Yes, the namedropping itself has become a cottage industry. Sometimes I think they believe they've finished writing a song and have done their job, if they just throw in a Hank Williams reference.

Thinking of the concert figures, I'm not surprised about Taylor Swift because of her age demographic. I think young people will go see anyone in concert (i.e. Justin Bieber). It doesn't matter what kind of show they put on. But I guess I am surprised that the older country stars are selling out arenas.

As far as available radio formats go, it makes me wonder what's out there that you have to explore in order to find. I've never looked. It's easy to find traditional country on Sirius/XM so you can listen to classic music from the legends 24/7. But are there new country artists out there who are creating old school country music, but just aren't getting the airplay or exposure? Like a country version of indie, maybe. I don't know, because I've never really tried to find them.

I like music that tells a story and country seems to do that more than other genres. I think that's why I veer to it. One of my earliest musical memories is the pop song Honey by Bobby Goldsboro and I would cry every time I heard it. There are a lot of country songs that follow that format, introduction, dramatic event, conclusion and I remain a sucker for it. Actually, I like Michael Jackson's Billie Jean because it tells a story too. I'm kind of easy that way.

Michele

That's an interesting idea, in regards to new artists creating old school country music. I think there are still old artists creating old school country music, but unless you're a big draw (like George Strait or Alan Jackson), you're not going to get radio play. Although, I think I'd be a little weary towards new artists creating old school sounding country music, probably since I've become more skeptical towards country music. I think I'd honestly wonder if the sound is really a genuine reflection of the artist, or is it being used as a way to gain "street cred" or to just stand out from the mainstream (in an attention-seeking way).

I'm with you on loving music that tells a story, and country does seem to do that very well. Personally, I've always had a love for its murder-ballads and the songs that would engage with my fears of isolation and loneliness. Long Black Veil by Lefty Frizzell seems to combine all of those things into one song. Actually, sometimes it's not necessarily even the words that have to tell the story, but the music itself that can give me that same feeling. Time Precious Time is a song that for some reason reminds me of driving on isolated country roads here in nowhere South Dakota. Actually, I feel that quite a few of his songs have a way of telling an emotional story just through the structure of the song and the music itself. I've always loved songs where the sound of the guitar can give you a feeling that sometimes elaborates or causes you to doubt that lyrics in the song- i.e. the tension I get from hearing sad or angry lyrics over happy and catchy melodies. Lindsey does that really well.

Yes, sometimes lyrics are very evocative, but sometimes it's really the vocal (combined with the music) that brings a sentiment home and for me that happens a lot in country not because of the twangy accent, but because there's often a roughness to a country vocal, where the singer sounds either old or tired or hoarse and it gives me this sense that they're a little world weary or emotionally spent or breaking. Loss seems more palpable. It adds extra gravitas to the song's words and music, somehow, even if they're very simple. Or maybe it's because they're very simple.

I cried when George Jones died, not because I was saddened by his passing, but because they kept playing "He Stopped Loving her Today" and that song and the way he sang it still gets to me.

But Stevie can do that with a vocal too. That's why as awful as the Gate and Garden lyrics are, I can get wrapped up in the passionate way she says "do I love you, well I always did. Nobody knows nothing about it . . ."

I like murder ballads too. Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town is a favorite. Ode to Billie Joe. The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia.

Michele

Swift Justice? Westboro Baptist Church Plans Protest At ‘Wh*re’ Taylor’s Concert
 

Swift Justice? Westboro Baptist Church Plans Protest At ‘Wh*re’ Taylor’s Concert: http://radaronline.com/exclusives/20...-taylor-swift/

Well personally I'm not a strict traditionalist-only person when it comes to country music. As long as it's well written and well sung and has something of value to it in general (and everyone's values in music differs, of course). I don't mind countrypolitan or country-rock or such in themselves, I just don't like the bad writing and posturing that I guess I felt became more prominent on country radio. But the bad writing part, I'm sure, is not limited to country. Like you said with the Taylor Swift example there are a lot of things going on across genres.

As for country indie, well alternative country has been a thing since around the time alternative rock started becoming mainstream, and there is such a thing as indie folk, but it's not really neotraditional. Alt. country can have a similar appeal to traditional country, but it can also be country that likes to mix with other genres besides just pop (like punk).

I have a soft spot for FM radio, I miss the days when I could just turn on the station in the car to a great song. But yes internet radio has been an option for a while and it (plus more spending money and access to record stores) is what's allowed me to keep my love of country music going as I've gotten older. I just hate the whole elite = good/mainstream = bad divide and I wish that mainstream radio could be less homogenized. But that's the same old story for a lot of radio formats.

Other than my news station, I don't even listen to terrestial radio any more. I don't even know what station country is on. I turned off when the Dixie Chicks were played twice an hour and then they were erased from the format altogether, overnight and I don't believe that was the will of most listeners. They were blacklisted to quiet the protests of a minority. Within 2 years after that censorship wave, the longtime country stations in Los Angeles actually were replaced with something else.

Now, there are 3 stations I listen to on XM/Sirius, 57, 58 and 59 and I go back and forth between those. When a song comes on that I don't like, I switch the dial up or down. That's why I don't hear Lady Antebellum. Even though they're played a lot, I just turn to one of the other stations when they come on. When Stevie duets with them, the content is going to be a complete surprise to me.

But I do know there are other country stations that are less homogenous than those 3 on satellite that are available. I haven't tried them out. I guess I just take the Pontoon that's handed to me. :laugh:

Michele

Is there really that much Bon Jovi love in the world? That really surprised me! :laugh:

Top 20 Concert Tours from Pollstar Mercury News
http://www.mercurynews.com/celebriti...-from-pollstar

By The Associated Press Posted: 07/11/2013 10:19:41 AM PDT

1. (1) The Rolling Stones; $7,969,276; $346.09.

2. (2) Taylor Swift; $2,188,099; $85.18.

3. (3) Kenny Chesney; $1,919,435; $74.36.

4. (4) Bon Jovi; $1,612,999; $104.13.

5. (5) Fleetwood Mac; $1,390,010; $108.91.

6. (6) New Kids On The Block; $838,510; $66.69.

7. (7) Jason Aldean; $780,014; $51.47.

8. (8) Tim McGraw; $575,811; $36.47.

9. (9) Brad Paisley; $566,551; $36.20.

10. (11 Carrie Underwood; $495,724; $62.39.

11. (13) Widespread Panic; $416,309; $46.05.

12. (14) Barry Manilow; $354,265; $57.72.

13. (15) Motley Crue; $329,571; $75.99.

14. (16) Styx / REO Speedwagon / Ted Nugent; $221,234; $38.78.

15. (17) Jeff Dunham; $211,902; $48.20.

16. (18) Bassnectar; $179,128; $36.44.

17. (20) Chris Tomlin; $163,206; $28.29.

18. (21) Willie Nelson; $153,714; $55.53.

19. (22) Il Divo; $152,184; $76.21.

20. (New) Juanes; $146,839; $53.27.

Thanks for sharing.

Its nice to see FM in the top 5.

Maybe they should went ahead and record a country album.


In the meantime its nice to see some of my favorite country artists on top too.

I'm glad they are beating out the new pop artist on tour.

Willie Nelson is still cranking along with his tours.He is in 70's.


Taylor Swift beating FM out.She's hot now.

http://news.investors.com/newsfeed-a...-pollstar.aspx

The Top 20 Concert Tours ranks artists by average box office gross per city and includes the average ticket price for shows in North America. The previous week's ranking is in parentheses. The list is based on data provided to the trade publication Pollstar by concert promoters and venue managers.

1. (1) The Rolling Stones; $7,969,276; $346.09.

2. (2) Taylor Swift; $2,774,218; $86.95.

3. (3) Kenny Chesney; $2,167,270; $76.33.

4. (4) Fleetwood Mac; $1,367,517; $107.85.

5. (5) Dave Matthews Band; $1,241,722; $54.62.

6. (6) Justin Bieber; $1,165,093; $80.54.

7. (10) Jason Aldean; $1,017,425; $61.43.

8. (7) New Kids On The Block; $838,685; $66.04.

9. (8) Tim McGraw; $575,811; $36.47.

10. (9) Brad Paisley; $568,346; $36.19.

11. (11) Carrie Underwood; $520,651; $65.05.

12. (12) Widespread Panic; $396,997; $46.52.

13. (13) Barry Manilow; $350,088; $61.19.

14. (14) Motley Crue; $329,192; $75.94.

15. (15) Styx / REO Speedwagon / Ted Nugent; $208,359; $37.85.

16. (18) Bassnectar; $171,548; $34.95.

17. (19) Willie Nelson; $164,400; $54.31.

18. (20) Il Divo; $162,835; $81.55.

19. (22) Chicago; $147,311; $50.45.

20. (new) Juanes; $146,949; $53.31.


Read More At Investor's Business Daily: http://news.investors.com/newsfeed-a...#ixzz2aSd400a3
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Wow they move up a notch from 5 to 4.{I sound like Casey Kasem}

Thats great for FM.

The Stones are still hot.They will hot for years to come.


Again I'm glad to see the country artists on the top then any other current pop artists.

The dollar amount listed is for just one show, not the whole tour as the article title states.

http://www.bloomberglaw.com/exp/ewog...J2IjogIjEiCn0K

Aug 02 2013 10:11:28

By The Associated Press
(AP) -- The Top 20 Concert Tours ranks artists by average box office gross per city and includes the average ticket price for shows in North America. The previous week's ranking is in parentheses. The list is based on data provided to the trade publication Pollstar by concert promoters and venue managers.

1. (1) The Rolling Stones; $7,969,276; $346.09.

2. (2) Taylor Swift; $3,092,783; $86.73.

3. (3) Kenny Chesney; $2,157,820; $74.97.

4. (4) Fleetwood Mac; $1,367,517; $107.85.

5. (5) Dave Matthews Band; $1,209,646; $54.43.

6. (6) Justin Bieber; $1,165,093; $80.54.

7. (7) Jason Aldean; $1,017,425; $61.43.

8. (8) New Kids On The Block; $830,439; $65.06.

9. (9) Tim McGraw; $578,200; $37.60.

10. (10) Brad Paisley; $568,346; $36.19.

11. (11) Carrie Underwood; $520,651; $65.05.

12. (12) Widespread Panic; $391,954; $46.27.

13. (13) Barry Manilow; $350,088; $61.19.

14. (14) Mötley Crüe; $329,192; $75.94.

15. (15) Styx / REO Speedwagon / Ted Nugent; $208,359; $37.85.

16. (New) Hillsong United; $197,990; $31.04.

17. (New) Darius Rucker; $191,717; $39.60.

18. (16) Bassnectar; $171,548; $34.95.

19. (18) Il Divo; $162,835; $81.55.

20. (17) Willie Nelson; $160,635; $55.43.

http://www.kimt.com/2013/08/23/top-2...om-pollstar-6/
Top 20 Concert Tours from Pollstar

By The Associated PressPublished: Friday, August 23, 2013, 11:36 am

The Top 20 Concert Tours ranks artists by average box office gross per city and includes the average ticket price for shows in North America. The previous week’s ranking is in parentheses. The list is based on data provided to the trade publication Pollstar by concert promoters and venue managers.

1. (2) Paul McCartney; $3,620,049; $131.27.

2. (3) Taylor Swift; $3,126,773; $86.58.

3. (4) Kenny Chesney; $2,182,829; $75.32.

4. (New) One Direction; $1,805,905; $65.73.

5. (5) Fleetwood Mac; $1,427,403; $110.90.

6. (6) Phish; $1,391,413; $48.76.

7. (7) Justin Bieber; $1,225,230; $80.77.

8. (8) Dave Matthews Band; $1,134,333; $55.10.

9. (9) Bruno Mars; $1,027,571; $71.30.

10. (10) New Kids On The Block; $807,690; $65.24.

11. (11) Blake Shelton; $672,657; $32.24.

12. (12) Tim McGraw; $603,511; $38.11.

13. (14) Rascal Flatts; $567,025; $40.02.

14. (13) Brad Paisley; $551,796; $36.88.

15. (17) Widespread Panic; $376,122; $47.11.

16. (18) Bad Company / Lynyrd Skynyrd ; $311,304; $31.44.

17. (19) The Postal Service; $230,087; $40.66.

18. (New) Imagine Dragons; $203,574; $34.34.

19. (22) Hillsong United; $197,990; $31.04.

20. (New) Alice In Chains; $175,522; $49.24.

Jesus, they are really raking it in.