I like country music.

Since this thread is still active, I thought I'd post this poem I wrote on this subject:

WESTERN MUSIC

Who took the “W” out of Country and Western?
Who pushed that music aside?
Who hired these “New Country” singers?
Talented, but probably can’t ride

A cowboy singer is one who’s been there
Knows about riding the range
Keeps his horse nearby and his saddle clean
And work, he does not find strange

Now I’m not knocking the country singers
Wouldn’t say any bad words like that
But you ain’t necessarily a cowboy
Just cause you got boots and a hat

Some spent the riches they’ve made
Buying a cowboy ranch for a fling
But buying something and being something
Can be a totally different thing

Now days I miss Gene Autry
Roy and The Sons of the Pioneers
Tex Ritter singing “Rye Whiskey”
Why, I haven’t heard that one in years

We do have some talent out there
There’s some with a pretty big name
But you’ll never hear them on the radio
For that, who else can we blame?

Like many, we set back in silence
Let others decide what to show
But I want the chance to listen
To a tune about a wrangler named Joe

Or “The Strawberry Roan” or “Laredo”
Or “When the work’s all done this fall”
And I still always get sorta’ misty eyed
When I hear “The Master’s Call”

Now I don’t mean to impose
To push my taste in music on others
But I’d prefer to listen to cowboy music
That is, if’n I had my ‘drothers

S.E. Hutchison
2/2002

To me, and its just my opinion, country music has gone pop. I like Texas music, early 70's progressive country. I don't work in a factory, I don't cheat on my wife, I don't kick my dog and if my truck is broken down, I fix it. I miss the days of Rusty Wier, Michael Martin Murphy ( though he is still going) Augie Myers, Jerry Jeff. I am encouraged by Gary P Nunn, and new Texas/southwest musicians.

When I was growing up I listened to what was called Country Western music. I loved it, then somewhere along the line, the Western was dropped off and the music slowly changed. I still listen to and enjoy today’s Country music, but it sure isn’t what it used to be. I have no idea what makes a song a “Country” song today, but I prefer today’s country music over the other genres available today. I also know that, if country music, as we know it today is to survive, they have to attract the younger crowd, and the young pretty girls and crushed hats seems to be working. I guess today’s “Coyboy” music is the closest to what we used to call country western music, but there are few radio stations playing it. I don’t know of any stations around the northeast playing it.

Country girl all the way! ♥

I voted for country, but I like the older stuff. The song by George Strait called Murder On Music Row describes perfectly what has happened to country music today. Although they are very talented, I don't consider folks like Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood as country. Give me some George Strait or Merle Haggard any day.

... but it's not all that simple to eliminate western.

As might be expected, I'm a big fan of old-time country which certainly advocated its share of western-themed music, such as Jimmie Rodgers' "When The Cactus Is In Bloom" ... it really does have it all.

~ Richard

yeah hank williams sr was one of the best. back when country was country,johnny cash was a good one too. but i think george jones also was a great country singer he describe and sung country music to a t.

The more country it is the better!!!

I did not like to see the two seperate. I remember when it was C & W, not just one or the other.

I love true country music, but there is too much "crossover" now days. Back when singers like Johnny Cash hit the music field, they were popular in both pop and country, but did not try to be both, as many today do. They just sang C & W and attracted fans from both generes. I hear a lot of so-called country today that is obviously directed toward the pop audience. If a singer is country, they should be faithful to the music. If other like their music, they will find it.

Now, for me, it is older country and western.