Any Country songs that promote diversity?

[The Backlash Cometh]

I was just wondering, has anyone analyzed country music to determine if there's any hint of a message that people can unify, despite obvious differences? For example, Black eyed pea's song, "Where is the love?" comes to mind. Folk songs of the 60s use to have a unifying and/or universal theme. You can find it in hip hop music, like, "We're all in this together." It's a high school song, but the words indicate that we're stronger together, even though we're different.

If not a unifying message, what does Country music try to communicate?

[Lisa]

1. Kinky Friedman's written a country song where he takes on a racist

http://www.lyricstime.com/kinky-friedman-they-ain-t-makin-jews-like-jesus-anymore-lyrics.html

"Well, I hits him with everything I had right square between the eyes.
I says, "I’m gonna gitcha, you son of a bitch ya, for spoutin’ that pack of lies.
If there’s one thing I can’t abide, it’s an ethnocentric racist;
Now you take back that thing you said about aristotle onassis"

No, they ain’t makin’ jews like jesus anymore,
We don’t turn the other cheek the way we done before.
You could hear that honky holler as he hit that hardwood floor
"lord, they sho’ ain’t makin’ jews like jesus anymore!"
All right!

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. Thanks. Interesting.

[pitohui]

10. heh haven't thought of that song in years

good one, love him or hate him, kinky knows how to entertain

[Gabi Hayes]

57. Jesus! can't believe this was the very first song on the list!

I was going to post all the lyrics.

they're very "diverse"

[Lisa]

88. he also wrote "Rapid City, South Dakota"

.... which he claims is the world's only pro-choice country-and-western song. (The "doctor in Chicago" he refers to is actually one of the relatives, a physician -- according to his later novel, "The Lovesong of J. Edgar Hoover".)

[Behind the Aegis]

3. "We Shall Be Free" by Garth Brooks is about gays and lesbians.

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. How is Garth's popularity these days?

[Behind the Aegis]

5. That I don't know.

Also, I think the Dixie Chicks have a diversity song. There are a few others. When I did presentations on diversity, I used all music genres, including country, but I can't remember them off the top of my head.

[tuvor]

8. You'd have to check with Wal-Mart.

He's working exclusively with them, now.

[theboss]

46. He retired

And he's actually stayed retired. It's kind of remarkable actually.

[LeftyMom]

7. and a lot of other good things

That was the first song I thought of in anser to the question

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/garthbrooks/weshallbefree.html


"We Shall Be Free"

This ain't comin' from no prophet
Just an ordinary man
When I close my eyes I see
The way this world shall be
When we all walk hand in hand

When the last child cries for a crust of bread
When the last man dies for just words that he said
When there's shelter over the poorest head
We shall be free

When the last thing we notice is the color of skin
And the first thing we look for is the beauty within
When the skies and the oceans are clean again
Then we shall be free

We shall be free
We shall be free
Stand straight, walk proud
'Cause we shall be free
When we're free to love anyone we choose
When this world's big enough for all different views
When we all can worship from our own kind of pew
Then we shall be free
We shall be free

We shall be free
Have a little faith
Hold out
'Cause we shall be free

And when money talks for the very last time
And nobody walks a step behind
When there's only one race and that's mankind
Then we shall be free

We shall be free
We shall be free
Stand straight, walk proud, have a little faith, hold out
We shall be free

We shall be free
We shall be free
Stand straight, have a little faith

We shall be free

[The Backlash Cometh]

20. That really is beautiful

[bunkerbuster1]

29. Yeah, I had to put all my Garth snark in cold storage once I heard that.

He's struck me as one of the good guys ever since he released that track.

[spanone]

86. Garth not only sang it but he wrote the song with Stephanie Davis.

[jdpainter]

72. No only about Gays and Lesbians

Well, not quite. It's about many things and hints at gays and lesbians. Here's an excerpt of the lyrics:

This ain't comin' from no prophet
Just an ordinary man
When I close my eyes I see
The way this world shall be
When we all walk hand in hand

When the last child cries for a crust of bread
When the last man dies for just words that he said
When there's shelter over the poorest head
We shall be free

When the last thing we notice is the color of skin
And the first thing we look for is the beauty within
When the skies and the oceans are clean again
Then we shall be free

We shall be free
We shall be free
Stand straight, walk proud
'Cause we shall be free
When we're free to love anyone we choose
When this world's big enough for all different views
When we all can worship from our own kind of pew
Then we shall be free
We shall be free

We shall be free
Have a little faith
Hold out
'Cause we shall be free

And when money talks for the very last time
And nobody walks a step behind
When there's only one race and that's mankind
Then we shall be free

We shall be free
We shall be free
Stand straight, walk proud, have a little faith, hold out
We shall be free

We shall be free
We shall be free
Stand straight, have a little faith

We shall be free

[Zhade]

87. Just heard that for the first time a few nights ago.

I was stunned. Brooks is a fairly decent guy, turns out!

[XemaSab]

6. Yellow Rose of Texas

n/t

[saltpoint]

9. How 'bout "Feed Jake" ?

FEED JAKE

Sung by - Pirates Of The Mississippi


I'm standing at the crossroads in life...
And I don't know which way to go...
You know you've got my heart, babe...
But my music's got my soul...
Let me play it one more time...
I'll tell the truth and make it rhyme...
And hope they understand me...

Now I lay me down to sleep...
I pray the Lord my soul to keep...
If I die before I wake... feed Jake...
He's been a good dog...
My best friend right through it all...
If I die before I wake...feed Jake...

Now Broadway's like a sewer...
Bums and hookers everywhere...
Wino passed out on the sidewalk...
Doesn't anybody care?
Some say he's worthless, just let him be...
I for one would have to disagree...
And so would their mommas...

Now I lay me down to sleep...
I pray the Lord my soul to keep...
And if I die before I wake...feed Jake...
He's been a good dog...
My best friend right through it all...
If I die before I wake...feed Jake...

Now, if you get an ear pierced...
Some will call you gay...
But if you drive a pickup...
They say, no, you must be straight...
What we are and what we ain't...
What we can and what we can't...
Doesn't really matter...

Now I lay me down to sleep...
I pray the Lord my soul to keep...
And if I die before I wake...feed Jake...
He's been a good dog...
My best friend right through it all...
If I die before I wake...feed Jake...
If I die before I wake...feed Jake...
If I die before I wake...feed Jake...

[The Backlash Cometh]

21. Knocks off a few stereotypes. Good song.

[jobycom]

54. I was going to post that. Good song. nt.

[longship]

11. Willie?

Willie Nelson is a pretty cool dude. I'm no country music fan--it's opera for me--but I went to a Willie concert with my SO and I loved it. I don't know enough about his music to judge, but I'd say he's a pretty liberal guy.

[The Backlash Cometh]

22. I love Willie. But not because of his music.

He was on Monk, and believe it or not, he rose in my esteem because Tony Shalub seemed to really like him. I figure he has to be cool.

[fishwax]

64. that was a sweet episode

:thumbsup:

[MADem]

12. Willie Nelson

Cowboys are frequently, secretly fond of each other, I believe it is called....

[fishwax]

66. yes, that's the name ... interesting article about how that came about ...

http://www.dallasnews.com/s/dws/ent/columnists/mtarradell/stories/DN-cowboysong_0214gl.ART.State.Edition2.e368707.html

[Ravy]

13. What about "I got friends in low places"? (n/t)

[leftofthedial]

14. "A Good Goat'll Do That"

is pretty open minded about an unconventional hookup.

[WCGreen]

15. Up Against the wall Redneck Mother....

[bunkerbuster1]

30. Another shout out for Ray Wylie Hubbard!

A good guy. Check out his site, I'm listening as I type...

http://www.raywylie.com/

[rhino47]

16. Iris Dement Wasteland of the Free

Living in the wasteland of the free...

We got preachers dealing in politics and diamond mines
and their speech is growing increasingly unkind
They say they are Christ's disciples
but they don't look like Jesus to me
and it feels like I am living in the wasteland of the free

We got politicians running races on corporate cash
Now don't tell me they don't turn around and kiss them peoples' ass
You may call me old-fashioned
but that don't fit my picture of a true democracy
and it feels like I am living in the wasteland of the free

We got CEO's making two hundred times the workers' pay
but they'll fight like hell against raising the minimum wage
and If you don't like it, mister, they'll ship your job
to some third-world country 'cross the sea
and it feels like I am living in the wasteland of the free

Living in the wasteland of the free
where the poor have now become the enemy
Let's blame our troubles on the weak ones
Sounds like some kind of Hitler remedy
Living in the wasteland of the free

We got little kids with guns fighting inner city wars
So what do we do, we put these little kids behind prison doors
and we call ourselves the advanced civilization
that sounds like crap to me
and it feels like I am living in the wasteland of the free

We got high-school kids running 'round in Calvin Klein and Guess
who cannot pass a sixth-grade reading test
but if you ask them, they can tell you
the name of every crotch on mTV
and it feels like I am living in the wasteland of the free

We kill for oil, then we throw a party when we win
Some guy refuses to fight, and we call that the sin
but he's standing up for what he believes in
and that seems pretty damned American to me
and it feels like I am living in the wasteland of the free

Living in the wasteland of the free
where the poor have now become the enemy
Let's blame our troubles on the weak ones
Sounds like some kind of Hitler remedy
Living in the wasteland of the free

While we sit gloating in our greatness
justice is sinking to the bottom of the sea
Living in the wasteland of the free
Living in the wasteland of the free
Living in the wasteland of the free

[HuskerDU]

17. Best political song in 20 years.

Kudos to the great Iris Dement. She keeps a low profile, but she is the best thing going in music today.

[fishwax]

67. I've known her mostly through her work with john prine

on the "in spite of ourselves" album. I think now I'll have to look deeper into her own work. :thumbsup:

[The Backlash Cometh]

23. I hope the melody is good, because I nominate this for DU's honorary

fighting song.

[Bridget Burke]

55. Listen to the melody here:

http://wastelandofthefree.com/

A fan established the website in honor of the song.

[fishwax]

68. thanks for posting that!

great song!

[zcflint09]

18. Love "Where is the Love"

Dixie Chicks have a song or two out, can't remember the exact names of them either. There's more progressive country bands starting to come out, the the Chicks and Sugarland. Country music's image is beginning to change...slowly, but it is.

[The Backlash Cometh]

24. Very happy to hear that. I have a fondness for the old country songs.

Back when we weren't so divided.

[hfojvt]

19. bah, I cannot find my list

they would all be old songs anyway.

Alot of what Country music tries to communicate is four categories
1) falling/being in love
2) heartache and loss
3) keeping/winning-back your love
4) getting drunk/going to a race or rodeo/having a good time

the ones on my list were not about diversity necessarily, although Chris LeDoux's "This Cowboy's Hat" would definitely fit that as he introduces it in concert "No matter how different we look or talk or dress we all have a lot of things in common, that's what this song's about." (Typically enough, what we have in common is 'loss' as the song details how the old cowboy's hat is special to him because it is connected to: his father, now deceased; his nephew, who died in Vietnam; an Indian friend, who was killed in a hit and run; a special lady, who he may never see again) And before you ask, Chris is not getting alot of airplay or making new records since he died a couple years ago (although that has not stopped The Man in Black.

Gibson-Miller's "Red, White and Blue Collar" is also about diversity but it never was on the radio. I only heard it because I bought the album after hearing "Johnny get your gun" which is about gun violence. However, Gibson-Miller broke up after making that album.

I would also give kudos to
Trail of Tears - Billy Ray Cyrus
Daddy never was the cadillac kind - Confederate Railroad (and this from the video which I only saw part of once, but it seemed that 'Daddy' was a union leader for coal miners (and their daughters))

But I have not listened to recent country music for about five years. Since I have my computer to play my CDs at random, radio stations are superfluous.

[The Backlash Cometh]

27. I might try to collect all the songs that are mentioned on this thread

and see what I come up with.

[H2O Man]

25. "What Is Truth?"

by the Man in Black.

[Tesha]

26. "Mah Ford Drove off with Mah Neighbor's Chevy"? (NT)

[The Backlash Cometh]

28. Hey, in some states, that's a progressive song!

[theHandpuppet]

31. Dolly Parton's "Travelin' Thru" from TRANSAMERICA

The Oscar-nominated and should-have-won song written and performed for the film.

Here are the lyrics:
http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/transamerica/travelinthru.htm

[theHandpuppet]

32. Here's part of an interview with Dolly about tolerance & her song

http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/movieawards/oscars/2006-02-22-parton_x.htm

(excerpt)

"Tucker was instrumental in offering Parton direction for the song. "He wanted the song to be about redemption and about people's feelings," Parton says.

"She struggled until one morning on her tour bus she had the idea for a spiritual theme and a gospel feel. She wrote: "God made me for a reason, and nothing is in vain/Redemption comes in many shapes with many kinds of pain." She finished in a day.

"Parton is considering putting the song on a gospel album and doing a dance club version.

"Having a big gay following, I get hate mail and threats," she says. "Some people are blind or ignorant, and you can't be that prejudiced and hateful and go through this world and still be happy. One thing about this movie is that I think art can change minds. It's all right to be who you are."

[The Backlash Cometh]

35. All those bad things I said about Dolly Parton and Dollywood...

...I take them back.

[theHandpuppet]

40. More on Dolly, her art, and tolerance

Dolly's been a longtime supporter of the gay community, for which she has received a goodly share of hate mail and threats. Dolly writes from the heart, her lyrics often reflecting issues of class, poverty, of being the outsider, of tolerance and love.

Parton gave her song, Sugar Hill, which appeared on her 2002 project Halos and Horns, to the gay rights group Human Rights Campaign for a Valentine's Day compilation CD ("Love Rocks") for sale on the HRC website. The lyrics for "Sugar Hill" can be found here: http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Sugar-Hill-lyrics-/FFF36A04B5A6B5AE48256CD10010E3D3

And her "Coat of Many Colors" is used in lessons of tolerance: http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/02/lp277-04.shtml and http://www.tolerance.org/teach_tol/lessons/eat.jsp

Here's to you, Dolly!

:yourock:

[theboss]

47. You said bad things about Dolly?

For shame.

[The Backlash Cometh]

75. eyes turned downward.

I am.

[blonndee]

33. Johnny Cash "Man in Black"

Well, you wonder why I always dress in black,
Why you never see bright colors on my back,
And why does my appearance seem to have a somber tone.
Well, there's a reason for the things that I have on.

I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down,
Livin' in the hopeless, hungry side of town,
I wear it for the prisoner who has long paid for his crime,
But is there because he's a victim of the times.

I wear the black for those who never read,
Or listened to the words that Jesus said,
About the road to happiness through love and charity,
Why, you'd think He's talking straight to you and me.

Well, we're doin' mighty fine, I do suppose,
In our streak of lightnin' cars and fancy clothes,
But just so we're reminded of the ones who are held back,
Up front there ought 'a be a Man In Black.

I wear it for the sick and lonely old,
For the reckless ones whose bad trip left them cold,
I wear the black in mournin' for the lives that could have been,
Each week we lose a hundred fine young men.

And, I wear it for the thousands who have died,
Believen' that the Lord was on their side,
I wear it for another hundred thousand who have died,
Believen' that we all were on their side.

Well, there's things that never will be right I know,
And things need changin' everywhere you go,
But 'til we start to make a move to make a few things right,
You'll never see me wear a suit of white.

Ah, I'd love to wear a rainbow every day,
And tell the world that everything's OK,
But I'll try to carry off a little darkness on my back,
'Till things are brighter, I'm the Man In Black.

[The Backlash Cometh]

36. I rue the day that the Country industry started letting go of the old

greats in favor of the flash in the tight-pants country singers. Johnny was good.

[Bridget Burke]

53. Cash released "Bitter Tears (Ballads of the American Indian)" in 1964.

"The Ballad of Ira Hayes" by Peter La Farge, was released as a single. Cash bought a full-page ad in Billboard:

DJs, station managers, owners, etc., where are your guts? I'm not afraid to sing the hard bitter lines that the song of Oliver La Farge wrote ... Classify me, categorize me -- STIFLE me, but it won't work ... I am fighting no particular cause. If I did it would soon make me a sluggard. For as time changes, I change. You're right! Teenage girls and Beatle-record buyers don't want to hear the sad story of Ira Hayes -- but who cries more easily, and who always goes to sad movies to cry??? Teenage girls. Some of you "Top 40" DJs went all out for this at first. Thanks anyway. Maybe the program director or station manager will reconsider. This ad (go ahead and call it that) costs like hell. Would you, or those pulling the strings for you, go to the mike with a new approach? That is, listen to the record again?

Regardless of the trade charts -- the categorising, classifying and restrictions of airplay, this is not a country song, not as it is being sold. It is a fine reason for the gutless to give it the thumbs down. 'Ballad of Ira Hayes' is strong medicine. So is Rochester -- Harlem -- Birmingham and Vietnam ... I've blown my horn now; just this once, then no more. Since I've said these things now, I find myself not caring if the record is programmed or not. I won't ask you to cram it down their throats. But ... I had to fight back when I realised that so many stations are afraid of "The Ballad of Ira Hayes." Just one question: WHY????

http://flopearedmule.blogspot.com/2005/12/debts-musical-and-otherwise.html

Later, he sent another message to the Nashville Music Establishment:

[AngryAmish]

34. Walk This Way by Run-DMC

[Bridget Burke]

37. The real roots of Country music are diverse...

"The African-American music of the rural South provided the source for gospel, jazz, and blues, while the oft ignored black contribution to country and hillbilly music went far beyond providing the banjo and Charley Pride. Southern rural musicians drew upon a common well, segregated into blues, country, and folk by recording companies and folklorists only well into the 20th century. Until the explosive emergence of the blues a century ago, blacks played fiddle and banjo for dances throughout the South, entertaining audiences of both races and often playing with European-American musicians." -- Art Menius

www.birthplaceofcountrymusic.org/index.cgi?cat=10043

Pioneers like Jimmie Rodgers, The Carter Family, Bill Monroe, Bob Wills & Hank Williams all had African-American teachers. The linked article also mentions the Hawaiian musicians whose guitar styles led to the Dobro and pedal steel. Personally, I hear a bit of mariachi in the music of Bob Wills. And a touch of Cajun in early George Jones? (He came from "The Golden Triangle" area--Beaumont, Port Arthur & Orange--on the Texas Louisiana Border.)

The Nashville Establishment prefers to ignore all this "diversity." Thank the Grand Ole Opry for the image of mountain folk as hillbillies in torn overalls & battered straw hats. (Bill Monroe & The Carter Family presented themselves with stern dignity.) Wild Texans also broke the mold. (Drums in the band? Why, that encourages DANCING!)

[The Backlash Cometh]

38. I was wondering when that was going to crop up.

[niccolos_smile]

44. Cool website..

Few people realise what an eclectic mix of cultural genres go into what is considered country music.

[4bucksagallon]

39. how about

Artist/Band: Nelson Willie
Lyrics for Song: Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys
Lyrics for Album: Essential Willie Nelson
(with Waylon Jennings)

Mama don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Don't let 'em pick guitars and drive them old trucks
Make 'em be doctors and lawyers and such
Mama don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
They'll never stay home and they're always alone
Even with someone they love
Cowboys ain't easy to love and they're harder to hold
And they'd rather give you a song then diamonds or gold
Lonestar belt buckles and old faded Levi's each night begins a new day
And if you don't understand him and he don't die young
He'll probly just ride away
Mama don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Don't let 'em pick guitars and drive them old trucks
Make 'em be doctors and lawyers and such
Mama don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
They'll never stay home and they're always alone
Even with someone they love
Cowboys like smokey old pool rooms and clear mountian moringin's
Little warm puppies and children and girls of the night
And them that don't know him won't like him
And them that do sometimes won't know how to take him
He ain't wrong he's just different
but his pride won't let him do things to make you think he's right
Mama don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Don't let 'em pick guitars and drive them old trucks
Make 'em be doctors and lawyers and such
Mama don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
They'll never stay home and they're always alone
Even with someone they love
Mama don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Don't let 'em pick guitars and drive them old trucks
Make 'em be doctors and lawyers and such

[The Backlash Cometh]

52. Have you ever noticed how few people consider that a bad song

about cowboys? It's almost like the image portrayed in the song is what they find so attractive.

[fishwax]

70. I don't think it's a bad song about cowboys

there's a certain degree of ambivalence, but a cowboy "ain't wrong he's just different/and his pride won't let him do things to make you think he's right."

Cowboys like smokey pool rooms and clear mountain mornings and puppies and kids and I don't see anything wrong with that :)

[4bucksagallon]

90. I was referring to the Cowardly Cowboy from Connecticut

[fishwax]

91. welcome to DU!

"cowardly cowboy from connecticut" :rofl: :hi:

[GreenArrow]

41. "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" by Trace Adkins

Promotes the celebration and diversity of women's bootys in a Saturday Night honky tonk.

[niccolos_smile]

43. I hate that song.

I really do. It's like some of those country rap songs that were made in the 90's.

:puke:

[GreenArrow]

45. country rap, yes it is!

If you think the song's bad, wait'll ya get an eyeful of the video. It has all the rap hallmarks -- overly-muscled singer, with posse in tow, wild hand gesticulations, and absurd bon mots, and a non-stop focus on women's behinds.

[niccolos_smile]

49. I'm glad I don't watch music television...

and I'll stick with "Baby Got Back" as my personal favorite anthem to the booty.

:bounce:

[GreenArrow]

51. I don't watch Music TV either

but my sister had been telling me about this song for a while, and I thought she was making it up. I decided to loook it up online, and there it was.

As for "Baby Got Back," it's superior in every asspect!

[niccolos_smile]

58. I might look it up...

but I might need a barf bag handy too.

I love my Texas country though. We have a place called Hill's Cafe here in Austin that has a free concert every Wednesday night during the summer. They play local artists, and others who don't get national exposure. And it's free!

[niccolos_smile]

42. There are quite a few artist that promote diversity...

Some already mentioned such as Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. Also Kris Kristofferson (who wrote "Sunday Morning Coming Down" sung by Johnny Cash, and was a member of the Highwaymen). Don Williams also comes to mind.

I'm sure there are more than that, I just can't think this morning.

Country music is more than the mainstream pop-country crap that comes out of Nashville. Thank god.

[lastliberalintexas]

48. Since he hasn't been mentioned, I'll add Waylon Jennings'

America

Some have said, down through history
If you last it's a mystery
But I guess they don't know, what they're talking about
From the mountains down to the sea
You've become such a habit with me
America, Amer-ica

Well I come from, down around Tennesee
But the people in California
Are nice to me, Amer-ica
It don't matter where I may roam
Tell you people that it's home sweet home
America, Amer-ica

Chorus:
And my brothers are all black and white, yellow too
And the red man is right, to expect a little from you
Promise and then follow through, America

And the men, who fell on the plains
And lived, through hardship and pain
America, Amer-ica
And the men who could not fight
In a war that didn't seem right
You let them come home, America

And my brothers are all black and white, yellow too
And the red man is right, to expect a little from you
Promise and then follow through, America

Well I come from, down around Tennesee
But the people in California
Are nice to me, Amer-ica
It don't matter where I may roam

And my brothers are all black and white, yellow too
And the red man is right, to expect a little from you
Promise and then follow through, America

Tell you people that it's home sweet home
America, Amer-ica
America, Amer-ica

And my brothers are all black and white, yellow too
And the red man is right, to expect a little from you
Promise and then follow through, America

It's home sweet home, Amer-ica
America, Amer-ica


As many others have said on this thread, country music can not be judged by what is played on the corporate radio, anymore than real rock music can be judged by what makes Clear Channel's "alternative" stations. Willie and Waylon, Dolly Parton, Cash, Kris, Merle Haggard, the Dixie Chicks, Jones (who supported Clark), Kelly Willis, Iris DeMent, Shelby Lynne, Steve Earle, Allison Moorer and many others are all very TALENTED progressive country artists. I can't help it that corporate radio doesn't air their music any more than I can help what the corporate media presents as news. :)

Also, though I'm not really aware of any of their music being overtly liberal or progressive, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw are apparently left leaning too.

[niccolos_smile]

50. We have good country station here in Austin...

98.1 KVET

They play a lot of classic country, Texas country, Outlaw country, etc.

They tend to stay away from a lot of the crap from Nashville.

[Bridget Burke]

60. Do you remember KOKE-FM?

Back during Cosmic Cowboy days, they'd play a set including the Rolling Stones, George Jones & local favorites. Alvin Crow & the Pleasant Valley Boys? Freda & the Firedogs?

http://www.fredafiredogs.com/art_photos.html

Of course, "Freda" is now Marcia Ball.

Marcia Ball is an anomaly in the world of piano-based R&B/blues/boogie. A keyboardist who was steeped in and absorbed all the rich traditions of New Orleans, she makes her home in Austin, where she is a singer-songwriter who tickles the ivories rather than wielding an acoustic guitar. An emotive blues vocalist, Ball effectively uses her flexible, upper-register voice rather than trying to adapt her instrument to the gruffer low-end more prevalent in the genre.

www.dirtynelson.com/linen/feature/62ball.html

[niccolos_smile]

79. Never heard of it, but it sounds awesome. n/t

[Bridget Burke]

80. Old days in Austin....

Even back then, people said "Austin's not what it used to be."

[niccolos_smile]

83. I'm too young for that...

But I love this town. For some reason, it doesn't feel as big as it is and there's a lot of local color, although the Drag has gotten pretty coroporate and while a lot of local shops have opened up on S. Congress, I think that may be what happens there too.

[MazeRat7]

56. www.secretcowboys.com (if you can get it to load) - n/t

[Bridget Burke]

59. The Flying Burritos' "Gilded Palace of Sin"

Was regarded as a pioneering mix of country & rock. Did anyone realize that "Dark End of The Street" & "Do Right Woman" were covers of R&B tunes?

My own vote for master of musical mixing was the Late Great Doug Sahm. He was offered a place at the Grand Ole Opry for his pedal steel skills, but opted to finish Jr High School. He learned R&B by listening outside San Antonio blues clubs & continued to play with the West Side Horns throughout his diverse career. "She's About a Mover" with the Sir Douglas Quintet is a 60's classic. With The Texas Tornadoes, he rounded up the usual suspects to do Tex-Mex. And he could play a pretty fair Cajun fiddle. This issue of the Austin Chronicle honors The State Musician of Texas.

www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/1999-11-26/

[theHandpuppet]

71. What has this got to do with the subject of this thread?

Just wondering -- there seems to be an awful lot of thread drift going on.

[Bridget Burke]

77. Diversity in Country Music is the subject.

Gram Parsons & The Burritos helped begin Country Rock--which continues to shape today's country. Gram had varied roots & influences. (You do know that Dolly Parton has recorded with Emmylou Harris--who started out singing with Gram.)

Doug Sahm started out country & branched out.

The best music transcends genre. Of course, some people get angry & fearful when Borders are crossed.

[jobycom]

78. Who cares? Doug Sahm is worth a little drift! Anyway, I think

the poster was refering to musical diversity more than social. His music had a social effect, too. He helped create Tex-Mex, crossing lines and bringing genres of music together. Hard to explain, maybe it's a Texas thing, but Sahm's music promoted diversity, even if I can't bring up any lyrics from memory that did.

Sahm's a god of the music industry. An underappreciated, underrewarded god, and he died way, way, way too soon.

[jobycom]

61. Skip a rope

Recorded by Jimmy Dean, George Jones, Conway Twitty, and no telling how many others.

Skip a rope, skip a rope

Awwwww Listen to the children
While they play
Now, ain't it kinda' funny
what the children say.

Skip a rope.

Daddy hates momma and momma hates dad
Last night, you should've heard the fight they had
It gave little sister another bad dream
She woke us all up with a terrible scream.

Skip a rope, skip a rope,

Awwwww Listen to the children
While they play
Now, ain't it kinda' funny
What the children say.

Skip a rope.

Cheat on your taxes, don't be a fool
Now, what was that they said about a Golden Rule?
Well, never mind the rules, just play to win
And hate your neighbor for the shade of their skin.

Skip a rope, skip a rope.

Awww Listen to the children
While they play
Now, ain't it kinda' funny
What the children say.

Skip a rope.

Stab 'em in the back,
That's the name of the game
And momma and daddy
Are who's to blame.

Skip a rope, skip a rope.

Awww Listen to the children
While they play
It's really not very funny
What the children say.

Skip a rope, skip a rope.
Skip a rope, skip a rope...

[long_green]

62. Didn't Merle Haggard write and sing a song about a black

girlfriend? I'm afraid I can't come up with the title but the story is Merle, a rebel's rebel, wrote it to piss off the yahoos who had adopted him after "Okie From Muscogee." The title of the song is a name, like "Wanda Jones" or something.

[jobycom]

63. Merle Haggard once told David Duke to "go get fucked."

Haggard's own words:


"Conservative America quickly and enthusiastically adopted "Okie" as an anthem that reflected their values. Richard Nixon sent Haggard a letter of congratulations, George Wallace wanted him for his presidential campaign, and the white supremacist David Duke asked him to play a private party. Says Haggard, "I told him to go get fucked.""

""'Okie From Muskogee' was written about my father, and it was my intention to try to see things from his viewpoint. Had he been alive at that time, I think he woulda said, 'We're happy with the way things are here in the middle of Oklahoma, and we're really not wantin' to get out in the street and bitch like the people in Frisco.' The song was a contrast to what was going on, and there was nobody speaking up for , and I thought I'd jump out there and write a song for him.""

"The song was humorous. It was like the epitome of the ignorance on certain subjects. But I'll be damned if people like Wallace and Nixon didn't take it for the truth. It makes me wonder what kind of politicians we've got in now. Do they have the same mentality as they did during the days of 'Okie From Muskogee'?""

[kwolf68]

73. Haggard

Also came out in favor of the Dixie Chicks.

[blitzen]

89. yeah, the song is "Irma Jackson" lyrics here

I'd love to shout my feelin's from a mountain high
Tell the world I love her and I will till I die
There's no way the world will understand that love is colour blind
That's why Irma Jackson can't be mine

I remember when no one cared about us bein' friends
We were only children and it really didn't matter then
But we grew up too quickly in a world that draws a line
Where they say Irma Jackson can't be mine

If my lovin' Irma Jackson is a sin
Then I don't understand this crazy world we're livin' in
There's a muddy wall between us standin' high
But I'll love Irma Jackson till I die

She tells me she's decided that she'll go away
And I guess it's right but she alone should have the final say
But in spite of her decision forcin' us to say goodbye
I'll still love Irma Jackson till I die

If my lovin' Irma Jackson is a sin
Then I don't understand this crazy world we're livin' in
It's a muddy wall between us standin' high
But I'll love Irma Jackson till I die

[walldude]

65. Check out Big & Rich they are a total oxymoron

a hippie Country and Western band that promots ethnic diversity. Saw them at a protest for Darfur. Their website is www.bigandrich.com. They play Country music with pop/rock influences..

[niccolos_smile]

84. My girlfriend's a big fan of their's...

They're cool, but I just can't get into them.

[TahitiNut]

69. Kathy Mattea is one of the very few "Country" balladeers I respect

A singer-songwriter, her music departs from the typical dysfunctional "you made me" crapola and reflects more emotionally healthy perspectives. I like her personally, too.

http://www.google.com/musica?aid=0MJsx4uid1C&sa=X&oi=music&ct=result

[Pathwalker]

74. Kicked and Recommended. GREAT THREAD!

Thanks for the walk down memory lane, AND for the great new songs!
Thanks everyone!

[The Backlash Cometh]

76. Now you gave this thread the kiss of death.

Almost as bad as being redirected to the DU Lounge.

;-)

[jobycom]

81. Since no one has yet posted James McMurtry's song

It's not exactly promoting diversity. It's more promoting unity.

"We Can't Make it Here"
Lyrics

Vietnam Vet with a cardboard sign
Sitting there by the left turn line
Flag on the wheelchair flapping in the breeze
One leg missing, both hands free
No one's paying much mind to him
The V.A. budget's stretched so thin
And there's more comin' home from the Mideast war
We can't make it here anymore

That big ol' building was the textile mill
It fed our kids and it paid our bills
But they turned us out and they closed the doors
We can't make it here anymore

See all those pallets piled up on the loading dock
They're just gonna set there till they rot
'Cause there's nothing to ship, nothing to pack
Just busted concrete and rusted tracks
Empty storefronts around the square
There's a needle in the gutter and glass everywhere
You don't come down here 'less you're looking to score
We can't make it here anymore

The bar's still open but man it's slow
The tip jar's light and the register's low
The bartender don't have much to say
The regular crowd gets thinner each day

Some have maxed out all their credit cards
Some are working two jobs and living in cars
Minimum wage won't pay for a roof, won't pay for a drink
If you gotta have proof just try it yourself Mr. CEO
See how far 5.15 an hour will go
Take a part time job at one of your stores
Bet you can't make it here anymore

High school girl with a bourgeois dream
Just like the pictures in the magazine
She found on the floor of the laundromat
A woman with kids can forget all that
If she comes up pregnant what'll she do
Forget the career, forget about school
Can she live on faith? live on hope?
High on Jesus or hooked on dope
When it's way too late to just say no
You can't make it here anymore

Now I'm stocking shirts in the Wal-Mart store
Just like the ones we made before
'Cept this one came from Singapore
I guess we can't make it here anymore

Should I hate a people for the shade of their skin
Or the shape of their eyes or the shape I'm in
Should I hate 'em for having our jobs today
No I hate the men sent the jobs away
I can see them all now, they haunt my dreams
All lily white and squeaky clean
They've never known want, they'll never know need
Their sh@# don't stink and their kids won't bleed
Their kids won't bleed in the da$% little war
And we can't make it here anymore

Will work for food
Will die for oil
Will kill for power and to us the spoils
The billionaires get to pay less tax
The working poor get to fall through the cracks
Let 'em eat jellybeans let 'em eat cake
Let 'em eat sh$%, whatever it takes
They can join the Air Force, or join the Corps
If they can't make it here anymore

And that's how it is
That's what we got
If the president wants to admit it or not
You can read it in the paper
Read it on the wall
Hear it on the wind
If you're listening at all
Get out of that limo
Look us in the eye
Call us on the cell phone
Tell us all why

In Dayton, Ohio
Or Portland, Maine
Or a cotton gin out on the great high plains
That's done closed down along with the school
And the hospital and the swimming pool
Dust devils dance in the noonday heat
There's rats in the alley
And trash in the street
Gang graffiti on a boxcar door
We can't make it here anymore

[rucky]

82. "Tears Don't Care Who Cries Them" - K.D. Lang...

Tears Don't Care Who Cries Them Lyrics

Tears don't care who cries them
They don't care at all
Any time a heart starts breaking
They will fall and fall

Rich man, poor man, beggar
Tears can fill each eye
They don't care who cries them
You just cry, cry, cry

*Once my love and dreams
Were in your keeping
Then you walked away
With someone new
Once you laughed at me
When (While) I was weeping
What happened to me

Has happened to you
Tears don't care who cries them
But my eyes are dry
I'm laughing now while you learn how
To cry, cry, cry

(repeat *)

[David Ippolito]

85. I ain't a country artist...

But, I had to write this song as a country song with some kick-ass guitar to make the point land just a little harder.

http://www.thatguitarman.com/MP3/jesusland.mp3

Have fun with it.

David

http://www.thatguitarman.com