Granger Smith Says Texas Music Is “The Minor Leagues.” Wade Bowen Responds
***UPDATE: Wade Bowen Clears the Air About Granger Smith Comments***
Granger Smith—who you may know better as country music funny man Earl Dibbles Jr.—is in hot water with some of his former compatriots in the Texas music scene after referring to the regional movement as “the minor leagues.” The Texas scene has many of its own music stars, radio stations, festivals, extends beyond the Texas border in fan base and influence, and has been recognized for many years as an alternative to the mainstream with music that generally carries more substance, and that focuses more on community than caring about superstardom.
The comment from Granger Smith came in a recent interview involving multiple reporters that was posted on The Boot Wednesday (7-13). Granger’s words were smoldering for numerous days until it spilled over Saturday, with Texas artist Wade Bowen and others taking exception to Granger’s comments publicly.
The article in The Boot was a puff piece promoting Granger Smith as a hard worker who also remains devoted to his family. Persistence is what he credits for helping him make the transition from a Texas artist signed to an independent label, to being signed by the Jason Alden-anchored Broken Bow label in Nashville. Granger appeared to be gracious to the Texas scene for his success, but it’s how he couched his words that appeared to open up wounds with old compatriots, while opening Granger up to the common criticism that he used Texas music as a stepping stone, and sold out to find his recent mainstream success.
“I’m very, very, very blessed to have had the Texas music scene as a testing ground,” Smith said. “I had singles—on-the-radio singles—-I had a radio tour a couple times … [We] had been running in the minor leagues; that’s really what it is.”
It was not just the “minor leagues” comment by Granger, but the affirmation, “that’s really what it is” that drew ire from many. Wade Bowen responded on Instagram, “Love my life! Cheers to the minor leagues!! @earldibblesjr @grangersmith.”
Other Texas artists responded, including Charlie Stout who tweeted, “Lyrics: a mere obstacle on the road to ‘success,'” and Geoffrey Hill, the guitarist for the Randy Rogers Band said, “When thou standeth upon the mountain top, be mindful of where thou pisseth.”
Also, an artist manager and publicist from Los Angeles named Hayden Adcock decided he needed to enter the fray, saying, “Hey Wade Bowen, why don’t you grow up? You’re pathetic,” before attacking other artists in the Texas scene for their comments supportive of Wade’s stance. Granger Smith’s drummer has also posted a long-winded response to Wade’s post.
Though Texas music undoubtedly presents a lower ceiling for many of its artists compared to the mainstream, it also presents a more sustainable and elevated floor due to the rabid support and loyalty of fans. Texas music artists also enjoy much more artistic freedom with their music, and many, including Wade Bowen, have put together incredibly successful careers built around holding to their own standards, and sustainability above overnight success. Granger Smith, and later Earl Dibbles Jr., always were a tough fit in Texas country and he tended to ruffle feathers, especially after it became obvious his ambitions lay outside of the scene, and his music began to veer more towards a mainstream sound.
The ultimate question is what an artist wants out of their career. Granger Smith was doing just fine in Texas, but you can always have a bigger truck, and bigger house, and more money. Everybody knows Granger Smith sold out by cutting terrible Bro-Country songs to get his major label deal. Granger knows that more than anybody. Whether choosing instead to be happy with your station in music, and holding onto your artistic integrity constitutes “the minor leagues” is open to interpretation. To many, holding onto yourself is pretty major, while doing whatever you can to get ahead is pretty Busch league.
The size of the crowds and the paycheck have nothing to do with the measure of a musician.
Besides, if you’re famous in Texas, what else matters?
READ: Granger Smith’s #1 “Backroad Song” Is No Victory for Texas Country
July 18, 2016 @ 7:20 am
Terrible ‘artist’ , anyways. When he is done being a flavor of the month , he will regret the comment.
July 18, 2016 @ 7:33 am
Yes, because like many who made the trip from Texas to Nashville, he’ll look to Texas for a soft landing, just like Pat Green and a dozen others have when Nashville unceremoniously kicked them to the curb when they couldn’t sell out arenas. Right now Granger Smith is a very small fish in a very big sea in the mainstream. He may end up on top someday, but opening for Florida Georgia Line is no feather in your cap. Neither is hitting #1 with a song called “Backroad Song.”
July 19, 2016 @ 5:03 pm
Especially NOT when you’ve just bashed your home state, which has had a vibrant music scene since the days of Bob Willis and Western Swing back in the 1940s.
July 18, 2016 @ 7:25 am
‘Though Texas music undoubtedly presents a lower ceiling for many of its artists compared to the mainstream, it also presents a more sustainable and elevated floor due to the rabid support and loyalty of fans.’
That sounds like an eye deal situation to me.
I can think of worse curses than having to listen to only Texas music for all eternity.
July 18, 2016 @ 7:29 am
I sure can’t think of many Texas artists that resisted the Major League success and money (Nashville). They know it too which is why they are so sensitive about this comment.
July 18, 2016 @ 12:47 pm
Aaron Watson sings about attempts to from record companies to sway him to Nashville and his refusal to do so because he’d “rather be an old fence post in Texas than the king of Tennessee”
April 23, 2017 @ 10:34 pm
I’m pretty sure that one of them being Tracy Byrd, I can confidently say he humbly stayed on the ground in Texas soil for a while before going mainstream, & even when he did hit big in Nashville, as a mainstream country artist, he kept with his roots by keeping the sound of texas to his country, and a Little Rock too! Grainier smith will undoubtedly have his regrets for spitting on Texas soil & its country sounds when finds out that nashvilles not so nice anymore! Did somebody say he’ll need a soft place to fall? Dude! Indeed! Way to go wade bowen for sticking to your guns & stacking up for Texas country music! Nothing wrong with it all! I see nothing “minor league” about randy rogers, wade Bowen, Aaron Watson, cross Canadian ragweed & Stoney LaRue! Grainger smith, you’re gonna find yourself eating crow one day!
July 18, 2016 @ 7:30 am
I think musicians exist on a spectrum, with artist at one end and entertainer at the other. The artist tends to care about only the music that they make, and would not care if anyone ever heard it. The entertainer cares only about the music being heard by people, and not about the actual music itself. Sometimes artist types make music that becomes very popular, but that’s not the purpose, and sometimes entertainers make music that is artistically brilliant, but again that’s not the main motivation. All musicians exist at different places along this spectrum, and where on the spectrum they lie can change during the course of their careers.
I don’t think either part of it is wrong, it’s just different personality types, and we, as consumers, get to hear a wide variety of music. But when you talk about somebody “selling-out” it mostly means that they’re closer to the entertainment end of the spectrum than you are, or you want them to be.
July 18, 2016 @ 7:31 am
The guy is now a sell out.
July 18, 2016 @ 7:45 am
The Texas music scene reminds me of album rock late 60’s/70’s… not as big a following, but the music from that era, performers that never had a top 40 hit, that music is forever. It’s the same as what’s going on now between Nashville and other formats such as Texas Country, Americana, etc. The quality will last.
July 18, 2016 @ 10:34 am
Not disagreeing with your comment, but I’ll add that the tx scene has been around for quite some time and has proven to stay true to what it is. The Cosmic Cowboy scene is when it was really put on the map and paved the way to what we have now. It has now morphed into something that has allowed artist like Granger to slap it’s label to his back. GS did nothing for what the tx scene stands for. And he can go try/fail at whay he thinks will be greener grass. I don’t knock an artist for trying to get bigger, but don’t bite the hand that feeds you. He may do well for some time, but we will see him crawling back, trying to be part of the tx scene.
July 18, 2016 @ 7:45 am
Oh no he di’int!
July 18, 2016 @ 7:45 am
So goerge strait is still in the minors
July 18, 2016 @ 7:47 am
Well, this guy is so disrespectful to Texas people and artists as if he is the biggest name in Nashville.
More idiot than FGL! (I’m not from Texas)
July 18, 2016 @ 7:54 am
I’ll have more to day when I get to a real computer, but for now…
Granger Smith can go fuck himself, and so can his drummer.
July 18, 2016 @ 3:56 pm
I actually went and posted on his drummer’s fb rant because I thought what he said was completely unfair to Wade Bowen. Seemed like he took what little bur he had in his saddle from what others may have been saying about GS and threw all of it at WB. Totally uncool!
July 18, 2016 @ 7:55 am
“Besides, when you’re famous in Texas, what else really matters?”
No truer words were ever spoken
July 18, 2016 @ 7:57 am
I think what Granger Smith said was not only the truth, but perfectly appropriate.
July 18, 2016 @ 8:12 am
I’m just flabbergasted at the stupidity he has shown by this comment. Forget if it’s true or not, why burn a bridge when you don’t need to? It’s not like Smith is established in Nashville, he has had one hit with a song any generic, male “Country” singer could have recorded. His first mainstream album doesn’t appear to be selling much and his follow up single to his hit sure hasn’t done much at radio (so far). Knowing how protective, for lack of a better word, Texas/Red Dirt fans are about the scene, why even tempt fate by saying that comment. He would have been fine if he has just ended his comments after his first sentence. That last part, the minor league part, is so completely stupid for him to say for his career. Like I said, even Mike Eli, Mr. I Record Country/EDM mashup music now, is smart enough to stay quiet just in case he needs to go back to Texas to make some money when the Nashville label drops the Eli Young Band.
Granger Smith never came off as a particularly smart guy, but this just confirms that the man is a bit of a meat head.
July 18, 2016 @ 9:55 am
I think he better not “crack a cold one!” before he talks anymore.
July 18, 2016 @ 8:21 am
It may or may not be appropriate, but it is certainly not the truth. The problem with the analogy is every minor league baseball player is trying to get to the majors, whereas a good portion of artists in the Texas scene are completely happy doing what they do within the scene without compromising their standards. Also, unlike in country music, making to the majors is based on merit alone. Only the very best players make it to the majors. Nashville? Not so much.
July 18, 2016 @ 9:13 am
Also, unlike in country music, making to the majors is based on merit alone.
Exactly.
July 18, 2016 @ 10:12 am
Yes, exactly. Music is the only major entertainment industry where the people with the least talent get pushed to the top of the industry. What if it was the worst teams in the Super Bowl and World Series? What if the Oscars gave all the top awards to the super hero movies because they make the most money? What if the Emmys gave their awards to 2 1/2 Men? It’s all bass ackwards in music. I understand what Granger was trying to get at. Yes, the crowds are smaller in Texas. But the analogy was not appropriate. It takes for granted that there’s actually justice in music, which we all know there isn’t.
July 18, 2016 @ 1:47 pm
It’s not that the worst rises to the top, necessarily. It’s the definition of “good” or “best” that is different. What is forced sold/played is sold and played more, therefore it is the best. Occasionally, we have lucky exceptions to remind us of what is really good, thank God.
July 18, 2016 @ 4:51 pm
Exactly, I agree with what Trigger said.
July 18, 2016 @ 7:57 am
I got tickets to see Granger Smith earlier this year for an acoustic set. I have to say that I was impressed, not only with the performance (his vocals were actually rather good) but with how he interacted with fans throughout and creating a sense of community in the venue. He’s an incredibly likable guy, and it makes you want to forgive the more blatantly “bro” material in his last two albums. The “minor league” statement was a poor choice in words, but it is also technically true in terms of audience reach. I would love to see many of the Texas artists that have been featured on this site, but they hardly ever tour outside of Texas and surrounding states — at least, that’s what I keep seeing when I go to their websites (Wade Bowen for example). I live in North Carolina, so I’m limited to the national acts — other than a very strong bluegrass scene from Asheville to Raleigh.
July 18, 2016 @ 8:21 am
Your very wrong about Texas bands not touring outside of Texas. I am a musician as well and I have opened for Whiskey Myers, Cody Canada, Jason Boland Etc right here in NC! Reckless Kelly tours NC every year! Wade Bowen played not long ago in Raleigh! Micky & The Motorcars, Turnpike Troubadours, and so many more come to NC on a regular basis! Look up Red Dirt Promotions which is based out of Charlotte and u can see how terribly inaccurate you statement is. Any true Texas music fan knows that. Take time and educate yourself before u comment of things u have very little knowledge of.
July 18, 2016 @ 8:57 am
W’ Myers is playing in Raleigh in 2 weeks!
July 18, 2016 @ 9:25 am
Exactly. Boland, Mike and the Moonpies, Mike McClure, REK (twice) and a few others have all been through Charlotte recently, and I know Cody Jinks is coming in September
July 18, 2016 @ 11:05 am
Boland also recorded an entire live album at several Colorado venues.
July 18, 2016 @ 9:26 am
Bandsintown Ap is great for tracking your favorite artists in your area as well.
July 18, 2016 @ 11:26 am
Thanks, Chad, for the information. I will check-out Red Dirt Promotions. I did not mean to imply that they never play outside TX/OK but only that, by comparison, I do not see them much in this area. I will try to be more aware of when these acts come to town. I just know that too many of the venues in Charlotte, like Coyote Joe’s (ostensibly the premier country venue), are rather pathetic in attracting such acts.
July 18, 2016 @ 4:10 pm
We live near Tucson, AZ and have at least one TX/RDM artist come through here per month. And absolutely check out BandsInTown for shows near you. I travel often for business and see all kind of bands in other cities and towns using this app. Good resource to find great music!
July 18, 2016 @ 9:25 pm
They sure as hell don’t come North…with the exception of Cody Jinks. But hes touring with Whitey Morgan, who is from Michigan so that kinda doesn’t count.
July 19, 2016 @ 5:47 am
If you’re dismissing Whitey because he’s from Michigan, just don’t.
July 19, 2016 @ 12:54 pm
Completely not the point. My point is none of these artists from the South come North of the Mason Dixon Line on a regular basis. Except Whitey, but I was pointing out that he is not really relevant (and because he is touring with him Cody Jinks is also an outlier) to this particular comment because he’s not in the Red Dirt Scene thing y’all have going on down there.
July 19, 2016 @ 2:57 pm
Gotcha. Sorry, misunderstood your comment. My faulr.
July 19, 2016 @ 8:43 pm
I don’t believe he’s dismissing Whitey musically, just saying even though they make it up north, it is irrelevant because he’s from the region.
July 19, 2016 @ 4:20 pm
Well Bocephus, Reckless Kelly has shows in Nebraska, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Seattle Washington, Idaho and Oregon but if that’s not up north enough for ya they have a show in Ontario Canada as well. Then Whiskey Myers has shows in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York Vermont, New Hampshire, Illinois, Ohio, Connecticut, and Michigan all this year!!! Then Cody Canada and The Departed have shows in New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Washinton DC.
So there’s no excuse now and they sure as hell do come up north.
July 20, 2016 @ 7:51 am
I would wager that the number of shows they do in the Northeast is dwarfed by the number they do in the Midwest and South.
July 20, 2016 @ 3:32 am
I saw reckless Kelly in Connecticut last year. I had tickets, and missed seeing, Cody Canada and the Departed this year in NYC (and I am still bummed).
July 18, 2016 @ 7:58 am
I think how he worded that sounds kind of bad and the affirmation remark really does make it seem worse. I can see someone calling it the minor leagues, mainly from a whole business perspective. It is another world getting into the mainstream and being in the Nashville scene, however his comments seem to degrade the Texas scene some, even if that was not what he was trying to do. He better start contacting some of these guys now and mending some bridges or that fall back will not be there if it doesn’t work out in Nashville.
July 18, 2016 @ 8:03 am
I’m not from anywhere near Texas, but… this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-cFtSPIF4Q
July 18, 2016 @ 8:04 am
Honestly….? I’m not surprised one bit by Granger Smith’s attitude here. He is wrong, to be clear, but why is anyone around the Texas scenes or a fan surprised? Dude was NEVER and I mean NEVER interested in really cutting great songs. Much like Casey Donahew and Kyle Park, Smith was very much from the “I just want to be famous and will record whatever I can or do whatever I can to get to that point”. Look at Earl Dibbles Jr. as an example of how Smith was not interested in being a “serious” artist who put an emphasis on his songwriting or whatever to be successful. The minute Earl Dibbles Jr. became a thing, Smith hopped on that bandwagon and did everything possible to milk that “viral sensation” that he could. The same was true for a lot of his music that he recorded in Texas. It was filled with “diet Music Row” content, from the production to the lyrics to the videos.
Granger Smith is a dude that just wants to be famous. He doesn’t care if his music holds up in 10, 20, hell 40 years. He doesn’t care about cutting or writing or recording music that is deep or meaningful or creating a back catalog of great songs he can pull out of his back pocket at shows. He just wants to be a star. If that means dressing up like a meth-head hillbilly and poking fun of bro-Country so he can become a “name” in Texas or recording a rejected FGL song in Nashville to get on mainstream radio. He simply doesn’t care. Which is fine, it’s a free country and we all have the choice to embrace him or disavow him, but let’s keep in mind that guys like Granger Smith have very real substance to them as a person. They will be whatever some executive tells them to be and they will do whatever (they think) it takes to make money.
Still, it’s amazing that someone has topped Rich O’Toole in the race to see who could completely torpedo their career in and around the Texas scene. Even with a hack job of a song like “Backroad Song”, Smith could have landed on his feet in Austin once his Nashville run is over. He could have laid low for a few months, went on a media tour where he said all the things Texas music fans want to hear like “I was a record label puppet” or “I can’t wait to record songs with substance”, etc. He would have been welcomed with open arms by most of the Texas fan base. Instead, Smith decided to throw that all away and now when his Nashville runs ends….well….hope Smith has a good accountant is all. Hell, even the Eli Young Band is smart enough to stay quiet while they record whatever Pop/EDM/Disco crap phase they are in. Because Mike Eli, terrible artist that he is, knows he needs to keep his options open.
July 18, 2016 @ 8:07 am
To say that Nashville is Major League and Texas Music is Minor League is comparing Apples to Bananas. I believe that the two are in the area but not. Many or our artists have gone up there, opened for Kenny Chesney and came back. From what I hear, many artists tell me that to play the Nashville game, you have to compromise who you are, what you sing, how you sing and more One reason that some of them do come back is because they did not want to change who they are, their style, etc. And there are always some that will do whatever it takes, say anything, sing anything and open for anybody to get to a place they will never reach.
July 18, 2016 @ 8:07 am
Did Wade Bowen’s tweet “Love my life! Cheers to the minor leagues!! @earldibblesjr @grangersmith.” alone really garner the two responses from the LA publicist and the drummer? If so, talk about a bizarre overreaction.
I feel like I’m missing something here.
July 18, 2016 @ 8:16 am
My guess is anyone and everyone in the Granger Smith camp is super sensitive about the “sellout” label that is attached to him right now. It’s probably especially prevalent now with Twitter and Facebook being so big and some Texas fans probably prodding Smith some about his current material vs. his old material (even if it wasn’t that good to start with). Imagine if Twitter had been huge like it is now when Pat Green and Jack Ingram headed up to Nashville and started covering Hinder songs?
Nothing about Bowen’s response was bad, if anything it came off as a small rib of someone he has probably crossed paths with many times prior. It’s just that Smith and his whole band/team is probably SUPER sensitive about it since they likely hear it all the time whenever they play shows closer to Texas/Oklahoma where people would be more familiar with his “old stuff”.
July 18, 2016 @ 8:33 am
I agree. I’m from Alabama and I’m a diehard Texas / red dirt fan. I’ve yet to get on the granger bandwagon and even when I would see folks say ” his old stuff is good ” I still never was that impressed. Maybe just my preferences to folks like RRB, Wade, Reckless, Boland, Turnpike etc.
July 18, 2016 @ 11:16 am
Yup. As the old saying goes, its the hit dog that yelps.
July 18, 2016 @ 11:37 am
Winner. Nothing in Bowens response (and it WAS a response. Bowen didn’t start the conversation) was negative or personal toward Granger in any way. Everyone knows that they have played shows and festivals together. The guys clearly know each other. There was nothing hostile or attacking in the post. Nothing more than a tongue-in-cheek reminder that some artists are happy with their success in Texas.
For fans to try and compare it to talent level is ludicrous. For some no name eager from LA to make it into a personal attack of ones success speaks volumes of the emptiness, shallowness, and cluelessness of people making careers off mainstream music.
Fans who believe that FGL and the likes are successful financially because of their level of talent is laughable at best. Fame & Fortune in the mainstream music world aren’t factors of talent. Some in fact are completely devoid of talent.
The sensitivity of Grangers drummer speaks to the sensitive nature of the camp. You’d think Bowen went on a tirade criticizing Grangers talent level, his band, or work ethic. He did none of those things.
July 18, 2016 @ 9:18 am
Another excellent point. I was looking for a link to a long diatribe from Wade Bowen, thinking it had to be more than that tweet to set these off.
July 18, 2016 @ 10:22 am
A couple of things:
Even though Texas music is massive compared to most scenes, it is still very much a “scene,” meaning anyone talking disparagingly about anyone or anything is likely to result in a shit storm compared to other realms of music. That was the case with both Granger’s initial comments, and Wade Bowen’s reaction.
Second, you have to understand that the entire premise of the original piece in “The Boot” where the quotes surfaced was a puff piece about Granger, trying to ingratiate him to fans as this hard-working family man who is authentic, which is the marketing presented behind all mainstream artists. It’s part of the wholesome persona the mainstream loves to cultivate. The Boot piece wasn’t promoting anything in particular. There’s not a new single or a new album. It was just looking to boost Granger’s brand. And so when it blew up in their face a little bit, they felt like they had to do damage control.
July 23, 2016 @ 7:45 am
Hayden Adcock is not a Los Angeles publicist. I believe he was once in the Austin area music industry and now just moved out there and is looking for a job. He went to high school with Granger Smith’s little brother. It’s a personal and not a professional thing.
And the poster above is correct – ‘the big leagues’ is about playing what THEY want you to play and selling music to high school mall girls and getting rich and famous. Texas music scene gives those who care more about what they write and how they perform it the chance to do just that.
My bet is the FGLs of the world will leave no mark but leave them rich. No one will even remember their songs! But there is music by Whiskey Myers, Reckless Kelley, Stoney Larue, Jason Boland, and so many others… that I’ll remember forever.
July 18, 2016 @ 8:10 am
Thanks for covering stuff like this. Seriously I appreciate knowing it. I’ll continue to support Grangers support for vets but I will not any longer support him
July 18, 2016 @ 8:14 am
I’ve said this many times, one of the biggest reasons I’m supporting Wade Bowen, is because as a listener of his music for 27 years now, I know what I’m talking about when I say that Wade’s stuff ranks right up there with the music of Garth Brooks.
Do I think Wade Bowen should be as big as Garth Brooks? You bet your sweet ass, but I would much rather him get there by not selling out.
July 18, 2016 @ 9:36 am
His answer to Smith says so much about what kind of man he is.And he was the first one to react.
Not only a great musician but a well respected.
July 18, 2016 @ 8:19 am
Its not minor leage. Its more like..Adult country. Not mainstream kids music cut to be sold to 8 to 25 year old people. Texas music is real. Real problems, real life events and emotions. Not tailgates and bonfires.
July 18, 2016 @ 8:29 am
Screw him! I would rather listen to Randy Rodgers Cody Jinks Ryan Bingham Chris Knight and numerous others then turn on for one song produced out of Nashville!!
July 18, 2016 @ 8:53 am
I somewhat agree with his statement because I would think any artist would like to be played on all major radio stations, play the Ryman, and eventually be placed in the hall of fame. otherwise after you get old and pass away wouldn’t your music disappear into obscurity?
July 18, 2016 @ 10:20 am
Didn’t Sturgill and Isbell just sell out the Ryman for like a combined week straight a couple months ago? I’ve never heard a single one of their songs on the radio. Their music won’t be disappearing into obscurity any time soon.
July 18, 2016 @ 11:11 am
Isbell sold out the Ryman four consecutive nights in October 2015 and three consecutive nights in October 2014; Sturgill was his opener for the third one.
I’m not as certain about Sturgill’s shows–maybe two sold-out nights in the past six months? And he’s doing quite well touring Europe as I write this. Granger Smith isn’t qualified to be on Sturgill’s road crew…
July 18, 2016 @ 11:43 am
Yeah, I was thinking of the October 2015 shows, so a bit more than a couple months ago. Sturgill had 3 nights there couple days after Isbell’s 4 nights.
July 18, 2016 @ 10:28 am
The dirty little secret is that Granger’s career is heading nowhere in Nashville. He may have some #1 hits, but like so many mainstream males, nobody’s heard of them. There’s maybe 5 spots at the top of the mainstream for males, and if you’re not one of them, you’re just an also-ran. That’s how the industry looks at you, and that’s how many of the fans look at you. At least in Texas, the fans love you no matter how popular you are as long as your music speaks to them.
July 18, 2016 @ 11:10 am
So, in other words, he’ll end up having been an also-ran n Nashville AND in Texas. That’s gonna be quite the achievement.
July 18, 2016 @ 11:37 am
Granger, however, has the added advantage of an incredibly popular alter ego on Facebook, which has earned him many fans. At his shows, you see lots of young guys and gals wearing “Yee Yee” emblazoned merch. He’s an effective marketer, at least. But your larger point is obviously true.
July 18, 2016 @ 8:56 am
If I was a Texas artist, I would keep trying to get noticed in the Americana world. This way you wouldn’t have to sell out. You could still keep your style of music and integrity but still be noticed in Nashville and the rest of the world.
July 18, 2016 @ 9:45 am
Noticed in Nashville means country radio and album sales. Tell me an artist besides Stapleton and maybe Isbell that’s a big name there.
July 18, 2016 @ 10:48 am
Sturgill.
July 18, 2016 @ 9:04 am
He is a tool but your final lines are THE BEST TRUTH. I may have to share them, they are great.
July 18, 2016 @ 9:43 am
Dear Dusty Saxton,
There is absolutely no hard work involved in catering to radio trends by recording a basic bro country song. That’s called selling out, which is what Granger Smith did in doing so, and you’re taking part in it by playing the song (and his other obnoxious bro country songs) on the road. I have nothing against any of you personally, but if you feel it justified to go on the attack as harshly as you did over a short Tweet from Wade Bowen that was in jest, all that says is that you are all aware of how little respect remains from many longtime fans, as well as other artists from around the country who are still releasing substantial music. I enjoy a lot of Granger Smith’s music, and he’s not an artist I turn off if I happen to have the radio on and hear either “Backroad Song” or “If the Boot Fits,” but he is an artist capable of much than such drivel, and that bothers me (and many others). Success is either hollow or substantial, and when you achieve success with such shallow material, it’s likely to come crashing down. You will all be back in the Texas scene before you know it, hoping the fans will forgive these transgressions, and they will. The upside? You’ll be among a great group of musicians who’ve maintained their integrity by refusing to sacrifice their art for short-lived stardom.
Sincerely,
An internet user you will likely disregard as if you’ve above taking my opinion into consideration
July 18, 2016 @ 9:47 am
he’s gonna regret those comments when he gets run out of nashville and has to come back home to texas
July 18, 2016 @ 10:11 am
What a tool! Granger Smith needs to watch what he say about Texas music or he won’t be welcome back. There is no such thing minor league it just music. I like Texas/Red Dirt music they play better music than mainstream country music they play today!
July 18, 2016 @ 10:17 am
There is an old saying, Mr. Dibbles…Do not shit where you eat!!!
July 18, 2016 @ 10:49 am
Lots of great Texas artists, but There’s really terrible “red dirt” or “Texas country” out there too guys. They pay these promoters to get their songs on regional charts. Some say they’ve even created their own version of Nashville. I can remember a picture of one of those guys holding a shiner bock, standing in the Guadalupe and all I could think was cliche’. Because it had been beaten into the ground. Shiner bock, gruene hall, red wing boots, Jerry Jeff, Texas!!! Overdone. I believe that every one of them would take national recognition over Texas stardom if they could get it. Honestly, do you think they’d turn it down? Jack Ingram, pat, ragweed, randy Rogers, who am I missing? The only one I never heard talk shit about Nashville was jack Ingram. Hiow bout Cory morrow? Remember his album where the fans are screaming Nashville sucks! And she says “you’re damn right”, And his tee shirts that said “Nashville sucks”? Then he goes on Austin city limits after pat had some mainstream success, someone yells Nashville sucks and he says “I don’t endorse it.” And acted like that wasn’t his thing. They all want Texas stardom, but when they get there, they all want to take another step. And if they can get a foot in, they all take it. Willie went back to Texas, and then launched into orbit across the globe. It worked out well for him. Robert Earl Keen is THE Texas artist as far as I’m concerned. And he’s known beyond. Just because you stay in Texas doesn’t make you a real artist or have better songs. If you’re good enough, and you’re songs are good enough, Texas won’t be able to hold you. Just ask Willie.
July 18, 2016 @ 11:12 am
Dusty, is that you? Earl? First part of your comment has some merit. But the second part does not. Unless those artists have personally told you that they would sell out to become a Nashville hit, you know nothing. And fyi…..ragweed is no longer around. There are plenty of us here in central IL who prefer the TX scene & do not even turn on the radio for mainstream country.
July 18, 2016 @ 11:31 am
Nope, not dusty or Earl. No they haven’t told me, but if you could play 1/3 the shows for 10x the money, wouldn’t you? That’s what they’re going for. After the initial buzz wears off and they want to make a living but still have time with family, they want maximum money for minimal shows. That’s just how it is. The road gets old. And it doesn’t mean “sell out”. It means reach a bigger audience. And FYI, I didn’t say ragweed was still around. I was talking about back in the day. Cody Canada is still around, and his bass player is same guy from ragweed. What else do you need to know, Yankee?
July 18, 2016 @ 12:03 pm
Actually, no, I wouldn’t. But that’s because I can’t stand listening to mainstream country so I couldn’t imagine having to play it everynight. If you would, that’s your choice. But many artists in the TX scene may not feel the same as you. These days, reaching a bigger audience in Nashville pretty much means selling out or playing pop. As stated by another commentator above, this was a poor choice of words as not everybody wants to make it out of the so called minors. They enjoy playing their music on their terms & are actually happy with their life as is, if you can believe that.
July 18, 2016 @ 12:13 pm
I’d say Sturgill and Isbell reached a bigger audience, not by playing “mainstream country”, but to quote you, by “playing music on their terms”. So did George Strait. Unwound was far from mainstream when he broke. So back to my original point. You may or may not be mainstream based on the quality of your performance and repoirtoire.
July 18, 2016 @ 12:54 pm
No doubt Texas / Red Dirt has their warts, just like Americana, underground, or whatever scene of music there is. Not everything in Texas music is great, but you have a much greater chance of finding something of value there than you will in the mainstream.
July 18, 2016 @ 3:05 pm
Buddy Holly, Waylon, Willie, Guy Clark, George Strait, Rodney Crowell, to name a few, are Texas artists that all went through Nashville to get to another level. I get that what Granger said was a jab. I’d be pissed too. But look at the list of names I just listed. Who comes close to those guys in Texas today? Wade Bowen? Come on man. Did you see the video where wade plays a song and says “I didn’t write this. But like Waylon said it takes just as much genius to find a hit as it does to write one.” Who says dumb stuff like that? I just hate that these guys (mainstream or red dirt) see themselves as torchbearers. They’re not as good as what came before.
July 19, 2016 @ 7:13 am
I’d also point out that you’ll find just as many real artists, something of value, whatever you want to call it, in Nashville’s non mainstream community that you will in Texas.
July 18, 2016 @ 11:16 am
This guy can’t be serious. Anyone who knows the Texas music circuit understands Earl Smith is a very small player in the Texas/Oklahoma scene. Vinny was in Tulsa a couple years ago and there was nothing to do, so he went and checked out Granger Dibbles at the Cain’s. Vinny couldn’t figure out why he was playing the famed ballroom because it was about 1/4th full and 99% of the crowd had black X’s stamped on their hands. He’ll suck in Nashville too.
July 18, 2016 @ 12:04 pm
definitely blown out of proportion on both sides. Still good to adhere to the expression “be kind to those you encounter on the way up because you’ll see them again on the way down.” Unlike other professions, music/artists have an expiration date. You can only be on top for so long (yes there are a few exceptions) but, for the most part, artists rise and fall. best of luck to both of them
July 18, 2016 @ 12:23 pm
For the record, Granger Smith was not/is not a big thing on the Texas music scene. He’s a clown that sold his soul to the formulaic bullshit pushed out by the Nashville hack factories. Don’t let the screen door hit ya, Granger…
July 18, 2016 @ 1:04 pm
The old saying is “I sold my soul for Rock n roll” Now it’s “I sold My Soul For Country”
How was anything Bowen said immature? Why the F is some California hack sticking his nose into this. Sad how music is nowadays nobody cares about making music with meaning just making as much money as possible.
I’m from Texas they can call it the minor leagues if they want it’s still better than Trashville.
July 18, 2016 @ 1:04 pm
Really disappointed in Granger’s shift in music and attitude. I have defended him on here before, but it is clear now that he has put fame above music.
July 18, 2016 @ 1:25 pm
The Texas country / red dirt scene will,always be better than Nashville pop
April 23, 2017 @ 11:35 pm
Hank, and rap too! I hate it when they do that crap! Just cuz jason Aldean country rapped or whatever the hell you wanna call it, & Taylor swift chewed bubble gum & popped out while singing “our song”, doesn’t mean every one should play follow that leader! Bad idea!!! And if it sounds like Taylor’s blowing & popping her gum or Tupac is trying to run you down with his west coast thug life tirade, it country anymore!!! But I wouldn’t entirely diss mainstream country either! Look at George strait, Alan Jackson, & Tracy Byrd! They’re mainstreamers big in Nashville since the early 90s & the exception to the Nashville mainstream issue……they care about how their songs sound & reaching out to their audience with something meaningful! And they’re still awesome today as they ever was long ago! Especially George strait! They didn’t sell out to bull shit! Especially Alan Jackson! He dared to walk out on the CMAs when the Dixie chick heads had the galls to invite Beyoncé to perform with them, & we all know she ain’t country & im about to double down…..she’s also a race baiting cophater!!!
July 18, 2016 @ 3:09 pm
Well when you take a shit it sinks a little low in the toilet water, but it rises to the top just like mainstream country artists do. Sure they have to sell out a bit but they go strait to the top for a breif time until they get flushed down the toilet and another piece of shit artist takes their place. There’s a better analogy for Granger Smith.
July 18, 2016 @ 3:11 pm
That’s like saying Dwight Yoakum, Merle haggard are minor leaguers ..they came from the Bakersfield music scene . I know Merle haggard has passed,but they both still resided there and would rather be called Bakersfield country artist than Nashville country artist ..Bruce Springsteen before he was known all around the world started out playing in new Jersey…he later paid homage with this album https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greetings_from_Asbury_Park,_New_Jersey…….Granger smith your burning your roots buddy……and Texas is not as forgiving!!
July 18, 2016 @ 3:14 pm
I just thought of that as I was pooping while reading the article, but if you think of it the mainstream country music industry is just like a giant toilet bowl.
July 18, 2016 @ 3:30 pm
WHAT A MASSIVE TOOL! I hope you those words would bite you in your butt!
July 18, 2016 @ 5:06 pm
Granger needs to make a public apology. I don’t think he said what he said to be an
a-hole, but he did put his foot in his mouth. I listened to mainstrean Nashvile country for years until it started sucking so much I just couldn’t do it for one more day and switched to Red dirt. The Texas scene is NOT the minors, and as a fan I’m offended. I wouldn’t be so sure that Red dirt fans will be there with open arms. I’m not going to be a hater, but I don’t know how interested I am in Granger Smith anymore. If he apologizes, great, but if not, I’ve lost interest. Suck it up Granger and apologize. Then our arms will be open. Final thought- I love Wade Bowen. He is awesome- a great singer.
July 18, 2016 @ 5:58 pm
Granger Smith’s drummer really did use a ton of literary license on Wade Bowen’s tweet. Some how “I love my life! Cheers to the minor leagues!” was changed to “you don’t deserve your dreams.” That is what people do who need to justify what they are doing.
July 18, 2016 @ 6:36 pm
The Texas Troubadours have done well with being from the Texas scene. What about Willie Nelson? He left the Nashville scene to go back to Texas to do his own thing musically and he was very successful at it. I guess it depends on the artist and how bad they want the fame and money. And, how much they will compromise their artist integrity for it.
July 18, 2016 @ 7:48 pm
OK now. To revise and extend my remarks from elsewhere:
I guess we should just consider the source and think of what Smith said as a compliment given such, but it’s still bullshit, and rather inaccurate bullshit to, uh, boot. Such a statement would seem to imply that Texas is the farm team for Nashville, and that in turn would seem to imply that what’s done in Nashville and what’s done in Texas somewhat resemble one another. And we all should know by now that such is far from the case. But no matter what, it strikes me as more than a little bit insulting. Like this scene and all that it stands for wasn’t good enough for him. And beyond that, what does that say about his opinion of all the Texas guys who went to Nashville before and came back to Texas later, like Wade Bowen, Pat Green, Cross Canadian Ragweed, and the Randy Rogers Band? That they weren’t good enough to make it in the so-called major leagues? That is every bit as offensive as “if you’re not on country radio, you don’t exist.” I remember I bitched MIGHTILY about Pat Green’s Nashville music, but as bad as it was, I don’t EVER remember him taking a shit on the scene the way Granger Smith has here. If I was one of those artists I mentioned above, I’d consider it a personal insult.
Also, along the lines of my previous comment, if Smith’s analogy was anywhere near accurate, Aaron Watson would have been made a mainstream star with The Underdog and “Rodeo Queen” would have been the closing track on it. Goddamn, speaking of people who work hard. Hell, that’s what “Fence Post” was all about! To paraphrase a commenter at Galleywinter’s FB page, Smith’s commentary is going to serve him quite well when he comes slinking back to Texas after his stint in Nashville.
And mark my words, he’ll be back at some point. And he will deserve every bit of the ridicule that he gets.
Also, who the fuck is that sneering asshole Hayden Aycock, and why does his opinion on Wade Bowen or Granger Smith mean a damn thing? Sure, I could google him, but if one has to do that, that pretty much speaks for itself in regards to Mr. Aycock’s credibility in relation to country music.
July 18, 2016 @ 7:53 pm
Good point about Aaron Watson. If Texas country is the minor leagues, then why hasn’t Aaron Watson been called up to the majors? He’s had the #1 album, he’s proved he has appeal to a wide audience.
July 18, 2016 @ 7:56 pm
i think part of the reason is aaron is perfectly happy where he is
July 18, 2016 @ 8:51 pm
If Texas Country was the minor leagues, Smith was a utility infielder with a mediocre glove and some success against lefties who met up with a pharmacist and juiced his way into a brief stint in the majors.
July 18, 2016 @ 8:04 pm
Tx music is pure…those that embrace it are enlightened by it while those that forsake it are forgotten by it. I’d rather be pure and shake hands with my fans every day that not only hear my music but feel it than sheltered by the big arena staff that makes the connection seem out of reach. When I listen to Red Dirt I feel the emotion that the generic Nashville crowd has Lon since replaced with mindless babble…when it feels right it is right…that’s what I call success!
July 18, 2016 @ 8:30 pm
What the fuck is Granger Smith? Never heard of it….
July 18, 2016 @ 9:19 pm
Full disclosure. I may have trolled Smith on twitter in the past. The drummer was always the one who responded.
July 18, 2016 @ 11:45 pm
Wow…. why the comparison? Granger spoke without thinking like another of his team member or two let alone some dumb ass from LA…. Chill! Texas Red Dirt music is a product of itself, for itself, by itself and for its family. If the rest of the world wishes to partake, than it would be our honor to provide. There are radio stations outside this region that play this TxRedDirt music and love it as it works well for their audiences. We are true to our genre and the people in it. Most of our artist are complacent with where they are, with what they produce and enjoy how our world embraces what they profoundly offer. If Nashville – on the other hand – looks upon us as Granger eludes (the minor league) then why come after our talent with big sticks and glorious visions of grandeur. Why horde in on what we have developed… are you looking to put your stamp on our success and claim it as yours? We are homegrown and made in Texas by Texans. We are NOT Nashville’s “minor league” nor do we groom anyone for the show… yet we do not turn our back on someone’s dreams if that is their desire. Some folks need to learn the hard way rather then listen to those who have taken that road and learned from experience. Wade Bowen seemed to have protected the atmosphere of our industry by voicing what many wanted to say. Maybe Granger should have chosen his words more carefully as should have Granger’s camp. The knee-jerk reaction to Wades comments by one of Grangers team members seemed to be as unthinking and mindless no matter how syrupy and sugar coated it was worded. Let’s leave Granger to his new found fortune and hope it fits him well.
I have been to the show not as an artist but as and industry professional. I lived it, loved it, learned from it and endured it. It was good, fun and productive. But it will also eat you alive if you let it and when it does you will always look to come home. I’m in Texas, always have been, but have attached myself to this scene many years ago. I love the groove, the purpose, it’s talent and enjoy it’s growth and future. It is awesome and growing. Will it overtake Nashville, No. Will it take Nashville seat in the world of country music, No. But we must be doing something right for Nashville to come after our talent and industry activities… no higher form of flattery then to copy or mimic what we do. We are Texas Red Dirt and don’t want to be Nashville. We enjoy what we are and will be and if we look that good from the outside then we know we are doing it right. Remember, we are homegrown and “Made in Texas by Texans”.
July 19, 2016 @ 4:49 am
I actually enjoy the smaller venous. . yes with the so called “minor league artist’s ” you get a better quality show and venue not a bunch of drunks just there to fight and act stupid. I would prefer to go to a local small venue to attend an all day benefit than pay $230 for a day when my wife and I can spend $40 for 2 days at an event with top notch local bands..
July 19, 2016 @ 7:57 am
Sunday night, I went on Granger’s fb page and expressed my disappointment with him-and then promptly unliked his page. My comment was not rude or belligerent in any form, but it was strongly worded enough for him to get my point. Now, my comment is gone, but all of the basic bitches’ comments on there talking about how they have no clue who Wade Bowen is and how he must therefor be a no name dumbass who loves playing his “lil bar scene” (paraphrasing), are still there. Just pointing this out to show that someone in his camp is paying attention and is trying to spin this in his favor. I noticed that a couple of other comments calling him out on this are also gone. Further cements my opinion that he’s a pos.
July 19, 2016 @ 1:13 pm
I know Wade Bowen, I like his music. Who the hell is Granger Smith?
July 19, 2016 @ 9:22 pm
Really, nobody else has said it yet? I will then; Wade should have introduced the drummer to a little song called Standards.
“You won’t see my name on Billboard, but every night I pack the dance floor. There’s your answer: I don’t have hits; I’ve got standards. “
July 22, 2016 @ 10:12 pm
Total dipshit. I am from TX and went to the same university as this asshat did. It’s embarrassing.