So Margo Price is Playing Saturday Night Live
Margo Price has now officially pulled off the mother of all coup d’états for an independent country artist. Announced on Thursday (3/31), she will be the featured musical guest on Saturday Night Live on April 9th. You can stack this on top of numerous other late night TV show appearances Margo has scored, as well as prominent placement in major outlets like NPR, top billing at SXSW a couple of weeks ago, and a publicity push that is now driven her past the unprecedented status. This is all for an artist who’s actually been writing and performing for quite a while, but still ranks very very low in the name recognition department when you venture out of her general sphere of influence in gentrifying East Nashville.
Margo Price playing SNL is not just a result of the incredible resources that have rallied behind her and her new album Midwest Farmers Daughter, it also speaks to some bigger trends in music at the moment.
Chris Stapleton is Opening Doors
We theorize all of the time about what it means when a good song, or a good album or artist catches fire. With the overwhelming success of Chris Stapleton, we’re now seeing the results. Booking agents for some of the biggest stages, including SNL (where Stapleton played earlier this year), are not dismissing country acts outright like they used to, they’re looking for that next cool, hip act that could catch fire like Stapleton and Sturgill Simpson have, and hope folks remember where they heard or saw them first once they get big.
This isn’t just about one or two artists. More traditional and independent country artists are getting opportunities like never before all across the entertainment landscape. If there’s any last holdout, it’s mainstream country radio. Everyone else has come on board.
Third Man Records’ Foray Into Country Is No Lark
They’re all in baby, and their pushing their chips on Margo Price’s number and not looking back. This isn’t just a side project to test the waters. They’re in it to win it. Whether we will see more country acts sign to the label, and get the same amount of oomph behind them as Margo is getting remains to be seen, but for the moment, the Nashville-based label is certainly worth watching as a potential force in country music in the future.
Shore Fire Media—the publicity company behind Margo Price—also deserves credit, if not the majority of the credit, for being able to sell Margo to these major entities as someone they need to give a chance.
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But I have to be honest with you ladies and gentlemen, and this is one of those situations where I have to play the mean, blowhard blogger than nobody likes, but says what many people are thinking: this all feels like too much, too soon for Margo Price. And that’s not just my opinion. That is the opinion of others. And I say this not as a criticism of Margo Price. What, is she supposed to turn this opportunity down? Of course not. I’m happy that Margo Price has been extended this chance to shine on a national stage, and independent traditional country along with it. This is a huge boon. I like Margo Price. But when the marketing for an artist precedes the music, especially for an independent artist, it can sometimes lead to resentment, suspicion, and not the commercial results some people think it will, or that justifies all of the hype.
Look at how all of these great music franchises that are now selling out theaters left and right like Sturgill Simpson, Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, the The Avett Bros., Shakey Graves, and the Alabama Shakes got it done. It all happened for them organically, not by playing some big stage or a nationally-televised event or show. That national helped them along the way after they had already created a groundswell through word of mouth.
As I said in my review for Margo Price’s Midwest Farmer’s Daughter, “Perhaps a little bit more was hoped for from this record, especially for the hype and promotion it has received ahead of time.” And that was before she’ll become one of the first ever independent artists to play Saturday Night Live. When hype is media driven, and not listener driven, and people are looking at charts and stats and asking “why Margo?”, it makes people worried they’re watching something that isn’t real.
Third Man Records and Shore Fire Media are attempting to manufacture the next Chris Stapleton. They think now’s the time, and they’re striking while the iron’s hot, calling in favors, exploiting cozy relationships with media members to go all out for Margo. But if it will actually work remains a very big question.
There’s a song on Margo’s new album called “This Town Gets Around” about the inherent unfairness of the country music business and Nashville. Margo and many others have been the victims of this system for many years, and don’t let anyone tell you Margo’s a “new” artist. As I said in my Midwest Farmer’s Daughter review:
This is not a debut. Though Margo may be new to the world outside of East Nashville, she moved to town from Illinois when she was 20, some dozen years ago. She played in the band Buffalo Clover who released their first album in 2010, and has boasted folks like Sturgill Simpson and “Cousin” Kenny Vaughan in her “Price Tags” backing band. She’s not wet behind the ears…
But this doesn’t mean that Margo Price deserves to cut in line. Now it feels like that same unfair system is attempting to gerrymander Margo into superstardom, and has done so by hopscotching dozens of other artists throughout music who are more worthy and have proven themselves much more than Margo Price. They needed to let this thing develop a little bit. The marketing has been ahead of Margo from the very beginning.
Simply put, the numbers for Margo Price are not developing. Multiple appearances on late night talk shows already, a massive media push, major exposure at SXSW, and right now her stats result in a whimper. Beyond East Nashville and a few NPR listeners, there’s just no organic groundswell behind Margo Price at the moment like we saw when Leon Bridges got his big opportunity on Saturday Night Live a while back. How many copies of Midwest Farmer’s Daughter have been sold? We don’t know yet exactly, but according to HITS Daily Double‘s building albums chart, Margo doesn’t even register in the Top 50 at the moment, and again, that is with an incredible, arguably unprecedented press push for an independent artist. Grimey’s in Nashville may have sold out of all of their copies, but 99.9% of Americans have no clue who Margo Price is.
Normally, I would never ever even bring up these kinds of subjects about an artist that seems very tiny in the industry at them moment. These types of big questions are the things you don’t want to lump on the shoulders of a smaller artist, and I certainly don’t feel comfortable doing this. But if you’re going to get such a hot spotlight shined onto you, if you’re going to get these type of huge opportunities over other artists who’ve proven themselves on big stages, and proven their music is resonant and defining of a time and place, then the scrutiny on your career is going to screw down tighter.
I want Margo Price to succeed. And come April 9th, I will be planted in front of my television screen with two pom pom’s in my hand cheering for Margo and independent traditional country music getting an opportunity in front of a big national audience. This is a huge moment for Margo, and I am super happy it is being bestowed to her. But I can’t help but see that this is yet another sign that the smarmy, unfair environment that pervades the mainstream music industry in Nashville is encroaching into the independent realm like never before. My only hope is that Margo’s career isn’t ultimately hindered by it. Frankly, I hope she benefits from it. Because she’s good enough to be heard by more people.
Leave your comments on how I’m a sexist below.
Fuzzy TwoShirts
April 1, 2016 @ 9:45 am
wow. This is a huge opportunity for her, and all of Country Music is better for it. I hope she brings her best material (which means something other than “Hurting on the Bottle.)
As for whether the media push will work… I expect it to. She’s not as talented as somebody like Dawn Sears, but she’s a heck of a lot more talented than Cole Swindell and Sam Hunt, and marketing worked out big for those guys.
If Stapleton’s success is any indicator of how people respond to authentic music, then Margo Price has a very good shot at the top once she gets some money and influence arranged.
Jordan K
April 1, 2016 @ 9:50 am
“she’s good enough to be heard by more people.”
I agree with you in the whole article, but I do hate when it seems like companies and people with the big dollar bills are trying to capitalize on a movement and trends rather than just good music, so when somebody in the same vein comes along looking for a chance they jump on it, maybe a little bit prematurely, which I believe is pretty much what you’re getting at.
But if she is good enough to be heard by more people, then maybe it’ll all end up good and well, even though the intentions seem to be more than a little disingenuous.
I’ll definitely be tuning in, appreciate the tip off.
Jim Bob
April 1, 2016 @ 10:26 am
Isn’t she on Jack White’s label though? I’m pretty sure he’s done more than enough in his career to show he’s all about the good music before the money. Hell, he’s already done more good for country music than most of the mainstream country douche bags combined.
Jordan K
April 1, 2016 @ 11:39 am
Sure maybe so. I don’t know the specifics. Maybe he truly believes in her music.
Caleb Caudle
April 1, 2016 @ 10:12 am
I really only see this as a great thing. I may be a bit biased though. Her band is bringing it right now. Been fun to watch. She works her ass off.
Notorious DIZ
April 1, 2016 @ 3:06 pm
Looking forward to your set tonight in Virginia. Love the new album.
Iron O
April 1, 2016 @ 10:25 am
Let me preface by saying I grew up in the same town as Margo, and our grandparents lived about a mile from each other in Buffalo Prairie…..I have also worked in country/americana radio since 1990….That said, Twitch, I think saying she is not as deserving as others is unfair…She’s been doing this for many, many years. and the album is a damn good debut record, with very solid writing and arrangements. I also feel that Third Man is sincere about the music, with the push behind it. However, I think you pose a good question regarding the publicity and working of this album…In this day and age of the minimal attention span, did the push start too early? There’s a very good chance of a disconnect when one sees an artist, but cannot download or order the record immediately. Since the record is now out, I certainly hope that the SNL appearance translates into many more fans….
Ags Connolly
April 1, 2016 @ 10:27 am
Very good article. Agree with every word.
Erik North
April 1, 2016 @ 10:35 am
I agree that there is an inherent danger in putting Margo into a situation where it could seem like she is being overhyped, even though I think her talent and her musical style are genuine, in terms of both the image and, above all else, the reality of who she is as an artist. Her handlers really have to be careful because, as has been said, it can seem like it’s too much, too soon. And we know how in the past hype has either destroyed other artists or made them into egomaniacal monsters.
This is just my opinion, but I think Margo will be at least smart enough not to let all of this go to her head, and to just hunker down and get down to the business of putting her old-school honky-tonk style out there. She should just take the opportunities like the Saturday Night Live gig as they come but stick to the music and not let the press or the powers-that-be, whether in Nashville or New York, dictate how or who she ought to be. If she does that, then I think the success will come, and the fans will as well.
Trigger
April 1, 2016 @ 11:20 am
The very specific reason I wrote this article is because I have seen with my own two eyes where artists have been over-marketed, over-extended beyond the organic reach of their music, and it has destroyed or significantly hindered their careers. It’s a classic music business mistake. And I don’t want to see that happen with Margo Price. And I hope it doesn’t.
Margo herself tweeted out in response to my article, “Not everyone’s gonna like what I do & I’m used to that. I’m not aiming to please everyone.”
But I NEVER said I didn’t like her music. I knew writing this article there were going to be some folks who would misconstrue what I was saying because that’s the way things go. But my intention was nothing more than to offer a warning of what I’m seeing.
And this concern is not solely derived from my brain. I am seeing many folks with similar concerns about this, including people in the music industry. That’s why I felt it would be constructive to broach the subject, even though I knew it would ruffle feathers.
If you try to take music and shove it down people’s throats, especially independent fans, you’re running the risk of them resenting you for it.
I hope Margo’s SNL gig is overwhelmingly successful, and springboards her to better things. But there’s one reason, and one reason only that she got this opportunity: someone knew someone else.
Erik North
April 3, 2016 @ 4:57 pm
I happen to agree with a lot of your points here, Trigger. They are very good ones. Overhype is not a great thing, especially not for an “indie” artist like Margo.
What I think her point is that she knows she is going to be a hard artist to sell anyway in this day and age of Bro-Country/Metro-Bro, when her style is rooted in what was happening in Bakersfield and outlying parts of L.A. during the late 1960s–a style that, unfortunately, so many country music fans of today don’t seem to know or care too much about. I feel that she will try to take an approach that just presents her sound as it is, and let the chips fall where they may. At least it’s an honest way of doing things and her being true to herself, rather than the blatant pandering that so many country artists do (IMHO).
Charlie
April 1, 2016 @ 10:38 am
Not your best April Fools joke, I’m afraid. 1 1/2 guns down
My favorites?–I like the electric canoe paddle, and resurrecting extinct species only to make jerky out of them:
http://www.ely.org/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFFRL5DDAxI
I do covet the hipster map, however (Austin and Portland should be all green, though):
http://www.trulia.com/blog/trends/hipster-hotspots/
(But seriously–considering that SNL would surely have no compunction about booking the current/next Ashlee Simpson, then any Country/Americana/Bluegrass/ act that gets on the show has my undiminished admiration and support.)
#GoMargo
#The(Margo)PriceIsRight
Steffan May
April 1, 2016 @ 10:51 am
I hope she plays “hands of time” on SNL. Best song on the album IMO.
Trigger
April 1, 2016 @ 11:21 am
At 6+ minutes that would be hard to swing, but I agree that’s one of the best songs on the album. Perhaps she could edit some verses down, but that may take away from the spirit of the song.
richk
April 1, 2016 @ 11:25 am
I get what you’re saying but isn’t this the best case scenario for a new traditional country artist? Many first-hit wonders have hit the stages of SNL and late night shows. It’s a good club to be in. Be optimistic, I think, rather than fearing the worst. Momentum seems to be building in very positive directions….
Trigger
April 1, 2016 @ 1:21 pm
Margo Price has already played Colbert and Conan.
I think Margo will do great, and I hope the exposure lends to big success for her. If anything, this opportunity is so big, it may result in a big bump, regardless of how they get her on the show. I’m rooting for Margo’s success. But with artists like Shakey Graves, Shovels & Rope, the Alabama Shakes, Sturgill, Stapleton, Isbell, The Avett’s and many others, there was a serious groundswell behind them, and then these types of opportunities came. I’m not saying that the groundswell isn’t coming, I’m just saying it hasn’t come yet. Let this thing develop. They are way out ahead of it. Is it good that an independent traditional country artist is going to be on SNL? Of course it is, and I’m super happy about that. But it happened because someone talked to someone, which is the same buddy system that keeps other independent artists down, and the same system we complain about that puts all the worst mainstream artists at the front of the line.
Aaron
April 1, 2016 @ 11:47 am
I think she’s great — as I said to you in email last week — but I can think of quite a few better artists who I wish would get half a hard a push as her. She’s not nearly as interesting as Sarah Shook, for example. It just goes to show it’s about who you know not who you are. That said, I hope she becomes a big star. However, my gut feeling is that she won’t, and the take-away for the Nashville machine won’t be, “oh well, she just wasn’t as good as we thought she is, let’s try another,” it will be “see? see? This ‘real country’ shit is just a flash in the pan, now get back to work and find me the next Florida Georgia Line.”
hoptowntiger94
April 1, 2016 @ 11:59 am
Ha! I said the same thing about Sarah Shook. I thought getting my hands on that album in January (thanks to Trig’s review) was going to temper my excitement for MFD, but it just soften the edges. I like them both.
Trig is always stating ‘year of the woman,’ but this year may finally be it, maybe.
Aaron
April 1, 2016 @ 12:06 pm
I also think Lydia Loveless is outstanding. My complaint is not that Margo Price is getting a push, it’s just that.. after a fews years of awesome women performers (Lyndi Ortega… Rosie and the Ramblers… Holly Williams…), when one of them is getting a HUGE PUSH, I was so stoked to hear it, because I figured it would clearly be even better then any of them. And it’s ok. It’s better then ok, really, it’s good. It’s better then good, it’s great by Nashville standards. But it’s not HOLY SHIT! This freaking ROCKS. I get HOLY SHIT THIS KICKS ASS from Sarah Shook. I hope this is the start of a trend and Nashville keeps looking and that Margo Price wins artist of the year, etc.
hoptowntiger94
April 1, 2016 @ 11:54 am
I feel like she’s paid her dues the past 12 years. I don’t mind her cutting in line, but I do love Midwest Farmer’s Daughter more than most so I’m biased.
cat dirt
April 1, 2016 @ 11:55 am
First of all, I think this a very healthy dialogue to have and I want to commend all the other commenters for the level of discourse, which is well advanced beyond I am used to seeing on other music blogs.
Also, I thought your post was very thoughtful and worth reading, and I take many of your points.
I write to address this statement only, “Simply put, the numbers for Margo Price are not developing. Multiple appearances on late night talk shows already, a massive media push, major exposure at SXSW, and right now her stats result in a whimper. Beyond East Nashville and a few NPR listeners, there”™s just no organic groundswell behind Margo Price at the moment like we saw when Leon Bridges got his big opportunity on Saturday Night Live a while back. How many copies of Midwest Farmer”™s Daughter have been sold?”
If you look at a summary of this week’s billboard chart, available at billboard.com, you will see that the current chart (April 9th) released today, covers the period of time between March 18th and March 24th. Margo Price’s LP was released on March 25th. So, at the very least, you should await the results of next weeks chart, which will contain her first week sales, before making such an assertion as you do in this post.
I would also take issue with your analysis that, “there is no organic groundswell…[of support]” To give but one publically viewable example, her Facebook post from yesterday announcing her SNL appearance has 1300+ likes, 276 shares and 158 comments. For an Artist with 8000 facebook fans, this is direct evidence that there is an organic groundswell of support, otherwise those social media statistics would be much lower, in line with her lower total followers.
Honestly, I think your take will simply be better informed, whether pro or con, after her first week sales figures are actually announced. You seem to think that that information has already been announced, and it has not.
Trigger
April 1, 2016 @ 1:30 pm
Hey Cat Dirt,
You’re totally right I don’t have the benefit of the Billboard charts to see what kind of sales impact the album is had, but neither does SNL. That’s my point. Right now we have no data to say there’s some sort of groundswell going behind Margo Price at the moment. If anything, the data says that there isn’t.
Also, you cut out my quote before including the critical part that answers your own question. From Above:
“We don”™t know yet exactly, but according to HITS Daily Double”˜s building albums chart, Margo doesn”™t even register in the Top 50 at the moment, and again, that is with an incredible, arguably unprecedented press push for an independent artist.”
So you’re right. We still have to wait and see. But so far, I’m not seeing anything to indicate that Margo Price is blowing up as an artist. And hey, that’s okay. But the fact that so many people are telling me how she’s changing country music and she’s the next big thing, clearly the echo chamber is going full force, and I’m just trying to caution everyone to slow the roll a little bit.
I hope Margo sold well. I feel like some folks think I’m rooting against her when it’s the exact opposite. But I also don’t want to see folks get misled with marketing. It will be very interesting to see where her numbers end up.
Cosmic Cowboy
April 1, 2016 @ 12:11 pm
I have to say that Margo can handle what comes her way in her own way as she has done to this point. Let it all play out and I am willing to bet she will be right there with Sturgill and Stapelton years from now as the new outlaws who broke all the rules and sent Nashville into a tailspin once again. I have seen this before and trust me, I know I am right about this. Sit back,relax,and don’t get to into the theory of all it can be and let it be what it is. But I got to say Trigger, you got a great mind and a great outlook,as well as good taste. But this old man says let it Ride and grab on for the thrill. The change is coming and it’s raining traditional outlaw.
Bigfoot is Real (lonesome, on'ry, and mean)
April 1, 2016 @ 12:33 pm
I am cool with her being on SNL considering all the other commercial crap they have on. Better one than none. Now go get those pom poms and just enjoy…
Oh, also want to say that I agree with some of the previous commenters that Sarah Shook development is going to be intriguing. I really love what she is doing right now.
Trigger
April 1, 2016 @ 1:34 pm
The fact that the hype machine and echo chamber gets so riled up behind manufactured buzz is the reason Sarah Shook and other artists like her are still struggling, and Margo Price is getting more opportunities than anyone. Sarah Shook has proven just as much organic interest as Margo, and the girl who has the album we’re all going to be talking about at the end of the year is Dori Freeman. But unfortunately, neither has Third Man and Shore Fire Media shaking hands and making deals for them.
Scott
April 1, 2016 @ 2:19 pm
This seems to be the crux of your argument. It’s not made out of any concern that she will be over marketed and her career hurt, you see other acts not getting their “deserved” shot and see her opportunities as taking away from theirs. And that is frankly a sad argument to make. Are you sure it isn’t you who is growing resentful? You basically said you weren’t as thrilled with her album as you thought you’d be. And you specifically said she’s cutting the line, as if that were a thing. In the end you got me to click on your article so you accomplished something.
cat dirt
April 1, 2016 @ 9:07 pm
Third Man is great and all, but your hypothesis that they are some kind of steam roller is risible. If you take a look at their discography, I defy you to identify an artist that they have “broke” to use the common industry term. It’s a fact that Third Man signed Margo because her slide guitar player, who also works at Grimeys, approached Ben Swank in a bar in Nashville, that’s hardly a shadowy industry cabal type move. Hiring Sure Fire media was a savvy move no doubt, but it is the same thing that dozens of indies do every year (hire outside pr because they don’t have their own pr set up.)
Timing is everything in life, not just in the music industry, and it’s ridiculous to begrudge Third Man or Sure Fire their earned success simply because their timing was acute.
kross
April 1, 2016 @ 12:55 pm
this is bad, real bad. You know who watches SNL for the music? Dirty hipsters, that’s who. Dirty hipsters who have to look at an outdated, left wing, shallow, vapid show like SNL just to figure out what’s cool. Margo is the real deal, and deserves a long career, but when you pander to the SNL crowd without the organic ground swell that you speak of, she’ll only get to be as popular as the low attention having, easily distracted, low information hipsters allow her to be.
Tex019
April 1, 2016 @ 1:06 pm
I was having a nice relaxing afternoon at work. Then, I notice Twitter blowup. Man, there are some passionate people who care about what it means to engage in true art.
Lunchbox
April 1, 2016 @ 1:11 pm
who is the guest host that night? i wonder if we’ll get to see Margo in a skit?
Trigger
April 1, 2016 @ 1:42 pm
Russell Crowe.
Lunchbox
April 1, 2016 @ 8:06 pm
ehh. probably going to skip it. i’ll just have to hope youtube has her songs
Shannon
April 1, 2016 @ 1:14 pm
I wondered about the same thing over the last couple of months. I was surprised by the build-up and how early it started. It feel like I had March 25th on my calendar for ages. But as the hype increased, I began to think that it might lead to an irritated or let-down response by listeners when it finally arrived. I REALLY want there to be a female indie/outlaw-country songwriter that is received with the same respect as Sturgill or Chris Stapleton, and was guilty of hoping that she would be the one. But regardless of whether she is that kind of talent, it feels like her momentum has been thrown out of whack somehow.
(Meanwhile, I definitely won’t be calling you sexist…your blog is how I discovered most of my favorite female country musicians the past couple of years (today I get to add Sarah Shook to that list), and I really appreciate the way you tackle some of the issues women in music deal with. For example: https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/cma-is-all-talk-when-it-comes-to-including-females-in-festival-lineup/.)
Trigger
April 1, 2016 @ 1:42 pm
See this is the thing: it’s not that Margo Price’s music is not good, or that she doesn’t even deserve this opportunity. But when everywhere you go, all you hear is about how amazing Margo Price is, how she’s going to change country music and be the next Chris Stapleton, it’s almost inevitable you’re going to be somewhat let down. I addressed this specifically in my review of her album. Good album, but it sounded like the chinsed on the mixing and mastering. Maybe some of that went into marketing, I don’t know, but it’s just being so incredibly hyped, and I’m just not seeing the organic results. And so what happens sometimes is people either tune her out, or in some cases, resentment builds in. I was already seeing this a week ago from readers and listeners. Now, this SNL just confirms everything.
I think Margo is a strong woman and will have a successful career regardless of what happens. And she has worked hard for many years to earn these opportunities. But nothing replaces word of mouth, especially these days. And the words I want people using about Margo should be about her music, not how she seems to have hopscotched to the front of the line, and is benefiting from preferential treatment due to who is behind her.
Kevin Combs
April 1, 2016 @ 1:34 pm
I missed the hype…saw Margo, completely unbeknownst to me, perform a knockout 40 minute set at SXSW. SOLD!- I’m an instant believer. She’s got the goods, plenty of knocks behind her and a fine future ahead. No overnight sensation. Preparing my pompoms.
Don
April 1, 2016 @ 1:54 pm
I get what you are saying. I think some folks get a bit hard headed when you are talking about “their” person.
Trigger
April 2, 2016 @ 9:00 am
I don’t have a problem at all with people disagreeing with the position I took. What I do have a problem with is people saying that I don’t like Margo Price or her music, that this is a personal attack on her, that I’m incorrect in saying she hasn’t paid enough dues when I actually went out of my way to say that she has, when none of this was relevant to the conversation, or true to what I have said.
True music journalism is dead. That is why when anyone has the audacity to say something critical, they are demonized, and their position is painted in the extreme. The reason Margo fans are so passionate about this is because they know Margo personally, and she knows them. That’s because Margo’s fan base is still very small. Her fans are mad because they’ve never read anything negative about Margo or any of their favorite artists before. Contrast this between every other sector of the American economy: Movies, theater, food, sports, cars, consumer goods, technology. All of these things are criticized by journalists who are looking to lend to a discussion about the best way for things to move forward. But if you say a discouraging word in music, you are a villain, a bully, you must have an agenda and be jealous. And that’s why the worst music in America is also the most successful.
Jake W
April 1, 2016 @ 4:41 pm
He’s done it again. Nailed it. You should start another blog “destroying women’s careers in 300 words or less”. Before anyone gets too mad that is just a joke. Really, this marketing campaign shot itself in the foot, too much too soon as was said. Go watch the YouTube video where Sturgill Simpson’s team discuss their strategy to keep him relevant, independent and seem like only YOU are in on the secret. Now that seems pretty ingenious.
You and others keep saying Margo is a seasoned vet, super talented, been around forever, its just the system holding her down; at some point when its not convenient to continue to blame the system you’ll have to admit she is only mediocre. If you hang out in Nashville for over a decade, get lots of gigs but never make it there is a problem. Possibly, not probably, this could be her only chance, if she goes down she may lose her Nashville rebel status, something that is included in every article about her, basically its her most prominent feature. This feels too forced, hopefully she will succeed so we can have lucette, whitey, and the rest of the gang . I guess….
Jaimito
April 1, 2016 @ 5:42 pm
In the way of artists to watch, keep an ear to the ground. Word on the streets of Nashville, is that Luke Bell is working on another record. In fact, he just recently shot a video for one of the songs at Santa’s Pub. Definitely one to watch, as he spent last Summer on tour opening for the like of Dwight Yoakam and Hank, Jr.
GregN
April 2, 2016 @ 3:24 am
Thank you!
TJ
April 3, 2016 @ 2:08 pm
most definitely agree about luke bell. his new tune, “sometimes” is wonderful!
JohnWayneTwitty
April 1, 2016 @ 7:02 pm
Anyone who loves country music, yet thinks this is negative in ANY way, is an idiot. Exposure for a dead genre can only help revive it. It’s pure idiocy to think otherwise. It’s largely the fault of hyprocrite naysayers that country music has gotten decimated. “It’s good, but not as good as blah blah” has allowed the talentless radio bro fodder to take over. Every single positive step taken by real country music singers can only be a good thing. Fuck, country music dies more every day. We need to stop allowing that to happen and be appreciative of every opportunity for our beloved genre to hang on to its dignity.
“Forced”? Everything on the radio is forced. Everything that has contributed to the downfall of country music has been forced-down our throats and up our asses. If this seems “forced”, who cares? You have to start somewhere in saving country music.
Siri
April 2, 2016 @ 7:54 am
AMEN to that brother !
Applejack
April 2, 2016 @ 1:58 am
Well, my reaction to this announcement was simply that it was great and exciting news. I didn’t consider the possibility that it would be taken as anything other than that. And while I understand the underlying points the article is trying to get at, honestly, it did seem like it was presented in a way that needlessly stirred up acrimony, when at the end of the day this seems like a very positive thing.
I agree that the ideal scenario would be more for Margo to have more time to build momentum “organically” before rising to this level of media exposure, but obviously opportunities like this don’t come along every day. One problem with saying such-and-such an artist is “cutting line” is that, the music business isn’t really a “single file line” kind of deal, it’s a free-for-all.
Personally, as soon as I heard Margo Price was signing with Third Man Records, I immediately figured that she’d get big publicity boost simply due to her association with Jack White, and his status as a roots music tastemaker, and that she would likely “leapfrog” over other similar East Nashville artists in terms of popularity (not that that’s a bad thing.) Granted, I wouldn’t have expected her to land a spot on Saturday Night Live right out of the gate, although I think the SNL gig will work out well for her.
Ultimately, I think Margo will be fine, because at the end of the day, her music is good, she clearly has genuine talent.
Applejack
April 2, 2016 @ 2:06 am
For better or worse, I think what’s happening in country music right now is that it’s finally catching up to other genres in reaching the point where an artist can “break” merely via blogs and the internet, without any help of commercial radio, which first started happening in rock music around the turn of the millennium. (With bands like the White Stripes, coincidentally.) In retrospect, Sturgill was clearly the first artist to inaugurate this process taking hold in the country genre. Unfortunately one of the side effects of this promotional model is that leads to these “hype cycles” where an artist will suddenly go from being under the radar to being buzzed about on every blog and website; it just seems to be part pf the “hype machine” nature of internet media. My guess is, if this independent country / roots music movement truly catches on, Margo will not be the last artist to receive this kind of treatment, especially if labels and promoters catch wind of the fact that there’s actually money to be made in promoting this type of stuff.
The internet-driven “indie” promotional model may not be ideal, but I think pretty much everyone would agree that it’s much better than the previous way of doing things, in which corrupt corporate radio had near complete control over the genre.
Trigger
April 2, 2016 @ 8:39 am
” I think what”™s happening in country music right now is that it”™s finally catching up to other genres in reaching the point where an artist can “break” merely via blogs and the internet.”
Completely disagree. There are no more music blogs. Music blogs don’t exist. In country, roots, or anywhere. The few that are left like Saving Country Music are outliers and are seen as scandalous gadflies that need to die off like the rest of them have. 2015 was the end of the music blog. And the reason is because artists, labels, and publicists are working directly with the industry in handshake deals to push artists because Google killed the economics of the internet, and Margo Price is the perfect example of that. Sturgill Simpson would never be launched in this environment. That is why I think it is dangerous to anoint ANY artist, Margo Price or otherwise, through a gerrymandered system that’s all about how much money is being spent, and who you know. Furthermore, I think it can be ineffective for launching an artist. At least it so far has been ineffective from Margo Price. Perhaps the SNL gig is so big that she busts through, and I hope that’s the case. But Margo’s buzz has nothing to do with music blogs. It has to do with corporate-owned sites like Rolling Stone Country, and publicly-owned entities like NPR, cultivating cozy relationships with publicists and managers to help the industry launch artists. It’s just as smarmy as what happens in the mainstream, and I would be a hypocrite if I let it happen under my nose without addressing it.
Applejack
April 2, 2016 @ 6:23 pm
Interesting. Yes, I probably should have distinguished between “blogs” specifically and music websites like NPR and Rolling Stone, which I sort of mentally lumped all into the same category when I made my original comment. I do think the concept that country music has reached the point where artists can establish themselves without mainstream radio play is true. (Obviously.) But if I understand correctly, you’re saying the game has changed even in the time since Sturgill broke out, specifically due to the collapse of independent music blogs, just in the last couple years. Wow. If that’s so, I guess I hadn’t fully noticed, even though a couple of the other country music blogs similar to this one have shut down. For what it’s worth, I sometimes find it confusing as to what what constitutes a “blog’, since I often read music websites that are written like a casual personal blog on Live Journal or something, but the site is owned by some corporate media entity. I guess that speaks to the poor quality of internet journalism in general, though. What about those sort of “hipster-oriented” sites like Steregum, and the Consequence of Sound, and such? Are those blogs? Because I’ve noticed that a some of those sites do cover artists like Sturgill, Isbell, and so on.
Getting back to Margo Price, If it’s true that she’s the the beneficiary of some newly emerging, cloistered promotional system, I doubt she even realizes it, or intends to be that. (Not that you’re making that claim or anything, I’m just sayin’…) And, I do think her talent will ultimately win out. I wish there was to wish there was a way to broach these kind of topics without it turning into some kind of controversy, though.
albert
April 2, 2016 @ 7:58 am
Hmmmm….if Margo’s been in the trenches for 11 years with little traction and “suddenly ” the music consumer is gaga over rootsy , authentic , trad country music ( her ‘thing’ ) what better time is there going to be to go big or go home ? the more people aware of her and supporting her , the better her chances of making a second or third record and building momentum……no ? If this was a 16 year old artist I might have a slighly different opinion ….but this is a veteran artist who’s been given a world-class break due to the success of a few other veterans plying similar product . This is an opportunity anyone would jump on and rightly so , I believe. Its a chance worth taking at this point in her career given current listener awareness of the genre she is part of .
Trigger
April 2, 2016 @ 8:29 am
“if Margo”™s been in the trenches for 11 years with little traction and “suddenly ” the music consumer is gaga over rootsy , authentic , trad country music ( her ”˜thing”™ ) what better time is there going to be to go big or go home ?”
The problem is Albert, that’s not what’s going on. The consumer is not gaga over her music. There’s no indication of that. In fact the indications are to the contrary. Margo has already had multiple opportunities at large stages, on Colbert, on Conan, at SXSW, and the fan buzz has not risen to meet the media buzz. I’m not saying it won’t, but what I’m saying is that she had already been cutting in line before the SNL gig was announced in front of artists that HAVE proven they have that resonant buzz and there’s a groundswell behind them. I’m not saying that can’t happen for Margo Price, but it hasn’t yet. It’s all smoke and mirrors and a savvy media push. If were going to complain about mainstream artists who get pushed to the line not because of the talent level, but because of who they know and how much money is behind them, why would it be any different for Margo Price? If I didn’t say something here, I would be a hypocrite. I’m not saying Margo isn’t talented, but it wasn’t given the time to develop before crowing it the next big thing. The fix is in.
Coalminersgrandkid
April 2, 2016 @ 11:31 am
Completely agree. Here’s the problem: She’s got a good voice (at times genuinely soulful although some of those high notes can get pretty rough) and “Hands of Time” is a good song (although it’s pretty much just “Suzanne” by Cohen meets “Sunday Morning Coming Down”)… but the rest of it? Good karaoke with SEVERELY trite lyrics. So she can kinda sing like Loretta, Dolly, Tammy… so what? In today’s world of marketing, such a high premium is placed on whether you sound like the Greats. But the Greats already did it as good as it’s gonna be done. There’s nothing fresh or truly unique about Margo (past the fact that it’s “unique” for today’s climate). She’s just rehashing what Loretta already perfected vocally and attitude-wise 50 years ago. If you read between the lines in some of the interviews it sounds like she finally just resigned herself to making an “outlaw country” album because she realized it was a way to break in and get some hype. No one was listening before. Jack White was looking for someone, things lined up, and she got a big push and money behind her. As soon as the artists and the people with money realize it’s not the safe bets that are worth investing in, maybe the music climate will change for the better. It’s sad when you see another female artist like Nikki Lane who has been doing the outlaw thing for awhile and who truly does have the attitude, guts and chops be totally overlooked by people like Jack White who are in a position to help (I guess because she worked with Auerbach? and her attitude is too much the real thing?) She should be on SNL. She’s staying true to country and bringing something new and unique with depth, like Sturgill (although his marketing push has always rang a little phony).
April
April 9, 2016 @ 9:35 pm
She signed with New West so she has a label already…a label that has failed to push any artist on it in a positive way of success. And I know for a fact Margo knows more about country music than Nikki does. Margo does it her way and has paid her dues. Nikki is just a Wanda Jackson impersonator who thought this lifesyle would be “cool.”
Bad Boy Croy
April 2, 2016 @ 11:42 am
Can you tell which line she just cut? I wanna make sure I’m standing in the right one.
Canyonero
April 2, 2016 @ 10:11 pm
You are a sexist. And apparently a bitter one. (Are there any other kind?)
I don”™t belabor under the delusion that you will post this. And I don”™t blame you, but I do urge you to read it and please respond privately if you wish. I like you: you are a good writer and an important voice for those of us who care about country music.
Years from now, when and if you think about the posts that you”™ve written that you most regret “So Margo Price is Playing Saturday Night Live” will be near the top.
Here”™s why:
1. The misogyny. For years you have been writing eloquently and forcefully about mainstream country music”™s failure to pay attention to the amazing women producing excellent music. Kudos. And then this. When was the last time you referred to Sturgill Simpson or Chris Stapleton by their first names? Yet in this article you consistently use Margo instead of Price. Even while using Stapleton instead of Chris. And in the third paragraph making the implicit claim that Price”™s invitation to appear on SNL was a result of Chris”™s earlier appearance. Making the further claim that all the men you worship on the blog (Chris, Sturgill, Jason) selling out theaters happened organically and Price is manufactured by unwarranted press hype is another example. And the descriptions of Price as a “tiny artist” or “smaller artist” ”“ Ouch. And then there”™s the claim that she is somehow jumping in line in front of artists “who”™ve proven themselves on big stages, and proven their music is resonant and defining of a time and place.” If that”™s a definition then Cole Swindell appears on big stages and certainly defines a time and place. Not in a good way, but a defining way all the same.
2. The tone of the article suggests that Price”™s sudden fame is because of a giant push by her record company and management rather than the recognition among people who matter that she might be an incredible talent. Say what you want about East Nashville, but it”™s an important incubator of excellent music. Making the claim that she”™s jumping in line is well . . . see number one.
3. The use of passive voice to make passive aggressive claims. “I have to play the mean, blowhard blogger than nobody likes, but says what many people are thinking: this all feels like too much, too soon for Margo Price. And that”™s not just my opinion. That is the opinion of others. And I say this not as a criticism of Margo Price.” Oh. My. God. Playing the victim at the same time claiming to be the person with the balls to say publicly what others are thinking? You are better than this.
4. Look up the word gerrymander.
5. You, of all people, using record sales to make a claim about an artist”™s potential talent. And an album out a week? What were the sales for Traveler or High Top Mountain after a week?
Again, I like the site. I read every article. But this. . .
Canyonero
Coalminersgrandkid
April 2, 2016 @ 10:33 pm
Midwest Farmer’s Daughter ain’t no High Top Mountain though. It’s just not. And no amount of close-knit friend fans are going to make the rest of the world think that. Time is not going to be kind to this album. Not to mention she’d have to have a “Metamodern Sounds…” up her sleeve to seal the deal and judging by the majority of the lyrics and melodies on MFD, well… she doesn’t have it. The misogynist thing is to ignore the myriad other female artists out there that do have something and continue to push an overhyped karaoke act.
Canyonero
April 3, 2016 @ 8:03 am
My point was not to compare Price to Simpson, but that looking at an album’s sales from an emerging artist in the first week is not a very accurate measure. As to whether time will be king to this album, well, time will tell.
Trigger
April 2, 2016 @ 11:41 pm
I don’t know if I should be more insulted by the fact that you called me a misogynist, or that you thought I would censor your comment, or anyone elses.
So the spearhead to your insinuation that I’m sexist is that I refer to Margo Price by her first name? I refer to Sturgill Simpson as “Sturgill” all the time; the vast majority of the time. The reason I refer to Stapleton as “Stapleton” is because Chris is an very common name, kind of like the last name of “Price,” so I favor the more unique name. This is sexism? I’ll take note.
Interesting that you bring up Cole Swindell, because he’s the perfect example of an artist that started with nothing, and was shoved down the throats of consumers until he was a success. I’m not saying that Margo Price is at the same talent level, but the approach to launching their careers is pretty close. And what kind of hypocrite would I be if I called out Cole Swindell (which I have), and then spared Mrs. Price from the same criticism because I find more similarities with her music?
I am not being passive aggressive here, I am openly conflicted in this matter. I like Margo Price, I want her to succeed, and I am happy for her opportunity to play SNL. But I also have concerns. In the rush to discredit me and pin opinions upon me that don’t exist (that I don’t like Margo Price’s music, and don’t think she’s paid her dues, and now that I’m sexist), Price fans have completely missed the point of what I was trying to say. They don’t want to see the truth, and so they attempt to discredit me as a bias, sexist, mean guy who must hate her music.
And I NEVER tied Marco Price’s sales numbers to a measurement of her talent. I don’t even understand where people are getting these assertions. I said there is no statistical basis, AT THE MOMENT (and even went out of my way myself to say it was still early after her release) to say there’s a organic groundswell building behind her music. Now maybe there is. But we just haven’t seen it yet. Should than mean Margo should turn down this opportunity? Of course not, that would be madness. I’m just voicing my concern that the marketing is preceding Price’s music, and it’s not doing her any favors.
The other thing that folks need to be aware of is that it’s not just me that carries this concern. There were people saying the exact same things I did 24 hours before I posted this article. I saw the fact that her marketing push was so heavy handed, it was affecting people’s sentiment on her record over a week ago, and remarked specifically about it in my review, which by the way, was a majority positive. One of the reasons I wanted to post this article was to clear up the misconception by some that Margo was a “new” artist. There was already a strong backlash against the Price pick before I said a word.
I like Margo Price. I like her record. I want to see her career take off. And THAT is why I shared my concerns.
“Don’t make friends with the rock stars. You want to be a true friend to them? Be honest and unmerciful.” –Lester Bangs.
I appreciate your comment Canyonero. I always welcome dissent and differing opinions. I knew this would be a controversial subject, but I felt like it was important enough to remark on anyway.
Trigger
April 2, 2016 @ 11:58 pm
And by the way, let’s be careful in labeling any time someone criticizes a female artist as sexism, or we risk the “boy who cried wolf” syndrome setting in. If we want female artist to be treated equal, then they must go through equal scrutiny, even though in this case, this isn’t even really a criticism of Margo Price at all. It’s a criticism of how she’s been marketed. None of this is on her. She was the one who made it personal by saying that I don’t like what she does.
Canyonero
April 3, 2016 @ 8:53 am
You should be more insulted by the fact that I called you a misogynist. It”™s a serious claim and one I don”™t take lightly. Consistently using a women”™s first names and men”™s last names is a widely-recognized form of sexism. Using “Price” in an article about someone named Margo Price won”™t confuse anyone. Last names, irrespective of gender, is the standard for a reason. Journalism 101.
If you honestly didn”™t think that you had produced a piece that wasn”™t sexist you would not have closed with the challenge to people to call you sexist. As if that”™s the only way that people could disagree with your points. But it”™s the tone of the piece (buttressed by language slips I mentioned in my original post) that”™s the real problem. (The hurt/victim tone of your responses hasn”™t helped ”“ imagine Lester Bangs responding as you have.)
As you can surely tell by the critical comments on this page, many of us are confused about the tone and argument of this post. Passively aggressive denigration through implicit and explicit claims that someone is achieving a level of attention that you (and some mysterious others) have deemed premature is still denigration. Several have pointed out some of the weaker elements of your argument ”“ the claims of no groundswell, the silly point about measuring an artist”™s worth through album sales (even as you have pointed out time and time again album sales as a measure of popularity ”“ like radio play ”“ is becoming less and less an accurate measure with every passing month), and others.
Other points you seem to miss: In her previous two television appearances she was excellent. She killed it on Colbert ”“ doing “Hurtin”™ on the Bottle” (a song with very clever word play and fun arrangements) which is clearly a country song, rather than Americana, and the crowd loved it. And then bringing the string section onto Conan to do “Hands of Time” was the sort of ballsy move that Sturgill Simpson pulled in his late night appearances. Odds are someone on SNL caught those performances and made a mental note or even a phone call.
And of course as several people have already pointed out, Margo Price is going to have opportunities that other artists aren”™t going to have because of her label. There are going to be people who return Jack White”™s phone calls more quickly than they might someone from Bloodshot or New West. And no one can question his appreciation and understanding of country music. The story of being turned down by label after label and getting picked up by a punk label is a good one. But Third Man is hardly an important gear in any hype machine and if it”™s part of any echo chamber its sotto voce promotions are sure to drowned out by louder more powerful voices. Turning Jack White and Third Man into Scott Borchetta and Big Machine is a ridiculous move and you know better.
Again summing up what several have already pointed out, you seem to making a zero sum argument, that any fame that Price enjoys is somehow coming at the expense of other more deserving artists with “organic” followings. Those years with Buffalo Clover don”™t count? Music is always a matter of taste. Making claims that other artists whether Sarah Shook or Dori Freeman are somehow more deserving of accolades because you happen to like them slightly better is a weak argument along the lines of “Which do you like better Daddy: Pizza or tacos?” “Tacos.” “Why don”™t you like pizza?”
On to your response. The handling of Cole Swindell”™s sudden rise from merch salesman to headliner is “pretty close” to Price”™s dozen years playing bars and small venues and releasing two albums (one nominated for an Alt-Country album of the year). Really? Really?! We”™ll chalk that up to the late night and exhaustion from defending a bad post all day. As well as the slightly paranoid claims that Price fans “don”™t want to see the truth” so they make wild accusations and “discredit” you. That was the moment you should have left the computer and went to bed. No one is trying to discredit you. We like you. And we call you out when you write something as misdirected and silly as this piece.
To paraphrase your Bangs”™ quote: “Don”™t make friends with music bloggers. You want to be a true friend to them? Be honest and unmerciful.”
Trigger
April 3, 2016 @ 10:54 am
So you’re really doubling down on this idea that I’m a misogynist because I refer to Mrs. Price by her first name? That’s madness my friend. I didn’t write a news story, I wrote a think piece, and I’ll refer to Margo Price however I wish. And I can garan-damn-tee you that I’ve referred to Sturgill Simpson as “Sturgill” 10 times for every time I’ve referred to him as “Simpson.” I’d aggregate the data if I thought your ridiculous assertion held any water. You’re calling me a misogynist on the basis of semantics.
“Making claims that other artists whether Sarah Shook or Dori Freeman are somehow more deserving of accolades because you happen to like them slightly better is a weak argument…”
I never said that. I said there is a measurable, palpable groundswell of organic support behind these artists that we have yet to see from Margo Price. It has nothing to do with my personal taste. I like Margo Price.
Where this whole thing got skewed is when Margo Price tweeted out that “Not everyone’s gonna like what I do…” as the preface to this article. I NEVER, EVER said that I don’t like what Margo Price does. But in lieu of having any true intellectual basis against the arguments I am making, I’m discounted as being bias and misogynist. And what’s even funnier is that if Margo Price succeeds in any way from here on out, people will act like it is a strike against me, like I will be mad about it. It all points to how people have no idea what music criticism is about these days. Again, this really doesn’t even have anything to do with Margo Price, or her music. This has to do with her marketing team and their approach.
But if you want to boil this argument down to me being a misogynist, then best of luck. I offered by criticism in a constructive manner.
Trigger
April 4, 2016 @ 11:34 pm
And I know this is late, but I was just thinking about this notion of it being an insult to female country artists to call them by their first names. Reba McEntire’s official brand is “Reba.” Wynonna Judd’s official brand is “Wynonna.” Dolly Parton is known to many simply as “Dolly.” She has a theme park called “Dollywood.” To say calling a female artist by her first name is misogynist is irresponsible.
Tex019
April 3, 2016 @ 4:24 am
“Wow” probably sums up my thoughts the best. In 2. “sudden fame” is mentioned. I routinely travel throughout the Great Lakes area and Texas. Other than people who are devoted to country music, I have yet to meet an individual who has heard of Mrs. Price. Although I have yet to draw the conclusion that my experience only means she is not experiencing “sudden fame,” it is pointing in that direction.
Will James
April 3, 2016 @ 9:17 am
I’ve been booking acts in Nashville (and elsewhere) for my fest for nine years now, inc. Sturgill and Lydia Lovelace as unknowns (btw, both were more meteoric than Margo I’d argue, based largely on originality and just plain talent). I’m not really into “regressive country,” which is where I’d put this artist. I love old country, and I love it when artists take trad country, keep it country, but do something new with it. Hard to find, and hard to believe this one gets on SNL (where I usually turn the sound off for the musical guest). I mean, Lydia Loveless has had a movie made about her now, and even if she hadn’t… can’t believe she wouldn’t be first in line for SNL if you’re looking toward progressive real country.
witness
April 3, 2016 @ 4:47 pm
That Jack White pull is why she is playing SNL most likely
scottinnj
April 3, 2016 @ 6:06 pm
Margo is joining a fairly short list of female country/roots singers on SNL – perusal of a historical guest lists shows it is small – Bonnie Raitt, Lucinda Williams, Rosanne Cash, Faith Hill, the Dixie Chicks, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift. I hope she does well that said I’m a bit surprised she got the nod before say Kacey Musgraves.
Nebraska
April 3, 2016 @ 7:23 pm
Could see how the marketing campaign could have rubbed some people the wrong way. The whole “jailbird” tag… I guess they tried to get ahead of the curve in case it ever came up, but… it was a DUI. Getting too drunk, getting behind the wheel and endangering other people’s lives does not make you a badass or an outlaw. It makes you lucky you didn’t hurt anyone and it’s something you apologize for quietly and humbly and admit is a part of your past, not glorify to promote a debut record. There were other details during the push that gave pause, but I guess she felt comfortable discussing them in that context (or felt comfortable taking someone’s advice about discussing them during promotion). There’s something off about the whole thing… like they were trying to hit certain marks and rush public opinion of her too soon and by any means necessary. It does not come across as organic.
Kathie
April 4, 2016 @ 6:01 pm
This is a great discussion! I’ve had many of the same thoughts – I LOVE Margo Price but I’ve been feeling a little resentful that she leapfrogged, for example, Sarah Shook whose attitude is quite the same but whose songwriting is far better. But really it’s more envy, like “wow I wish Sarah Shook would catch a break like that.” So much of this industry is just right time, right place luck that it’s sometimes hard not to cuss when you’re out in the trenches slogging it out and bam, someone streaks by you like a meteor. I hope Margo is wildly successful. For sure, all that marketing and PR clout should help. If Sarah Shook were able to get all that I’m sure she’d jump at the opportunity. I hope so anyway. But I think you’re right about it feeling a little like what it’s supposedly rebelling against. In this big box world maybe Third Man is trying to be formulaic about Indy outlaw country. Weirdly interesting. I guess I’d take Jack White’s attention any day. Until then I guess Sarah and everyone else will keep laboring away. I don’t think you’re sexist or misogynistic. I appreciate hearing opinions even if I don’t agree, and your take was super interesting. Thanks for it.
cat dirt
April 5, 2016 @ 2:36 pm
Here is an update on her first week sales, from billboard:
Americana-country singer-songwriter Margo Price”™s debut LP, Midwest Farmer”™s Daughter (Third Man), makes a historic debut on Billboard”™s Top Country Albums chart, arriving at No. 10 with 4,000 sold in its opening week, according to Nielsen Music.
The launch marks the first time in the history of the chart, which dates to Jan. 8, 1964, that a solo female has debuted in the top 10 with her first charted title without the benefit of any history on the Hot Country Songs ranking.
http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7325283/margo-price-history-country-albums-chart-keith-urban-kenny-chesney-airplay
Will James
April 6, 2016 @ 8:56 am
This is indeed getting crazy.