Country

One of the greatest Bluegrass albums of the 1970’s was “Old and in the Way.” This album was one of the side projects of Grateful Dead guitarist and singer Jerry Garcia (who played banjo in this line up). The original line up also included John Kahn on bass. John had a long time friendship and played bass on many Garcia projects.

On Easter Sunday CMT had a program How Great Thou Art on television. The music was so heartfelt and to hear what Carrie had to say regarding this piece and how it meant a lot to her touched my heart. Carrie Underwood performed at the end on the Grand Old Opry concert. (Did you know she has been accepted to be part of the Grand Old Opry?) Well she sang the last song, “How Great Thou Art”. It surely touched her soul as it did mine, because when she sang it you could feel it go right through you, chills at that. I sincerely hope she includes it in one of her albums and that you get a chance to hear it one of these days. I am sure you will just love it!

I would rate all her songs as a 10. She must have had experienced some kind of tragedy or was touched by it in her life but this song made me cry the first time I heard it. It speaks of a child going through abuse, no one sees her pain, not her teachers, not her friends and not the neighbors.

When I first heard this song it touched my heart and it reminded me of all the women in abusive relationships, but the song also gives hope that they can reach the sky and not succumb to the abuse. S

I was thinking just the other day about whatever happened to that old “Dixie Chicks�? sound. You remember that, don’t you? That sound that sparked a whole craze of female musicians to want to pick up their instruments and jam. The same sound too that use to rave through the speakers of country radio with such fire and passion. It only seems that now after nine long years, and numerous hate press on their side, The Dixie Chicks have been having a hard time trying to recapture their golden age. Wait a minute… this isn’t a Dixie Chicks record I‘m reviewing. Let’s move on…

With the successful breakout of newcomers like Gretchen Wilson and Big & Rich exploding onto the pop charts these days, it appears that the country music establishment is beginning to get back to their senses. The blue collar roots that had made up the long honored country music tradition is something that the establishment had been lacking in recent years. In many instances too, the music has suffered because of it. Yet, like usual, everything always seems to come around in cycles.

Without losing total credibility from my country music peers, I decided to take a chance, a small one, to see what all of the hype around this American Idol phenomenon really was all about. It almost seems that now after four years, and four star struck winners, these newly found celebrities have become the talk of many different water cooler conversations, ranging from the big executive desks in the big city, to my own private internet diaries found exclusively online.

Martie Maguire, fiddle, her sister Emily Robison on the banjo and Natalie Maines, singer, songwriter and guitar picker combine those traditional instruments with a modern attitude in their harmonious approach to Country music.

In October of 1994 I was in Dallas, Texas riding broncs at the Outlaw Rodeo Circuit Series and I found myself down at the Three Teardrops Tavern to watch a buddy of mine, Chris Wall, play his music there. That was the first time I had heard Pat Green sing. He was young, good looking on stage and full of piss and vinegar. The club's management had asked Chris if he minded an opening act. Chris didn't mind at all. Green had the place thumping during his set, and all the gals there loved him. It would have been easy for this old hand to hate him. But, something about him was so genuine, I continued to listen. I have kept on listening to Pat Green and I've seen him grow and refine his talent. If you enjoy good solid Texas songwriting, then you tend to enjoy Pat Green.

I've never been a big "Chicks" fan, but I've always anticipated each new album release because these gals know how to make good music. Plain and simple,their music is fun to listen to, even if you might disagree with the occasional soap-boxing that might occur from time to time.They have that reputation and it cost them some airplay and concert revenues in the past. But they were never accused of being "nanby-panby".