ignore the hipper-than-thou
critics, because country music does not care what they think. For those
of you who have never given country music a chance, now is the time. Let’s
be honest with ourselves. Deep, deep down, we’ve all got a little
boot-scootin’ on the inside.
Lia Davis B’05
goes down like SoCo with lime in a Kappa Kappa Kappa girl.
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