Change

Well, the Possum has spoken.

He says that his country music ‘identity’ has been stolen by the newer artists, specifically targeting Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift. Although I see a hint of a core point he’s attempting to make – you guessed it – I have a few issues with his statement.

Change. There’s a word most of us hate, even if we refuse to admit it. Things change, flow, evolve…. times change…. people change…. as well, the demands of the people change. One thing about the music, George – it’s always gonna be there. That’s the true beauty of music. It’s yours, it’s mine. No one or no thing can take it away from us. It’ll still be here, years after we are long gone.

I can only speak for myself when I say that I wouldn’t be listening to country right now if it weren’t for artists like Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts and Brad Paisley – just to name a few. Prior to six months ago, the mere suggestion of listening to country was, well less than appealing. Now, though I do ‘prefer’ the newer artists, just becoming a fan has made me appreciative of the older artists. Reba, Dolly, Cash, Loretta, and yes even you, George. I’m an 80’s girl who just recently started listening to country. By now you’ve gotta realize that ‘times change…. people change….’. Seriously, time just keeps ticking on, man.

Unfortunately, there are a few things that don’t change. Mr. Jones – why do you single out the two youngest female stars? The top two females on the country charts right now…. hmmm. Surely you’re aware that there are currently just as many male artists out there performing the newer country music that, and I quote, “needs it’s own genre title”. So why didn’t you use Rascal Flatts or Keith Urban as your examples?

I’ll tell you why. Because they’d have come back at you within a flat two seconds. Instead, you pick two of the youngest females to use as your examples. This explains to me why you’re still stuck back in the music of the ‘old times’ and refuse/rebuke change. There’s plenty of room out there, Georgie. Embrace your coworkers, male and female, each having their own flavor. I’d be willing to bet your fans will love you for it.