MEDIOCRITY – A Stain on Society

I am a huge country music fan. And, YES, I like the “new” country. So, I guess that really makes me a Pop Music fan truth be told. There is a constant push and pull with me in regards to said music. Most of it’s crap, and yet I listen intently every day, just in case a gem might find it’s way out of the muck.

My daddy is from Arkansas, and so I was raised on Country’s greats, like Alabama and the Oak Ridge Boys. When I became a teen I still held a love for country, but I moved onto Journey and from there the glam rock movement hit and I was hooked. Around this time, I moved to New Zealand, and they really didn’t know about country music, so I explored my glam rock roots, including doing make-up for an up and coming band at the time.

When I moved back to the States, I revisited my love of country, and was doing fine…until I met my husband. He has ruined me. He introduced me to Led Zeppelin (not just Stairway to Heaven), U2, Live, and many other bands that I may not have immersed myself in had it not been for him. He is also a musician…A GOOD musician. No…an AMAZING musician. He plays several instruments, has an incredible voice, and always strives to be better at his art. Mediocrity doesn’t enter his world.

So, back to country. I watched the ACM’s last night, and I have to admit it was better than in years past. At least Tim & Faith weren’t performing. That meant that we were at least two hacks shorter. You know, if you’re not going to write your own music, my opinion is that you need to be damn good at what you do. What I find interesting (and frustrating) is that the people who do write, are generally better than the ones who don’t write. I will explain. The following are a list of people who I believe need to go away. They can’t sing, they don’t really play an instrument, and I am still trying to figure out the appeal (other than they have an insane amount of luck finding great writers). This is in order of the worst:

Kenny Chesney - seriously people! The dude looks like weasel and can’t sing. I hear women screaming for him, and I don’t get it. Yes, he works out and has a nice body, but he’s UGLY and a non-talent!!!

Rebecca St. James - I know, she's Christian music, not country, but I threw her in because I think she needs her larynx removed. Who made her famous??????

Faith Hill - she’s pretty. That’s it!!!! She can’t sing to save her freakin’ life. She needs to pick a key and stay there.

George Straight - can’t sing. PERIOD.

Tim McGraw - I just have one thing to say – Auto-tune. The guy can’t even sing live without it.

I'm sick of it. I want people to stand up and fight! I want good stuff, and I want it to last. What happened to Shania Twain? She used to be good, but now the evidence of Mutt Lange's involvement shows through entirely too much. Remember Def Leppard? Her last album is filled with those famous Def Leppard hoots. But, people are still buying it! S TOP for the love of all that is good in the world!!! PLEASE!!!!

I'm glad that Keith Urban is making it. Although, I don't think he's the greatest singer, he has an amazing voice, he's a great writer AND an animal on the guitar.

Someone who I think is amazing and worthy of being allowed not to write her own stuff is Trisha Yearwood. I don't think I have ever heard her have a bad day. Martina McBride also falls into that category.

PEOPLE -- LET'S SEND A MESSAGE. STOP BUYING CRAP!