George Jones Calls Out Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift
Seems like George Jones still fears change. The country music legend is speaking out against up and coming stars such as Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift and others, saying that they need to leave country music and find a genre that better suits them.
Yes, today’s country music isn’t the same as traditional country music, but what “The Possum” needs to learn is that people change, styles change and music changes.
Sorry George. I’ve been a fan of both traditional and modern country music and if it reverts back, I think you’ll lose at least one fan (me). I enjoy a lot of the country songs on the radio today, but when I hear new music by George Strait, and even Alan Jackson lately, I have to turn the station. Their songs just don’t do anything for me anymore.
These days, I’m more of a fan of singers such as Kenny Chesney, Billy Currington, Toby Keith and Brad Paisley and bands like Trailer Choir and Montgomery Gentry. These are artists who can reach across different genres of music and reach a larger audience. In Jones interview, he said that he had no intention of collaborating with any musician of another genre.
We’ll see what happens! I have a lot of respect for Jones, but right now, he’s coming off like a grumpy old man.
From The Boot:
George Jones says he’s been robbed. Not of his personal belongings, but of something perhaps even more valuable: his role as a country singer.
Referring to some of today’s biggest stars, including Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift, the country legend tells the Associated Press, “they’ve stolen our identity.” And, he maintains, they need to give it back and move on to another genre. “They had to use something that was established already, and that’s traditional country music. So what they need to do really, I think, is find their own title, because they’re definitely not traditional country music.”
Tags: Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Toby Keith, Montgomery Gentry, Trailer Choir, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, GAC, CMT, Country Music, George Strait, Brad Paisley, Garth Brooks, George Jones, The Possum, Billy Currington
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November 4, 2009 at 2:49 am
While I understand where he’s coming from— Like on the MTV Music Awards or something, when you wonder why an “R&B” or “Alternative” Song ends-up being Nominated in the “Rock” Category— and I can see his
Point— where the Old-Style Country Sound is concerned— ALL Music has, continues to, and always will “Evolve”…. As well, Record Labels, and The Music Industry overall, must Expand and Follow-Suit in its recognition of the often-varying Styles of particular Artists who offer a more Wide-Spread Appeal. As for the “Identity-Stealing” thing, there’s only one George Jones, like there’s only one Patsy Cline— that’s never going to Change, their Music will hold its place in Time, and their own Loyal Fans will always Like and continue to Listen to their Records. No one and Nothing can “Steal” that away from them, or ANY Artist who has made a Name for themselves and has a Following. Granted, I’m sure it’s a little hard to Swallow seeing Taylor Swift bounce-around, shake her Hair, and win Award-after-Award over the Old Tried-and-True Legends who were Passionate about and Dedicated to “Specifics”, when you’ve come from an Era where your Style of Music was Definitive, in a Class all its own, and the Artists within it “Belonged there” and Best-Represented it. Nowadays, it’s Christina Aguelera performing with Tony Bennett, and Rod Stewart doing “Big Band” Classics— even Dolly Parton has Incorporated a Touch of “Rock-n-Roll” to her previous Unwavering Style. While it’s George’s Perrogative to remain Steadfast and True to what he obviously Holds Dear to his Heart, not only would many Disagree with him that Carrie Underwood is not one of the Best Voices in Country Music, or that she doesn’t “Fit” that Genre or Deserve her Status, it’s ultimately to his Disadvantge— while others in his Category are being Accepting, Flexible, Wisely-Choosing to “Jump-on-the-Bandwagon” to Sustain their Career, actually Enoying it, and Reaping the Rewards— to be Jealous, Resentful, and “Glued to the Past”.
November 7, 2009 at 9:42 pm
No, sorry, I don’t know who Carrie Underwood or Taylor Swift are…but I agree with good Ol’ George Jones…
If you want to see real country music…go to Blue Highways…on Cable…and see the Grand Ol’ Opry bands of the 1950’s…and newer bands of today…
The Nashville Sound of today…is just rock music…bad, bad, bad…
November 11, 2009 at 6:17 am
I agree with George Jones. Taylor Swift is a completely disaster; Carrie is better but does not deserve all those awards. She’s not Dolly Parton, etc. They just don’t make them like they used to and that goes for just about everything these days.