Nashville, Tenn: Iraq war issue splits music industry here

The Tennessean ^ | 3/4/03 | CRAIG HAVIGHURST

[GailA]

While a popular new song on country radio seems to endorse war on Iraq, Nashville's music community is as conflicted about the standoff as the rest of America.

At the same time, artists and recording industry officials say, more music that tries to capture the country's uneasy, anxious mood is coming soon or already here

[GailA]

FYI

[HamiltonJay]

Looks like all the Anti-War guys are all washed up has beens, or never beens to me... don't recognize a single name other than Steve Earle who's best know for Copperhead Road.... which is definately a must have song for any collection to be complete.

[smith288]

Country stars had best be careful what they write. Their fan base is alot more patriotic than hip hop, grunge and whatever Sheryl Crowe thinks she is.

[Huck]

Wynn Varble

There should be a country star named Vin Warble. They could work together. As for these folks...

Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Rosanne Cash and Lucinda Williams

They aren't really country. They might be so-called "alt country." But they ain't country. And Bela Fleck is barely even bluegrass, though he used to be.

I like Bela Fleck. Seen him live a few times. But he ain't country either. The Peace concert is the idea of Tim O'Brien (again, bluegrass, not country.) Here is his own info on it:

http://www.timobrien.net/news.cfm

[Huck]

Tim Obrien discussion group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TimOBrien/

[Pat Bateman]

Yeah, stay away from Lance Rigby...

[Russ]

This article mentions about a half dozen actual entertainers (not including song writers) who are anti-war. How about naming the country entertainers who support the President? That would probably fill up a page or two.

[j_k_l]

The Nashville community is firmly behind our troops. The rally that was held here in Nashville would have included many of the local songwriters and performers if it were not held on a Friday night. The planners wanted to have it at a time when people with 9-5 jobs could be there. Unfortunately, most of the artists make their living on Friday nights.

The Tennessean is not worthy of lining any respectable birdcage. To say that Alan Jackson’s song was Anti-War is ignorant at best.

Steve Earle is an overrated idiot and to know him is to dislike him. It is no surprise he is attempting to resurrect his career or even get noticed at all on the backs of our troops. It is the only way he can get anyone to listen to him.

[sparkomatic]

Dangit! I really liked Emmy Lou Harris.
I also really like Bela Fleck when he does bluegrass. When he does the weird stuff I'm not with him. Now that he's shown his true colors or lack of, I know I'm not with him.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Meanwhile, numerous country artists and songwriters are taking a stand against the war in real life, if not yet in song. Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Rosanne Cash and Lucinda Williams signed a national newspaper ad last week under the banner Musicians United to Win Without War, which was spearheaded by Talking Heads founder David Byrne and rap magnate Russell Simmons. Locally, acclaimed songwriters such as Marcus Hummon, Don Henry and David Olney have performed or appeared at anti-war rallies. A ''Music for Peace Concert'' March 12 at the Belcourt Theatre will feature Tim O'Brien, Bela Fleck, Maura O'Connell and others.

Looks like an overwhelming number. Crowe ain't country.

[facedown]

''I don't mean to say we should all surrender/I don't mean to say we shouldn't do our part/But when it comes time to choose our weapons/Tell me what's to keep us from reaching for the heart.''

Well that's doable but the ribcage tends to get in the way.

[presidio9]

Meanwhile, numerous country artists and songwriters are taking a stand against the war in real life, if not yet in song. Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Rosanne Cash

Is Rosanne Cash related to the Man in Black?

[TigersEye]

I heard Darryl Worley's new song on Sean Hannity's radio show yesterday. I thought it was excellent...and I can't stand country western music!

[ShadowDancer]

I think she's his daughter.

[Houmatt]

To put this in plain English: There are people in Nashville who are ungrateful, spoiled little brats, and those who are not.

It is the former who do not seem to understand they are in the minority, but they will soon find out when their music sales take a sudden and large dip.

Idiots.

[jwalsh07]

No comments from Charlie Daniels or the Motor City Madman. Wonder why? :-}

[Huck]

I mean c'mon. Country is Brad Paisly Alan Jackson, Travis Tritt, etc. It ain't Steve Earle.

[jwalsh07]

The country I like is performed by guys like Montgomery Gentry, country with an edged and the POW/MIA symbol occupying the bottom of the guitar.

[Huck]

Montgomery Gentry

Yeah, that's country. I saw Brooks and Dunn jamming with ZZ Top on CMT the other night. It was pretty cool. I imagine you'd like that.