Doubtful. First off, country is full of trend followers. When Garth Brooks and Clint Black became popular in 1989, lots of imitators (some of Garth, some of Clint) followed. When Shania broke through in 1995, newcomer females imitated her dress style and her songs. In the late 1990s and later, the trend seemed to be island flavored music, and everyone from Tracy Lawrence (Cowgirl Says Goodbye) to George Strait (I Just Want To Dance With You)to – especially – kenny chesney got on board. In the early 1990s when neo traditionalism Clint Black style was popular, Mark Chesnutt was talking about how country he was. In 1999, when pop influences were more popular, Chesnutt was recording “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” and “This Heartache Never Sleeps.” In the early 2000s, patriotic songs were all the rage for a while. But that trend seems to have died down a good bit.

Country is about popularity, too. If a singer on a major label fails to have hits on radio and develop a large fan base, that singer gets fired from the label. Country is about following trends, too.

As for country songs being “meaningful,” there are a gazillion songs on the air right now about how awesome trucks are, about how nice women’s butts are,et cetera et cetera. Sure, some country songs are meaningful, but then again so are some pop songs. Many pop songs and many country songs are not meaningful.

Sorry you don’t like my posting here. I do not like country but as I said I know about it because I have family members who listen. If you can’t take an alternate point of view, you need not read my posts. But I will post when and where I wish.

Does any other modern genre today say absolutely anything about making tribute to the singers that made their genre famous? NO. The R&B of today is a completely different thing from what it was in the days of Lionel Richie. The Pop of today completely erased the past of what it was, with artists like the Bee Gees, ABBA, an others, being forgotten and abandoned. The popular genre(s) of today have 4 different names, but all sound exactly the same: R&B, Pop, Rap and Electronic. I mean all of these genres are just a mixture of Rap and Electronic music turned into a nasty mix, like if it was a atomic bomb. And Rock? I’m afraid my friends that it has very little representatives today, and none highlight what the genre used to be.

So really, were left out with Country. And even if many deny this, country music still exists. Why? because it may have become louder, with more instruments but the main idea is still the same. It tells everyday life in vivid colors. And Thats what Brad Paisley tries to say.

Thank you very much for criticizing the ONLY genre of music that still remembers where it came from.

@WOW – Kid Rock’s career is not, nor has it, failed. Do your research.

@Rick – Brad is an Obama lover? yuck!

And as far as the Kid Rock & Uncle Kracker comparison? Let’s be serious. Brad didn’t start singing country music to supplement his income after a failing rap career. If one of those guys were to sing a song about what country is, maybe I would understand your case here, but Brad’s not them. Although his music may be poppy at times, I grew up about 15 minutes from where he did… Along the Ohio river outside of small country towns in WV.. and he’s not some poser like these others from Detroit. Ever heard of WWVA? The Jamboree at the Capitol Music Hall? I’d say that’s country enough.

Maybe this song doesn’t perfectly represent what IS country music, but you pathetic losers are MOST DEFINITELY not what it’s about.