Country Controversy

Call it a lapse of judgment, a loose tongue or just plain having fun. We all say and do stupid things every now and then, and even country stars have been known to get into sticky situations. Unfortunately for some, the bright white lights of fame are sometimes interspersed with red and blue flashing lights.

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Although artists want to be known for their music, sometimes non-singing “performances”, such as the following, can mark an otherwise mundane career.

An off-the-cuff comment from Dixie Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines led to a politically-charged and tempestuous clash involving Toby Keith, country radio and countless fans who took offense to her proclamation of ashamement that Former President George W. Bush is from her home state of Texas. Keith lashed out at Maines for her “un-American” views, while radio stations and listeners filled dumpsters with countless Dixie Chick CDs, vowing to never again listen to the trio.



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A presumably undeserving win at an awards show has been known to stir some controversy, both recently and over 35 years ago. Taylor Swift was bashed by Kanye West in front of millions of viewers at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, while a lesser known event took place at the 1975 Country Music Association Awards. When Entertainer of the Year award presenter and country music traditionalist Charlie Rich opened the winning envelope to discover that the pop-sensible John Denver had won the award, his reaction was not nearly as rosy as that of the audience. Live on the air, Rich produced a cigarette lighter from his pocket and proceeded to torch the card that declared Denver the winner.  Classy. Rich later admitted that his behavior was due to overmedication. All the more classy.



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Even family man Tim McGraw and laid-back beach bum Kenny Chesney have caused a stir. A 2000 incident outside a Buffalo, N.Y. stadium involving a Mounted Reserve deputy’s horse led to a less-than-proud moment for the two men. Chesney was given permission to mount the horse, but definitely not to ride off with it. As it turns out, that is exactly what he did. When responding officers attempted to corral Chesney and the horse, McGraw got defensive. A scuffle ensued and both men were eventually arrested.

When strong opinions and bad judgment get the best of country stars, the outcome can go either way. The attention drawn from increased media coverage can lead to an increase in album and ticket sales, but unwanted press can also be the death of a career.

The controversies described above produced mixed outcomes.

Eight years and several death threats later, the Dixie Chicks are defunct while Keith continues to tout his pride for America.

Taylor was seen as the young victim of an unfair situation, which fueled her already soaring popularity. Rich was never again nominated for a CMA award.

Chesney was charged with disorderly conduct, while McGraw faced assault, obstruction of governmental administration and resisting arrest charges. Both were acquitted of all charges and their careers came out unscathed. I am willing to bet the legalities were merely a slap on the wrist compared to the explanation McGraw owed to his wife, Faith Hill.

Bluegrass is Back



Photo Credit: Katie Rusch

 Its track has been long and winding, with ties that have touched the lives of many storied people, places and events. Because of its widespread reach, it has become a historic yet functional element of everyday life.   Although it has been around longer that most can remember, to this day many of us still try to ignore its “high lonesome sound”. I know I do, especially when I am trying to sleep at 5 a.m.

I am referring to the railroad, but then again I could also be talking about bluegrass music.

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Just reading the word “bluegrass” probably caused some of you to yawn, stop reading and go check your email. But for those who stuck with me, don’t worry; your inbox is probably filled with spam and I will not bore you with the history of bluegrass. What I will do is suggest some current acts worth listening to.

While we have been ignoring it in favor of more mainstream music, bluegrass has developed an understated sophistication that can no longer go unnoticed. Gone are the straw hats and suspenders; bluegrass is based upon original craftsmanship, stellar musicianship and stacked harmonies that leave a haunting echo in their wake.

Dierks Bentley showcases these qualities on his new CD, Up on the Ridge. Washington Post music critic Chris Richards described Bentley’s previous country singles as “doofy party anthems”, but changed his tune and calls the bluegrass project “dazzling”. If that dramatic shift in opinion is not enough to convince you to give it a listen, maybe the U2 cover (Pride) and collaboration with Miranda Lambert and Jamey Johnson (Bad Angel) will prove that this CD is a bluegrass project suited for the modern listener.

Another country act that has dipped its toes into the stream of bluegrass music is Little Big Town. Their earthy four part harmonies and marketable image have made them country superstars. But bluegrass undertones are present in all their songs, with their new CD, The Reason Why, being no exception. Check it out.

Nickel Creek, Cherryholmes and The Carolina Chocolate Drops are also worth a listen.

Although the sound of a midnight train whistle and the fast picking of bluegrass are equally annoying to some, being able to look past the musty connotations associated with both may bring about a deeper appreciation for the history and mystery they possess. My iPod is not loaded with dueling banjos and songs fit for hoedowns, but I appreciate some of the more contemporary bluegrass recordings, and hope that others do as well.

Many Hats

A hat can tell a lot about a person. In winter, the influx of stocking hats on campus suggests that it is unbearably cold outside. It is safe to say that the guy who religiously wears a hat with a Twins logo is partial to baseball. One can assume that the girl who shows up to 8 a.m. lecture decked out in a carefully positioned and oh-so-sequined beret takes pride in her style; and possibly put too much effort into looking good for a class where most are still wiping sleep from their eyes. Nonetheless, a hat is a statement that is indicative of environment, representative of preferences and adds flair to any personality.

Country stars wear many hats, both literally and figuratively. The various hats they wear represent a myriad of musical styles and personalities that work together to form the country genre. Despite the pigeon-holing that country music sometimes encounters, the industry has a mass appeal that can be seen by the looking to the hats of the stars.




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The Fedora: Sugarland  

Kristian Bush, the male half of the country duo Sugarland, is known for sporting a plethora of hats. His most recent and colorful venture into the world of hats is the fedora. One may think it odd that a country singer sports such an urban-stylish garment, but his choice of headwear is a testament to the duo’s diverse sound and message.

Do not knock the fedora. Its sharp up-turned brim and characteristic feather on the side are a good fit for Bush. How he wears the fedora suggests an air of mystery and manliness. (Indiana Jones wore one. How much more manly can it get?) But the “manliness” is counter-balanced by Jennifer Nettles’ colorful personality, which effortlessly radiates from every note she sings. Her bohemian-chic wardrobe includes hats such as sparkly berets and stark black top hats. Check out Jennifer sporting some retro locks here.

The duo’s headwear suggests a variety of musical influences. Sugarland’s music is a melting pot of styles that include country, pop, reggae, soul and even a hint of techno. Nettles’ playfully infectious inflections in songs such as All I Want to Do and their newest release, Stuck Like Glue, show that every syllable is a fusion of styles.



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The Trucker hat: Randy Houser    

The mesh-backed baseball hats that Randy Houser dons have blue collar roots. They were originally worn by farmers and truck drivers who would receive them as free promotional items, but Houser looks like a million bucks in them. They compliment his see-if-I care attitude, which is evident in songs such as the rebel anthem, Whistlin’ Dixie.

The video for this song begins with Houser rolling down the road on a motorcycle, wearing a slick black helmet.  He ends up at a roadhouse, where he proudly rocks a POW/MIA trucker hat.

I bet a barroom brawl with this tough guy would end with someone being forcefully flung through the front window; and I can guarantee that someone would not be Houser. His blunt voice chisels strong emotion into listeners. When his music is played, other rebels rhythmically nod in agreement to his steely statements about Southern morals, Skoal rings and shotguns.



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The Beanie: Zac Brown    

I have never seen Zac Brown, frontman of the Zac Brown Band, without a hat. An intensive scouring of Google Images turns up photo after photo, each of which show Brown’s head adorned with some type of hat. Bareheaded, I would assume he looks like a more intelligent version of Alan from The Hangover.

Nonetheless, Brown loves to wear beanies. His tight-fitting and brimless hat of choice has been worn for decades by sailors, welders and skateboarders. The diverse group that have embraced the beanie is fitting for Brown’s eclectic past, which includes time spent as a restaurant owner, philanthropist and barbecue sauce entrepreneur before making it big in the music business.

The band’s harmonies are as tightly knit as the fibers of Brown’s head-hugging beanie. Offbeat grooves indicate reggae influenced music that Dan MacIntosh of Roughstock describes as having a “slight anti-commercialism lyrical slant” and a laidback flow that “sways him wherever the music goes”. I can see why he comes to this conclusion, because the band’s song Toes is as lighthearted and easy to listen to as it gets.



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The Cowboy hat: George Strait    

I left the cowboy hat for last because it is the most recognizable hat associated with country music. Its wide brim functions in keeping the sun out of a rancher’s eyes while working cattle and its tall crown is perfect for tipping in respectful observance.

Cowboy hats adorn the heads of many country stars, but none as famous as George Strait. Western wear manufacturer Resistol sells a line of cowboy hats for their George Strait Collection. Their “ten-gallon” hats are as structured, traditional and time-tested as Strait’s songs.

It is obvious that Strait has plenty of real life experience to back up his music. Professionally, he has over 50 No. one songs under his rather large belt buckle, and personally he is a real cowboy who participates in team roping competitions. He sings about the hard-knock lives of cowboys (Cowboys Like Us) and expresses admiration for the women who work just as hard as the boys (How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls). Long live “King George” and may there always be room for many hats in country music.

Garth Brooks: who is he?



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Superman and Clark Kent. Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus. Our Jackrabbit mascot and the Easter Bunny. Although the latter is largely unconfirmed, there are many well known alter egos, such as the former two, in the entertainment industry. Let me introduce you to one that you may not be as familiar with.

The Garth Brooks that music fans know was born Troyal Garth Brooks in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1962. His country music career began in the late 1980s; and from there he went on to become a dominant force in the industry. On radio, award shows and in concert, no one could beat him. His charismatic personality and traditional sound resonated with listeners of all ages and backgrounds, making him the Recording Industry Association of America’s best selling solo artist in U.S. history. That’s a big deal.

But what if I told you that Garth is also a high school dropout from Australia, the son of an Olympic swimmer, and the survivor of a serious car crash which caused injuries that required extensive reconstructive surgery.

In 1999, Garth the energetic hat act transformed himself into Chris Gaines, a dark and pensive pop singer who lurked mysteriously behind a shadowy black wig and a rather odd looking soul patch.

Garth created the alter ego because he was slated to star in a movie called “The Lamb”, which was to focus on the tortured life of the fictional star Chris Gaines. Instead of just portraying Gaines, Garth became him in many aspects of his life. He released a CD entitled “The Life of Chris Gaines” and made public appearances, such as a stint on “Saturday Night Live”, while pretending to be Gaines.

Striking similarities between the life story and personal style that Garth generated for the film project left some to wonder whether he used Keith Urban’s real biography and appearance as a template for Gaines’.

Even though Garth fully embraced his creative venture, the public did not. The movie was never made, the CD didn’t live up to expectations and frankly, people were a little weirded out by the whole situation. The failure of such a dramatic and elaborately concocted project proved that Garth couldn’t have his cake and eat it too.

It is unknown whether the two events are related, but Garth retired from recording and performing a little over a year after the Chris Gaines flop. Since then, Garth has been in and out of various degrees of retirement and during this time has released several CD boxed sets and peformed select concerts.

Judge Gaines' music for yourself: "Lost in You", "Right Now"

Tyler Dickerson

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Sometimes the best things in life come as surprises. Things like the toy in the Cracker Jack box, the rainbow that appears after an unexpected torrent of rain and actually finding a parking spot on campus. While attending a Brooks and Dunn concert this past summer, I experienced a surprise even sweeter than finding an open spot in The Union lot. 

My surprise came when 16-year-old country singer Tyler Dickerson opened the show.

His dark persona echoes that of Johnny Cash, his style bears a slight resemblance to Kid Rock and his songs are something Hank Williams Jr. would be proud of.

Tyler Dickerson is a fresh face that is reviving the outlaw sound of country music’s past.

He has been performing for most of his life, but his career was set in motion after he moved to the Nashville area in 2007 and was discovered by John Rich, of the duo Big and Rich.

According to his autobiography, Tyler went from performing at Kmart to becoming a regular in Nashville bars. This past spring he began opening shows for Brooks and Dunn’s Last Rodeo tour and released a four song EP.

Dickerson, who’s perfectly pale complexion and pin straight locks may leave teenage girls a wee bit jealous, could easily be on his way to superstardom.

All vanity and jealousy aside, he tears it up on stage. His set list reads like a good book, filled with interesting stories that he may or may not have the years and experience to comprehend. While he writes songs about grown up things like relationships (“She’d Be You”) and rowdy bar scenes (“Just Like Hank”), he is able to sing them with a conviction beyond his age.

With any luck, his slightly controversial first single, “Tell Your Sister I’m Single”, will be just the beginning of the waves he will be making in country music.

Blake and Miranda

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They go together like burgers and fries. Like peanut butter and jelly. Like pickles and ice cream. Like unicorns and glitter. Maybe these comparisons are a little too “progressive” to describe Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert’s relationship and May 9 engagement, but there’s no denying that country’s cutest couple is a perfect match.

The seemingly low key, low stress and low pressure relationship they’ve been in for the past five years just seems to work for them; and in an industry where crash-and-burn relationships abound, that is no small feat.

The country couple met doing what they both do best … singing. “CMT’s 100 Greatest Duets” concert paired them together for a rendition of the classic country love ballad, “You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma” back in 2005, and they’ve been living out their very own love song ever since.

Lambert, 26, is a sweet but wild Texan with a powerful voice and an attitude to boot. She rose to fame after becoming a finalist on the reality TV show “Nashville Star” in 2003 and has gone on to win numerous awards, which include album of the year honors for her last two CDs. Shelton, 34, is a man’s man and former mullet sporter who speaks his mind through controversial Tweets and honest songs that reflect both good times and bad.

Blake and Miranda’s love story has been one of writing together, touring together, toting firearms together and releasing CDs on the same day. Oh, the love. It abounds.

Miranda doesn’t seem to be the type concerned about carats and clarity, but rather loves her engagement ring because Blake made the perfect choice. “I could have bought a nice fishing rod with the money I spent on that ring,” Blake jokingly told Country Weekly magazine.

Although Blake may have splurged on the ring, the couple seems to be keeping wedding festivities sweet and simple. A recent engagement party featured vintage décor, Southern comfort foods and karaoke sung by the attending stars.

It’s the little things like these that mean the most to this grounded couple. In describing their down-to-earth relationship, Miranda told Country Weekly, “Somebody knowin’ what you like on your sandwich … that’s real love.”