In this format there is always a push and pull. There is always some degree of culture vs. counter-culture. But the point I am making is that I see the early 80s as a time when there is a strong rejection of the country “counter-culture”–it is a time when the format made a shift to a pop-based, urban-cowboy sound.

And so I think your selection of timeline is ill-advised. Perhaps the late 80s or early 90s, before the Garthzilla era, would have been more appropriate. It was then, after all, that artists like Clint Black and Mark Chesnutt (and Randy Travis, still) began a reclamation of the traditional roots that had ebbed out of the format during the early 80s.

And by the way, Dwight didn’t break onto the scene until 1986.

I’ll give you an example of what I mean. When I was working at Sony BMG I was contacted by a liquor brand named Tequila Rose. They were working on developing a cause-related promotion; they wanted to focus on a Country artist. I turned them onto Sony BMG Nashville regarding a particular artist on our roster, but that didn’t work out. But the brand did eventually latch onto a Country act they put their marketing muscle behind: Bombshel. And the partnership worked so well that Tequila Rose sponsored the group’s 2007 tour:
http://www.prleap.com/pr/58791/
http://www.tequilarosetour.com/mci/trtour/

Now you know Bomshel was doing the same type of marketing and promotion other similar Country acts have to do, but this effort with Tequila Rose allowed them to garner a paid tour sponsorship and product endorsement. So, even without a substantial radio or video picture – here is a country act that was able to secure a six-figure deal with a major brand where there was a good fit all around. And labels – whether they be major or indie – often cannot provide the level of marketing support a corporation will put behind a brand marketing campaign, so a deal such as this only adds increased and varied media exposure for a musical act.

Hey guys – can you help out with my links? There might be some trouble clicking on them directly. If not, then just cut and paste into your browsers. Thanks.

LOL. I agree. However, I’m sure there are thousands of Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood fans out there who are going to make radio DJs rue the day they did that! I wouldn’t be surprised if 5 years from now Jessica Simpson is the latest member of the Grand Ole Opry…

Cindy2 – Hysterical article! I wonder if some of those artists knew they were writing so-called “conservative” songs. Regardless of the fact that the list is highly populated with Brits (including the top 2), that is a list of some of the least conservative artists out there! But, honestly, give me a break, criticizing inefficient government and complaining about the taxman aren’t the exclusive property of Republicans. That’s pretty universal.

Lanibug – Would you still take Taylor Swift over Julie Roberts if it were a live show? :P

I didn’t know that. Thanks for the pointer.

Cindy2, unlike Rick, I didn’t mean to come across as judgmental. I live in the most conservative state in the US, so you might not have me pegged as well as you think. But I don’t typically think of conservative and creative professions being highly overlapping. I tend to think of banking and farming to be typically populated with those who have more conservative views and most writers and musicians have more open views. I’m not talking about anything exclusive, just what kinds of people generally do certain kinds of things. It takes all kinds.

It takes a pretty amazing interviewer to make the Chair of the Fed be interesting. It’s easier to make it work with a strung out guitar slinger.