Grammys

[BertinVa]

I am NOT a fan of Taylor Swift.  She seems to win all the awards, has number one songs and albums and sells out shows.  Would someone on the forum PLEASE explain to me what is the attraction?  I am not expert in music and I realize people have different tastes in music, however, I just don't get it! 

Thanks for the input,
Fans of JCB,

Lisa and Bert Lunsford in VA

[bodhranireb]

I can only imagine it's her good looks and stage presence and not her singing ability.  I hope she'll get some coaching to deal with singing flat.

[jcow]

Okay i'll weigh in. I know more about this than I should or want to. First let me say that i'm not a Taylor hater. She seems sweet and I think that if teenage girls are gonna have someone musically to hang their hearts on that at least she writes her own songs which seem to be about being a teenage girl. Now, what I know from someone that used to be in her band is this. Her mom and dad moved to Nashville so she could pursue her musical ambition. They have money. Before she had a record deal, they bought her a bus and a publishing deal. There's nothing really wrong with that except that true artistry isn't manufactured, it takes time and experience ie; sluggin' it out in bars, getting your heart and dream shit upon again & again. It builds character/tenacity resolve, and mostly a sense of your assets & liabilities as a musician. It deepens you, it makes you want to be better and learn more.
The shame of the Grammy's is two-fold in relation to Ms Swift. 1st off if your gonna win a Grammy and make millions of dollars from it your pedigree should be intact. There are thousand great singers who could sing circles around Ms Swift that never got the opportunity to be on that stage. Think of people like Dave Evans, Dale Ann Bradley, Lester Flattt, Carter Stanley, The Louvin Brothers, James Carr, Donny Hathaway, Johnny Hammond, Paul Rodgers, Jimmy Hall, Bonnie Bramlett, Sam Moore, Joe Tex, and on & on. Or, think of the amazing artist's that have won a Grammy and deservedly so. Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Carlos Santana, Joshua Bell, Yo Yo Ma, Herbie Hancock.
I am not jealous of Ms Swift, but I do think if you're going to sell millions of records and be awarded the supposed highest gift of artistry by the music industry you should be able to sing consistently in tune. You should be able to get through at least one of your own songs singing on key. Believe me, the word has been out for a long time here in Music City that Taylor Swift can't actually sing. It was just a matter of time before the rest of the world realized that the Empress has no clothes on. Shame on her "handlers" for being too busy raking in the cash to take the small amount of time it would take to get her a vocal coach. Say what you will about Tim McGraw & Kenney Chesney, they took the time and money necessary to invest in a vocal coach and they can appear onstage and sing their repertoire in tune.
The Grammy's were a shameful event this year. In the past NARAS would at least have some jazz artist's or classical artist's appear to at least give lip service to the idea that the show is supposed to about artistry. This year it was about having the only people that actually sell records & tickets (and that is very questionable in terms of The Black Eyed Peas)  in a poor attempt to save an industry that has all but gone down the tubes in the last 15 years. Why the fuck didn't The Kings of Leon perform?  8 minutes of The Black Eyed Peas? Why? My kids don't even like 'em. I'm trying to figure out who does. It's disposable, weak, commercial Hip Hop. Shit, give Eminem 8 minutes. Do a tribute to Public Enemy, i'm in. Hey, i'm a realist, I learned by about 1976 that the artist' path or art for the sake of it is the absolute hardest, but most rewarding path to take. whatever...ha! I'm happy as a clam, we got you guys on our side!
love and in-tune-ness
jcow

[bodhranireb]

Amen to that John!

[BertinVa]

Thank you much-that answer is what I was looking for!  I was hoping to be able to get past her voice to listen to the words of the songs that she has written-however I cannot.  I was also disappointed with the show this year.  I will stick to the music that I don't hear on the radio.  Keep playing different artists at your shows during breaks and keep recommending artists for us to check out.  I have "discovered" so many wonderful artists this way.  Do you think maybe Mke Farris would join you at Merlefest?

If not before, see you at Merlefest! Safe travels to you all,

Lisa & Bert in Virginia

[Mississippi]

I have no faith in the "Music Industry", and I don't rely on them to provide me with my music needs. I am not powerless to their greed. And it is their greed that is responsible for the desperate situation the industry is in. They are dirt! Lord willing, there will be a savior to rise up from this heap and save the industry. But i think what we are watching is a train heading full speed toward a cliff...a crash and burn. How can it get any worse? Hopefully it can't. the pendulum can swing one way only so far, before it returns. Perhaps returns to the day where heart and soul were the base for any talent. Hard work and the real joy of the art reaped true reward for the artist and the listener. Quality far exceeded quanity. Maybe we can even have radio,records and "Albums" back....would be cool!     

http://www.nashvillemusicpros.com/forum/topics/why-taylor-swift-is-so-good?id=1322798%3ATopic%3A285887&page=2#comments




I read this and lost my lunch(sorry!) BTW these people DO NOT represent what is good about Nashville's Music Pros, quite the opposite, matter of fact. Just as, (praise Jesus!) Taylor Swift DOES NOT represent Nashville or Country Music. Country? Have you heard this stuff.....compared to ......sigh. I admire greatly that this young lady writes her own stuff, she is creative. She is enthusiastic, and the sad thing is her wholesomeness seems to be her biggest draw. What happens when she grows up? Has a drink? Dates some older guy?  They'll drop her like yesterday's Tiger. Amazing how the Label hounds can create the quintessential star, and leave out the most important quality....a voice. And just like many before her, she'll get voice lessons, guitar lessons, and whatever else she needs to maintain her stardom and keep the bucks rolling in, after the fact!   
Tho we are biased, we know who the best voice in this town is..... young,old, black , white, country, soul, rock, bluegrass, r&b, gospel, classical, and he's just as cute as Miss Swift, in a (manly way!)

Arrgh....it just makes me crazy!

I apologize if I offended anyone

[lauriedashper123]

This is not intended to be self-serving... but we are so proud of what we are doing on Music City Roots in the fact that we are presenting an honest canvas of what is real and fine and true in Music City.  We have had so many bands that, if you do not already know and support their music, I hope you will check them out and give them a chance.  I promise, especially after the bad taste that the Grammys left us with, this could be a breath of fresh air.  We have had Mike Farris, Josh Williams, Cow, Sam Bush, Emmylou, Will Hoge, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, Mountain Heart, Cherryholmes, Shawn Camp, and so many more who have made me stand up and cheer in spite of a waning music industry.  Have faith, folks... there is some incredible stuff out there.  It's up to us to support it in these new times and technologies so they will have a voice along side the ones who are manufactured for profit's sake.  I have seen it -- every time you pay a cover charge or buy a ticket or purchase an artist's merchandise, you are helping him or her do what they want to do, so they don't have to be a slave to the mill.  Feel free to go to our website, www.musiccityroots.com, and see the full-length videos of every artist who has been on our show.  You will fall in love again, I promise.  Thanks, Laurie

[KENTUCKY]

John, I am SO on your page with this, actually, today driving down the road (KY backroads) I was in awe at how I really feel music may be dying, or is it me? I have this whole complaint of having artists spoon fed to the masses and not one of those artist having any true talent...
 
 "I am not jealous of Ms Swift, but I do think if you're going to sell millions of records and be awarded the supposed highest gift of artistry by the music industry you should be able to sing consistently in tune. You should be able to get through at least one of your own songs singing on key." just to quote you, your own words, i am so saddened by this whole music scene, it has been so non-existent, it drives me nuts!!!!

Thank God that their are still great true musicians like YOU out there, if it hadn't been for you, my late 20's early 30's would have been so gray...

Hope all is well with you and your family, and I am patiently waiting for the next NGR Fest in Aug, there I shall feel at home once more 

and btw someone needs to invent a music channel that may actually play true music, i have resorted to KET and PBS to get my true music jones fix ~smiles~

[Nadine]

Here's what Peter Cooper of The Tennessean had to say:

http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2010/02/05/commentary-taylor-swifts-week-of-swift-backlash/

It was a pretty well written article and Peter is a good writer.

[jcow]

My bag?

[Acadienne]

Lots to think about here....after reading all this, including links to the articles and such, I am no longer wondering why I am so unable to listen to so much of the music out there. Digital voice tuning....techno junk and fakery....it is not art and it is not singing. I keep thinking of the word "listen". I am appreciating choir directors, vocal coaches, and mentors who taught me to prepare my body for singing and to LISTEN. I don't make any money at it, but gosh, it is a wonderful thing!!! I don't mean my own singing, but the whole experience of music happening through the body I prepared. When I am lazy, don't warm up, go too long with out vocal exercises, I have no right to expect my body and ear to coordinate in something tuneful.

I didn't watch the Taylor Swift performance....don't know her music....but I hope that she rises above all the backlash and learns what she needs to learn and SINGS.
All the Best
Acadienne

[Robinwatauga]

Acadienne, singing is an awesome thing! I've never learned to read music, but have sung in school & church choirs for over 35 years. I have had some very gifted, caring and instructional choir directors along the way who've taught me to develop & nurture my instrument. It is amazing to be able to use my body to make music. I am now blessed to be able to use my meager gift in my church's praise choir and band which includes not only singers way more experienced and polished than I am, but also professional-quality guitar, bass, drum, keyboard and horn players, all under the direction af a Dove Award winning director (who is a nut!) It is truly awesome to be able to make music and see the effect it has on people (including myself) and to experience it on a weekly basis.

I so appreciate folks like John Cowan and many others who make music because they love to do it, not just do it to make as much money as they can. They are out there and we need to support them as a community. That's how this music thing started, at least here in the Southern Appalachians - as a way for us to gather together, forget our day-to-day grind, make a joyful noise, kick up our heels and enjoy each other's company. To keep ourselves grounded in this world wide web of a world we need to continue to nurture our local scenes - not just music, but farming, restaurants, manufacturing, retail. We're only as strong as our weakest link; don't let your community become the weak link!

[Mississippi]

Amen to that!  The very basic of music and the arts is what make it so expressive and personal, and a part of our lives. And very important to share different types of music, past and present, with our kids. I am so lucky that when i was growing up, I was surrounded with the very best music ....maybe every generation thinks that! Well, maybe that is subjective..but please share different types of music with your kids, introduce them to things that maybe you are experiencing for the first time and yes, for goodness sake, take them out to see live music!! Please support LIVE music, and music LIVE! SEE-LIVE-MUSIC....there will NEVER be ANYTHING to replace THAT, not ever.

And I am proud also Ms. Dashper of www.musiccityroots.com!!! Folks this IS the best of what Nashivlle is about!!! This is what we are famous for. The very best of musicians coming together to do what they do best. Play. In simple intimate settings. Simply beautiful! If you are in town check it out! Everybody's all aflutter about it round here! Thank you Ms.Daspher!! Oh, and next week The Amazing Darrell Scott and the Greencards are on the bill!!

       Sweet,
MiSsisSipPi

[lauriedashper123]

Thanks for the kind comments, Miss.  Very excited about Darrell and the Greencards next week.
Peace, all...
L

[Mississippi]

Darrell and the Greencards @Loveless Barn was tonight.....heard it was hot and Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, and Gwenith Paltro dropped in to check it out.... I 'm sure it was sold out! By the way, folks the cover for this awesome event is only EVER $10 ! Pretty sweet.