GARTH BROOKS

 

   

Garth Brooks is no longer retired.  Whup-de-do!!

Today I sitting here playing Joe Cocker much too loud.

 

I am a fan of real COUNTRY music.  It was playing in my house back in the 40’s when I was in the crib.  Most likely, I have heard more of it than you.  Most likely between my records, 8-tracks, cassettes and computer files – I own more of it than you.

 

I have experienced the best and worst of it over many years.  A few times, I thought COUNTRY was dead, but some new star was always able to raise it from the ashes.  Actually, I have found that real COUNTRY music never dies, it just looses air play or market share.  Back in the woods, or in the middle of a city, real COUNTRY artist play on.

 

When Garth got started, I was a fan.  He got famous and rich too quickly, and his music changed as he did.  He was able to give the masses what they wanted, and that is always good. Once the band wagon he and guys like Billie Ray Cyrus started rolling, everything changed.  COUNTRY music did not change, but it got damn hard to find on the radio.

 

COUNTRY music comes and goes.  These days, what passes as COUNTRY is mostly strange.  Even Reba’s new release is a carbon copy of what is selling mainstream.  That is what fans want and buy, so I really have no problem with it all.

 

Someday soon when the fireworks and light shows get old, another ole boy like John Anderson will show up and the cycle will reverse again.  It is harder these days.  Loretta had to travel the SOUTH living in her car and visit every little town with an AM station to get play.  No chance of that “easy” route now as the record companies employ Hollywood experts who pick the next ‘star’. Stars are no longer “born”. These days they are mostly ‘made’.  Most think the experts do OK as record sales are high.  To make it these days, you need movie star appeal.  Music talent alone will not get you in the door, or on the radio. 

 

COUNTRY music is alive and well.  Finding it is still easy in most locales with a local bar, and at home one can always plug in a Hank or a Dolly.

 

I just ran a search of my music and found that only three of my 20K+ songs are Garth.  I like that ‘Low Places’ song, but apparently it was the money you guys spent that made him a star.  I hope this time around he does less pyro-spectacular and more COUNTRY. It would be funny if Garth is the guy who brings COUNTRY back to the root this time.

The guy is kinda like me as we have always had folicle challenges, and still got the girl.

 

YC