In general I give more credit to a group that does almost all of its own instrumentation (of the “newer” bands, Emerson Drive most closely fits this bill) as opposed to two or three people who hold microphones (Rascal Flatts, I’m looking in your direction).

I think that the group that emerging groups should use as a model wwas Shenandoah, my favorite of all the groups because in Marty Raybon they had the best lead vocalist. Shenandoah could work straight country, country pop and country rock convincingly. Personally, I prefer solo acts because solo artists (generally) can imbue the songs wih more personality

I saw Crossin’ Dixon open for Craig Morgan at a free Broken Bow sponsored concert and I was bored to tears by their music. That label would be better off finishing up the debut album from Megan Mullins in my opinion.

Despite the ridiculous name Lady Antebellum fortunately has the gorgeous Hillary Scott going for it as well as the strong voiced male lead singer. As the daughter of Linda Davis she inherited mommy’s good looks if not all of her vocal skills. I’ve heard Lady Antebellum on the Opry a couple of times and Hillary seems to be gaining more control over her vocal pitch as time goes on. If Whitney Duncan fails at Warner’s to be another Taylor Swift, maybe they can recruit Hillary……

You don’t like one word I used in describing Heartland, but what about the argument behind the vocabulary? “I Loved Her First” wasn’t exactly written for the gun-toting redneck portion of the fan base. I would also describe much of Lonestar’s (especially recent) and Rascal Flatts’ music as appealing to the same “sissys.”

A unique band could make it.

Few of the new bands have actually received much airplay, but unlike Matt, I like some of them, and I think radio is making a mistake. I particularly like Cole Deggs & the Lonesome, who Matt doesn’t mention, and Flynnville Train. Lady Antebellum shows promise too, and of the harmony groups he mentions, Whiskey Falls had moments I thought were good and less formulaic and cloying than some of the others.

I think some other of Matt’s generalizations are hugely flawed, though. He says he doesn’t think any of the bands are any good, although contradicts that with his Lady Antebellum comments. I disagree, and I think in some ways the trend away from Lonestar and Diamond Rio–who were direct Alabama acolytes–is a good one.

Also, I don’t think all those bands sound alike, as Matt says they do. I don’t hear much similarity between Lady Antebellum and Halfway to Hazard, for instance. If you cant distinguish between them, or between Whiskey Falls and Flynnville Train, then you’re not listening very closely.

I’ve always thought Music Row’s idea of a country band was weak and tended too much toward soft sentiments and harmonies instead of a bunch of guys having fun and rocking out. My tastes in country bands go to the Kentucky HeadHunters and Mavericks, though, so take that for what you will.

But mostly I find it hard to believe anyone would describe something as appealing to “the sissy portion of the fan base.” Good god. Do you mean, um, women? Or some women and some guys who you think aren’t as manly as you? What’s next, you going to accuse Taylor Swift of having cooties? That kind of pejorative name-calling lowers you and everything you have to say.