Are Republican corporations like Clear Channel ruining country music?

[billbuckhead]

I remember Willie Nelson saying that a few years ago he wanted to promote a new tour with an album he was proud of and he wanted to go to local D.J.'s and do interviews like the old days. He soon discovered there were no D.J's just robot radio stations owned by big corporations.

[Endangered Specie]

1. Is there a "Country Music cant be made worse, its always sucked"

option?

*hears guns loading... runs for cover*

[yardwork]

4. I love old-time country music. I even like a lot of early Nashville.

This crap they're putting out now - grrrrrrrrr.

Country and bluegrass has its roots in Celtic folk music, although a lot of people who love folk music wouldn't be caught dead admitting this. The more enlightened, however, look past the big hair and the frequently conservative point of view and see marvelous modern-day folk music in a lot of good country music.

You wouldn't know it listening to today's radio.

[johnnie]

22. "Country and bluegrass has its roots in Celtic folk music"

Good call. There is a great documentary out called "American roots music"
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005Q65K/104-4282706-3577539?v=glance

I would suggest anyone who likes any music at all to get this set. I agree with your post 100% on all points.

[gmoney]

2. Garth Brooks killed country...

Or maybe it was Porter Waggoner...

[mac56]

25. Kenny Rogers killed country music.

Bank it.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

3. Country always had an idealogical right wing tilt....

that was out of touch with the REAL ARTISTIC community.

[yardwork]

5. Oh, nonsense! LOL! I read your sig line, too.

Every artist has a point of view.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

26. So you agree that CNN is just like FOX then???

[Zomby Woof]

10. um, what the fuck?

You are very ignorant of country music and its populist roots, which transcends your banal ideological turgidness, or anyone's else's, the current crop of pretenders be damned.

When you talk of banning music, you are no better than the Nazis and other censors.

I suppose Willie Nelson's support of Dennis Kucinich makes him a right-wing wacko? Or Merle Haggard's covering of a Woody Guthrie tune? Or his penning of an anti-war tune?

Or Johnny Cash, who wore black for the poor, downtrodden, hard-working, forgotten people, of all colors and backgrounds... you know, the same ones the Democratic Party is supposed to represent.

Or Jimmie Rodgers, who poo-pooed segregation in music (and everywhere down south) in the 1920's, and recorded sessions with Louis Armstrong. Rodgers only helped INVENT the genre of country music.

I expect ignorance on DU. I have seen a lot of shit dribble down my screen on here. I usually ignore it, but your ignorance is exalted above many, many others, and you wear it too proudly to get away with your tripe.

Fuck your idea of censorship, your ignorance of musical history, and your parochial ideological correctness.

[Beware the Beast Man]

11. Don't forget Sam Phillips

Who produced black and white, country and R & B artists in a segregated Tennessee.

[Zomby Woof]

12. we have only scratched the surface

Although country music, or whatever passes for it these days, does have its share of reactionary idiots, such blanket statements about the genre historically leave me floored at the sheer weight of its own ignorance.

[Beware the Beast Man]

13. I agree

Contemporary country is mostly watered-down garbage, as is most popular music. I have nothing but respect for the roots music, though.

[Rooktoven]

15. well, uh

Gram Parsons
Willie Nelson
Nanci Griffith
Emmylou Harris
Steve Earle
Lucinda Williams
Waylon Jennings
Johnny Cash
Kris Kristofferson
Patsy Cline
kd lang (!)
Hordes of bluegrass players...

[Zomby Woof]

16. there ya go

And that's just a small sample, but a tasty one.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

17. Yes, there are some Liberals, but the establishment....

has been taken over by the Toby Keith/Clear Channel Crowd.

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MikeG]

6. Republicans fit right in with that tacky country music aura.

[PittPoliSci]

7. no.

Country music kills itself.

[billbuckhead]

8. When it's done well, it's really really good, but when it's done bad....

it's really, really bad. Steve Earle vs Toby Keith.

[AngryAmish]

9. Lots of good country in Chicago, beleive it or not

check out the Bloodshot Records lineup.

However, mainstream country is suffering the same corporate disease that pop and rock music suffer from. Essentially, they try to make mega-stars and keep pushing the same people for a few records, until they slump and then they manufacture another star.

Music business depresses me.

[NightTrain]

14. Most of the country music I listen to is from the 1940s and '50s...

...before all that string-laden "countrypolitan" shit came along in the early 1960s.

But having said that, I'd still rather listen to the country music of the '60s and '70s than to that shit the radio is regurgitating now! :puke:

[Bridget Burke]

20. Even "countrypolitan" had its moments.

After all, Patsy Cline's records were slick & sophisticated. Her talent made them real.

[Bunny]

21. I love that word.

Countrypolitan. That's a great word, and so aptly describes today's country scene. When I was a kid, my mom listened to country - Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, George Jones, Charley Pride, Marty Robbins, Tammy Wynette, Patsy Cline, you get the drift. That was real country, in my mind.

That was good stuff, because it took a distinct slice of American life and portrayed it accurately, warts and all. Love, infidelity, making a living, drinking, etc. Or, as they say, a good country song has to have these components: drinking, pickup trucks, prison, mama, and trains!

It may be fashionable to look down our noses at that "trailer trash" lifestyle, but I think that's pretty elitist. Lots of good decent folks live the country lifestyle, there's nothing wrong with it.

Today's country, on the other hand, has become so homogenized. It's very formulaic, as is pop, hip hop, grunge, etc. Each genre seems to have its own prescribed manner of dress, speech, lifestyle, etc. And this is all generated by Clear Channel and other conglomerates. They have figured out what works, they're shoving it down our throats, and woe be unto you if you don't fit that mold. You'll never get heard.

My kids like country music, quite inexplicably I might add, since they did not hear it from me. There's a lot of flag wavin' going on, but I also notice more focus on social issues such as child and spousal abuse, substance abuse, etc. I don't love it, but I can tolerate it. It's really not that different from anything else being played on the radio.

And besides, I can only listen to Stairway to Heaven just so many times before I crack!!

[dbt]

18. NASHVILLE is ruining Country Music!

But Clear Channel, Citadel, etc are certainly helping them. Case in point: Loretta Lynn's new CD, Van Lear Rose, is a rough, loose, ROCKING and completely RAW piece of work. It is jaw-droppin' BRILLIANT. Do ya hear any of it on the Country Stations? HELL no!

(How good is the new Loretta CD? I have almost decided to forgive her for supporting bu$h in 2000. That's how good it is!)

:evilgrin:
dbt

[NuckinFutz]

28. I actually have heard some of this...

Of course, I listen to WXPN from Philly. They do have a listen live feature, for those of you not lucky enough to be close by. As far as I know, and my experience is limited, WXPN may be the only public radio station playing independent/non-corporate music. Their format is awesome.

[livinginphotographs]

23. I'm not a country music fan....

But Clear Channel is ruining ALL music.

Now for some info on my friend's fight against Clear Channel: see http://www.radioaid.com/sucks.asp


Some background; Rob said it better than I ever could.

The history of this situation arose from the following synopsis of what has occurred to date between Clear Channel Communications, Inc. and RadioAid.com. The domain name of ClearChannelSucks.net was purchased on January 22, 2002 by RadioAid.com founder, 26 year old Rob Vining. Clear Channel Communications, Inc. contacted Rob on December 9, 2003 via e-mail from Hamlet T. Newsom Jr., Senior Corporate Counsel for Clear Channel Communications, Inc.



The following is text of Mr. Newsom's original email:


Hamlet T. Newsom Jr.
Senior Corporate Counsel
Direct Line: 210-832-3320
Direct Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]


December 9, 2003


Mr. Robert Vining
VIA EMAIL
11282 Taylor Draper Lane, Suite 327
Austin, Texas 78759

Re: Infringement of Trademark of Clear Channel Communications, Inc.

Dear Mr. Vining:

It has been brought to my attention that you have registered the domain name clearchannelsucks.net (the “Domain Name”) for your website radioaid.com that offers online radio subscriptions. Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (“Clear Channel”) is the owner of the trademark CLEAR CHANNEL, federal registration number 2,361,253 (the “Mark”) for various services, including radio and television broadcasting and programming, outdoor advertising, and other related services. In that regard, Clear Channel has used this Mark since at least 1973 and is also the owner of many common law and registered trademarks that include the term CLEAR CHANNEL, including CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS. As you may know, under state and federal trademark laws, Clear Channel has a legal obligation to police its trademarks or it risks losing its trademark rights.

It is our policy to vigorously enforce our trademark rights and we are currently investigating potential cybersquatting, trademark infringement, false designation of origin, and unfair competition claims against your company, RadioAid.com. Upon a cursory inspection of your website, it is clear that there is no connection between the company RadioAid.com and the term Clear Channel. Rather, it appears you are using the term “Clear Channel” to unfairly divert consumers to your RadioAid.com - a site that directly relates to radio broadcasting. Our initial impression is that your company is trading off of the goodwill that Clear Channel has established in the Mark. Please be assured that we will complete our investigation and take immediate action as warranted.

While we are committed to taking all necessary action upon completion of our investigation, we are interested in addressing this issue now in order to avoid confusion and future litigation. Please inform me if you have any authorization from Clear Channel to register the Domain Name. Absent any such authorization, it is our opinion that your company should abandon the Domain Name and cease using the Mark.

Nothing contained or omitted in this letter is intended to be, nor should be deemed to be or construed as, a waiver or relinquishment of any of Clear Channel’s rights, remedies, claims, and contentions in respect to the matter, whether legal, equitable, or factual; each and all of which are expressly hereby reserved.

I look forward to receiving a reply and anticipate reaching an amicable resolution to this matter.


Very truly yours,

Hamlet T. Newsom Jr.
Senior Corporate Counsel

The following is Rob's response to Mr. Newsome:

February 2, 2004

Mr. Hamlet T. Newsom Jr.
Clear Channel Worldwide
200 E. Basse Road
San Antonio, Texas 78209

Dear Mr. Newsom:

In response to your email dated December 9, 2003, you are correct in your discovery of my ownership of clearchannelsucks.net, however clearchannelsucks.net in no way trades off the “goodwill that Clear Channel has established in the Mark” as you put it. In fact, clearchannelsucks.net trades only off the fact that many consumers are not satisfied with the Clear Channel “goodwill” and therefore are looking for other avenues of entertainment to pursue. Avenues such as RadioAid.com.

RadioAid.com is an online streaming radio site for unsigned and independent artists. RadioAid.com owns its own proprietary streaming software that in no way relates to Clear Channel’s “radio and television broadcasting and programming, outdoor advertising, and other related services”. As I am sure you will agree, the differences between RadioAid.com and Clear Channel make them what the courts would find “unrelated goods”.

RadioAid.com will not relinquish rights to clearchannelsucks.net. Clearchannelsucks.net states RadioAid.com’s stance on Clear Channel’s position in the music industry and is in no way violating the Clear Channel trademark.

As I’m sure you are aware, trademark infringement occurs when a non-owner uses another’s trademark in a way that causes actual confusion or a likelihood of confusion between the marks. Specifically, the U.S. Trademark Act prohibits the use of marks that are “likely to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive as to the affiliation, connection, or association of such person with another person, or as to the origin, sponsorship, or approval of his or her goods, services, or commercial activities by another person”. I think you would agree that clearchannelsucks.net would not cause confusion with clearchannel.com. Had RadioAid.com registered the domain name of clearchannel.net, that would be an infringement on Clear Channel’s trademark and I would be bound legally to concede the name.

I look forward to receiving your response. However, I will reply only to correspondence received through the US Postal Service on the Clear Channel letterhead. Email contact will no longer be an acceptable form of correspondence between Clear Channel and RadioAid.

Sincerely,

Rob Vining, President
RadioAid.com

continued...

Obviously, these threats of legal action from the Senior Corporate Counsel, Mr. Newsom, against Rob if the domain ClearChannelSucks.net was not handed over immediately. Or, as Mr. Newsom mentions, "It is our policy to vigorously enforce ...potential cybersquatting, trademark infringement, false designation of origin, and unfair competition claims against your company, RadioAid.com.

As shaky and daunting as the next few weeks were for Rob, the decision was made to keep the website and not give it up. He felt that he was in the right to keep the website and decided to continue to direct artists and listeners to a site that provided information on the corruption of Clear Channel Communications, Inc. He continued to show how Clear Channel Communications, Inc. was degrading the music industry, and dulling listener's ears to the sounds of paid programming for songs played through under the table deals with the major record labels. RadioAid has always played advertisements in it's streaming radio that point listeners and artists in the direction of an outstanding series of articles that shined a light on the truth of the underhanded business practices of Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (http://www.salon.com/ent/clear_channel /)

Rob has been a stout protester of the business practices of Clear Channel Communications, Inc. since the inception of RadioAid.com on October, 2000. He was able to spread the word to others who were looking for alternate forms of radio. He and several independent artists created a streaming radio consisting of 100% unsigned and independent musicians. This caught hold and slowly gained popularity, as music fans have grown tired of 'repeat radio' and prefer the music of otherwise unknown artists. As RadioAid grew in popularity, Clear Channel Communications, Inc. also decided to enter the ring of unsigned and independent artists 2 years down the road in late September of 2002 (Clear Channel owns and operates www.clearchannelnewmusicnetwork.com and bearadiostar.com - registered on January 28th of 2004).

Clear Channel Communications, Inc. used their website www.clearchannelnewmusicnetwork.com and stated that we were in direct competition with this website, which is affiliated with bearadiostar.com, the website that was only registered earlier this year. RadioAid.com has been online and operating since October, 2000.

Competition is a bad thing to conglomerates such as Clear Channel, and one way to get rid of your competition is to scare them with legal action.

This seems to work a majority of the time, as few individuals have the funds available to take a billion dollar corporate company such as Clear Channel Communications, Inc. to court.

RadioAid.com has decided to take legal action against Clear Channel Communications, Inc. and we are asking for monetary assistance from any of those who would like to keep the freedom to criticize a Corporate Monopoly such as Clear Channel Communications, Inc. This company has been sued for being an illegal monopoly (http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2004/05/31... ), brought to court on counts of illegal Payola practices (paying radio stations to play music from major labels), and continues to be brought to court by individuals and small companies who have been wronged directly from Clear Channel Communications, Inc.

I repeat: PLEASE HELP!!!!!

Even if you can't donate, just spread the word. Rob needs hits on his website, so post this wherever you can.

www.radioaid.com/sucks.asp

[MissMillie]

24. Ruining ALL music in this country.

Independent radio is best.

[NuckinFutz]

30. Hear, hear!

Problem is, for lots of folks it's hard to find.

[leftofthedial]

27. unquestionably

It's repuke-controlled radio killing it from the outside and repuke-controlled corporations also killing it from the inside.

I'm in the music business and spend much time in Nashville. Most of the creative people are open-minded, very intelligent and informed. Many are progressives. But by and large, the decision makers in that town are flat out freeper dittohead morans.

Can't write a peace song because that's too topical. We can right all the "let's kick their brown ass" songs we want though.

Can't write about social justice or the struggles of the working class because that's too negative. We can write all we want about how great life is in
America though because that's positive.

Harlan Howard described great country music as three chords and the truth. Can't tell the truth anymore.

[NuckinFutz]

29. Harlan knew his stuff..bless him....n/t

[leftofthedial]

31. country music was the music of the working class

it was one of the societal institutions that was the "glue" that held defined working class issues, concerns and life for Americans all over the country.

The repukes know if they can destroy that, it creates a vacuum for their propaganda to fill. It is by design, no accident, that the repuke controlled mass media is destroying popular music and controlling what little of it they can't kill.

[HuckleB]

32. That depends on what you call country music.

[dorktv]

33. I am forced to listen to country music every damn day at my job

and they play the same stuff over and over and over again. They also do not play anyone who has said anything remotely controversial about Bush and Co.

[dwckabal]

34. The FIVE (whoops, make that FOUR) record companies

are ruining MUSIC, period.

Creativity is frowned upon. Dreck sells. Conform or fall into obscurity.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3908405.stm