Comments on: The Promise and Impact of Taylor Swift http://www.the9513.com/the-promise-and-impact-of-taylor-swift/ The latest country music news and reviews. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:26:21 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: 9513: The Promise and Impact of Taylor Swift « Taylor Swift Fansite http://www.the9513.com/the-promise-and-impact-of-taylor-swift/#comment-114902 9513: The Promise and Impact of Taylor Swift « Taylor Swift Fansite Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:37:54 +0000 http://www.the9513.com/the-promise-and-impact-of-taylor-swift/#comment-114902 [...] Link [...] [...] Link [...]

]]> By: Stagecoach Music Festival ‘08: Day Two -- The 9513 http://www.the9513.com/the-promise-and-impact-of-taylor-swift/#comment-69482 Stagecoach Music Festival ‘08: Day Two -- The 9513 Tue, 13 May 2008 19:28:42 +0000 http://www.the9513.com/the-promise-and-impact-of-taylor-swift/#comment-69482 [...] Swift's act. I like her songs, for all the reasons I mention in the world famous article "The Promise and Impact of Taylor Swift" (it's not really world famous, but she did send me a hand-written "thank you" note), and I [...] [...] Swift’s act. I like her songs, for all the reasons I mention in the world famous article “The Promise and Impact of Taylor Swift” (it’s not really world famous, but she did send me a hand-written “thank you” note), and I [...]

]]> By: Jeremy Potts http://www.the9513.com/the-promise-and-impact-of-taylor-swift/#comment-61756 Jeremy Potts Tue, 18 Mar 2008 05:26:35 +0000 http://www.the9513.com/the-promise-and-impact-of-taylor-swift/#comment-61756 I'm rather of the view of whether you can identify with the experiences or emotions being portrayed in a song is totally irrelevant. I'm Taylor Swift's age, I'm barely months out of high school and the situations she writes about are ones I bear familiarity with - but I don't care, because I don't feel anything when I listen to her music. The idea that you should be able to identify with what an artist is singing about sames to encourage lazy writing - the audience is doing half your work for you. One of my favourite artists in country music is Gary Allan, and the zenith of his achievements are SMOKE RINGS IN THE DARK and TOUGH ALL OVER. I can't identify with the experiences he portrays on either record, and I've never experienced the emotions except in the most general fashion, and definitely not to anywhere near the extent he's singing about, but the songs are well-crafted enough and his performances so authentic and compelling that I feel them anyway - that is to my mind the mark of a great song or artist. I don't even understand what Bob Dylan is singing about most of the time, but his music remains profoundly affecting. Swift is doing the same slice-of-life experiental style of songwriting that is pervasive on mainstream country radio these days - except that she's aiming at a younger crowd. This isn't necessarily a criticism; I've no reason to doubt that these are her genuine artistic preoccupations, and she's an agreeably witty writer who knows her limitations as a vocalist and works within them. But her music strikes me as a little fluffy and I'd wait for at least a sophomore record before making a judgment about her as an artist. I’m rather of the view of whether you can identify with the experiences or emotions being portrayed in a song is totally irrelevant. I’m Taylor Swift’s age, I’m barely months out of high school and the situations she writes about are ones I bear familiarity with – but I don’t care, because I don’t feel anything when I listen to her music.
The idea that you should be able to identify with what an artist is singing about sames to encourage lazy writing – the audience is doing half your work for you. One of my favourite artists in country music is Gary Allan, and the zenith of his achievements are SMOKE RINGS IN THE DARK and TOUGH ALL OVER. I can’t identify with the experiences he portrays on either record, and I’ve never experienced the emotions except in the most general fashion, and definitely not to anywhere near the extent he’s singing about, but the songs are well-crafted enough and his performances so authentic and compelling that I feel them anyway – that is to my mind the mark of a great song or artist. I don’t even understand what Bob Dylan is singing about most of the time, but his music remains profoundly affecting.
Swift is doing the same slice-of-life experiental style of songwriting that is pervasive on mainstream country radio these days – except that she’s aiming at a younger crowd. This isn’t necessarily a criticism; I’ve no reason to doubt that these are her genuine artistic preoccupations, and she’s an agreeably witty writer who knows her limitations as a vocalist and works within them. But her music strikes me as a little fluffy and I’d wait for at least a sophomore record before making a judgment about her as an artist.

]]> By: Country Music Hall of Fame Scores Lester Flatt’s Guitar -- The 9513 http://www.the9513.com/the-promise-and-impact-of-taylor-swift/#comment-55987 Country Music Hall of Fame Scores Lester Flatt’s Guitar -- The 9513 Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:25:49 +0000 http://www.the9513.com/the-promise-and-impact-of-taylor-swift/#comment-55987 [...] card to Hollerin’ Ben Cisneros thanking him for complimenting her songwriting in his article The Promise and Impact of Taylor Swift, and even complimenting him for his own writing style. Echoing Ben’s sentiments, that Taylor [...] [...] card to Hollerin’ Ben Cisneros thanking him for complimenting her songwriting in his article The Promise and Impact of Taylor Swift, and even complimenting him for his own writing style. Echoing Ben’s sentiments, that Taylor [...]

]]> By: freewayradio guy http://www.the9513.com/the-promise-and-impact-of-taylor-swift/#comment-48151 freewayradio guy Tue, 08 Jan 2008 06:51:23 +0000 http://www.the9513.com/the-promise-and-impact-of-taylor-swift/#comment-48151 I think Taylor Swift is very refreshing and talented. Her music did not catch on overnight. It took a while for people to listen and like it, just like many new stars. Double platinum is quite an acheivement today with so few people actually buying cd's instead of just downloading a track. And Taylor Swift is just starting to get cross over appeal from pop listeners, too. I think her long term success depends on how much more good music she can write AND on how well her label supports her career. I think she's lucky to be with a small label like Big Machine. They are far more likely to treat her right rather than just milk the success for quick profit. She is a major plus for that small label, too. And if there are a whole crowd of equally talented young people out there about the get a break, lucky for all the rest of us. Maybe there will be more fresh new material that we all get to hear instead of tired old stuff the major labels keep pushing. Bravo Taylor Swift! And Thank You Big Machine!! I think Taylor Swift is very refreshing and talented. Her music did not catch on overnight. It took a while for people to listen and like it, just like many new stars. Double platinum is quite an acheivement today with so few people actually buying cd’s instead of just downloading a track. And Taylor Swift is just starting to get cross over appeal from pop listeners, too. I think her long term success depends on how much more good music she can write AND on how well her label supports her career. I think she’s lucky to be with a small label like Big Machine. They are far more likely to treat her right rather than just milk the success for quick profit. She is a major plus for that small label, too. And if there are a whole crowd of equally talented young people out there about the get a break, lucky for all the rest of us. Maybe there will be more fresh new material that we all get to hear instead of tired old stuff the major labels keep pushing. Bravo Taylor Swift! And Thank You Big Machine!!

]]> By: M.C. http://www.the9513.com/the-promise-and-impact-of-taylor-swift/#comment-47275 M.C. Thu, 03 Jan 2008 20:02:58 +0000 http://www.the9513.com/the-promise-and-impact-of-taylor-swift/#comment-47275 I'm with Chris on this one. Nashville's track record with teens in the last decade hasn't been so good, and Taylor is more of an exception than a trend. Nashville has long tried to sign young artists, and they're going to keep trying, because they feel country needs to reach young people like it did, for a while, in the early and mid-'90s. The executives figure that's where the biggest sales are, and if you look at the fan bases of Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts, they're probably right. But Nashville, being Nashville, has in the past focused on signing young, attractive acts they think they can turn into appealing performers, and that rarely works. The biggest spate of signings of teens and women in their early 20s happened after the success of LeAnn Rimes and Shania Twain (whose audience tilted heavily toward young teens). A couple of them, Mindy McCready and Jessica Andrews, had temporary success. A whole bunch of them--Jessica Day, Alecia Elliot and several others--failed because Nashville's idea of what would appeal to young listeners was drastically wrongheaded. I think Taylor Swift does write songs that relate to this audience, which is why she's got their ear. That's significantly different than having young women (like those above) cut songs penned for them by by the Music Row factory writers. I was at a New Year's Eve party with a few families that had teen kids, and some of the girls were getting up in front of people singing hits of the day, a cappella. Of six songs performed, two were by Swift. The others were all pop singers, such as Alicia Keys. It was pretty obvious, hearing and watching them perform, why Swift's songs connected as they did. This has little do with how Swift is marketed or what her imaging is, no matter how tawdry Boomer's ideas about Music Row executives are. Boomer thinks youth and looks play a bigger role now, but I don't think it's any bigger now than it has been since the '90s. If anything, I think there's more emphasis right now on artists who write their own material than there has been in country music in a decade or more. There seems to me to be less of an effort put into developing good-looking, questionably talented vocalists, male or female, and more of an effort into developing artists who bring something to the table, be it a vocal or writing talent. I’m with Chris on this one. Nashville’s track record with teens in the last decade hasn’t been so good, and Taylor is more of an exception than a trend.

Nashville has long tried to sign young artists, and they’re going to keep trying, because they feel country needs to reach young people like it did, for a while, in the early and mid-’90s. The executives figure that’s where the biggest sales are, and if you look at the fan bases of Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts, they’re probably right.

But Nashville, being Nashville, has in the past focused on signing young, attractive acts they think they can turn into appealing performers, and that rarely works. The biggest spate of signings of teens and women in their early 20s happened after the success of LeAnn Rimes and Shania Twain (whose audience tilted heavily toward young teens). A couple of them, Mindy McCready and Jessica Andrews, had temporary success. A whole bunch of them–Jessica Day, Alecia Elliot and several others–failed because Nashville’s idea of what would appeal to young listeners was drastically wrongheaded.

I think Taylor Swift does write songs that relate to this audience, which is why she’s got their ear. That’s significantly different than having young women (like those above) cut songs penned for them by by the Music Row factory writers.

I was at a New Year’s Eve party with a few families that had teen kids, and some of the girls were getting up in front of people singing hits of the day, a cappella. Of six songs performed, two were by Swift. The others were all pop singers, such as Alicia Keys. It was pretty obvious, hearing and watching them perform, why Swift’s songs connected as they did.

This has little do with how Swift is marketed or what her imaging is, no matter how tawdry Boomer’s ideas about Music Row executives are. Boomer thinks youth and looks play a bigger role now, but I don’t think it’s any bigger now than it has been since the ’90s. If anything, I think there’s more emphasis right now on artists who write their own material than there has been in country music in a decade or more.

There seems to me to be less of an effort put into developing good-looking, questionably talented vocalists, male or female, and more of an effort into developing artists who bring something to the table, be it a vocal or writing talent.

]]> By: Lynn http://www.the9513.com/the-promise-and-impact-of-taylor-swift/#comment-47236 Lynn Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:18:44 +0000 http://www.the9513.com/the-promise-and-impact-of-taylor-swift/#comment-47236 Unlike a poster above, I relate to female artists much better than male artists -more so in the country genre than any other. I'm too old to be in Taylor's demographic, but I can definitely see how I would probably be a BIG fan if I were still a teenager. She has something that other female stars, including Carrie and Gretchen, lack - relatability on a large scale. She's clued in to the teenage experience and she does it with honesty, a smile and a good dose of sarcasm. Teenage girls can see their experiences in Taylor's songs and they can imagine being her friend. That's huge! However, those girls will only stick with her as long as she continues to relate to their lives. Taylor's biggest downfall will be when the cute thing no longer works, because anytime I have seen her perform live, her voice has not been good. Ouch. Hopefully that will develop. Unlike a poster above, I relate to female artists much better than male artists -more so in the country genre than any other. I’m too old to be in Taylor’s demographic, but I can definitely see how I would probably be a BIG fan if I were still a teenager. She has something that other female stars, including Carrie and Gretchen, lack – relatability on a large scale. She’s clued in to the teenage experience and she does it with honesty, a smile and a good dose of sarcasm. Teenage girls can see their experiences in Taylor’s songs and they can imagine being her friend. That’s huge! However, those girls will only stick with her as long as she continues to relate to their lives. Taylor’s biggest downfall will be when the cute thing no longer works, because anytime I have seen her perform live, her voice has not been good. Ouch. Hopefully that will develop.

]]> By: Jim Malec http://www.the9513.com/the-promise-and-impact-of-taylor-swift/#comment-47188 Jim Malec Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:19:39 +0000 http://www.the9513.com/the-promise-and-impact-of-taylor-swift/#comment-47188 I agree with Chris that Taylor is out of the ordinary, but I do think we're seeing a trend to younger females. I'm working on a new faces feature for 2008, and I'm shocked at how many females are in the 17-22 range. I agree with Chris that Taylor is out of the ordinary, but I do think we’re seeing a trend to younger females. I’m working on a new faces feature for 2008, and I’m shocked at how many females are in the 17-22 range.

]]> By: Chris N. http://www.the9513.com/the-promise-and-impact-of-taylor-swift/#comment-47174 Chris N. Thu, 03 Jan 2008 02:13:46 +0000 http://www.the9513.com/the-promise-and-impact-of-taylor-swift/#comment-47174 Let's back up a little. I think Taylor is a complete aberration -- I don't see any trend toward signing younger artists in general. Aside from her, Nashville has had little to no success in breaking teen artists over the last several years. Let’s back up a little. I think Taylor is a complete aberration — I don’t see any trend toward signing younger artists in general. Aside from her, Nashville has had little to no success in breaking teen artists over the last several years.

]]> By: hairandtoenails http://www.the9513.com/the-promise-and-impact-of-taylor-swift/#comment-47111 hairandtoenails Wed, 02 Jan 2008 22:14:25 +0000 http://www.the9513.com/the-promise-and-impact-of-taylor-swift/#comment-47111 I'm a bit confused; even if a lot of newly signed female artists are just 12 years old, what is the problem with that, exactly? I’m a bit confused; even if a lot of newly signed female artists are just 12 years old, what is the problem with that, exactly?

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