What, exactly, is 'country'?

What, exactly, is 'country'?

August 9, 2001

It's The Pitts
By Lee Pitts

Turn on a radio today and you’re likely to hear "music" that sounds like two tom cats fighting on a tin roof. Through all this noise you may not have heard about the big battle raging in country western music as to what is, and isn’t, country. It’s getting very confusing. Reba has taken her act to Broadway, country disk jockeys won’t play a new Faith Hill song because it sounds too much like rock and roll, and LeeAnn Rimes ap-peared on the Country Mu-sic Awards trying to imitate Britney Spears.

I can understand why rock and rollers, who have ruined their music with brain-wasting rap, would want to gain respectability by latching on to our music. But why would we want to contaminate the music and traditions of Faron Young, Hank Williams and Patsy Cline with a bunch of tone deaf city dudes with baggy pants and bare midriffs who think the Grand Old Opry is in Italy?

I feel a great need to clear up the confusion once and for all about what is, and isn’t, country.

Q. Does wearing a cowboy hat automatically qualify a singer as country?

A. Of course not. I once saw Tiny Tim in a cowboy hat. You have to consider the hat and how it’s worn. If it’ s pink or blue and covered with sequins, feathers or flowers the wearer is probably a washed-up lounge singer. If you want to see how a real country singer wears a hat check out George Strait or Clint Black. My wife says they also wear their jeans well, but I wouldn’t’ know about that. I do know I don’t ever care to see Slim Whitman or Aretha Franklin in a pair of Wranglers.

Q. Is it possible for country singers to be crossover stars?

A. You mean like Liberace?

Q. No. I mean can they appeal to both country and pop fans?

A. Sure. But it doesn’t mean we have to adopt their customs. There’s nothing wrong with Faith Hill and Shania Twain exposing their navels but please, not Hank Williams Jr. I’m also suspect of multi-pierced singers, especially studded tongued ones. Although, this may explain why their sound would drive a coyote to commit suicide.

Q. Can you tell by listening to the words if a song is country?

A. If you can understand ANY words it’s probably country. Country singers have an honest sound because they’ve lived the lives they sing about: Marty Robbins broke wild mustangs, Buck really is from Bakersfield and Johnny Cash has been behind bars.

Q. Can country singers come from northern climes like Boston or New York City?

A. I suppose a Yankee could sing country but you’d want him from as far south and west as possible. I’d be leery of any "country performer" who had an accent like Ted Kennedy or sounded like Barry Manilow or Barbra Streisand.

Q. Does a performer’s name give you any clue they are the real deal?

A. It used to be country singers were recognized by a single name like Dolly, Willie, Waylon or Hank. But then along came Prince and Sting. Having two first names, like Billy Ray, helps but not if the last name is hyphenated. Actually song titles are a better indicator. Country songs usually have titles that are longer than a Florida election. Take the song, "How Can You Believe Me When I Say I Love You, When You Know I’ve Been a Liar All My Life?" There’ s no mistaking it for rock, pop or gospel.

Q. Do country bands share a common denominator?

A. I don’t know about denominators but a country band should have a pedal steel guitar or a fiddle that is NEVER referred to as a violin. Yodeling is also a reliable indicator. You should be able to line dance or polish your belt buckle to a country song.

Q. kd lange has been referred to as a country singer. Is she really?

A. I don’t care if the confused, animal rightist, vegetarian looks like Merle Haggard and sounds like Buck Owens, she is NOT country.