Your Take: What Do Your Musical Tastes Say About You?
In yesterday’s news roundup, Brody listed some of the more interesting statistics published in the Country Music Association’s study on country music audience demographics. There were some interesting numbers on people who consider themselves “countryphiles,” as well as the genre’s love/hate relationship with digital downloads.
The nugget I found to be the most intriguing, however, was this quote from The Tennessean’s article:
Across ages and genres, fans mentioned country and some form of rock as the genres they would not want to live without, citing the “life relevance, real stories, universal truths and family appeal” of country, among other characteristics.
“Country as a genre really stands out as a community of people,” said Jana O’Brien, chief consumer officer of Starcom MediaVest Group, which co-conducted the study.
“Unlike easy listening or top 40, it speaks volumes about your values system. It’s like some of the more statement genres: hip-hop or classic rock. Of all the genres we’ve studied, we think country probably says the most about a person.”
Two weeks ago you came up with some great definitions for the genre of country music, which she echoes here. Do you agree with O’Brien’s observation? Does being a country music fan really say more about a person than, say, being a Top 40 fan?
And what, exactly, does an affinity for country music say about a person? Tell us your favorite country music artist or song, and what you think it says about your personality, upbringing and tastes.
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March 7, 2009 at 8:52 am Permalink
I think that my music collection speaks directly to me. It may to others as well, but music is so personal. I think what matters to me most is the connection to the song. Compared to the fluff often found on pop radio, most country, American, etc. focus on real life. That’s what pulls me in and keeps me listening. Currently I am really playing the new releases from Otis Gibbs, William Elliott Whitmore and Buddy & Julie Miller the most. The Willie and the Wheel is also great. Real music for real people..
March 7, 2009 at 10:31 am Permalink
For me, Country is about real life-the ups and downs and how we get by. The “Stand By Your Man” to the “D I V O R C E”. The past, the present and the future. When lost, play “Jesus Take the Wheel”, or any number of Martina’s uplifting songs. When you are going through unbearable pain, “Go Rest High on that Mountain” When all seems so scary and unknown as the news coming out today, you want to rely on something secure, something real to give you that strength and comfort. Pass me the Bible and Country Music.
March 7, 2009 at 11:10 am Permalink
I think the biggest factor in O’Brien’s reasoning is the way country is inheireted generation to generation, probably as a result of its historical reliance of the art of storytelling. I probably wouldn’t feel as strongly as I do about country music if I hadn’t seen how strongly my dad and grandfather were tied to the genre. I don’t think you see that in pop music, but definitely with rock and hiphop.
One of my favorite artists is Alan Jackson, which I think says something about the region I grew up in (NC/SC/GA).
March 7, 2009 at 11:52 am Permalink
O’Brien is simply spelling out some of the implications of their very provocative data–not a view of the music or even “reasoning.” it’s what a pretty big sampling of people who actively make the music part of their lives reveal about why and how.
March 7, 2009 at 12:46 pm Permalink
To simply answer the headline, my music tastes probably would say I have multiple personalities. the most interesting thing about music is that there are so many ways to tell roughly the same story. but the different artists, styles and genre influences make it personable and real to the person listening.
March 7, 2009 at 3:04 pm Permalink
I’m not sure exactly how to respond to this survey.
Country music (more the traditional kind than the contemporary brand of it) particularly appeals to me because I believe the genre touches on the deeper truths of the simple experiences and emotions that make up our livelihoods and demonstrates better than any other genre that the simplest things are also the stillest waters running deep. I’d also agree country has more of that community/extended family frame of mind than any other genre.
At the same time, though, I do love listening to many other genres of music, particularly power pop (I’m thinking more Big Star and Jellyfish), classic rock and roll, some alternative rock, smooth jazz, Tropicana, even Jpop. I like to think myself as a walking collage to some extent: a walking contradiction that is nonetheless honest about myself and appreciates more of the deeper, universal truths of life, as well as the spontaneity of it.
So I’m just not sure to what extent a survey like this would say about me or anyone who has an earnest love of all kinds of musical destinations.
March 7, 2009 at 5:13 pm Permalink
I suppose that my tastes in music,traditional country,jazz (traditional, Dixieland, swing and bebop), traditional English and Irish folk, pop standards (Laine, Martin, Sinatra, Day)and 50s-60s rock and R&B are essentially a relection of the stuff that I was exposed to while a kid.
My preference has always been for melody and harmony over rhythm which is why I tuned away from pop & R&B as the seventies wore on (left to my own devices, country bands would use an acoustic base to keep the rhythm and would dump the drums entirely
March 7, 2009 at 6:51 pm Permalink
An addition to my first post please:
I grew up on the Beatles and can’t pass music by then without stopping and reliving the memories. But I also, love-brass ensembles, opera, jazz, The Big Band Era (Benny Goodman,Glenn Miller), music of the 60’s, Americana music, music from most Broadway Musicals, traditional and some contemporary Country music. I assist with a high school band, play trumpet and direct handbells at church. I don’t think you can characterize Country lovers into a neat little box.
March 8, 2009 at 8:14 pm Permalink
Speaking of musical tastes, how about this tidbit from AllAboutCountry.com:
“Sony Music Nashville Had A Great Surprise For The CRS Boat Show!
The 24th annual General Jackson Boat Show at CRS had some really cool surprises, as they do each year. This year it was Peter Frampton whipping up some great guitar riffs with Brad Paisley on his classic “Do You Feel Like I Do.”
Before that, Martina McBride and Carrie Underwood joined Frampton for “Baby, I Love Your Way.” Another unexpected get together was John Kay of Steppenwolf hooking-up with Montgomery Gentry to sing “Born to Be Wild.”"
Rick’s comment: I guess I shouldn’t be surprised why Top 40 country radio sounds the way it does these days….
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