Just throw in the towel now. :isurrender: When it comes to music, you do not want to argue with JS. Actually, I'm surprised it's taken this long for it to happen in this thread. :lol:

 

Besides that what wrong with a little freindly debate?

Does George Strait write his own songs??? Most of them absolutely not, actually only a couple ever and I consider him as many do the King of Country.The point is they are good, very good. You don't win duo of the year for over a decade and not be good. I have listened to everything from Merle,Conway, George, George, Vern, Loretta , Tammy, Waylon, Sr,Jr, you get the picture. These guys would make my top 20-25 all time no doubt.

 

I don't know, does he? Most of the ones you mention at the bottom all did/do write their own stuff, or at least most of it. That puts them several rungs up on the ladder over most of what passes for country music nowadays, because most of today's pop country tunes are written by about a half-dozen people, which is primarily what makes today's pop country so blandly similar and unimaginative, where a pretty face/image means far more than actual musical ability.

Just throw in the towel now. :isurrender: When it comes to music, you do not want to argue with JS. Actually, I'm surprised it's taken this long for it to happen in this thread. :lol:

 

To be fair, I did hold my tongue on this thread for a long, long time.

I don't know, does he? Most of the ones you mention at the bottom all did/do write their own stuff, or at least most of it. That puts them several rungs up on the ladder over most of what passes for country music nowadays, because most of today's pop country tunes are written by about a half-dozen people, which is primarily what makes today's pop country so blandly similar and unimaginative, where a pretty face/image means far more than actual musical ability.

 

Now that I totally agree with. I always thought Mark Chestnut was not pushed because of his looks.

FWIW Dean Dillon writes alot of George Straits music, So I don't necessarily think that an artist has to write their own stuff to be one of the best. Yes it adds to their versatility but alot of these cookie cutter artists today write their own stuff and I think we both agree its nowhere near country music. At least Brooks and Dunn talk about Drinkin, Cheatin, Bars, lost love, and other popular country themes as opposed to a beach and a tiki bar.

To be fair, I did hold my tongue on this thread for a long, long time.

 

You actually did. I thought maybe you just missed it or were just showing tremendous restraint!

 

You are right about the songwriting in Nashville. They have a small group of folks who write a high percentage of songs for the 'artists'. I also have a great deal more respect for artists who at least write their own songs. To me, an artist creates, and too many of the country music names (and pop stars for that matter) over the past 20 years write either very little or none of their own songs. I am okay with finding songs you like and recording them from other songwriters, but I generally prefer artists who write at least a percentage of their own material, if not all of it.

 

I also understand that some folks can sing, some can play, and some can write. Kris Kristofferson cannot sing a lick, but man has he written some terrific songs over the years that other artists made into big hits.

 

Years ago, a buddy of mine who I played music with from high school up, had sent several tapes of songs we had written out to various publishers. We were invited down to meet with a famous publisher. They went thru several of our songs and had a few they were very interested in. However, they wanted us to give up most of our songwriting credits on these tunes in order for them to be published. They said it was 'pretty much the way things go here', but then told us that if the songs were picked up by any artists, we would get partial credit and get our names our there. We said no thanks. The guys we met with at this publishing company also happened to be songwriters as well. :sssh: It would have been nice to have even one song with a major artist, but if you don't get credit for writing it, it would be hard to convince anyone you had actually written it. The artists listen to songs that the publisher's have in their catalog to find new material for the albums. The whole thing seemed beyond shady to me.

 

I have never been a Brooks & Dunn fan. They have had a few songs I liked, but have never downloaded or purchased any of their music. It just isn't my cup of tea. I am also not a Taylor Swift fan, but I do respect that she writes her own stuff.

 

I guess as far as songs, my thoughts are similar to movies. Some people can perform them and are great actors, while others can write them, but aren't good actors. Both have a talent. But too often in music and film, you have writers who put the same thing out over and over again and performers who are more than willing to perform it. They are both artists with different talents. I just tend to lean towards the writers. Those that can do both and the ones I tend to like the best.

You actually did. I thought maybe you just missed it or were just showing tremendous restraint!

 

You are right about the songwriting in Nashville. They have a small group of folks who write a high percentage of songs for the 'artists'. I also have a great deal more respect for artists who at least write their own songs. To me, an artist creates, and too many of the country music names (and pop stars for that matter) over the past 20 years write either very little or none of their own songs. I am okay with finding songs you like and recording them from other songwriters, but I generally prefer artists who write at least a percentage of their own material, if not all of it.

 

I also understand that some folks can sing, some can play, and some can write. Kris Kristofferson cannot sing a lick, but man has he written some terrific songs over the years that other artists made into big hits.

 

Years ago, a buddy of mine who I played music with from high school up, had sent several tapes of songs we had written out to various publishers. We were invited down to meet with a famous publisher. They went thru several of our songs and had a few they were very interested in. However, they wanted us to give up most of our songwriting credits on these tunes in order for them to be published. They said it was 'pretty much the way things go here', but then told us that if the songs were picked up by any artists, we would get partial credit and get our names our there. We said no thanks. The guys we met with at this publishing company also happened to be songwriters as well. :sssh: It would have been nice to have even one song with a major artist, but if you don't get credit for writing it, it would be hard to convince anyone you had actually written it. The artists listen to songs that the publisher's have in their catalog to find new material for the albums. The whole thing seemed beyond shady to me.

 

I have never been a Brooks & Dunn fan. They have had a few songs I liked, but have never downloaded or purchased any of their music. It just isn't my cup of tea. I am also not a Taylor Swift fan, but I do respect that she writes her own stuff.

 

I guess as far as songs, my thoughts are similar to movies. Some people can perform them and are great actors, while others can write them, but aren't good actors. Both have a talent. But too often in music and film, you have writers who put the same thing out over and over again and performers who are more than willing to perform it. They are both artists with different talents. I just tend to lean towards the writers. Those that can do both and the ones I tend to like the best.

 

"Shady" is the nice way of putting it. I prefer "stealing."

 

Nashville is operated in a manner that keeps all the control -- and by extension, all the money -- in the hands of a select few. Most of the country "artists" today are little more than porn starlets who, once their looks fade, will be put out to pasture with little to show for the songs they recorded. At least, in the case of those who write, they retain ownership of their creative ventures, and will continue to realize the benefit of their creativity. It wouldn't shock me a bit in 10 years to run into many of the current big stars working behind the counter at a 7-11 because they're flat broke, and possibly still in debt to their record label.

Besides that what wrong with a little freindly debate?

 

Absolutely nothing. But, when debating with JS on music, you better have some time on your hands. :popcorn:

 

To be fair, I did hold my tongue on this thread for a long, long time.

 

I know. I was very impressed. :clap:

Absolutely nothing. But, when debating with JS on music, you better have some time on your hands. :popcorn:

 

 

 

I know. I was very impressed. :clap:

 

It wasn't easy ... :lol:

"Shady" is the nice way of putting it. I prefer "stealing."

 

Nashville is operated in a manner that keeps all the control -- and by extension, all the money -- in the hands of a select few. Most of the country "artists" today are little more than porn starlets who, once their looks fade, will be put out to pasture with little to show for the songs they recorded. At least, in the case of those who write, they retain ownership of their creative ventures, and will continue to realize the benefit of their creativity. It wouldn't shock me a bit in 10 years to run into many of the current big stars working behind the counter at a 7-11 because they're flat broke, and possibly still in debt to their record label.

 

You have a way with words, Jim.

 

I couldn't have said it any better myself.

It wasn't easy ... :lol:

 

From reading many of your posts I am sure for the most part our taste in country music is pretty similar and we would agree the majority of the time. I get so sick of the guys and girls that have more looks than talent overshadowing the artists that could help bring country music back around. The bureacracy in Nashaville is insane from what I hear and read.

I was a big fan the first 10 years of Brooks and Dunn, but no so much that last 10 years, it seemed like something was missing. BTW, Ronnie Dunn the tall one is the true lead singer, he is very talented. Brooks is average at best IMO. My favorite song was "She's Not the Cheatin" Kind".

I must confess that I plead ignorance about Brooks and Dunn . I never have heard of them . Maybe because Country "music" is an anathema to me .

I was a big fan the first 10 years of Brooks and Dunn, but no so much that last 10 years, it seemed like something was missing. BTW, Ronnie Dunn the tall one is the true lead singer, he is very talented. Brooks is average at best IMO. My favorite song was "She's Not the Cheatin" Kind".

 

I don't even know why Brooks carried the guitar around. Because he sure couldn't play. I honestly think he was not even coming thru the PA when I saw them. You are correct on Dunn being THE singer. :thumb: