29
Who Will Be Country’s Next Savior?
When it boils right down to it, what is it going to take to Save Country Music? Hard work, education, and grass roots efforts are one way, but the magic bullet would be an artist that could rise above all the arguments dividing country music, and offer widespread appeal through a new approach while also being true to country’s traditions and it’s traditional sound. This is what Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings did back in the mid 70′s, and they helped shine the light on all the other Outlaw artists that previously had been laboring in obscurity.
We need a leader. The mainstream says the music needs to be “accessible” to appeal to the masses, but all great music leaders haven’t come from accessibility, but innovation; an ability to unite people of different backgrounds and tastes behind a common movement through creative leadership and undeniable talent. It could be an underground artist, or someone currently in the mainstream. Remember, Willie and Waylon started in the Music Row machine.
So my question is, in the current stock of country performers, who might be capable of doing this: uniting the country fans under one flag again, or drawing the attention of the mainstream? I know, I know, some underground elements don’t want to kiss and make up with the mainstream or have their favorite artists become mainstream acts. But shouldn’t country want to celebrate the best and brightest, instead of mediocrity?
Here’s my current candidates for country’s next savior. Leave yours or your thoughts below.
An obvious mention is Hank Williams III simply because his grandfather is the King of country music and his pops is one of the highest-selling country artists ever. Recently Tom Waits called him “Country Royalty, the Strange Prince,” and if you’re anything like me, when you first heard his music, and the anti-Corporate/Nashville message it carries at times, you couldn’t help envisioning Hank III riding into Music Row to sack the interlopers and claim his rightful seat as the heir to country’s throne.
But in the practical world, fights with his label Curb Records and some of his own decisions have kept him firmly in the underground, though in a sort of Grateful Dead way, where creating one of the strongest grass roots networks ever known in country has allowed him to thrive without radio play or marketing campaigns. Now that he is free of Curb, maybe this is the moment when his influence will reach beyond his rabid fan base.
Some will get mad I included his mug here, other will be happy I’m giving him some attention. That’s because Jamey Johnson is a polarizing figure. Yes, I know he wrote the “Bandonka Donk” song, but get over it, that argument is tired. Jamey is nowhere near the filth of the other “New Outlaws” like Eric Church and Josh Thompson. Still, he fits in this awkward middle ground: his songs are just accessible enough to be played on the radio, yet not accessible enough to be big hits. On the other hand his songs are somewhat palatable by underground and REAL country fans, but no so much so that they would name him as one of their favorite artists. So outside of his core fans, he ends up in this gray area.
The game changer for Jamey might be his double album due out 9/24 called The Guitar Song, with the first album about addiction, and the second about redemption. Maybe this is a creative way to play both sides and be all things to all people and unite country fandom. We’ll see.
He may not be the country music savior, but no question Justin Townes Earle’s stock is rising, and rising fast, and not just in the music world. GQ naming him one of the 25 most “Most Stylish Men in the World” means he could cause a ripple in the greater popular culture that could reflect back on the music. However wearing bowties, and baby blue pants two sizes too short, as well as his move to New York City could make him a hard sale to the hardcore country fan.
One of the reasons I named his 2009 album Midnight at the Movies Album of the Year was because of how it bridged fans of the disparate elements of country together under one artist. But lately it seems the JTE camp is actively trying to court the progressive, NPR return music, Old Crow/DriveBy Truckers side of country, leaving some of his fans wondering where the rawness went. There’s also whispers that he’s rising too fast, and its going to his head. JTE also has a new album coming that might answer some questions, and hey, being part of a famous bloodline never hurt in country.
Ruby Jane rocketed to the top of my favorite artists after seeing her live recently, but I was going to include her in this list even before, if only to emphasize that the country music savior might be someone who is still in their formative years, and that it could be a female. Why not?
15 to 25 year-olds might be the most important demographic these days in music, and maybe it will take someone that younger people can relate to, yet someone that holds true to traditions and can hold sway over older people as well simply by their talent. At the Ruby Jane show, there were kids, I mean small kids, as well as many older people, 65+. This proves that Ruby Jane can speak to a wide audience, and do it by being herself, and not trying to pander to a constituency.
What’s you’re opinion? Who are your candidates? For some reason when I think about this, I can’t get Leroy Virgil of Hellbound Glory off my brain.
76 Comments to “Who Will Be Country’s Next Savior?”
Leave a comment
Make a donation using Paypal
Support SCM and start
your Amazon shopping here
I checked out Red Eye Gravy after reading these posts yesterday and they are indeed an excellent band. There have been only a handful of artists in the entire musical spectrum over the last 25 years who have become massively successful while still putting out music that was comparable (or as good) as their underground counterparts, in my opinion… Truth is most people don’t search out good music like we all do. Most people take what they’re given. Instead of spending hours searching out new music, THEY are searching for new porn. I would love for all musicians who I feel are good, hard working artists to be successful enough to pay their bills and have to do nothing more than
concentrate on their craft. I have family who would be helped by this dream. But it isn’t ever gonna be a reality. The best we can hope for, I would guess, would be mainstream country shifting enough towards the old-time sound that the underground didn’t sound so foreign. Fact is, most people don’t even pay attention to instrumentation in music. In pop country it is all about sounding like a pussy. Scott H. Biram’s “still, drunk…” would be a huge hit if Rascal Flatts put their gay touch to it… This shit frustrates me in the metal world as-well. Bottom line is that people need to be spoon fed the familiar because in the big picture, music lovers are few and far between. The good thing for fans these days is that we can learn about and listen to cool shit very easily. We need to support the artists in every way possible, just as Big A wrote. Unfortunately that won’t be enough to allow most of them to quit their day jobs.
Hank 3 already saved country music for me. I saw Scott Biram, The Wayward Drifters, Those Poor Bastards, and Lucky Tubb open for him… He is also the reason i own a couple Wayne Hancock albums, though unfortunately haven’t seen him live. I doubt the underground will ever see another artist rise to his level, and the only one who could possibly go beyond would be himself.
Country music just isn’t what it use to be.Good country goes back to Hank Sr.Meryl haggard,Lefty frizzell and so many more but we have a few out there on the right track and I am pleased to say Red Eye Gravy is one of them.I love Hank the Third and Wayne(the train) Hancock and they are all right up there together making a difference.
dale watson
Heh heh Trigger – wouldn’t kick Lucky Tubb out of bed for dropping cracker crumbs either!
I think if it were Rachel Brooke squeezed into a baby blue dress two sizes too small I don’t think you’d be complaining too loudly ….
If you’d ask me Hank III has saved country music and now all who comes after him, might be great and good, but the reason I got to know a whole lot of artists like (Bob Wayne, .357 String Band, Lucky Tubb, etc. etc.) is wanting to know more about Hank III, so, I have respect for ALL the Real Country Music artists but I have a Love & Respect for Hank III that has changed my whole life, the way I go out, friends I made, so… for me he is the one who has saved, is saving and probably will keep on saving country music from now on. I will always try to support the music the best way I can like Big A mentioned in previous comment, also the related bands and singer songwriters…
However…It all goes back to Hank III…no other next saviour for me. With all my respect for different opinions of course…
Hank III started it for me, and Darren with Section 08 Productions had a hand, but lately it’s you Triggerman who’s saving country music. You’ve introduced me to so many fucking good bands in the last few months that I’m spending all my extra cash on records!
Seriously though, I like the point that it’s not one individual. It’s all of us. I’ve never heard of Red Eye Gravy, but now I’m gonna go check them out.
Label someone a saviour and you’re bound to be let down. Let’s ALL go save country music.
Label someone a saviour and you’re bound to be let down.
Good Point.
Hank 3 Hand’s down, It’s like you mentioned Trigger that simply because his grandfather is the King of country music and his pops is one of the highest-selling country artists ever. That make’s Hank 3 our saviour, Also that he is the most creative artist in the underground scene right now in my opinion and he has so much momentum and free spirited will and respect for the folks who are just tryin’ to make it out there like he has over the year’s with trying to Save Country Music and let people know that Real Country music isn’t just a thing of the pass. He also infuences alot of diffrent age ranges from 16 Years old to 60 Years Old and maybe older who knows, He’s my saviour when it comes to Country and i think he should be everybody elses to including up and coming Country Artists.
My 2nd Choice would deff be Ruby Jane because she is at such a young age and could bring attention to the younger crowds like myself and possibly inspire other kid’s with talent and a hankering for Real Country Music.
I was thinking about this last night. I know he is not exactly a “featured” artist around here, but what about Ryan Bingham. The O Brother idea got me thinking. Crazy Heart was a well-received movie about country music, selling out, song writing, etc. The guy won an Oscar, he’s with Lost Highway Records. If anyone is poised to “break through” and take some deserving people with him, it’s got to be him. I’d be curious to know what people around these parts think about him.
Also, I got to say the irony of Crazy Heart was that the tradional “hit” song from the end of the movie would be too traditional to even sniff country radio in real life.
Ryan Bingham is an interesting one. I think if he was going to get a real burst from Crazy Heart, it would have already happened. I saw him on Austin City Limits a while back and was really impressed. But when I got the CD’s I was a little disappointed. There’s moments. Then you got that now he’s lost the torn hat, moved to LA, and just did time touring with Eric Church in that dumb “Country Throwdown” tour. Esp. seeing that the tour did poorly, I thought that was a real reduction on his part.
I don’t know though. He might be laying some really good groundwork.
I’ll probably be in the minority here but I do think it took some serious balls to mention Jamey Johnson. Of course, I believe III to be the natural savior of Country (no surprise, the dude got me back IN to Country), but Jamey, through all his whatever, he has something that I can’t put my finger on. Many will argue and bitch, but I think the guy is the real deal. If I’m wrong, I’ll take it on the chin, but how many can say they aren’t moved by “Back to Caroline”? That shit’s real. We’ll see what he does in the future.
Let me re-iterate that I’m in no way comparing Jamey Johnson to Hank III. I’m just saying that of all the mainstream artists out there shitting up the airways, Jamey Johnson has a realness to him that will outlast the pretenders.
I’m not a fan of Jamey Johnson but if I was on a roadtrip and had nothing to listen to but one new country radio station and was listening to Eric Church, Blake Shelton and The Locash Cowboys. It would be very refreshing to hear Jamey Johnson.
I will say this. It has been refreshing to see this blog have so many replys. It show that there are many people and many views out there. That makes me proud to be in “this scene”. In the end it’s all about who YOU think kicks ass and makes great music in your eyes. We all come from different walks of life, have different expectations of how our music should be. We have outlets such as this site to be able to express our thoughts and feelings. It’s because we live in the greatest country in the world…. Well I say listen to what you want, love what ya listen too, and believe in who you want to believe in!
I think it’s funny that two of your “saviour’s” are rich kids that had their career handed to them. Most of us can’t walk into Curb records and get a deal, then bitch about it. How outlaw is it to be on the same label as Tim Mcgraw?
I don’t think anyone will ever be able to unite all the assholes in the world, especially when everybody wants to act like they’re so different.
Try again..
Wow Trashy, you couldn’t be more wrong. I think it is pretty well established that both Hank III and Justin Townes Earle grew up in families that were middle class at best, with almost no involvement from their fathers. Yes they have names and that has no doubt helped them, but to call them “rich Kids” is completely false. And Hank III’s fight against Curb records and why he was forced to sign with them is pretty well established. I would get my facts a little more straight before I started flamethrowing people.
I don’t think Jamey was much of a rich kid either, he was a Marine before a musician.
And Ruby Jane lives in a Winnebago in an Austin trailer park.
This makes me sick to my stomach. Bad try to prove how “hardcore” you are.
I think what all this is gonna take is not just one person or band singing original “real” country music to appeal to the mainstream masses. I don’t feel that will ever happen. I truly think it is gonna take a few of these mainstream Nashville bands to promote and help advertise their fellow musicians. Look at what has happened in the “Red Dirt” movement down in Texas/Oklahoma, those guys constantly help out each other promoting, sharing songs, etc. It is more like a family like Waylon, Willie, Shaver, and Coe used to do. I noticed that Dierks Bentley is constantly advertising Cross Canadian Ragweed, Jason Boland, and many others in that country/rock genre. Most people who listen to mainstream country music don’t know of these other real country bands out there (like I was just a few years ago). It took my interest in the Williams family to go to a Hank III concert for the first time and been hooked ever since. Since that concert I began looking and finding other underground bands out there and stopped listening to mainstream radio and tv.
Chris- good point
Trigger- I PROMISE I DIDNT LOG IN AS TRASHY! HA HA HA! Even that was a little more mean than i could have come up with.
Thanks for taking up for Ruby about being a “rich kid”, Triggerman. Ruby and her Mom have lived in that trailer park for almost 3 years now, still in that Winnebago. All the money they make comes from what Ruby earns, JoBelle doesn’t have a job because of the “home schooling”, she said if she got a job Ruby would have to go to a regular school and her music would be pretty much out the window until she graduates. Of course, they knew that would be the way it would be when they decided to take this route and move to Austin. But they’re two of the sweetest happiest people I know. Ruby’s day will come, she’s too good for it not to come.
Honestly I probably jumped down Trashy’s throat a little too quickly. To clarify he did say two of the artists, meaning Hank III and Justin Townes Earle, the two famous names. He was still wrong, but I don’t know that he was targeting Ruby Jane.
I hope both Ruby Jane and her mother appreciate what a remarkable life they have. They’re living out their dreams, and they both should feel very fortunate they are able to do that.
Shelton is not a III, his name is not Hiram. He went to Franklin High school the 90210 of TN. HE signed a bad record deal because of back child support. What musician isn’t behind on child support? Gets pissed because they don’t want to release what became “Straight to Hell” which probably benefited the album. Then release’s two awful albums in a row, and blames curb for his lack of creativity. Shelton is past his peak, and not it. He had his chance.
Justin Earle has got more talent, he’s a better songwriter, but isn’t distinctive like his father, III, or any of the legends you can speak of. However he is on Bloodshot which has been putting out some great music. With folks like Scott Biram…
I have no quams with Ruby Jane, but she’s a little young to be on this list. 10-15 years from now, YES! This girl is an amazing talent, and you may be right. Though Country music is about hard livin’. After she’s had her heart broke a few times, she’ll have the most potential.
Jamey Johnson. I just heard his album this past weekend. He’s got some good songs, but he’s wrapped up in the mainstream overproduced country sound.
The true saviour’s of country music are probably the recession, and big record labels ignorance. When they blow all their money manufacturing pop stars, it gives the indie world a chance to show everybody that real country music does exist.
It is going to take a lot of people! But a true saviour is going to come out of left field, or be under our noses the whole time. More than likely they’re sittin’ on front porch, in the middle of nowhere, with no interest in being it. I hope Ruby is it. If not, it’ll probably be someone from that age range. Growing up on Taylor Swift and Hannah Montana.
Nowadays with “roots” making a comeback. We need to get people to think outside the box. Don’t be just rockabilly, psycobilly, blues, bluegrass, etc..etc.. Utilize all that has come before to make something that’s truly yours. Truly COUNTRY! That’s the only way you’ll ever reach the masses, and be a saviour.
I’m kind of surprised that i did not see Joey Allcorn name mentioned(maybe i missed it). Or even Lucky Tubb. Maybe they aren’t the biggest names out there but i believe that their music is good enough to help in the resurrection of true country music.
RP,
I love Lucky Tubb, Joey Allcorn, Wayne Hancock and all the neo-traditionalists, but honestly, that is a side of REAL country that I just don’t see appealing to the wide masses, unless it was some sort of craze, like swing music was or something, and that would mean it would be like a flash in the pan sugar high that would do no good in the long term.
Celebrating the past is great, and if there was a big breakout REAL country artist, it would probably help these guys. But it would need to be someone who is celebrating the past, but also innovating in music.
I am convinced that those on here that say they are not Jamey Johnson fans simply say that because he made a big mainstream hit with “In Color”.
Your so wrapped up in the “Real Country” and “anti-Nashville” movement that you can’t see it right in front of you.
How can you not see that Jamey Johnson is in step with the old school movement? Oh cause he wrote Badonkadonk? Maybe he wrote that as a joke and watched the record execs push it to #1 and they didn’t even know how stupid they looked.
I won’t pretend to know more than some on this site. I don’t play in a band, don’t even play the guitar, but I know my country music.
Hank III is great when he signs country. His shows make you stand still and you hear a voice from the grave. No one can touch that voice and his lyrics are generally good. But when he throws in a random devil voice on a chorus or drops a ton of f-bombs or some guy in a halloween costume is on stage,… come on man. Get the chip of your shoulder and hone your skills. Your scary talented, but your so “anti” your not helping your cause.
Jamey is the only guy in years who’s career at this point has nearly mirrored guys like Waylon, Willie, etc..and that is not made up by record labels, it is fact. Came to Nashville, some songwriting success, put out industry album which got shelved, and then came back with his own songs with his own band. And it worked. And the double album coming will blow this thing apart.
Have you heard “My Way To You” and “Macon”? Come on…that is serious shit.
Don’t be so caught up in being “underground” that you don’t give props to Jamey. If you haven’t heard any of his songs, yet you rip him for Badonkadonk and don’t like the mainstream “In Color”, get off your ass and buy his “That Lonesome Song” CD and listen to it. You going to truely tell me that isn’t the savior? All the others mentioned on this blog will come in through the gates Jamey is opening.
my Top 3 picks would be Hank III, Lucky Tubb and Jayke Orvis.
I’m with ya Waylon4ever. I think we’re so damn caught up in this anti major label bullshit that anyone who has success will be labeled as a sellout. Jamey Johnson has a distinctive old school sound. Better yet hes not a posturing little bitch, he doesnt claim to be an outlaw or a badass or the savior of country music, hes just making the music he likes, and it sounds fantastic.
Oh and about the Honky Tonk Badonkadonk bullshit, did some research on that clusterfuck and found that the guy wrote the song in a bar, on a napkin about a chicks ass. Im sure they got their hands on it and turned it into another trace adkins rap song but shit, dont get much more country than the way the song was formulated originally