Jon Weisberger wrote:
> Stevie, this kind of implies that before 1990 or so country music was widely
> respected in the UK. Is that correct?
Oh, OK. I'll admit to indulging a grouchy outburst rather than a considered
expression of opinion. What is different between 1990 and 1999 I would say is
that country music has much wider exposure over here than it ever did before,
and there is the Daniel O'Donnell factor to contend with too. The odd
phenomenon of Scots and Irish singers doing cod American country music for a
predoinantly female over 50s audience is one I still cannot fully get my head
around. Both via this route, and via Shania and Garth and LeAnn's crossovers,
UK audiences are much more aware of country than they were before, and have more
to laugh at.
If I ever admit to my students that I like (some) country music, I have to do it
in a very guarded manner to protect any shreds of credibility I may still own in
their eyes. I go via the American music - roots - American folk traditions -
thing, and usually stress the alt-country first, at least, talking about wedding
punk ethos with country tradition blah blah blah. But since if it's not techno
(or derivative 60s guitar driven Britpop, Oasis come on down), it ain't hip, I'm
pretty much on a losing wicket from the get go. It just hit me (again) that
most of these kids weren't born when punk happened. I did find a 20 year old
student who liked Ben Harper recently. I nearly had a coronary.
Stevie
