Gone Stupid

Two things I hate is reality TV that doesn’t involve bounty-hunting and trucks driving on ice and and musicians from other genres that think Country Music is some slum where they can make some easy money on the gullible fan base. Needless to say, I hate CMT’s “Gone Country.”

Of course I haven’t seen the program yet since it premiers tonight and I’m not high enough on the media food chain to warrant a preview, but I’ll chance it. the show features Carnie Wilson, Maureen “Marcia Brady” McCormick, Twisted Sister front man Dee Snider , Sisqo of “Thong Song” fame, Julio Iglesias Jr., “American Idol” runner-up Diana DeGarmo and Boston bad boy Bobby Brown. That’s right THAT Bobby Brown.

In spite of Carnie Wilson’s lineage to brilliance and Julio Iglesias Jr.’s tie to Willie via his daddy, there’s not a serious contender in the sordid bunch. What we have is The Surreal Life- Nashville Bound!

The producers are banking on the difference with these cohabiting “celebrities” which is that beyond simply extending their faded fame for at least seven episodes, the one that can endure the most public humiliation will cut a single produced by host John Rich of Big and Rich, the Nashville comedy duo that have sold jillions of units and gives this team of competitors hope.

I mean, if Big and Rich can do it why can’t Sisqo?

These people have about as much chance as being legit country musicians as Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie have in being farm hands.

Bon Jovi, Jewel, Jessica Simpson and Beyoncé are all stiffing around the Nashville salt lick for easy money and fans that they and their management must think are fools with tons of soon-to-be-parted money.

As a passionate fan of the country genre to which this blog attests, I suggest the celebrities try rap. Yes, you too Sisqo.

8 Replies to “Gone Stupid”

  1. I found your site on google blog search and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. Just added your RSS feed to my feed reader. Look forward to reading more from you.

    – Sue.

  2. My only objection to this would be that you included Jewel in your list of money-milkers. A case could be made that much of her music is as “country” as a lot of the music we consider Americana, or which we place into the other “fringe” categories. I don’t think it’s really fair to her to include her in the same list as Jessica Simpson.

    As far as the show, I think they should have included FlavaFlav.

  3. Amen!! John Rich is a self-promoting country artist wanna-be. Every time I see or hear him I get the willies. This show won’t be a legitimate talent show, but rather another John Rich stunt at the expense of faded stars. Let’s keep promoting good quality country music and hopefully these sad moments will be forgettable blips on the radar. Or good fodder for the blooper reels.

  4. Jim, once again we disagree. Jewel is a suburban neo-folkie and genre-slummer (see her pop-dance release 0304) and in no way reflects my thinking of Americana. That would be (from the female side) – Patty Griffin, Lucinda Williams and Emmylou Harris. Not even close, hoss.

    Hell even her neo-folkie peer Joan Osborne gained legitimacy in the blue-eyed soul department.

    Hosting CMT’s Nashville Star and marrying a rodeo champion is not an automatic pass into country credibility.

  5. No, I didn’t say it was an automatic pass. But a suburban neo-folkie? I just don’t think statement holds up if you go back and listen (objectively) to her records.

    I guess it depends on how narrow your definition of country is, or how narrow your definition of Americana is.

    I’d just add that comparing the songwriting of Joan Osborne to the songwriting of Jewel would be like comparing MY songwriting to Jeffrey Steele.

  6. Jim, There is no objectivity in taste. Never claimed it, never will.

    My definition of country and Americana is pretty wide, just not so wide to be available to everyone.

    I don’t know about comparing you to Jeffrey Steele, send me over an mp3 of a cut of yours and I’ll give a listen. I think you’d do all right.

  7. Pingback: Twang Nation - Americana, Roots and Country Music Blog - News, Reviews and Points of View, ya'll!

  8. I used to never listen to country music, but it’s changed. A lot of it is more mainstream and I like that. Plus the women are hot and that makes everything better!

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