Ultimate Rhoads

My wife is a BIG country music fan. Having lived in Texas, Oklahoma and Georgia, I enjoy some country music but I've always preferred southern rock like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Molly Hatchet to mainstream country music.

However, modern country music is getting quite good... Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw all have some pretty good music. But having watched a live show with Brad Paisley recently, I've got to say he kicks some serious ass on the guitar!

I downloaded a DVD called Country Rock Soloing Concepts by Steve Trovato and it's both fun and challenging. I've been playing for a long time, so when I get a new video, I usually can keep up without too much difficult - even the Paul Gilbert and Frank Gambale ones since I've always played rock guitar. This country stuff, however, is hard. It's a different style of playing and takes a bit of getting used to. It's like trying to play classical with your fingers after only ever playing with a pick - possible, but hard to get used to.

Anyway, does anyone else appreciate country music?

i like quite a bit of the country stuff that's out. cmt was one of my favorite cable channels but time-warner came along and put it on digital. i'm a little ticked. don't want to pay extra for a box.

I Like country music if the person performing has value, I am a huge fan of Willie nelson not because he is a great guitarist or singer!......he is not, but he is man who has principles and values even if you don't agree with him you know he is commited.
I am a loyal fan of Willies and because I love him as person I can feel his compasion through his music, for me that gives him real value as a writer performer and political icon. I see Country music as a real working class art form, like the start of rock music with bands like Sabbath who came from very poor backgrounds.

Country music is great and comes from the heart of poverty and compasion.

Trigger wrote:I see Country music as a real working class art form, like the start of rock music with bands like Sabbath who came from very poor backgrounds.

Country music is great and comes from the heart of poverty and compasion.

well put.

That was well said.

The problem is, there are only a few actual songwriters in Nashville anymore. All the big "name" country artists sing the songs, but studio musicians perform on the records and contracted songwriters write the songs.

The way it works is that the record company gives the artist a bunch of songs to choose from, then they go into the studio where contracted musicians perform the songs. When it comes time to tour, if the artist has a road band - like Tim McGraw - that band learns the songs the way they were recorded and then they go out on tour.

Ever see a video for the "band" Sugarland? There are only 3 members of that "band" - a singer a guitar player and a mandolin player - yet onstage you see a full band with drummer, bass guitars... all hired just for the tour.

Country music used to be workingman's music, but now it is all an illusion. I like some of the songs, but I hate the behind the scenes crap.