Gene Watson Wants More ‘Real. Country. Music.’ on the Radio. “Some Depth”
When country legend Gene Watson released his latest record Real.County.Music. in February, the title wasn’t just a worthy description of what was inside, it was a clear statement of defiance about what country music has become, and a stance of solidarity with the folks who are still making country music the way it was intended to be. The record was released on the label “14 Carat Mind,” named for Watson’s #1 song from 1981, and has become a rallying point for many traditional country fans. Watson’s last record from 2014 was called My Heroes Have Always Been Country.
“I don’t want to live in the past and I don’t mind young kids making a living in country music,” Gene Watson said recently. “We all want that – but I sure wish they’d get more music out on today’s radio that has some meaning to it. Some depth. What some people just refer to as “real”. REAL life has love and it has heartache. There’s a lot of human emotion not being told today and I think that’s what we’re missing.”
Watson’s comments illustrate that the issues facing today’s country music don’t just boil down to preferences in style. Country music used to be more about conveying something of substance to the audience—a moment that gives you perspective, or makes you take stock in life. What led Watson to the subject was recalling a quote from Rory Feek about listening to Gene’s hit from 1979, “Farewell Party.”
“I recall driving with my father when ‘Farewell Party’ came on the radio,” Rory Feek said. “(He) pulled over to the side of the road and turned the volume button up, and we just sat there and listened. Then he pulled back onto the road, and we kept driving. It wasn’t enough for us to just hear it . . . he had to pull the car over, so we could listen to every word.”
Those are the moments country fans are missing in today’s format. Though country music has always had fun songs and silly songs (“A By Named Sue” anyone?), there were always those moments that made you take stock.
“I thank all of you that do still listen to Real Country wherever you find it,” Gene Watson says. “With that, it will live and thrive whether it’s on the radio or not.”
But if those radio listeners only knew what they were missing.
Andrew
July 5, 2016 @ 11:00 am
I’ve come to realize that modern country consumers truly don’t know what they’re missing. They aren’t stupid(usually), but they are completely oblivious to what else is out there.
A man named Michael Jackson Montgomery once said “They’re just listening to it because they don’t know that there’s anything else out there to listen too.”
jmarsh123
July 5, 2016 @ 12:18 pm
I couldn’t agree more. My father in law and brother in law are like this. They love Chris Stapleton and would be open to better country music if radio would play it. They are farmers and unlike me, can’t sit around at a desk job searching out real country music.
Trigger
July 5, 2016 @ 1:01 pm
That’s why, in my opinion, it is so important to engage pop country, discuss it, and criticize it, because those are the ways we can reach these folks and let them know there’s a healthier alternative. I don’t blame the fans. You give people better choices, and many times they will make the right one.
Andrew
July 5, 2016 @ 1:24 pm
That’s like some uncles I have. They know the old stuff(Willie, Waylon, Merle, Johnny), but until Chris Stapleton showed up they didn’t know anything about modern country music beyond Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean.
BwareDWare94
July 5, 2016 @ 1:32 pm
Oh no, the modern country music is very very stupid…by choice, and that’s 10 times worse than ignorance.
BwareDWare94
July 5, 2016 @ 1:33 pm
modern country music consumer* Goddamn I wish that edit button was still around.
Trigger
July 5, 2016 @ 3:56 pm
Are some folks not seeing the edit button? It’s still around. Disappears after five minutes. Maybe try a different browser.
Scotty J
July 5, 2016 @ 4:03 pm
I haven’t seen it for awhile now. Not sure exactly how long.
Mike W.
July 5, 2016 @ 1:44 pm
I sorta wonder if at this point it’s not just open defiance in some people’s mind. Maybe in some cases, we as non-Mainstream Country loving music fans have ripped on it to the point where it galvanizes people. Like Trigger mentioned, if you make a Florida Georgia Line fan feel like an idiot for liking what they like, then try to get them to listen to Sturgill Simpson, they are probably going to close their mind off to liking the “alternative” you are offering them. It’s sorta what a lot of craft beer brewers have learned the hard way, ripping on the Bud or Miller Lite drinker before insisting they try your craft IPA, is probably the worst possible way to get them to enjoy your creation.
But, the other side of me wants to agree with you, that there are just a lot of morons and mouth breathers amongst the Country radio audience. See the Kenny Chesney kerfuffle from this weekend.
Tom S
July 6, 2016 @ 12:30 am
You make a great point here. No matter whether it’s music, food, sports, or clothes, if you tell people that they shouldn’t like what they like, the immediate reaction is going to be defensive. Even if the intent is to educate or to improve their lives, it really is a very self-centered thing to tear down peoples’ preferences and offer your own suggestions.
As someone who loves my craft IPAs, I know that there’s some people who just don’t like IPAs, and that’s fine. I still think Bud Lite is like piss, but if someone’s drinking it and enjoying it, I’ll keep it to myself. As Kacey Musgraves says, mind your own biscuits and live will be gravy. I’d be happy to offer someone a sip of my drink, or give suggestions if they ask, but it’s generally a good idea not to push personal tastes onto people. If you expose people to craft beers in a non-pushy way, you might find a few converts, and you might not – you just can’t expect people to bend to your will just because you think you’re right.
It’s hard to find that balance between wanting to show your friends something cool, and respecting what they like. But it’s a lot easier when they aren’t pissed off at you for insulting the things that they enjoy at the time. And since music can be so intensely personal – yes, some people might enjoy FGL in a personal way – if you want to show people new music, you want to be on their good side first.
Alice hare alford
July 6, 2016 @ 6:55 pm
I agree gene, country music is people like you, Alan jackson,
George jones, Vern gosdin, Conway twitty, lefty frizell, Marty robbins, and so many more. I wish they really had a station that only plays classic music, without having to subscribe to satellite
Mike W.
July 5, 2016 @ 1:39 pm
I agree with you, though I do think a certain segment of the radio audience is indeed stupid in the sense that they might be aware of what else is out there, but they want to listen to what is popular. It’s sorta like broadcast TV, a lot of the top rated comedies and/or shows aren’t really GOOD, but they are popular and people don’t want to feel left out. See the Walking Dead as an example of a show that gets lambasted by critics and reviewers, but is water cooler fodder for people at work the next day so they keep tuning in.
It’s sorta like that with music as well. Sure, you can hand them a Turnpike Troubadours album and they might like it, but if their entire circle of friends is listening to Brantley Gilbert, they are probably going to be more interested in Gilbert because of that communal bond. Plus, I think a lot of people just LOVE consuming whatever is popular. How else do you explain why Bud Light or McDonalds are so popular when people have plenty of higher quality alternatives at their disposal and often for a similar price?
Don’t get me wrong, someone who takes every moment to remind their buddies that McDonalds sucks or Bud Light is the worst or Chris Stapleton isn’t legit because he wrote a Luke Bryan song are just as bad.
Greg
July 5, 2016 @ 11:10 am
Again,it’s another reason why people are listening to either Willie’s Roadhouse,WSM Radio,or what ever Real Country Station that streams their radio signal on line in the US or Canada.
And,it’s also why many people rely on CD’s by their favorite stars to listen to,and be entertained.
Janice Brooks
July 5, 2016 @ 11:48 am
Greg Irvin? Greg runs the label distribution service I2I which records a few albums each year and distributes albums for a bunch of Honky Tonk, Western Swing and Traditional Country folks including Gene’s 2 most recent albums.
Greg
July 6, 2016 @ 7:01 am
I’m not Greg Irvin.Sorry to disappoint you.I’m in Kentucky.
Zackary Kephart
July 5, 2016 @ 11:39 am
He’s not saying anything we haven’t heard time and time again but that doesn’t make him wrong in the slightest.
In other news his new album is pretty great if if you haven’t heard it yet.
Truth5
July 5, 2016 @ 11:55 am
Gene Watson is a legend. Great singer. His duet with Rhonda Vincent “staying together” should have been a smash hit.
Corncaster
July 5, 2016 @ 12:30 pm
If a young recording artist were to cover a Tune of Substance by an older artist, he or she’d be doing a whale of good for young listeners.
But then the young artist would have to pay royalties or something. And this would divide the market by sending some new listeners to older artists. Can’t have that, brah. Screw the old people! To hell with the old farts! *We* define what’s “country” now! Yahahh! [ bangs head to four-to-the-floor rhythm, distorted guitar, the 16251 formula, ubiquitous U2 musical references, etc.] We gonna be countrywide, girl!
Jen
July 5, 2016 @ 2:58 pm
I’d love to start a radio station for the older artists to put their music on. They’re not done, by a long shot, and they still have fans that want to hear them.
ElectricOutcast
July 6, 2016 @ 5:32 am
I’d sign up for it
Betty Putnam
July 5, 2016 @ 3:00 pm
I agree with you about the music. I grew up on a farm, listening to the Grand Ole Opry and all the country stars in the 40’s & 50’s. Yes, I was made fun of by kids who had grown up in town and in Illinois, where we lived. My parents were from Kentucky and we listened to what they grew up with. I am proud of the songs that were popular back then and “real country music”. That’s what brought me together with my husband and we did some pickin & grinin, in our day. I have lots of “real country music” and bluegrass CD’s that I listen to. I don’t even bother about turning on the radio, but would if I could get some good music on it.
Zackary Kephart
July 5, 2016 @ 3:45 pm
That’s actually why I love hosting my radio show for WNIA Radio. It’s college radio so I can play what I want. I love making my show into the country radio that everyone dreams about. I can play the stuff Gene wants and don’t have to worry about playing crap I don’t like.
Scotty J
July 5, 2016 @ 3:56 pm
The Purple Eagles, huh? Seen Calvin Murphy lately? Ok that’s all I know about Niagara. 😉
Zackary Kephart
July 6, 2016 @ 5:31 am
Ha! The only other thing you need to know is that I’m the only DJ who likes Country/Americana in the slightest :p
nancy dale mccombs
July 5, 2016 @ 5:20 pm
I don’t listen to radio much anymore because all the stuff you hear on radio is not real country. To much rapping and alot of those people really can’t sing. Where I live we have a little opry called SALE CREEK OPRY. Some guys get together and they sing real traditional country music on saturday nights. Admission is free with no drinking or smoking and they have a concession stand. We have so much fun and we do alot of laughing and have a good ole time. Every week someone will come along and join in with the band and pick and sing. I really miss the real traditional music that I grew up on and I would love to hear it on radio again. I have also noticed that alot of rock singers are wanting to make what they call country music albums and sing what they call country music. They need to stay where they are at because they don’t know what real country music is either.
Sonja
July 5, 2016 @ 5:56 pm
I grew up listening to “real” country music, and I sure do miss it today! I very seldom listen to country radio anymore because I am sick and tired of hearing songs about “riding in my truck, beer in the ice chest, girlfriend by my side, blah, blah, blah. One night my husband and I had gone out to eat dinner at a place that plays a satellite “country” station in the restaurant. Out of the first 7 songs that played, 3 or them were about riding in the truck, with beer, and girlfriend! And all of the guys singing (I have no idea who they were) all sounded alike! It almost seems as if they are all trying to imitate each other.
Bobby
July 5, 2016 @ 6:04 pm
Such a shame the older country artist’s are to country for country music it’s not Ignorance it’s a formula someone years ago said country music singers are just poor Rock and Rollers the music sounds like 80s power rock ballads slot of that has to do with getting away from night clubs and the Honky Tonks karaoke also has been the downfall anyone can sing if ad a beer or three
Debbie Huston
July 5, 2016 @ 9:02 pm
Its a shame that the real country music isn’t played on the radio anymore. I still listen to it on Sirus radio, “Willie’s Roadhouse”. Its the only station that plays the old stuff. I really miss the old country. There is still a lot of talent out there that continues to sing the old stuff but they don’t get anywhere with it. RFD TV plays a lot of it on Tru Country, Country Family Reunion, Larry’s Country Diner, etc. I watch it every time it comes on. Its just sad we don’t hear the true country sung straight from the heart and about real life experiences anymore. People that don’t listen to it are really missing out.
Tom
July 5, 2016 @ 9:28 pm
It’s pretty interesting that pop-country is free from negative critical reviews. Movies that are star-studded regularly get bad reviews, and when it doesn’t sell well, people don’t have any reservation throwing out the flop word. But mainstream country albums never get panned or bad reviews. It’s always 3 of 4 stars.
And I get why someone like Rolling Stone can’t trash albums right after they launch a country Iand promote) a new website, but at some point, there needs to be more checks and balances than just this site and a few small blogs.
Alan
July 5, 2016 @ 10:02 pm
It’s rigged, just like government politics. The record company dictates the direction of music. They want pop country, stripped of steel and fiddle. We are force feed music and we listen to it like zombies. There are traditional songwriters and singers out there, but the doors are closed in their face. “They don’t make songs like that anymore,” “too traditional,” etc.
The Board Of Directors at CMT
July 6, 2016 @ 3:29 am
That is RIGHT!! You’ll listen to what you are told to listen to and you will LIKE IT!!! Now feast on some Luke Bryan, FGL, Chase Rice, and Chris Lane, and some more Bro-country for the next 10 hours or so!!
Greg
July 11, 2016 @ 11:57 am
Ain’t gonna happen with me! I will LOVE traditional Country,and no one can,or will stop me! I rarely watch CMT anymore,or GAC for that matter.
Lindsey
July 5, 2016 @ 10:15 pm
When I had tv, I enjoyed watching the time life commercials with country classics, just as much as I enjoyed any other program.
The Board Of Directors at Clear Channel Radio
July 6, 2016 @ 3:26 am
Kiss our ass, Gene Watson!!! We will decide what country music is!! And our listeners will believe us like the sheeple they are! Now if you excuse us, we have a meeting with Dallas Davidson and Scott Borschetta for US to decide what WE feel real country music is!!!
Greg
July 11, 2016 @ 11:55 am
Speaking for myself,I will NEVER kiss up to any so-called Country station that won’t play the music I wanna hear.If that station plays the Country music I wanna hear,I will listen to that station.If they don’t,I will not listen to that station,no matter who owns the station.
Jen
July 6, 2016 @ 6:12 am
I live in Dinwiddie, VA. We have HANK FM. The best radio station I’ve heard in years, and they play everything from 90’s on back. Every little while, we’ll get Merle, Highwaymen, George, Tammy, etc…love it!
Doug Wagoner
July 6, 2016 @ 6:17 am
We only play live OUNTRY MUSIC at our business. That includes a steel guitar and fiddles(if possible) and the original country music. The average age of the crowd is 60 years old and they enjoy going back to the roots. Very proud to say there will never be a rock band or DJ playing here. We have promoted Gene Watson, Tony Booth, Amber Digby, Dale Watson and have Justin Trevino coming. KEEP IT COUNTRY.
BlackHawgDown
July 6, 2016 @ 6:52 am
Mr. Watson, we are all tired of the same dog crap hook song after hook up song by these crotch grabbing panderers. Mainstream country has lost its story telling, and until it can get back to that, it’s pretty much digging it’s grave. Country music use to be multi generational where all age groups could relate but not anymore.
Greg
July 6, 2016 @ 7:07 am
I’d like to see a radio station play not only old songs,but new traditional country from stars like Loretta,Dolly,Gene Watson,John Conlee,Mark Chesnutt,Tanya Tucker,Alan Jackson,and the list goes on and on.
These stars are still touring,recording,selling out concerts,etc.I would like to hear these stars new songs on the radio.
Thank God,Loretta’s new “Full Circle” CD,real country,is selling great without radio’s help.(Our local Cracker Barrel has had to re-order the CD three or four times already).
And,Alan Jackson had a great Real Country CD out last year “Angels & Alcohol”.
Greg
July 6, 2016 @ 7:09 am
I might add,over the years,I’ve had radio stations,so called Country stations,do everything from insult my intelligence,to be rude,to try to use every excuse & lie they can think of to try to get off of the hook with playing the song I request.
Needless to say,those stations are not on my radio anymore.
Kent
July 6, 2016 @ 7:51 am
“There’s a lot of human emotion not being told today and I think that’s what we’re missing.”
What I’m missing today is songs like: “Old Dogs, Children And Watermelon Wine”
or “To Beat the Devil” .These two songs are very different ,(that’s why I choose them),but they have one thing in common: They both tell a story very well…
In my opinion were the older songwriters more creative than they are today,
the lyrics were much better,more varied. And seems to me they put more work into them… I could of course list hundreds of songs like these. Another example is “Delta Dawn”,”Out Among the Stars”,I wonder how many could write songs like these today,And how many would even if they could?
karl
July 6, 2016 @ 12:00 pm
My God, I just love that quote about pulling over to listen to Farewell Party. I feel that same way. And I still have the original album from ’79 that I listen to often. Gene is a legend. And he couldn’t have said it better.
Brenda Ball
July 6, 2016 @ 3:16 pm
Would love to here the good old country music GeanWatson geroge conwayTwitty bill anderson billy crash tammy Lerrotta bring the older music back …..
Greg
July 7, 2016 @ 7:23 am
I love LORETTA LYNN!!! She’s my no.1 favorite singer!
I might add,even Reba Mcentire can’t even get played anymore.
Greg
July 7, 2016 @ 7:24 am
And I would enjoy hearing some of Reba’s songs too.
Canuck
July 6, 2016 @ 10:37 pm
Gene is a legend, and rightfully so. The guy has so many hits that it’s a treat to go to one of his shows. His voice has gotten a little higher as he’s gotten older, but he can still hit the high notes.
Why do I mention this? Because he still draws big crowds, is humble, and meets his fans, signs autographs for free, and is one of the last classic country guys that’s out there doing shows.
Gene knows what country music is, and people would do well to listen to him. He knows a thing or two about the music industry, and is exactly right.
David
July 10, 2016 @ 10:55 am
How true that is Like I all ways say Country Radeo don’t know what country songs are if it came up and bit them on the ass
Patricia Durbin
July 10, 2016 @ 2:30 pm
I couldn’t agree more, to me country is Gene Watson, kitty Wells, Red Foley, Jean Shepard, Patsy Cline. The great sounds I grew up with and so many more.
Chip Balduf (Boldwolf)
July 11, 2016 @ 5:49 pm
I agree. SOME of the new stuff is okay, although it is a stretch to call it country. But, by and large, it is all that Bro Country fusion and is mostly about how hot this or that girl looks and is almost as bad as rap at making women objects instead of treasures to be loved and protected from the seedy elements of life. AS a writer who lives just a few miles north of Nashville, I try to stay true to country. I have people who want me to sell out and write what all the crowd writes, but I have resisted thus far. Good read. If you want to hear some more real country, go to reverbnation.com/Boldwolf and I have a few of my traditional country tunes posted,