Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Creamtastic / National Skyline Wish Fulfillment: WSJ Article About Nashville Music Scene Actually Kinda Gets It
Posted by Tracy Moore on Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 11:16 AM
Thank you, Mr. Barry Mazor. Last time I lamented the flood of stories about Nashville that lazily employ the same old shock that Nashville isn't just country, folks more or less said with a status-quo shrug: "Quit-yer-whinin'," "What do you expect?," "Stop beating a dead horse" or "Any publicity is good publicity." You yourself, as a Nashville residing national reporter (and veteran, revered music journalist, author and editor), even pointed out in the comments that national stories need national angles, and national angles about Nashville have to school an unknowing outsider of the non-country ways of many of our citizens. It's an angle even the best editors can't resist.
And then you went and changed the script.
Readers, please examine this Mazor-penned Wall Street Journal piece about some of Nashville's non-country fare that rightfully, accurately acknowledges the amusement of Nashville players at that predictable outsider shock, pointing out how long it's been more than country, then proceeding to list a number of local acts who continue to prove it.
It is, by this point, something of a local amusement among performers in Music City, U.S.A. (which never was called simply "Country Music City," after all) to spot the articles that appear every few months, quite dependably, in music and travel sections in the national press--the ones heralding the shocking new discovery that there is so much quality music being made here that isn't country at all. In truth, there were pop hits coming out of Nashville--everything from dance-band-era hits such as Francis Craig's "Near You," to the Bunny Hop and "Jingle Bell Rock"--when country-music record production was just ramping up on Music Row.
And it only took 1.5 paragraphs. Here's hoping other editors read it, and the next time a writer pitches a "Gasp: Nashville More Than Country!" story, they'll have to admit it's time to dig a little deeper, or at least ditch the feigned surprise. A small victory, yes, but a significant one nonetheless.
Comments (7)
Showing 1-7 of 7
yeah but all the artists mentioned are kinda in that americana/AAA radio/singer-songwriter genre that everyone already associates with Nashville. Brooke Waggoner is like the edgiest artist on that list.
I guess its a step in the right direction, and I understand that the WSJ probably isn't the place to hype infinity cat bands and our house show scene. But come on dude, at least mention like one real rock band.
Good to see Brooke Waggoner get a national shout-out.
like
dislike
Sure, Luke, but that's a minor quibble. Those aren't the bands I would have written about, but it's still the right idea.
Thanks for the appreciation of my general thrust there, Tracy.
The discussion on Cream certainly got me looking for what I could do along those lines---in a way appropriate for the Journal.
I focused on acts that are within my beat there, and for their readership--my role. But I trust that a direction was pointed for others to take up other ways, and in many places.
After 3 weeks on the the Roll to the Bowl tour, Les Honky More Tonkies and Turley return to Mercy Lounge in Nashville for the final show of the tour.
The Roll to the Bowl crew consisted of neo southern rockers Les Honky More Tonkies, and former Saints All Pro offensive tackle Kyle Turley's new band, and benefitted The GridIron Greats Foundation for former players with health issues. The Tour started in Austin with a few Texas dates and followed the Gulf Coast, including 4 crazy New Orleans area performances, and North Florida gigs before ending with several great shows in Miami on Super Bowl weekend.
Now, we are bringing what has turned into a New Orleans Saints VICTORY PARTY home to the Big Guitar!! We know its a school night, but we're doing it up NOLA style, and in NOLA they don't care when the party is, as long as the party IS!
So join us tomorrow night at Mercy Lounge for the OFFICIAL, New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl XLIV, Middle Tennessee VICTORY PARTY!!!
it's amazing to see Brooke get some press like this. She is a force of talent .. and a brilliant artist. It's a shame more people don't know about her (ie. Cash Rich) .. but it's ok .. i imagine she's not too bummed that she isn't one of Scene's top 10 artists to watch this year.
Vote here for best Band of the Week
Slideshows
Top Commenters
