The only elements Garth Brooks brought to country are unoriginality, the desire to make money but nothing else, and general suck. I don't think brining other elements is a bad thing. Go pick up a Justin Townes Earle record and you'll see what I'm talking about. He pulls heavily from folk, gospel, Texas blues, and classic rock and stays true to himself and the music.

 

Right, but thats just one artist. You take country music as a whole and I think it would be safe to say that all of the outside influences have ruined traditional country music.

Right, but thats just one artist. You take country music as a whole and I think it would be safe to say that all of the outside influences have ruined traditional country music.

It didn't ruin it. Though I'll argue it wasn't the outside elements at all. It was the desire to make money and not music, the songwriting mills attaching a song to the next prettiest face, and complete lack of someone like Kanye who creates interesting, thought provoking, and challenging music. Country itself is alive, well, and maybe better than ever---you just have to look a little harder than putting the dial on 97.5

Kanye is a better producer, Eminem a better lyricist.