Saving Country Music

“I don’t like country music, but I don’t mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means ‘put down’.” – Bob Newhart

In spite of Mr. Newhart, Country Music is more popular than ever.

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I never liked country music, or I thought I didn’t. Eventually I came to the realization that I had been listening to country music all my life. Much of the music I liked was derivative of the music I thought I hated, or rock and roll covers of straight country songs. The Beatles, for example, recorded several Buck Owens and Carl Perkins songs. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees the Everly Brothers’ roots were deep in country. Elvis Presley combined country with gospel and country blues to initiate the rock-and-roll frenzy. Hank Williams, Jimmie Rodgers, the Carter Family and Bob Wills are among the many whose songs have been interpreted by rock and pop artists.

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