Brothers Osborne Say People Are Tired Of “Bullsh-t”
Photo: Sonya Jasinski
The Brothers Osborne have been attempting to straddle the line between commercial acceptance and critical acclaim ever since signing with EMI Nashville in 2013. With a stripped-down and earthy sound sonically, and songs that speak to the relevant themes of today’s country but still remain hard to hyphenate with “Bro-,” even if you don’t dig on their music, they’re an outfit that’s hard to hate. Their debut self-titled album has garnered some moderate success, and so has their single “Rum” despite country radio shying far away from it. But who hasn’t shied away from the duo is label mate Eric Church, who has featured the brothers as openers on numerous occasions.
Now as the duo readies the release of a new single “Stay A Little Longer,” they shared some scathing words with Rolling Stone Country‘s Joseph Hudak about the state of country music.
“I think people are tired of the bullshit and are ready for the real substance,” says brother John Osborne. “We went through an era of big hit songs that no one is going to listen to 10 years from now. And we’re about to hit a decade of country that I think is going to be played for a long time. It’s about to hit the same stride it hit in the Nineties.”
John Osborne then goes on to describe the current arc of country music as similar to the one that beset rock music 20 years ago. “I’ve always compared it to the early Nineties when hair metal was so huge, and you had these bands like Warrant, who were more about showing off and about the picture than they were about the music. It got to a point where it became so huge, it became a bubble, and the only thing that can happen is that bubble is going to explode.”
T.J. Osorne adds, “I think artists are finally realizing we can either have this short-lived, sell-our-souls moment, put the song out and have a little flash in the pan, or we can get down to real music….There are a bunch of ‘artists’ now,” he says, citing Kacey Musgraves and Eric Church. “It’s not the same regurgitated bullshit.”
However it has to be pointed out that songs like “Rum” and the Brothers Osborne’s new single “Stay A Little Longer” are not exactly traditional country, or something that is likely to get critics raving too loudly. Though it may be better than Bro-Country, the themes don’t stray too far from that realm. It also is worth pointing out that label mate Eric Church, aka “The Outsider” has been regularly criticized for posturing as someone outside the industry and a progressive of the music scene, when the results in his music and some of his public actions are open for interpretation. Similar to the Brothers Osborne, Church is a mixed bag, making one wonder just how much marketing is playing into the Osborne’s big public outcry.
T. J. Osborne also interestingly said, “There have been so many people that have followed a trend, [one] started honestly by Florida Georgia Line. That’s genuine. That’s who they are. The problem lies in people changing their sound because it worked.”
In other words, Florida Georgia Line doesn’t know any better. It’s the people that chased the trends Florida Georgia Line set that are to blame.
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It’s hard to not agree with what the Brothers Osborne have to say about the current state of country music. Whether it will bear out in their music in the future though remains to be seen.
Tyler
March 30, 2015 @ 1:07 pm
The bro on the left looks like Dirk Nowitski with a beard.
Amanda
March 30, 2015 @ 1:37 pm
Pot calling the Kettle Black.
Phil
March 30, 2015 @ 1:52 pm
Yeah that’s about it.
It reminded me of the Jake Owen thing not so long ago:
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/jake-owen-doubles-down-on-critical-country-comments
Amanda
March 30, 2015 @ 2:17 pm
I forgot about Jake’s comments.
I also add Brad Paisley. BP is one of the most guiltiest artists of this IMO.
Lorenzo
March 30, 2015 @ 3:10 pm
what are you talking about? Brad Paisley has recorded some of the best country radio hits of this generation (Whiskey Lullaby, He Didn’t Have to Be, Anything Like Me, When I Get Where I’m Going, We Danced, This is Country Music, Letter to Me, I Wish you’d Stay, Two People Fell in Love, She’s Everything, Who Needs Pictures, Waiting On a Woman) and you say he’s guilty? you have no clue what country music is
Phil
March 30, 2015 @ 3:18 pm
It sounds like youre trying to hold up Brad Paisley as an example of good country music.
I’n not sure if I should laugh at at you or feel bad for you.
Cool Lester Smooth
March 30, 2015 @ 3:23 pm
…Paisley’s released a bunch of bad songs, but that doesn’t mean that he hasn’t also released a bunch of good songs.
It’s really not black and white, and it’s silly to say otherwise.
Lorenzo
March 30, 2015 @ 3:25 pm
Phil, Brad Paisley is actually an example of not good but great country music. leave his last two albums alone (they’re more pop oriented but Wheelhouse is a great pop record) and that’s quality contemporary country music. critics have always praised his music (at least until 2014). even George Jones loved Brad because he considered him a great country singer.
Lorenzo
March 30, 2015 @ 3:35 pm
Cool Lester Smooth I don’t think Brad has released “a bunch of bad songs”. A lot of people criticize Ticks for being stupid. I think it’s a genius song but I understand the criticism. A lot of people criticize I’m Still a Guy, River Bank, Mona Lisa and I can understand it. lyrically Crushin it is dull and generic.
but I don’t get why they criticize the rest.
Matt
March 30, 2015 @ 6:39 pm
You’re right. But look at when those song’s were released. Paisley’s older stuff is incredible, but he hasn’t had one of them in a very long time. Everything has been overproduced with background noises and electric guitar solo’s that overpower the song for no reason. Riverbank is a perfect example. Cool little play on words, terribly put together. If he would get back to the sound he had when he recorded the song’s you just mentioned, the world would be a better place.
Dan H
March 30, 2015 @ 11:47 pm
He released River Bank. Enough said.
Lorenzo
March 31, 2015 @ 7:48 am
Matt I agree with you, right now he’s trying to stay relevant but I think soon he’ll come back with amazing music. Who Needs Pictures was an amazing country record, I’d love him to do another album like that! But even Time Well Wasted and This is Country Music are outstanding country albums. I got the feeling his next album will be very good, kind of a comeback to his roots. we’ll have to wait and see
dogit
March 31, 2015 @ 9:17 am
and BP can’t pull off any of the trends he tries to imitate
Truth No. 2
March 30, 2015 @ 2:17 pm
Perhaps the esteemed readership of Saving Country Music can help me. I’m having a bit of trouble here. What’s that thing called where you say one thing and do another thing? Hypothermia? Hippocratic oath? Ahh! It’s on the tip of my tounge…
RD
March 30, 2015 @ 2:32 pm
You’re thinking of the hippocampus. Its the part of the brain that deteriorates and makes you forget how shitty your own music is in comparison to the people you are criticizing…
Truth No. 2
March 30, 2015 @ 2:43 pm
Calm down, RD. It was a joke.
RD
March 30, 2015 @ 2:49 pm
I know it was a joke. So was my comment. And it was directed at the Brothers Karamazov. Not you….
Truth No. 2
March 30, 2015 @ 2:54 pm
Sorry. Didn’t read that closely enough.
Juan
April 6, 2015 @ 4:27 pm
Clearly you haven’t listened to the full EP.
Mike W.
March 30, 2015 @ 2:30 pm
I will pay more attention to them if this attitude shows up in their songs and they actually record songs I am captivated by. As it stands they have recorded pretty bland material in my eyes.
While I appreciate the fact many of these artists recognize that the state of mainstream country music sucks, until they do something to change it is really is just lip service in my eyes. It’s akin to someone who complains about politicians, but never votes or just votes the same people he or she dislikes back into office. If the Brothers Osborne do something to shift the needle in terms of the quality of mainstream Country music, then I will pay attention.
Cool Lester Smooth
March 30, 2015 @ 2:34 pm
Huh. I hadn’t heard of these guys, but the music is pretty interesting. It’s not country, so much as country-adjacent, but I like the rootsy, stripped down production and love the vocal.
Maybe calling them a pop-roots-rock band would be accurate? They almost sound like a commercialized JTE.
I’d definitely rather have these guys on the radio than 90% of what currently is, even if they aren’t strictly country.
Lorenzo
March 30, 2015 @ 3:04 pm
I don’t agree on Florida Georgia Line. that trend was started by the official country music douche Jason Aldean.
Cool Lester Smooth
March 30, 2015 @ 3:19 pm
FGL’s sound is much, much different from Aldean’s.
Neither sound is good, but they are distinct.
Lorenzo
March 30, 2015 @ 3:42 pm
I know their sound is very different from aldean’s, but I think they (and a bunch of others) are a direct consequence of aldean. think of thomas rhett, brantley gilbert, chase rice. if trash such as my kinda party, dirt road anthem and she’s country had never hit country radio maybe these country music disgraces would not even be here.
Six String Richie
March 30, 2015 @ 4:05 pm
I’ve said this before, country’s current downward spiral can be traced back to November of 2008 when Jason Aldean debuted “She’s Country” at the CMAs. That song quickly went on to become a smash hit and launched him into superstar status. From that point on, artists starting releasing laundry list “I’m from the country” songs and turning their drums and guitars way up. “She’s Country” was the song that made country music loud.
His next album would open the gate for hick-hop to reach the country mainstream. “Dirt Road Anthem” was the song that made country music rap.
He opened the gate for Brantley Gilbert and Florida Georgia Line and all of the bros that came later. He also helped Luke Bryan’s career tremendously when he had Luke open for his 2012 “My Kind of Party Tour.”
Jason Aldean is the ultimate root of this mess because he is the first bro to become a superstar and broke down the barriers for other bros to become stars.
Docsock
March 30, 2015 @ 7:27 pm
That’s like comparing the different smells textures and colors of turds.
Cool Lester Smooth
March 30, 2015 @ 7:30 pm
Precisely. Jason Aldean is a lumpy pasta turd, while FGL is a burning, horrifying hangover turd.
Chris
March 30, 2015 @ 7:35 pm
Old Aldean = much better than FGL. New Aldean = the same or worse than FGL, sold out to pure pop.
Albert
March 31, 2015 @ 2:21 am
Last night I was subjected once again to Jason Aldean struggling to sing “Burning it Down” live on the “I HATE….er – I HEART ” music” SHOW .( Wrong place at the wrong time )The last time he hurt himself trying to sing that was the last country music awards show -whichever one it was . The man could NOT carry that tune worth a shit both times . WTF . There are so many ” questions surrounding this song for me that I’m absolutely convinced payola exists on a grand scale still .
1. WHO in God’s name is taking that song seriously ? I really don’t believe even 12 year olds are THAT vacuous.
2. HOW in God’s name did that song EVER get played on country radio ?
3. HOW does a lyric like that inspire even a Jason Aldean enough to actually CHOOSE to record it ?
4. WHY would ANYONE record a song they can’t sing ? Don’t take my word for it -listen to the YOUTUBES of him performing it live .
5. WHY doesn’t his manager /producer/label ….MOTHER tell him to stop embarrassing himself performing live .
I’ve never heard anyone around me say they were a Jason Aldean fan . My kids heard him sing this thing last night and looked over at me like the TV was buggered up somehow .
This is without a doubt THE worst voice in music . And honestly , I can’t believe I’m about to say this ….but if I was being water-boarded and had to choose between listening to THIS or listening to anything by Sam Hunt.., I’d rather be tortured listening to Hunt and his fake beat- poet schtick than this ALDEAN thing .I guess I’d rather hear a no -talent TALK than a no talent try to SING .
” Burnin it Down” and Aldean are enough proof for me that payola or something even more underhanded is going on in the music biz. I can’t believe there are that many people OK with having this forced upon them .
Lorenzo
March 31, 2015 @ 7:54 am
couldn’t agree more! it’s terrifying, I don’t understand how ever aldean is the best selling country male act… It really sucks. I hate his music, I don’t like his persona and you’re right, he can’t fucking sing! damn I’ve heard that CMA performance and I had to change the channel. I’m totally disgusted by this guy
KeepItCountryKids
March 30, 2015 @ 3:14 pm
“Rocky Top” was their best song, they should go back to that sound…
Tom
March 31, 2015 @ 6:44 am
I was just trying to come up with a good Osborne Brothers line when I saw this. Well played.
GregN
March 30, 2015 @ 3:25 pm
Whether their music reflects the words expressed to Rolling Stone or not, the words are certainly welcome. Im not going to piss on them without knowing if Rum or the new one were mandated by EMI, whether they’ll have more artistic freedom on the next album, or if EMI cuts them loose. After it plays out they’ll be fair game for the music/comments comparison.
Truth No. 2
March 30, 2015 @ 3:36 pm
Just read over at Country Universe that Josh Osborne co-wrote David Fanning’s “Doing Country Right.” I’ll just let that speak for itself…
Melissa
March 30, 2015 @ 3:54 pm
Josh Osborne isn’t one of the Brothers Osborne.
Truth No. 2
March 30, 2015 @ 4:11 pm
Misread John for Josh. I just can’t miss today!
Josh
March 30, 2015 @ 4:20 pm
I think Jason Aldean is the perfect example of people changing. I still listen to Amarillo sky, Laughed until we cried, asphalt cowboy, why, and the truth, and ask myself what the hell happened.
Tim
March 30, 2015 @ 5:45 pm
Those songs are all fantastic. Good To Go is another great tune. The whole “country music has to evolve” argument is kind of BS when it was literally just 2/3 albums ago they were making country music that sounds nothing like todays
Trey
March 30, 2015 @ 7:47 pm
I’ll have to admit, I was fooled by Aldean. Thought he was a decent artist (that word used very lightly here) we he first jumped on the scene.
Tom
March 31, 2015 @ 6:47 am
I remember hearing him on a radio interview in the early days in which he came across as a genuine, down-to-earth-humble guy. That’s certainly changed, as well.
Derek E. Sullivan
March 30, 2015 @ 5:07 pm
Since we are all talking about Brothers Osborne. Does anyone else think that “Neon Light” sounds way too much like “Rum?”
CountryKnight
March 30, 2015 @ 7:35 pm
Why can’t country music singers make their point without swearing? Honestly, it just feels very uncultured. There is a time and a place for swearing. I’m a huge Eric Church fan and his point on Blake Shelton was spot-on, but all those F-bombs really overshadowed his points.
Tom
March 31, 2015 @ 6:48 am
I don’t want to sound like a hypocrite because I’m not above dropping a F-bomb on the spur of the moment when I bang my shin or something like that. But generally speaking, if you feel like you need to use profanity to make your point, you probably don’t have much of a point to make.
CountryKnight
March 31, 2015 @ 7:48 am
Exactly. I have swore before in the heat of the moment, but when I’m writing a paper or engaging in a debate, I leave any swear words on the back of my tongue. It shows a lack of vocabulary and I feel most people use it for “shock value.” This isn’t the 1950’s anymore. Swearing is passé.
Your last sentence reminds me of the old saying: “If you have to tell me your country, you are probably not.”
Mr Grainger
March 31, 2015 @ 6:53 pm
Bro-country would make the Pope swear.
Trey
March 30, 2015 @ 7:41 pm
Just give me Jamey Johnson, Cody Jinks, and Sturgill Simpson sprinkled in with a few other true artists like Chris Knight, Ryan Bingham, Jason Boland, etc, and I’ll be fine. Those are the type artists that will stand the test of time as far as REAL country music goes.
Tom
March 31, 2015 @ 9:55 am
Just give me land – lots of land – under starry skies above. Don’t fence me in.
Jen
March 30, 2015 @ 9:41 pm
I started reading this blog because I HATE bro-country. It truly sucks. is there a particular age group that likes that shit? I’ve wondered if bro-country is the result of crappy writing done by twenty year olds. All I know is it’s multiplying at breakneck speed. The ringleader IMO is Luke Bryan. Or do more people want that crap?
johnson
March 31, 2015 @ 6:25 am
They are so different. That’s why they hired Dan Huff to produce them. Not sure if he made the record but that’s who they were recording with at first. Mr. Rascal Flatts himself.
Juan
April 6, 2015 @ 4:21 pm
He did not produce it, nor has ever been apart of the project. The duo produced alongside Brad Hill and went in and recorded a few tracks with Jay Joyce.
TheCheapSeats
April 1, 2015 @ 3:38 pm
While I’m sure John Osborne is an expert on all things 80s and 90s rock, his statement is idiotic.
I’m guessing he has seen the “Cherry Pie” video. The song never would have been if the label hadn’t mandated it. Jani Lane wrote that song at the request of the label, who didn’t think the finished album had a hit. “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was supposed to be the lead.
I get the comparison between bro country and hair metal. I’ve made it myself. But if he wants a Nirvana moment, then he wants to bury country for 25+ years and make it underground.
I’m sure everybody has seen the articles and posts about how rock is dead. Nirvana and grunge led to Limp Bizkit and crap like that. What country needs is a Guns N Roses moment and stop there.
Jesse
April 6, 2015 @ 8:34 am
What country needs is a Metallica moment
Country and Metallica both were great in the 80’s
Then in the 90’s both radically changed, causing the loss of many fans while gaining millions more
Then to the appreciation of many thrash fans, Metallica returned to their thrash roots with 2008’s Death Magnetic
What country needs is a Death Magnetic
Guns n’ Roses is not what country needs
Remember Chineese Democracy?
Dena
April 29, 2015 @ 8:13 am
This was my reaction to Stay a Little Longer when I heard it on the radio for the first time yesterday ….Was extremely excited when I heard stay a little longer on the radio today but what did u do to it??? Still a great song but everything that made it amazing is missing or modified 🙁 The original is brilliant… just stay true 2 u … the original or live cover really shines both of your talents brightly and to mono tone voices and shorten guitar solo strips it of that