Dale Watson Embarrassed By Country Music

There’s been a lot of discussion along these lines in Nashville circles recently, as George Jones in particular has been very blunt of his criticism of contemporary country music. In contrast to Watson, Jones has not suggested that his music be given a new name, but that a new name be found for the songs that play on today’s country radio.

I agree with Brady in that it’s not the message of Jones and Watson that I find objectionable so much as the way that they have chosen to share it. I’m a big fan of classic country and prefer it to most contemporary country music. Thus, it is demoralizing to me — as it must be to Jones and his contemporaries — every time Rascal Flatts gets another number one single for music that not only bears no resemblance to the country heritage but lacks artistic quality in any genre. I would be perfectly fine with classic country artists coming right out and saying that Rascal Flatts music should not be played on country radio, though many might find such specificity mean-spirited. However, as a fan of many strains of country music, I find criticism that tars every contemporary artist with the same brush more offensive that pointed commentary on the worst artists that the country genre has to offer.

Furthermore, such communication obscures the artists’ actual views. As much as I dislike Rascal Flatts and others, I do think there are successful, mainstream country artists that produce quality music that clearly lies in the classic country lineage, even if it may not sound like a George Jones or Dale Watson recording. Is Dale Watson upset with contemporary country because some artists have taken out the country or because others have added the contemporary? Particularly with regard to Jones’ comments at the recent FCC hearing in Nashville, it seemed to me like his dissatisfaction with modern country radio related more to its refusal to embrace his new music than the artistic merit of younger artists. Tactful honesty, instead of offensive ambiguity, would help to convey an important message.

I don’t think Watson should be coming up with a new name for his music since it has deep roots in what, up until now, has been called country. If anything, the “country” music with a pop sound and no roots in traditional country should adopt a new name.

Just an FYI, we have a superb interview with Rodney Hayden that we’ll be posting to the site at the beginning of next week. Rodney grew up in Texas, then moved to Nashville for a couple of years before he moved back to Texas. He shares some of the differences between the music scenes in the two places.

I prefer traditional country or classic country. I think Watson is the best thing in country music right now, but I understand it’s not “radio friendly” in today’s culture. Wish it was though, and I wish there were more doing the same type of music still.

I agree totally with Dale Watson, this is crap. When I was in college I studied Shakespeare, Keats, Wordsworth, Donn, etc. This Donn is spelled with an o not a u and he didn’t need any help with his poems,and they’re still great. I remember country music from the 70’s and some of those songs with great and creative lines, KK wrote, “wearing yesterday’s misfortune like a smile.” GL wrote, “where does the love of God, go, when the waves turn the minutes to hours”. Now, what we hear is KC, and the line that stands out is, “wearing a pair of cheap sunglasses”, or CU singing some cornpone song,”Jesus Take The Wheel”, that song is a real embarrassment to country music. It’s beneath contempt. Country music now, wants rid of the real artists, like Haggard and Jones and bluegrass. Getting rid of them is like getting rid of Shakespeare, Keats, Wordsworth and Donn, Conrad and so on. The new country needs to listen to GL’s Canadian Railroad Trilogy, that songs shows respect for the past. As far as a new name for modern country music, I think the word CRAP is politically correct.