[Alas Babylon!]

Actually, it's a far from a true description. Southern rock owes a great deal to classic black rythym and blues, and makes no racist overtures as far as I know. Skynard's Sweet Home Alabama states:

In Birmingham they love the governor
Now we all did what we could do
Now Watergate does not bother me
Does your conscience bother you?
Tell the truth

They're talking about George Wallace, so does this make them racist? About the same time the band wrote this song, Wallace had given up on segregation and apologized to blacks. In fact, his last election as Governor saw him receive a majority of black votes.

[excalibur1701]

I let them know how I feel.

http://www.walmart.com/cservice/cu_commentsonline.gsp?cu_heading=8

This description of southern rock is insulting.

[familyofman]

"Skynard's Sweet Home Alabama..."

You do realize this song was written in response to Neil Young's 'Southern Man', and even mentions Neil Young in the lyrics.

[Don W]

You forgot something in that lyric.

In Birmingham they love the governor (Boo! Boo! Boo!)
Now we all did what we could do
Now Watergate does not bother me
Does your conscience bother you?
Tell the truth

[Mad Dawgg]

Let me preface my remarks by noting I graduated in 1977 at the start of the school year in 76 my Mom and dad wanted to know what I wanted for Graduation, they barely got the words out of their mouth before I could say Skynyrd tickets.

Well, tickets couldn't be secured for grad. so they got a Stereo instead and allof Skyryds albums.

Then I was surprised on my birthday in 77 with a note in a birthday card that I was going to see Skynyrd with 3 of my friends. My Birthday is October 14th. Never got to use those tickets...

I am a big fan of Southern Rock, have been for many years.

So to your comment:

"Actually, it's a far from a true description." Which was a response to: "Southern Rock differs from standard Rock in its regional mix of conservatism and rebellion. It is defined by political incorrectness: maleness, whiteness, sexism, racism, and a flaunting of Confederate flags, mixed with a more positive regional pride.

Well let us take it part by part:

"Southern Rock differs from standard Rock in its regional mix of conservatism and rebellion."

Definitely!

"It is defined by political incorrectness:"

No Doubt!

"maleness"

I can't think of one Female Southern Rock group maybe I missed it but I doubt it.

"whiteness"

Hmmm, can't remember a single ethnic member of any Southern Rock group, Again maybe I missed it but I can't remember a single non white member of any of the big Southern Rock groups.

"sexism"

Hmmm Songs about getting some trim on a Saturday night, What's your name little girl What's your name. Yep Sexism!

"racism"

Your example above is the only song I can remember that touches on anything remotely racial, also in the same song Neil Young is taken to task about his song "Southern Man" so this is the first example I find that is at the very least stretching the truth, I think outright lie but remember some equate Confederate Flag to racism. Which brings us to:

"and a flaunting of Confederate flags, mixed with a more positive regional pride"

Most definitely!

SO I really don't think the description is that far off, just that taken together it sounds ominous but in fact is very true save for the racism.