Lies About Country Music

MSNBC’s 5 Top has a list of the top 5 lies about American Idol.  And although most are obvious (AI is a popularity contest not a singing competition…uh YEAH!) lie #4, “Country music is about telling stories,” is very interesting to me. The point made in the article is that all songs – except nonsensical or instructive – are stories. But Idol, like Nashville, perpetuates the popular myth that country msuic is simple stories that are about common experiences, family and traditional values.Of course this ignores the songs of boozing, adultary, murder, drug use, fighting, sloth and war that are just as much a part of the country music landscape. I’m sure Johnny Paycheck, Waylon Jennings, Porter Wagoner and David Allen Coe would have something to say about that.

Related posts:

1. John Doe and The Sadies Collaborate for Country Club
2. Bob Dylan Releases Free Track from Upcoming “Beyond Here Lies Nothin”
3. Country legend Porter Wagoner Hospitalized with Lung Cancer
4. New York Gets Country Music Radio… For A Weekend
5. Porter Wagner’s Comeback in Full Swing