Matt - Please read my posts before you call me out. I never said the song was idiotic. I said the idiocy was “around the Dixie Chicks.” More specifically, that Americans (The Chicks) spoke out against war and were so viciously vilified for the one of the rights we are supposedly fighting for. Yes, I view that as actions carried out by idiots.

And I think it’s hardly “disingenous” to say that a soldier that still sees the quagmire in Iraq and Afghanistan as a fight for right, freedom and against Al Qaeda is self-delusional. And yes, I view them as a “raving fool. He’s also in the minority even within the armed services. Yes I can think someone is self-delusional and still think they should be treated fairly. One of the ways I support the troops is believing the brave men and women should not be put in harms way for lies and military contracts no matter how ill-informed their opinions.

I just sang that last bit out loud in order for it to qualify as a music oriented post. ;)

In response to Rob:

- Taylor Swift may not be writing songs that you can relate to, but that doesn’t mean she’s a hack–the girl is a very, very good songwriter. I think most of us who have spent time in writing rooms and at writers nights would attest to the fact that she is a true talent who is only going to get better. And remember, she’s writing about the things that matter to her and which are vivid in her frame of reference. Over and over I hear people talk about artists who don’t put the music first–well here is a young lady being completely open and treating the music with a great deal of respect, but is still the subject of slings and arrows because she doesn’t fit a few people’s narrow idea of what “country music” is.

- Whether or not you’d to admit it, there is a vetting process associated with American Idol–albeit not the kind we’re accustomed to (playing for years in Honky Tonks). I am inclined to think that people who refer to AI as a “Karaoke Contest” have no idea about how difficult it is to be a performer. I have nothing but admiration for the kids who are able to step out there every week, on live television, and face 30 million people, singing a song they’ve had a week to rehearse with a house band. You think that’s karaoke? Give me a break. karaoke is when you sit around a pub, drunk, belting out “I Did It My Way” to your also drunk mother-in-law. Ameerican Idol, for all of its faults (and it has many) is a multi-faceted expierience that requires a great deal of skill and tenacity. I may agree with you about the quality of Underwood’s music, but there is no doubt in my mind that she has earned her place. And trust me, the sales will not come forever–she’s going to need to, at some point, step up her game.

- Saying that the boys of Rascal Flatts have “zero talent” is one of the stupidest things I’ve ever heard (and I gave their last record 1 and 1/2 stars). They are quite talented in many ways. You or I may not like the music they make, but that is not a question of talent, and it’s ignorant to reduce your opinion of them to what amounts to blurting out the first thing that pops into your head.

Second…Matt C. Do you really listen to all of the songs you review or do you just listen to it once and then decide to trash it!? I’m just curious, the reason I ask is because you recently reviewed the Joe Nichols single “It ain’t no crime” During the review you made claims that some can’t make a carrer on doing “gimick/funny” songs, then what would you call Brad Paisley’s career? Do not get me wrong I love Brad Paisley’s music, but he’s just either too serious or too humorus there is no medium with him. Now also you mentioned that he’s “succeding in country music without even trying” the reason he’s not trying is because he knows that it’s not gonna make a damn bit of difference and it’s because of country music radio (possibly you) that keep many artists from showing us there true “selves” Because radio is too busy playing some prom queen with a power trip’s “new” single(Taylor Swift), or some blonde who won a kareokee contest!(Carrie Underwood), or three boy band wannabe’s (Rascal Flat’s) who can’t sing live at all and have ZERO talent! When they day comes that country radio decides that all the above mentioned and some that aren’t mentioned artist’s music is just plain crap then maybe the real artist’s such as Joe Nichols,Chris Cagle,Gary Alan,etc. will then finnally get the respect that they deserve for not selling out to TRASHVILLE!