Loretta Lynn Is Fighting Mad About Country Music Dying
Loretta Lynn just took today’s country music to Fist City, and is fighting mad about how their letting the roots and traditions of the genre die. In a new interview released January 30th on Martina McBride’s recently launched podcast called Vocal Point, Loretta Lynn pulled no punches in the 40-minute feature, letting everyone know just how she feels.
When asked by Martina McBride about how she felt the direction of country music was going right now, Loretta Lynn responded, “They’ve already let it [die]. I think it’s dead. I think it’s a shame. I think it’s a shame to let a type of music die. I don’t care what any kind of music it is. Rock, country, whatever. I think it’s a shame to let it die, and I’m here to start feeding it.”
McBride remarked how it appeared Loretta Lynn was getting mad about the subject, and the 87-year-old Country Music Hall of Famer responded, “Yeah. I’m getting mad about it. I am. Because it’s ridiculous. I think that they’re completely losing it. And I think that’s a sad situation because we should never let country music die. I think that every type of music should be saved, and country is one of the greatest. It’s been around, as far as I’m concerned, longer than any of it.”
As is often the case when legacy country artists go off about the state of country music today, it’s worth qualifying that within the ranks of independent country performers, there is still an incredible amount of talent, and artists looking to preserve the roots and traditions of country who look up to legends such as Loretta Lynn for inspiration and guidance. Mike and the Moonpies, Cody Jinks, Whitey Morgan, Charlie Marie, Sarah Shook and the Disarmers, and dozens of others are trying to do their part to resurrect country music, though you won’t hear them on mainstream country radio, or see them winning awards. Often these country legends don’t even know about these independent performers.
But Loretta Lynn’s assessment is still relevant when it comes to what is happening in the mainstream, but even that deserves some qualifiers. Luke Combs and Jon Pardi (who’s poised to have the #1 song in country this upcoming week with “Heartache Medication”) are starting to help return some of the roots of country music’s past to the airwaves. The situation isn’t all bleak, but Loretta Lynn’s words help put a charge behind what many fans of country believe strongly: the genre has lost it’s direction, and needs to be turned around and resurrected to its past greatness and unique importance in culture by returning to its roots.
Andrew McKinney
February 1, 2020 @ 11:21 am
I wish some of these great authentic country performers would work with Dale Watson to bring more attention and legitimacy to the Ameripolitan Awards. The artists nominated and honored by Watson & co. are putting out the best country music available.
Bruce
August 19, 2022 @ 3:52 pm
I miss the “traditional country music”. I wish all this new stuff would adopt a new genre and take the name “country” right out,. The new stuff is more pop, it doesn’t even attempt to follow country roots.
Strait Country 81
February 1, 2020 @ 12:09 pm
The irony of saying this on a podcast with Martina.
Woogeroo
February 3, 2020 @ 2:34 am
Yeah Martina went very pop for sure… but at least she can sing live unlike a lot of these supposed ‘singers’.
Hey Arnold
February 1, 2020 @ 12:18 pm
Can anyone share their Luminary podcast account password with me? I would love to check out Martina’s podcast, but I don’t want to sign up for anything….
Hey Arnold
February 1, 2020 @ 4:12 pm
At Trig, maybe you can share your Luminary account with all of your loyal readers?? ☺
Trigger
February 1, 2020 @ 6:16 pm
I don’t have a luminary account.
SG
February 2, 2020 @ 8:40 am
How bout your Netflix? I have some shows to get caught up on.
SG
February 1, 2020 @ 12:36 pm
I don’t disagree, and I don’t want to diminish anyone’s effort to “save” a genre. Yes, some people can have an effect, like Trigger directing countless people such as myself to good, actual, country music. But I think market forces are far greater. Critics, industry people, and other gatekeepers have an effect, but ultimately the market wants what it wants. Yes there’s manipulation by the industry but ultimately I think the listener has the most power. Especially now with the interwebs.
That said, even if it ever mostly dies, that doesn’t necessarily make fighting the good fight any less important, to many people.
Lil Dale is alive and at are brekfest taball every day of the week
February 1, 2020 @ 12:40 pm
may be she shud just shut that mouth up n get back in the kichen n fix me up sum supper wut about Sturgill Simpsons and Chris Stapelton’s they aint country? wut about Turn Pike Trubanders and Koe Wetzell? they aint country? hell wut about are very own Trigg and Fuzzy and RD? they aint country? seems like this ole gal shud do a lil reserch befor she says stuff like that country music is alive n well down here as far as I no
wayne
February 1, 2020 @ 4:52 pm
Seriously?
Yes I Said It
February 1, 2020 @ 4:59 pm
But spelling and coherent respectful communication is apparently dead down there
RD
February 1, 2020 @ 7:34 pm
I met a movie star and ran off to L.A.
I’ve been eating tapas and doing yoga.
Justin
February 2, 2020 @ 5:14 pm
Sturgill is an annoying liberal.
Anthony
February 1, 2020 @ 12:45 pm
She’s right — on Music Row and country radio, there are a lot of emperors with no clothes. Or, at least, artists hiding out in the wrong genre for their music because it’s an easier road for them than competing in the genres in which their music actually belongs. The thing I don’t understand is, how come, say, Jon Pardi wouldn’t be welcome on R&B/hip hop or pop charts/radio, and yet literally any act seems to be welcome in country, especially if they’re Nashville based? Mainstream country needs more self respect and gatekeepers.
Hey Arnold
February 2, 2020 @ 2:18 am
Jon Pardi did say he wouldn’t be fully opposed to do a Motown/Soul inspired album one day…. I’m sure he was kidding but Heartache on the Dance Floor did have an element of Motown in it …. And if Jon ever did, I’m sure he wouldn’t label it “country” , he has too much respect for the genre.
Buzz Meeks
February 1, 2020 @ 2:41 pm
Loretta Lynn is one of the GOATS. If you disagree, we can’t be friends. The end.
Nick
February 1, 2020 @ 4:55 pm
She’s definitely one of the all time greats. However, I think she’s a little off base with this assessment. Sure, a scroll through the radio dial would lead anyone to the conclusion that country music is a thing of the past, but you and I both know better. She’s no stranger to indie and underground efforts. For Gods sake wasn’t she signed to Third Man at one point?
I’ll even make the claim that independent country music is SO good that it’s fans have the luxury of nitpicking it on this website til we’re all blue in the face. We got a good thing going here, and I’m not sure that Ms Lynn has a proper understanding of that. God bless her either way
Trigger
February 1, 2020 @ 8:20 pm
This topic comes up every time one of these quotes from a big-named artist come down the pike. Most certainly saying something like “country music is dead” should come with qualifying points. But Loretta Lynn is 87-years-old. Sometimes they’re just reacting to something they are asked like Loretta did here as opposed to running to the press to offer their opinion. Loretta was asked, and she spoke her mind. She certainly must known of some independent artists doing country the right way. But I almost think that goes without saying. Loretta is talking about the mainstream.
THass
February 2, 2020 @ 12:47 pm
I took it as the Mecca of Nashville is dead. The institution that she grew up on and developed her career with is gone.
That doesn’t mean that the genre as a whole is dead, Texas/Red Dirt is thriving, and Nashville is propped up on its corpse by ownership in radio.
It’s like watching your favorite sports team lose all their stars and suck for years.
THass
February 2, 2020 @ 12:48 pm
*and the ownership isn’t doing anything to help grow the team
Pam
February 2, 2020 @ 6:36 pm
She has alzheimers let her rant..she may be a hall of Famer but really when she last have chart topping hit on radio…
David
February 1, 2020 @ 3:14 pm
I think “fighting mad” is a bit of an overstatement. Seems to me she’s saying it more in the matter-of-fact way she’s said things her whole career. And she did later make a Facebook post acknowledging that she knows there are younger artists trying to carry the torch.
Tina Younger
February 1, 2020 @ 3:24 pm
Lorretta Lynnis a legend,and one of the best voices to speak out on this subject.Maybe her voice will ignite a fire, much respect.
DJ
February 1, 2020 @ 4:49 pm
She’s acquainted with Emi Sunshine who is relatively obscure, so I’m pretty sure she’s quite aware of non mainstream music- none the less her opinion is valued.
Ian Daniel Barnes
February 1, 2020 @ 5:05 pm
This isn’t the entire quote, she does acknowledge the artists who are keeping it alive but not getting airtime.
Hey Arnold
February 1, 2020 @ 9:51 pm
Besides this website, TVBytheNumbers was my favorite website.. And after 13 years of reporting TV ratings and news, they are ending their site due to the “ever changing nature of the online publishing business” . .. I was shocked by the news.
All I’m saying is I hope Trig will continue onward with this site for many years to come. To me, it seems like this website is a passion project for Trig. And I hope his passion never fades.
NPC
February 2, 2020 @ 12:49 pm
Ugh, thank you for the heads up on TV by the Numbers; I had no idea. It is sad to see another casualty of media/tech conglomerate consolidation. It is odd to consider that Jump The Shark’s demise into a TVGuide.com landing page was the first harbinger of our current media discussion landscape. The death of the IMDb message boards was a huge loss, and the gutting of Box Office Mojo’s tried-and-true format was devastating. Big Corporate does not understand the value of community discussion within its own halls, and a Facebook comments section can never build the same community of websites and forums. For what it’s worth, ShowBuzzDaily is still around, but it’s no TV by the Numbers.
Tunesmiff
February 2, 2020 @ 2:56 am
You know you can’t turn a ship on a dime, and while it seems the SS Country Music is slowly swinging its bow back to its true heading, it’s still good to have someone knowledgeable on the bridge keeping an eye out for the shoals…
Brian B
February 2, 2020 @ 9:07 am
The likes of Jade Jack and Mo Pitney may be leading the way.
Dobe Daddy
February 2, 2020 @ 7:46 am
Hail to the Queen!
Kathy
February 2, 2020 @ 8:58 am
Crossover hits are evidently valued, as ppl buy them. “Pure country” still valued as well. My concern is that female singers cannot get enough airtime, whether on public channels or Sirius radio. I have to specifically search for a playlist on spotify to accomplish this. I want songbirds, not a guy who talks his way thru an ode to his pickup truck
albert
February 2, 2020 @ 7:01 pm
…… with all institutions , new blood invariably must find its way into administration roles and the institution of COUNTRY music is no different…… with one exception : the points of reference for that new blood are so removed from the traditions that it becomes nearly impossible for them to understand the ‘language ‘ of the institution /business .
likewise with young ‘country’ artists. so many will admit to growing up on 80’s metal or the 90’s boy bands or reference southern rock as influences that REAL country is almost a foreign concept to them and one they don’t honestly understand . for that reason , its difficult to lay blame except to educate these young folks to the fact that what they are CALLING country is a huge misnomer . but THAT is at least a starting point . differentiating .
Big Little Town , Luke Bryan , Aldean etc….they all probably think they are COUNTRY artists . the industry will tell them they are and younger listeners simply accept what they’re told , themselves having no reference . no one speaks the language of REAL country music .. or seems aware that there IS a different language being spoken today .
the country loretta refers to is REAL country music ….about the country and , for the most part , made by people FROM that experience . if you want to be an authentic COUNTRY artist you first have to understand the difference between what the industry calls country today and what it actually is .you need to get educated so that you can proceed accordingly and stop deceiving yourself due to ignorance.
loretta is right , of course . REAL country music in terms of mainstream IS dead . dead commercially . I think that right now the first step in keeping the genre alive is to educate a younger industry -artists, radio , labels and listeners , about the difference between COUNTRY music and music CALLING itself ‘ country ‘ . saving country music , IMO , means younger artists and the industry have to first admit that contrary to what they might think , they are NOT playing COUNTRY music.
Bear
February 2, 2020 @ 11:04 pm
Ironically or coincidentally returning to the roots of country would be an evolution for country music right now.
Travis
February 3, 2020 @ 12:37 am
It’s almost cliche now to talk about how bad country is nowadays, and that you only like REAL country and it that fake radio crap. Yes we know. Country radio is awful. But Cody, Tyler, Chris, Mike, Whitey, Evan, Ward, the ghost of Sturgill Simpson and many many others would like to argue country is dead
James
February 3, 2020 @ 7:50 am
In the 1950’s, country fans complained that country music was dead because fiddles were no longer as prominent and both drums and steel guitar (brought over from Hawaii) were infiltrating country music. Drums and steel guitar were seen as non-country elements brought into, and diluting, “real” country music.
In the 1960’s, country fans complained about the strings which were becoming prevalent in the songs of Ray Price, Eddie Arnold and Jim Reeves.
In the 1970’s, Waylon and Willie headed up the Outlaw movement, which was viewed by some as a turn away from authentic country music.
In the late 70’s and early 80’s, Eddie Rabbitt and Ronnie Milsap were bringing pop elements into country music, and country fans were complaining, and longing for the days of steel guitar and Willie and Waylon.
In the 90’s, Garth comes in, and they’re complaining about his rock-style live shows.
Here in the 21st century, country fans still complain that “real” country music no longer exists, and in the ultimate irony, they long for the days of steel guitars, Eddy Arnold, Ray Price, Willie, Waylon, etc.
It should be noted that Loretta was a close friend, and duet partner, with Conway Twitty, who had multiple hits with remakes of pop songs such as “Heartache Tonight”, “The Rose” “Rest Your Love on Me” (a Bee Gees song), “Slow Hand”, and many others.
The truth is that country music, like all other forms of music is evolving. And thank goodness it has. I have no desire to hear a lot of stuff that sounds like country sounded the way it did in the 1930’s.
Now, if Loretta’s point is that much of modern country sucks, that’s a different topic. Luke Bryan, Florida-Georgia Line, and Jason Aldean would be horrible no matter what era their songs were being played in.
Loretta Twitty
February 3, 2020 @ 12:07 pm
I have days where I’m 110% in agreement with Ms.Loretta. It’s sad/frustrating what people are doing in the name of progress. As much as I love the artists featured on this site, “saving” country needs to be a mainstream deal, as far as country charts/radio go. I know people who love country music but wouldnt read a blog or listen to an edgy internet source to discover anything. I’m rambling, so back to work I go.
leon tetter
February 4, 2020 @ 11:11 am
well people like you is the reason it dead
leon tetter
February 4, 2020 @ 11:08 am
I THINK THE OLD COUNTRY SINGERS WHO GO TO THE AWARDS SHOWS SUPPORT THAT CRAP THE PLAY TODAY I KNOW LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE HIM BUT GARTH BROOKS STARTED THIS CRAP YOU HERE ON RADIO TODAY DO LIKE I DID GET xm AND TUNE INTO 49 AND GET ALL THE REAL COUNTRY iam so pissed i can,t even spell
James
February 4, 2020 @ 11:58 am
Welp, here’s proof of what i was talking about. 1991 article about Merle spends time complaining that newer (at the time) stars like Reba and Strait and Alan Jackson don’t have talent.
https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/merles-looking-haggardreal-country-stars-are-playing-second-fiddle-to-matinee-idols-6411681
Trigger
February 4, 2020 @ 12:08 pm
I’ve talked about this very thing on the site numerous times. There will always be fights over what country music is, and people worried that it’s going too far from its roots. It a battle of evermore, and is healthy, and normal, predates the early 90’s by a long shot, and will never change.
James
February 4, 2020 @ 12:57 pm
I’ve talked about it here a few times, as well. Knowing country music history, knowing that fans once complained about steel guitars, about Ray Price, about Willie, about Patsy as not being “real” country, and then turning around and longing for those very things, is a consistent theme, as you point out. It’s also kinda silly.
James
February 4, 2020 @ 12:59 pm
I meant to add:
But this article provides for us a clear example of someone deriding as “no talent” the very artists they now are clamoring for.
Dennis Williams
February 4, 2020 @ 12:12 pm
Lorettas right, and bold enough to say it out loud. I loved mainstream country radio for years, but I dont care for it anymore, as I feel the core instrument values of what made a song great or an artist stand out, are gone now. I know people are still making tradidional country, but in the 60s, 70’s 80’s and even 90’s, it all went on mainstream country radio. Not now. And Lorettas not the only artist talking about it either. Charlie Daniels had some things to say recently, and I agreed with him. Every one sounds alike, and to me it blase. There needs to be a concerted effort to revive true country music.
Bruce Bremer
February 7, 2020 @ 6:31 am
The slow death march began with the elimination of “western” from “country and western”.