Kevin Fowler – “Best Mistake I Ever Made”
This single is currently #1 on the Texas Music Chart
Why, Kevin Fowler? Why did you write and sing this song?
Why, Texas Radio? Why did you spin this song 1,131 times last week, thus forcing me to review it?
Why, Red Dirt Music fans? Why have you established yourselves as an independent community, only to put out music that mirrors modern Nashville in form and delivery?
Fowler’s “Best Mistake I Ever Made” is Nashville syrup from start to finish. It uses all the same tired tricks; re-coloration (first the “best mistake” is Fowler getting married drunk in Vegas, then it’s accidental pregnancy), a bridge that vapidly reflects on his concept and seeks to tie it up in a neat, little two-line bow, and the use of extended notes at the end of the chorus that lead into a short, boring, soulless, soaring guitar solo.
On one hand, it’s not fair to lay into this particular song too hard, since it’s exactly like so many other songs. On the other hand, what does it mean when “this song is only as bad as so many others” is the best defense I can muster for it?
And please, please, spare me the “but Ben, one time, I accidentally did something that turned out good, so this song is sooooo true!” Do some mistakes turn out well? Yes. Is this a good song? No.
Oh, and Kevin, you really shouldn’t use the line “Chose the wrong path all my life/But for once I did something right” in a chorus that applies to two separate instances in your life because that means that it’s not really “for once” right?
But nevertheless the song is a hit in Texas. People all over the Lonestar State are rocking out in their cars to this “Nashville nineties country” meets power ballad.
Somebody should clue the Red Dirt establishment into the fact that as long as songs like this rule this roost in Texas, they are wasting a golden opportunity at significance.
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Current Discussion
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- Thomas: ...does "being better off in a pine box on freight train back to georgia" count a as burial instruction? doug ...
- Thomas: ...this is a hit song. there's tons of fools out there, who will recognise themselves in those lyrics. how do ...
- sam (sam): I think K was right to call the review "unprofessional." It was also "immature and juvenile," in my opinion. And ...
- K: "@K Agree with her assessment or not, there is absolutely nothing unprofessional about Juli’s review. OK, proffesional was probably the ...
- Laura: First, while I agree that Carrie's main strength is singing, she does show potential as a talented songwriter in Temporary ...
- Kim: Hey...I shop at vintage boutiques and I drink smoothies and I still don't like this.
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- Mayor JoBob: Actually Rick, in Randy Travis' song, he tells them to "bury me under mama's apple tree"
- real talk: some of you people are being ridiculous, this song was specifically written for the radio, and its going to do ...
40 Comments
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April 3, 2008 at 1:00 pm Permalink
this guy was the lead singer from some hair band in the 80s, right? seriously. was it dangerous toys or trixter? i think it was dangerous toys. just something for the trivia buffs.
April 3, 2008 at 1:04 pm Permalink
“And please, please, spare me the ‘but Ben, one time, I accidentally did something that turned out good, so this song is sooooo true!’ Do some mistakes turn out well? Yes. Is this a good song? No.”
This made me literally laugh out loud.
As I understand it, Kevin was briefly the guitarist in Dangerous Toys. I don’t think he recorded with them, though.
April 3, 2008 at 1:06 pm Permalink
Ben, I have said this a million times now. The Texas “red dirt” scene has become a southern nashville in many ways (not all however). There are now enough imposter bands who only dream of displaying the grit and authenticity that the trailblazers of this scene displayed. Just as the safe, happy middle ground of mainstream nashville has dominated airwaves, we are seeing a similar shift in Texas. While there will still be more diversity and edgy material on the Texas chart than the billboard top 40, it has become more safe and frilly with each passing year. Eli Young, No Justice and such bands are wannabes that have attracted the frat boys and high school girls that also love Chesney and Urban, thinking they are “real Country”. This is why, as a Texas- Music-Loving-Native-Texan, I stick to the broad term of “Texas Music”. It encompasses everything, the good and bad, and it keeps people from calling EYB and the like “country” as much as it keeps people from calling this Fowler song not Country, but “Red Dirt” as if it’s anything more substantial than nashville pop.
April 3, 2008 at 1:16 pm Permalink
Kelly,
I sort of assume that whatever charts on the Texas Music Chart is roughly “Red Dirt”. Do you find that to be the case?
If not, do you think there a better guide to determine what fits into the Red Dirt scene?
Is the Red Dirt term even useful?
April 3, 2008 at 1:27 pm Permalink
Ben: I guess for the most part you are right about what is charting on this specific chart is termed “red dirt” by the masses. I think the name “red dirt” is as manufactured of a term as Americana or Alt. Country, and I typically do not find these terms useful, but pretentious and often times monotonous. Again, the main concern for me is the over-polishing of a brand of music that set it’s self apart originally for being rougher around the edges. Bands get labeled “Red dirt” these days, because of where they’re from and not what their sound is. For example, Aaron Watson is as country as it gets, yet because he tours predominantly in Texas, and isnt a national star, he gets unneccesarily over-labeled and is called a “red dirt artist”. Also, many of the giants of “red dirt” Ingram, Robison, Green, Reckless Kelly, etc..denounce the term and even act as though they are not familiar with it. Many of the acts that embrace the term are looking to hop on a gravy train and never aspire to expnd beyond the geographical border they have given themselves in hopes of cashing-in around this region.
April 3, 2008 at 1:29 pm Permalink
It seems to me that “Red Dirt” used to be more country based music coming out of Texas or Oklahoma, but guys started mixing in all sorts of influences, so now I kinda equate the term “Red Dirt” to Americana coming out of TX/OK, as it’s not really clear what exactly it is. Like Kelly, I prefer to use “Texas Music,” or just call it country if that’s what it is.
April 3, 2008 at 1:48 pm Permalink
Since I’ definitely not familiar with Texas music and all of its classifications, this whole conversation confuses me. When I wrote the review for Darryl Lee Rush (by the way, thanks for mentioning it in the round up!), I wasn’t sure if I should just call it Texas music or one of these other terms that have been thrown around–I wanted to just call it Texas music though. So, this conversation, while confusing to me, somebody from Maine, is enlightening. All I knew is that it wouldn’t fit on top 40 billboard radio.
April 3, 2008 at 2:04 pm Permalink
Darryl Lee Rush is a great example of what I would lump into “Texas Music’, hell even “Country Rock” is a better label than “Red Dirt” for him, in my opinion. I have seen him live and his show doesnt fit into a simple country label either. Leeann Your confusion over this conversation is one of the reasons I cant stand the “red dirt” label.
April 3, 2008 at 3:17 pm Permalink
Check out that Kevin pic. lol
April 3, 2008 at 3:18 pm Permalink
Oops, click my name or go here: http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/gallery?oid=oid:390520&number=1
April 3, 2008 at 4:31 pm Permalink
I totally agree with you Ben, I can’t stand this song!!
April 3, 2008 at 5:00 pm Permalink
Yeah, when I first heard this song, I thought it was apparent that Kevin Fowler and Equity Records had basically said “screw it” and were trying desperately to break onto the national stage. It’s always more than a little said to see an artist try SO desperately to have a big hit.
April 3, 2008 at 6:12 pm Permalink
A couple of years ago there was an Americana show on Sunday nights on LA’s FM Top 40 country station KZLA 93.9 FM (which switched formats in August 2006). The most requested song was Kevin’s “Don’t Touch My Willie!” at the time the show went off the air. I went ahead and purchased “Loose, Loud, and Crazy” and was disappointed that most of the songs weren’t very good and Kevin’s strange voice doesn’t help matters any. I know he’s popular in Texas with drunk and rowdy audiences, but I would not be tempted to purchase any more of his music.
Kevin sounds like he’s trying to follow the path blazed by Pat Green and Jack Ingram in going mainstream Nashville with this one, but he just doesn’t have the voice to compete in that group.
As for “Red Dirt Music” it strikes me as another name for Texas based Americana artists that are outside the country mainstream. Does this mean Dale Watson is a Red Dirt Ameripolitan artist? Hmmm….
April 4, 2008 at 4:16 pm Permalink
Mikeky – Kevin Fowler was a guitar player in the band Dangerous Toys.
April 7, 2008 at 2:48 pm Permalink
Someone needs to tell Fowler those leather wristbands are the best mistake he ever made. he is so cool!
April 8, 2008 at 7:11 pm Permalink
red dirt music was started in oklahoma and has blended with the texas music scene. its just independent country artists that have the freedom of getting out whatever sound they want without the control of a major label trying to make them fit in with everything else. if you dont like it dont hate on it, just let it be. its the music they have created and they are obviously doing something right because they all have relatively large followings. the guy that wrote this article is obviously spiteful to the fact that he’s talentless and has nothing better to do than bad mouth people who have been able to find success that he hasnt.
April 10, 2008 at 8:04 am Permalink
It seems like everyone is always under the assumption that artists are forever trying to “make it big” on the national scene. For those of us that know Kevin personally, we know that Kevin loves writing his own music and loves playing for his fans! He doesn’t seem to be interested in what you want to label him or his music. His fans loves his music, his voice and his shows which makes him successful as an artist. Does this mean everyone will like what he does….no, but this does mean that songs like this that critics will beat up and call bad, are equally considered great by his fans as well as others. The beauty of our society is that we are all entitled to our opinions, the shame of it is that some opinions end up carrying more weight because of where they get posted from. I only hope that Ben and other critics actually spend some time listening to artists music and attending their shows to truly see what their music and fan base is. For us, “The Best Mistake I Ever Made” is a great song and we Love Kevin for putting it out there. Keep ‘em coming Kevin, you know we will be there!!!
April 10, 2008 at 10:18 am Permalink
Are you kidding me??? It’s a classic country song. Kevin is one of the most genuine people I know. Making it big doesn’t always mean you have to make it big in Nashville. This song is so much more than you are reading into it and unless you know the artist personally, you really don’t know what you are talking about. Kevin is the biggest act in Texas and we love it that way. He writes wonderful songs that reflect in so many of our lives. Ben, try taking the time to get to know the artist before you pass judgement on a personal level. Best Mistake I Ever Made is a wonderful song and has more meaning than you will ever know and not in the manner you wrote about. Keep in mind that success is not what you have made but what others have done to help you get there. Kevin is so thankful to all of his fans and faith-followers (Fowler Fanatics Rock!) and we all love him dearly for that! Keep up the great work, Fowler!!
April 10, 2008 at 10:34 am Permalink
As one who has been following Kevin for approximately 9 years now, I have watched Kevin’s career evolve into what it is today. He will tell you, if it all fell apart tomorrow, I wouldn’t regret any of it. His fans are most important to him above all else. He will tell you he writes/plays music for the working class. His fans range from young children to old ladies like me…..How many of the Nashville artists do you know who stay after their shows and sign autographs, pose for pictures and personally greet each and every fan who comes by the merchandise booth? I’ve seen him stay for hours after, refusing to leave until the last person gets to talk to him. While most of his fans love his beer drinking/Hell raising songs, his ballads are what show his range of appeal. Kevin will also tell you, his voice is not the greatest out there, but it’s the energy, and true love of what he does that shows through during his performances. The crowd interaction that he commands from the stage, making each person out there feel as if he is singing only to them, that’s what brings us back time after time. His sincerity when he thanks his fans for coming out to the shows and allowing him and his band to make a living doing what they love. Just for the record, I have each and every one of his cd’s, in fact 2 copies since my son and I can not seem to share them…A son who is now 18 and been a Fowler Fanatic since the age of 9. Each new cd is better than the last and we wait sometimes not very patiently when we know another is in the making.
I’m guessing Ben, you have never been to one of his shows? Try it sometime, you just might like it.
WE LOVE YOU KEVIN….
Mama Martha, as he calls me……
April 10, 2008 at 10:36 am Permalink
WOW
as a KFB fan and follower of many TX artists I have to say that I completely disagree with you.
First off, if you want to hear “modern nashville country” come outside of texas for awhile buddy. I unfortunately had to move out of state and the music they play here make my ears bleed, therefore I have moved back to CD’s only.
Best Mistake I ever Made is FAR from Nashville crap, if it were even close don’t you think that it would get more airplay nationally?
How many modern nashville country songs have a fiddle and a steal guitar in them?? Not to darn many! You my friend are living in a big bubble and don’t know how lucky you actually are to be able to turn on a radio station and hear something other than big and rich BS.
Secondly, the song has great meaning.
If you even knew why the song was written in the first place.
You don’t want to hear the “but Ben” stuff, but i will say it…..God does not make mistakes, even an unplanned pregnancy is not a mistake in His eyes, so this song goes on a much more personal level for some.
Next I would like to ask for some specific examples of how this song is so much like other songs that are coming out of Nashville?
I don’t see it or hear it and again, the crap that comes out of that city is shoved down my throat if i want to go to any place outside my home that is playing “country” music.
Lastly, I would like to say that I agree with Katie.
Kevin writes because it’s his passion. To try and put an artist into a specific mold is not going to work. I can name numerous artists that have done different sounds, and that means they are growing and evolving. Do you want your favorite artist to have the same exact sound on every single song/album? If so you’re probably a pretty boring individual.
Wilie Nelson, Merle Haggard and even the Rolling Stones have different sounds as the years progress.
Just thinking about it, what a sad world it would be if the Stones still had their early 60’s sound
Bet they wouldn’t still be selling out concerts and producing multi million selling records after 40+ years.
April 10, 2008 at 11:02 am Permalink
It’s good to see the Kevin Fowler fans stopping by.
I’d like to make it clear that this was a review of this single only, and that I made no comment on his overall body of work, or his character as an individual.
He sounds like a very nice fella, and I’m glad that you all have an artist that you are so passionate about.
However my opinion on the single remains the same. To answer Ju Ju’s question, I addressed specifically what made this sound like Nashville country in the article here
“It uses all the same tired tricks; re-coloration (first the “best mistake” is Fowler getting married drunk in Vegas, then it’s accidental pregnancy), a bridge that vapidly reflects on his concept and seeks to tie it up in a neat, little two-line bow, and the use of extended notes at the end of the chorus that lead into a short, boring, soulless, soaring guitar solo.”
I have no grudge with, or prejudice against, Kevin Fowler’s music, I have a ton of respect for his accomplishments an an independent artist, and I look forward to reviewing more of his work in the future.
April 10, 2008 at 11:24 am Permalink
I am with Ben to a large extent. I actually LOVE Kevin Fowler. When much of the national media (including No Depression magazine) blasted “Long Line of Losers”, I was cranking it from my ipod. I agree that Kevin is known as a genuine showman and all-around nice guy. His live shows are legend in Texas. Having said all of that, I can not stand “Best Mistake I Ever Made”. Maybe it has fiddle and makes it slightly different than much of the soft pop-rock on mainstream radio, but the devices that Ben detailed as being used in this song make it a bit corny and predictable. I hear that Rascal Flatts are hyper-nice guys that love their fans. Montgomery-Gentry, Phil Vassar, and Phil Stacey have nicknames for their fans even, but each of these artists are pure radio anthrax to my ears! Luckily, this is an isolated case for me, as I am a Kevin Fowler fan, but do not blindly “love” everything he does, simply cuz he signs a ton of autographs.
April 10, 2008 at 11:25 am Permalink
I can tell you from experience that whether a person is nice or not has no bearing on whether they make quality music.
April 10, 2008 at 11:48 am Permalink
I don’t profess to love each and every song he has ever written or recorded either, but this particular song hits close to home with a lot of “common” folk who can identify with the lyrics. I understand you get paid to express your opinion and that’s exactly what it is, your opinion. We just happen to disagree. My question to you is, if the one and only cd you have purchased and I guess listened to, how can you “review” this one single from his latest cd? Perhaps you could listen to the entire cd and make a reccomendation for the next single to be released….based, of course, on your expert opinion…..
April 10, 2008 at 12:11 pm Permalink
Several comments on this thread suggest that everyone has opinions, and that’s just that. So reviewers opinions are no more valid than die hard fans’ opinions.
Maybe so – but the professional reviewers are often better than the die-hard fans at giving reasons to support their opinions. And that is important to me, as a fan. If Reviewer A says, “this song stinks” and gives 3 reasons, I can ask myself whether I also think those reasons are sufficient to warrant the conclusion that the song stinks.If so, I can avoid downloading the song. The reviewer has helped me.
But if Die-hard fan B says, “I love the song and I can relate to it and it has such personal meaning for me and the singer is such a great guy,” that gives me little reason to form an opinion of the song, to consider downloading or avoiding the song.
Perhaps all opinions are equally valid in some sense, but some opinions are expressed in ways that make them more useful to readers.
April 10, 2008 at 12:36 pm Permalink
To Martha: I have said this on many other threads recently regarding songs that “common people” can “relate to”. Why does being able to relate to something that isn’t uncommon make it a good song? At least tell me that you like the music, or his voice, maybe the way the lyrics are arranged, but if it is only that you can relate to it, then is it a great song or is it just a story that makes a “common person” say, “oh, that happened to me too”…While many of the greatest songs in history prove to be able to relate to the masses, that alone isnt what makes them great. Sad, lonely alcoholics can all relate to “Sunday Morning Coming Down” and that makes that paticular song special since it is highlighting something above mere everyday happenings (also Johnny Cash’s majestic vocals help it stand out of course).
April 10, 2008 at 1:01 pm Permalink
I’m all for songs that everyone can relate to, as long as the song has another redeeming quality. I’m, however, even more impressed with songs that appeal to me that I cannot relate to. For instance, Kelly’s example of “Sunday Morning Coming Down.” I can’t relate to the song; I don’t even drink. But the song captures the loneliness so well that a part of me feel as though I can relate. I like songs that can do that to me more than the ones that I can easily relate to.
April 10, 2008 at 1:04 pm Permalink
Kelly, I like the song for more than the fact that I can relate to it….I like the melody, I like how he sings it from his heart, I just like the song. It wouldn’t have mattered if someone else had written it, I would have liked it. And I never liked Sunday Morning Coming Down……and here again, your opinion that Johnny Cash had “majestic vocals”….I didn’t like a whole lot of his stuff…..Give me Merle any day…..
April 10, 2008 at 1:06 pm Permalink
Martha…you had me nodding my head in agreement until the end. I love Merle, but come on! :)
April 10, 2008 at 1:31 pm Permalink
Nope, Give me Merle! :)
April 10, 2008 at 1:58 pm Permalink
And to answer Ben’s question about why this song is getting so many spins on the radio, it’s because people who DO like the song are calling their radio stations and requesting it…..In fact I just heard it on my favorite station KVET 98.1 :)
April 10, 2008 at 3:53 pm Permalink
Do you like Brussel Sprouts? Miller Lite or Bud Light? Ford or Chevy? Spring or Summer? Everyone’s opinion is different and what is good to one is not to another. A critic will evaluate a song from a completely different angle than anyone else. Me however, I don’t need to analyze it in such a way. I love this song. Why??? Because I like the message that you can do something that seems wrong at the time and ends up being the best thing you could have done. I like Kevin, his voice, twang and energy. As far as I am concerned, each person needs to make up their own mind, not because someone else gives you their opinion. Have there been mainstream Nashville songs with the same basic theme, of course. But they were still different songs and just because Kevin records one like this, doesn’t mean every one after this will be the same. I look forward to hearing Kevin sing this at each concert/show I go to!!!!
April 10, 2008 at 3:56 pm Permalink
Oh and I forgot…I need to get to the store for some Bud Light, minnows and Winchester shells!!!!!
April 11, 2008 at 10:40 am Permalink
Well Ben, as my Grandpa used to tell me, ” If you don’t understand something you should listen more and talk less ” !
April 11, 2008 at 11:06 am Permalink
I have read all the comments above and I agree with each one of you…to a degree. Isn’t it grand we can agree to disagree? You can’t like everything and you don’t have to. I am not an eloquent writer and may not express my views as well as some of you but what I like about the song is… it came from the heart of both songwriters Kevin and Bobby Pounds about a subject that is close to both of them.
But one bad review is not gonna make or break this song. I think the song speaks for itself…It has been the CMT Pure 12-Pack Top Video for the past 2 weeks…which is voted on by the listeners/fans. And it could quite possibly be there again this week…results are not in yet!Since its release the song has been on the Texas Music Charts with two #1 spots (competition is tough) going back and forth. So apparently someone likes the song.
I hope someone reading Ben’s review will at least give the song a chance and not just take his word at face value…listen then make a decision.
I tend to ramble but I ramble about the things in life that matter to me and Best Mistake I Ever Made matters to me!
April 13, 2008 at 12:20 pm Permalink
I always thought “Red Dirt” meant the Stillwater, Oklahoma scene.
April 21, 2008 at 4:09 pm Permalink
Why has Fowler always reminded me of David Ball?
April 21, 2008 at 6:22 pm Permalink
I downloaded his last two albums off emusic and like pretty much everything except “Best Mistake I Ever Made.” 95.9 The Ranch is spinning the hell out of it so I’m probably in the minority. That’s ok because the Lord loves a drinkin’ man, which puts me in the majority around these parts;)
June 29, 2008 at 6:41 am Permalink
looks like hackers too me?
July 2, 2008 at 6:07 am Permalink
We have been getting multiple daily (overnight) spam comments on this article, so I am locking comments until the problem is fixed.
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