What is your opinion on today's country music?

......Today's country music is a "POP" oriented music.Some of the music is OK, but others leave a lot to be desired in calling it country.

For me the country music I like the best is between 1940 and 1990. I feel this span has the best sounds both vocally and instrumentally.

The quote from Billy Jo Shaver sums it up pretty good.

" Today's country singers try hard to be mediocre" and that is what most of their songs sound like.

I like old country, and I like some new country.

Yes, today's country is definitely more pop-oriented than old country was. In that sense, I don't particularly consider it true country, because you're right - it isn't. For the most part.

There are some artists out there that I would consider to be true country, like you said. And I think it's interesting to note that some artists have started trying to get closer to their country roots - for example, Miranda Lambert's solo career may be getting a little more pop in some songs, but the Pistol Annies (her band) definitely have more of a true country sound. Kellie Pickler, with her latest album, has gotten noticeably more country. My point in that, mainly, is that I think a) the stars are starting to take a stand or b) the powers that be are beginning to realize that there are a lot of us that want more country. Real country.

To me, the "fakester country" is the bigger issue, however. I can live with a little bit less of a country sound in the new songs - I love all genres of music almost, country, rock, pop, jazz, rap, whatever - so I can live with that. I don't like it, but I can live with it.

What I can't stand is being told how country somebody is every time they open their mouth to sing. Jason Aldean and Justin Moore are probably the worst with that, but they aren't the only ones. I've been assaulted with those songs by Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Josh Thompson, Jake Owen, Craig Morgan, and so many more.

It's nothing but song after song with reason after reason why the singer is country. It kills me.

It isn't entirely country - but I don't entirely think that it matters; one song that describes how I feel about country today would be Shooter Jennings' "Outlaw You."

So, yeah.

Most "modern country music," is much closer to pop rock, or the rock of the late 1950's through early 1960's, and what became called bubblegum rock in the late 1960's. For the most part, what has been released today as country, I'll have to pass on. Drums, and electric instruments aren't needed for country. The acoustic guitar, slide steel, violin, upright bass violin, and a few other instruments, are what gave country it's unique sound.

The sad part is that it's not all up to the artist, but largely the recording studios, as to how country is and will sound. Otherwise if the artist won't follow directions of the recording companies, they can be replaced by those who will. In short an artist is disposable to the recording companies. Especially when they can find people who will follow directions and do what they're told if they want a career of any length in the big show.

I agree wholeheartedly. There are definitely some talented modern country artists (most of which aren't mainstream), and there a few good mainstream songs, but the majority is emotionless, manufactured pop. And the 'redneck contest' lyrics make me want to pull my hair out. So many modern songs sound like your lyrics up there, or even worse, ever heard the song 'Bait a Hook'?. All those types of songs seem to be an attempt to try to exhibit masculinity and/or an attempt to force themselves on country music listeners ("am I country enough yet? How about now? C'mon this is as redneck as it gets you have to like it!").

But the masses eat that stuff up, so the country music industry (which is the same lovely industry that pushes out top 40 pop) will keep bringing in more cookie cutter artists, bleeding as many high-selling albums as they can out of them, and then tossing them out the door for their names to only soon be replaced by yet another carbon copy of the same stereotypical modern country artist.

Rant over. I'd suggest looking into some lesser known modern artists (Hank III, Joey Allcorn, the .357 String Band) and supporting their music.

There's a difference between a genre evolving, which country has (do Jamey Johnson and Hank Sr sound alike? Nope), and a genre simply being a completely different genre with it's name slapped onto it. Real modern country and classic country don't sound alike, but neither sound like pop the way mainstream country does.

OLD COUNTRY MUSIC IS DEFINITELY THE BEST! but I do enjoy country music today...well I take that back, I don't even listen to the radio anymore, because only 1 outta 12 songs is worth listening to... Anyway, the only artists keeping my faith in country music are Eric Church (I think he is the greatest singer ever, sorry Strait, Hank, and Waylon) Brad paisley has SOME good stuff, but I agree, it's getting to POP sounding... The Zac brown Band is still awesome. Luke Bryans pretty true country, with a modern twist...i like him. Blake, Justin, Taylor, and Rascal Flatts (Espicially Taylor and Flatts) are freaking RUINING COUNTRY MUSIC!!!! I swear... Old is better...I just hope country will make a comeback

Country these days…

it's just awful, quite frankly. Most country music today is verging on pop music, and is pretty much. The only thing that makes it country is the accent. Many of them are good musicians but what they play is NOT country; nowhere near it in fact. It's a shame what things have turned in to.

Hi Roy, I'm 55 from Lincolnshire, England. I can't say I know a lot about Country, except to say that much of it is like Pop music. It seems to be geared up to getting in the charts and lacks the heritage of real Country. I like some of the current stuff. In the main I listen to Gillian Welch and; other such people.The older stuff I listen to in the main is Jimmie Rodgers, whom I got into via Lynyrd Skynyrd. You just have to persevere, there is some really good stuff out there.

Ugh... I hate today's country music (I mean the majority, not every single song).

I do enjoy old country, like Hank Locklin - as you mentioned. I think that country music today is usually all just one big sob story or an account of a person's need for alcohol on a daily basis.

Have a good night!

Lbee

Well. I actually like it. Some of it. Some of the songs are crap. Trying to be redneck.. I do think there are awesome songs out there though.. As for older country, same as today, some of it is great some is crap.

not a fan of the mainstream stuff, with Brad Paisley, Paul Brandt, George Strait, Clay Walker, Terri Clark, and Gary Allan as the exceptions. i just ignore it now because in my world, mainstream radio is practically extinct. forget if it's pop. i like singers like jessica andrews. one annoying thing, as someone mentioned, is the whole theme of "hey look at me i'm a country boy! i can survive in the schticks!!" lol ok ok so we know how you can survive in the sticks and how you love you nasty beer, and how you can bait a hook better than city boy and all that jazz! tell us something about you we DON'T know!!! lollollol