May I respectfully disagree with the sentiments of Mr Shelton. The “thing” that country music has that rock doesn’t have is longevity.
In my youth I played music in rock, folk, country and “other”. I saw George Strait at Gruene Hall in 1975, 1976, Willie Nelson/Jerry Jeff Walker, Jerry Reed and Chet Atkins in the summers of the mid-70’s, Black Sabbath, Jethro Tull, Black Oak Arkansas and ZZ Top did a local gig in 1972 that still has my ears ringing. I saw Jim Croce and James Taylor as well as loving the music of Chet Baker, Nat King Cole, Harry Chapin, Dan Fogelberg and others. My background show that I’m eclectic about music.... however for some reason my choices in rock/pop/jazz/folk have ebbed and flowed and “progressed” to different artists but the constant is my love for only certain types of country musicians.
George Strait, Dwight Yoakum, Travis Tritt, Sammy Kershaw, and on the female side Allison Krause can sing to me any night . The thing is that I like songs with good/interesting lyrics, great melodies and able to dance a bit of two-step or waltz with. The new stuff is ok but just a little bit over produced, in my opinion only, and while some of it is inspirational, I just don’t feel the warm feeling in my heart that some of my old tunes bring out.
Finally ALL MUSIC is generational. It speaks to the times that the artist lives in and they act as entertainers explaining the human condition in a manner that makes us smile, reflect, dance for joy, make love, make war and generally cope with life. I suspect Blake is a little bit of a a promoter for the show and saying crap to “get attention” in order to generate ratings. Country fans, at least REAL country music fans like the real thing and hate the “talking point” and “corporate” public relation manipulations of the tight legged suits in offices. He risks getting labeled a sell-out and country music fans don’t like rude little pussies that bad mouth their elders.
I can't disagree with that. Can you say, "Dixie Chunks?" It was not artful, and that could be trouble for Mr. Shelton.
I too saw George in Gruene in the 70’s and other places. Before he started selling out arenas I used to go anywhere within driving distance to dance on a dance floor while he sang on the stage. I bet I have seen him at least 50 times before Blue Clear Sky came out.
I also remember seeing dozens of real country stars sing at the old Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas where they played while we danced. George, Mo and Jo, Conway, Merle, Eddie Rabbitt, George Jones, Ronnie Milsap, and others. Tickets were less than $20 most times. Then the late 80’s and 90’s came and the “hat bands” like Mark Chesnut, Tracy Byrd, Tracy Lawrence, and Rick Trevino along with Little Texas, Shenandoah, Diamond Rio, Alan Jackson, Keith Whitley, Travis Tritt... That was a great time for dancing.
Actually went to Turkey for the Texas Playboys (never saw Bob though) reunion before the original band got too old or died out.