Always has been, always will be.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – When 15-year-old Aleeshya Broome scored the wristband she needed to meet Taylor Swift during the singer's 13-hour fan party and autograph session, her reaction was immediate.

"I started crying instantly," Broome said. "And w

hen we got called down here I started crying instantly because it's way too overwhelming."

Broome was one of thousands who got the kind of access to countrymusic's biggest stars over the weekend that fans usually only dream about.

Swift wasn't the only star pressing the flesh before and during the four-day CMA Music Festival, which draws fans from around the world.

Tim McGraw, signing for the first time since 2000, gave out 3,000 autographs in two hours. The Zac Brown Band put out food created by Chef Rusty Hamlin, the Smyrna, Ga., restaurateur who feeds the band and fans at every tour stop.

Martina McBride had lunch with party attendees and let them make their own CDs at Blackbird Studios. Carrie Underwood played a game where she sang snatches of lyrics and challenged fans to finish up. And Rascal Flatts made the day of several hundred fans with its first signing since 2002 and a two-song performance.

...snip...

Brad Paisley arrived by boat to his party at the Nashville Shores water park and sang some old favorites to a crowd that knew all the words. It was a multigenerational gathering and kids played on an inflatable slide. One young boy bobbed on his father's shoulders near the front of the stage.

Paisley said his wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, was shocked when she first saw the kind of access her husband, one of country's top stars, gives fans. You won't find that kind of interaction in places like Los Angeles or New York where celebrities try to create a wall between themselves and fans. And neither rock 'n'roll nor hip-hop's biggest stars are doing anything like this, either. But that's the way it's always been in country.

"It was important to guys like Ernest (Tubb) and Roy Acuff and these early guys on the Opry," Paisley said. "The saying I think was, 'Keep it close to the ground, boys,' which meant make it relatable, make it real life. This is what our format is and so we do this really well."

Swift's fan gathering was the biggest by far. Held at the Bridgestone Arena, there were activities for fans, pieces of her Fearless Tour set on display and a free four-song acoustic concert that was attended by several thousand.

...snip...

Swift said in an interview between autographs that when she was growing up, she often daydreamed that if she ever became a star she would do her best to give everyone autographs. She charted Sunday's progress by marking the hours on her arm and wasn't flagging one bit after scrawling a "7" near her elbow.

She chose to sign for 13 hours because that's her favorite number and she said she didn't regret picking such a high one.

"I'm having a blast," Swift said. "I'm surprised my legs aren't hurting yet. I'm surprised that there's no aching going on. I'm really having so much fun because like we're all having a very good time today. They're all telling me really sweet stories."

Swift held up her arm. Her left forearm was two-thirds covered in a multicolored array of bracelets given to her by fans.

"This is just today," Swift said. "I don't know. This has been one of the coolest days I can remember."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100614/ap_en_ot/us_music_cma_fest_taylor_s_day;_ylt=Ap5Vs3ZzRFH2ui7kgTgAAXus0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTFrZjRha21uBHBvcwMxNjgEc2VjA2FjY29yZGlvbl9lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50BHNsawNzd2lmdG90aGVyc3Q-

You know, Garth Brooks used to buy the front row of his shows and find folks who could only afford the nosebleed seats and just give them to them! Talk about cool!

Country music is the only genre that seems to really care about their fans. They hold festials a few times a year and the stars actually MEET and GREET each fan. Pop acts and rock stars hardly do that.

I dont consider Country, even Country. Jewel is now under Country's umbrella, Bon Jovi had that one album in Nashville and won country awards, it was pop/rock album, Ryan Adams and Norah Jones are called country? huh? Country has become the home of where we put artists that play and write it seems

lastdecember said:

I dont consider Country, even Country. Jewel is now under Country's umbrella, Bon Jovi had that one album in Nashville and won country awards, it was pop/rock album, Ryan Adams and Norah Jones are called country? huh? Country has become the home of where we put artists that play and write it seems

I agree with u.

We also have to remember that the generation that are the country stars now grew up listening to Bon Jovi, Def Leopard, Night Ranger, The Eagles, etc. So, their music is going to be influenced by these acts. Not to mention, a lot of songs that Bon Jovi and the Eagles recorded crossed over to country. "Take It Easy" and "Wanted Dead Or Alive" are straight up country-type songs. Therefore, it appealed to some country fans.

In country music today, it seems that a lot of the artists TRY to cross over and be more appealing to a pop audience. Rascal Flatts, Lonestar, Brooks and Dunn, Montgomery Gentry, etc. have all made music to attempt to appeal to a more popular audience. I'm not mad at them, it's all about the money.

Unless you're....

nevermind.

No, wait...unless you speak your mind and are xxxxxxx, xxxxx, xxx or an original.

There, I said it.

sosgemini said:

Unless you're....

nevermind.

No, wait...unless you speak your mind and are xxxxxxx, xxxxx, xxx or an original.

There, I said it.

Today's country music is JUST...NOT...COUNTRY.

daPrettyman said:

sosgemini said:

Unless you're....

nevermind.

No, wait...unless you speak your mind and are xxxxxxx, xxxxx, xxx or an original.

There, I said it.

I had to self-edit. Let's just say, if you are outspoken and not part of the conservative or "Christian" mainstream, well, be ready for a backlash.

Timmy84 said:

Today's country music is JUST...NOT...COUNTRY.

Empress said:

Timmy84 said:

Today's country music is JUST...NOT...COUNTRY.

Exactly! It's just pop crap - similar to the likes of Lady Gaga, Rihanna and the Jonas Brothers. Real country music died a long time ago.

And how did Toady Keith get hooked up with Willie Nelson? Did Willie go out to the shed and find he was short of Tools or something?

Shooter Jennings hit the nail on the head with his t-shirt - "Puttin' the O back in Country." Johnny Cash, Loretta, Willie ... boatloads of thougtful and smart performers back in the day. Faith was right when she asked (as Carrie Underwood was winning anothe award - "What the..."

Timmy84 said:

Today's country music is JUST...NOT...COUNTRY.

No, it isn't. Country music hasn't been immune to the garbage that's being produced and recorded. Most of it bores me into a coma.

I don't really listen to country, but growing up in Alberta Canada, I definitely have heard my share.

The biggest stars are the ones who have the best public relations and appear to be the most down-to-earth.

We get so caught up in other genres about "this artist ripping off this artist's look" but if you see a country music artist in a cowboy hat and jeans, that's pretty much the accepted look. The fans care more about the songs, the stories in the lyrics, the voices.

Someone was telling me how George Strait is their fave artist and they were telling me how in concert he stands at a microphone, plays, and barely talks between except a simple "thank you", but this dude has some sort of sales record that is only eclipsed by (or tied with) Elvis and The Beatles.

It seems really "boring" by comparison to just about anything else, but really it's just gimmick-free.

Oh yeah and people still buy country CDs.

Cinnie said:

I don't really listen to country, but growing up in Alberta Canada, I definitely have heard my share.

The biggest stars are the ones who have the best public relations and appear to be the most down-to-earth.

We get so caught up in other genres about "this artist ripping off this artist's look" but if you see a country music artist in a cowboy hat and jeans, that's pretty much the accepted look. The fans care more about the songs, the stories in the lyrics, the voices.

Someone was telling me how George Strait is their fave artist and they were telling me how in concert he stands at a microphone, plays, and barely talks between except a simple "thank you", but this dude has some sort of sales record that is only eclipsed by (or tied with) Elvis and The Beatles.

It seems really "boring" by comparison to just about anything else, but really it's just gimmick-free.

Oh yeah and people still buy country CDs.

These recent past years, I've been flirting with the idea of listening to country records. Being extremely in love with the steel guitar instrument was actually my entrance to the genre.

Charley Pride was my 1st experiment(go ahead laugh ) but really I loved what I was hearing, small cringe worthy here & there but eventually I found myself really moved, the lyrics and the melancholy feeling speak to my sentiment.

I later heard that Charlie Parker was a huge fan of country music(from Ken Burns' film Jazz), and that he learned alot from their storytelling methods.

Call me crazy, I hear some elements from country music that can have some connections with black music.

Harlepolis said:

Cinnie said:

I don't really listen to country, but growing up in Alberta Canada, I definitely have heard my share.

The biggest stars are the ones who have the best public relations and appear to be the most down-to-earth.

We get so caught up in other genres about "this artist ripping off this artist's look" but if you see a country music artist in a cowboy hat and jeans, that's pretty much the accepted look. The fans care more about the songs, the stories in the lyrics, the voices.

Someone was telling me how George Strait is their fave artist and they were telling me how in concert he stands at a microphone, plays, and barely talks between except a simple "thank you", but this dude has some sort of sales record that is only eclipsed by (or tied with) Elvis and The Beatles.

It seems really "boring" by comparison to just about anything else, but really it's just gimmick-free.

Oh yeah and people still buy country CDs.

These recent past years, I've been flirting with the idea of listening to country records. Being extremely in love with the steel guitar instrument was actually my entrance to the genre.

Charley Pride was my 1st experiment(go ahead laugh ) but really I loved what I was hearing, small cringe worthy here & there but eventually I found myself really moved, the lyrics and the melancholy feeling speak to my sentiment.

I later heard that Charlie Parker was a huge fan of country music(from Ken Burns' film Jazz), and that he learned alot from their storytelling methods.

Call me crazy, I hear some elements from country music that can have some connections with black music.

Girl, you ain't fucking crazy. Ever heard of DeFord Bailey? That guy was a brother and he was the first one to be at the Grand Ole Opry years before Pride. In fact, black folks in the South GREW UP with country music! Ray Charles? Candi Staton? Bobby Womack? Come on now black folks love some country.

REAL COUNTRY I MIGHT ADD!

Timmy84 said:

Harlepolis said:

These recent past years, I've been flirting with the idea of listening to country records. Being extremely in love with the steel guitar instrument was actually my entrance to the genre.

Charley Pride was my 1st experiment(go ahead laugh ) but really I loved what I was hearing, small cringe worthy here & there but eventually I found myself really moved, the lyrics and the melancholy feeling speak to my sentiment.

I later heard that Charlie Parker was a huge fan of country music(from Ken Burns' film Jazz), and that he learned alot from their storytelling methods.

Call me crazy, I hear some elements from country music that can have some connections with black music.

Girl, you ain't fucking crazy. Ever heard of DeFord Bailey? That guy was a brother and he was the first one to be at the Grand Ole Opry years before Pride. In fact, black folks in the South GREW UP with country music! Ray Charles? Candi Staton? Bobby Womack? Come on now black folks love some country.

REAL COUNTRY I MIGHT ADD!

Actually, I haven't thats great, another person to check out, thx Tim

Harlepolis said:

Timmy84 said:

Girl, you ain't fucking crazy. Ever heard of DeFord Bailey? That guy was a brother and he was the first one to be at the Grand Ole Opry years before Pride. In fact, black folks in the South GREW UP with country music! Ray Charles? Candi Staton? Bobby Womack? Come on now black folks love some country.

REAL COUNTRY I MIGHT ADD!

Actually, I haven't thats great, another person to check out, thx Tim

Welcome.

RodeoSchro said:

Always has been, always will be.

Swift wasn't the only star pressing the flesh before and during the four-day CMA Music Festival, which draws fans from around the world.

Dang, she was "pressing the flesh" and I missed it? It's been too darn long since I've had my flesh pressed.

Harlepolis said:

Cinnie said:

I don't really listen to country, but growing up in Alberta Canada, I definitely have heard my share.

The biggest stars are the ones who have the best public relations and appear to be the most down-to-earth.

We get so caught up in other genres about "this artist ripping off this artist's look" but if you see a country music artist in a cowboy hat and jeans, that's pretty much the accepted look. The fans care more about the songs, the stories in the lyrics, the voices.

Someone was telling me how George Strait is their fave artist and they were telling me how in concert he stands at a microphone, plays, and barely talks between except a simple "thank you", but this dude has some sort of sales record that is only eclipsed by (or tied with) Elvis and The Beatles.

It seems really "boring" by comparison to just about anything else, but really it's just gimmick-free.

Oh yeah and people still buy country CDs.

These recent past years, I've been flirting with the idea of listening to country records. Being extremely in love with the steel guitar instrument was actually my entrance to the genre.

Charley Pride was my 1st experiment(go ahead laugh ) but really I loved what I was hearing, small cringe worthy here & there but eventually I found myself really moved, the lyrics and the melancholy feeling speak to my sentiment.

I later heard that Charlie Parker was a huge fan of country music(from Ken Burns' film Jazz), and that he learned alot from their storytelling methods.

Call me crazy, I hear some elements from country music that can have some connections with black music.

I am no expert on country music but it seems natural that it shares a lot with black music. If you go back to the '20s and '30s country music and race music (I believe that is what "black" music was referred to at the time) were basically the music of poor southerners. Jimmie Rodgers and Robert Johnson are not really all that different from each other. Obviously at that time there were serious racial problems but I do not think that it is inconceivable that the country acts had an influence on the black acts and vice versa.

sosgemini said:

daPrettyman said:

I had to self-edit. Let's just say, if you are outspoken and not part of the conservative or "Christian" mainstream, well, be ready for a backlash.

Ryan Admas isnt outspoken?? This is the guy that called Beyonce a waste of time to music. And also called out every label in music before most where. So i dont think necessarily people that are"considered" country or alt country, like Jovi,Norah and Ryan adams are "sheep", its the middle of the country that thinks if you dont hunt and own guns you arent an american.

Harlepolis said:

Cinnie said:

I don't really listen to country, but growing up in Alberta Canada, I definitely have heard my share.

The biggest stars are the ones who have the best public relations and appear to be the most down-to-earth.

We get so caught up in other genres about "this artist ripping off this artist's look" but if you see a country music artist in a cowboy hat and jeans, that's pretty much the accepted look. The fans care more about the songs, the stories in the lyrics, the voices.

Someone was telling me how George Strait is their fave artist and they were telling me how in concert he stands at a microphone, plays, and barely talks between except a simple "thank you", but this dude has some sort of sales record that is only eclipsed by (or tied with) Elvis and The Beatles.

It seems really "boring" by comparison to just about anything else, but really it's just gimmick-free.

Oh yeah and people still buy country CDs.

These recent past years, I've been flirting with the idea of listening to country records. Being extremely in love with the steel guitar instrument was actually my entrance to the genre.

Charley Pride was my 1st experiment(go ahead laugh ) but really I loved what I was hearing, small cringe worthy here & there but eventually I found myself really moved, the lyrics and the melancholy feeling speak to my sentiment.

I later heard that Charlie Parker was a huge fan of country music(from Ken Burns' film Jazz), and that he learned alot from their storytelling methods.

Call me crazy, I hear some elements from country music that can have some connections with black music.

Wikipedia(early history of country music):

Immigrants to the Southern Appalachian Mountains of North America brought the music and instruments of the Old World along with them for nearly 300 years. They brought some of their most important valuables with them, and to most of them this was an instrument: “Early Scottish settlers enjoyed the fiddle because it could be played to sound sad and mournful or bright and bouncy” The Irish fiddle, the German derived dulcimer, the Italian mandolin, the Spanish guitar, and the West African banjo were the most common musical instruments. The interactions among musicians from different ethnic groups produced music unique to this region of North America. Appalachian string bands of the early twentieth century primarily consisted of the fiddle, guitar, and banjo. This early country music along with early recorded country music is often referred to as old-time music.

According to Bill Malone in Country Music U.S.A, country music was “introduced to the world as a southern phenomenon." In the South, folk music was a combination of cultural strains, combining musical traditions of a variety of ethnic groups in the region. For example, some instrumental pieces from Anglo-Celtic immigrants were the basis of folk songs and ballads that form what is now known as old time music, from which country music descended. It is commonly thought that British and Irish folk music influenced the development of old time music. British and Irish arrivals to the Southern U.S. included immigrants from Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and England.

Often, when many people think or hear country music, they think of it as a creation of European-Americans. However, a great deal of style—and of course, the banjo, a major instrument in most early American folk songs—came from African Americans. One of the reasons country music was created by African-Americans, as well as European-Americans, is because blacks and whites in rural communities in the south often worked and played together, just as recollected by DeFord Bailey in the PBS documentary, DeFord Bailey: A Legend Lost.

DeFord Bailey website:

http://defordbailey.info/

Thanx a plenty, Uptown

I wanna see that PBS documentary

Country was cooler and badass when Jerry Reed was alive.

Harlepolis said:

Call me crazy, I hear some elements from country music that can have some connections with black music.

I've always wondered which came first, country or the blues. I hear similarities in both and both are as old as the hills.

vainandy said:

Harlepolis said:

Call me crazy, I hear some elements from country music that can have some connections with black music.

I've always wondered which came first, country or the blues. I hear similarities in both and both are as old as the hills.

As old as earth is.

A Brief History of Black Americans in Country Music

by Michael Shan

Did you know that the black voice twang of country music existed in the early 1900's. Yes, black country singers played "Honky-Tonk" music. Please... Read on, for the interesting history and facts, that the everyday person is unaware of in the country music foundation.

• Fact #1- I bet the first thought that came to mind was the well-known country star "Charlie Pride", was that close?
• Fact #2- Have you ever heard of "Rufe "Tee-Tot" Payne"? I didn't think so...He was a regular around the Greenville,Alabama area and performed as a street musician in the 1920s. In the 1930s he was the mentor to "King Hiram Williams", that's right! The person we would know as "Hank Williams". Believe it or not he was taught to play country music by a black man somewhat unknown to the public. Anyone, out there that has more info on Tee-Tot, I would love to hear it.
• Fact #3- DeFord Bailey was a contemporary of Rufe "Tee-Tot" Payne. In actuality, he is probably and should be the first noted black country music star because he joined the cast of the "Grand Ole Opry" at the age of 26. He had made a number of appearances as other acts on the radio show, and toured cities all across the south and the midwest within several years after the opry scene. He was suddenly let go! This was the statement made by DeFord Bailey in a interview in 1993, “They'd seen the day was coming when they'd have to pay me right and they used the excuse about me playing the same old tunes.” The interview was held by the University of Tennessee Press.
• Fact #4- "Blind Lemon Jefferson", whom was a blind musician had over 400 country hits. The fact is many of the early white country stars got their style and songs from such black artists.
• Fact #5- "J.J. Jones" he performed in the 1970s side bands which backed George Jones, Mel Tillis, and other country stars in the country music business. He once cut a album but it was never released and devotes all his time nowdays backing other black talent.
• Fact #6- "Ray Charles" actually sang country in his early years of music and he loved it till the day he died. He said he liked it because every song told a story.
• Fact #7- "Kurt Cobain" and "Johnny Cash" admired an black artist known as "Leadbelly".
• Fact #8- A huge country music singer sensation in Europe and Germany is a black country singer known as "K.C. Williams".
• Fact #9- Has anyone heard of "Cleve Francis", he was a doctor who took a shot at being a black country singer in the 1990s. Unfortunately, the radio industry didn't give him much success.
• Fact #10- This is just a compiled list of other influences that may be unknown or some you may recognize; Carl Ray, Stoney Edwards,Tayo Reed, Cowboy Troy, Big Al Downing, O.B. McClinton, Author Pamela Foster, Frankie Staton, Vicki Vann, Rhonda Towns, Ebony Hillbillies, Buddy and Tina Wright band , Miko Marks, and of course newcomer, "Darius Rucker". Almost done; I have just a few more interesting facts to take with you.
• "Shanai Twain" is one of the only bands with a black drummer.
• "Aaron Neville" is considered country to some people and he did a video remake of George Jones "The Grand Tour". Coffey Anderson was a black contestant on Nashville Star show.
• "Charley Prides" brother Steven Pride is actually a country singer too! Have you ever heard him play? Please, let me know....
• "Elvis" talent came from where? Your right, the black community around Tupelo, Mississppi.
• Last Fact- The banjo was an African instrument brought over by the slaves. It was modified and has been the mainstream music instrument for what genre? You guessed it! Bluegrass and Country music.

Right now, I have reason to believe that the business men of music row are starting to open their minds and may have hands itching. When, I lived in Nashville for about 10 years, I noticed things and one was how I wanted to tap this industry. I had a very close black friend that left everything behind in his hometown in Texas. Looking back, I wished I could have promoted him and helped change the market. Face it! We live in a country that runs after the almighty dollar. If I was to set aside all other views or could help set aside other views in Nashville, I would be a rich man. Note: Right now, Nashville is changing Trini Triggs has a self-titled album that was released in 1998 by MCG/Curb Records which had 3 singles on Billboard and a 4th single by Asylum -Curb Records in 2004. Carl Ray has songs available on www.carlray.com and Rissi Palmer has a hit song that peaked #54 on Billboard Hot Country Songs and her label is 1720 Entertainment / Universal Music Group. Rissi can be seen on CMT video "Country Girl".

Also, there [was] an inspiring country music artist. His name is " AKON " and he is now a R B star. He supposedly recorded an album under an alias name. He is a big country fan and desires to be the best known black country singer artist of all time. We will have to wait it out and see how it goes...