Corey Smith "Millions without selling out"

What does the Country Music Industry want in an artist? As time moves on, it seems like all they want is a model with a microphone, who has a voice and then the industry can try to teach them the rest. Everyone thinks they need a record deal to be a star, but a record deal leads to having them telling artist how to act, what to sing, how to look which equals the sell out.

Soulful Southern Rocker Corey Smith is an EX-social studies teacher who has built his musical empire, off his own songs and not selling out. He is all about writing what he wants and he sells out everywhere he goes by selling himself, and not having people build him as a product. He even wrote a song about a certain country "superstar" and how he is a sell out. Corey is all about being original and not giving in to any part of the musical buisness system. He makes all his money from live shows and selling his own music with out the help of major lables. If the music is good, really good and people and relate to it, money will come in.

Alan Jackson @ ODU

On Friday, April 24th, Alan Jackson will be performing at the Ted Constant Convocation Center! Click here for more info

Artist staying true to themselves

I think one of the greatest things about country music is the majority of country singers and not "fake" they stay very true to themselves. Case in so.. Shania Twan released a statement saying that she was working on a new album that she hoped to be released some time this year, however she was still working on it because she wanted to make sure she stayed "true to herself." Now if you pay attention to the country scene you will know how famous she was in the early '90's and that recently she went through a bad divorce after many years of a happy marriage. If she decided to release a cd, that was not her best work no one would realy put her down for it and her cd would still sell millions, just for the simple fact that she is who she is. But she does dont take that for granted, she wants he work to be just as good as it ever was. This is something you dont find much of in other genres.

Selling Out For Pop

The sound of many country music artists has changed over the past few years. Artists are trading their country sound to become a part of the popular music scene. These artists start out "keeping it real," but later "sell out" for their own popularity. Because of these artists "selling out" there is a lot of pop mixed in with country music today.


An example of an artist who "sold out" is Faith Hill. When Faith Hill entered country music her sound was twangey with country sounding instruments, such as the steel guitar. Also the lyrics in her songs were of country themes. An example is her first number one song "Wild One." This song has a country twang and talks about being wild and free. As her music progressed the sound of her music changed. Her music became less country and more popular. This change to popular music can be heard in her song "The Way You Love Me." This song can be considered popular music because it is about "puppy love." The song also lost its country tune and instrumentals.


In my opinion the artists who are "selling out" make themselves look selfish because they have abandoned their country fans for their own popularity. I do not oppose changing music styles, but if these artists want to start singing pop music they should label themselvesas pop artists.

Eagle Winterblast Update

Major update, but the show will still go on....click here

Today's Historic Events

I'll be the first to admit, I voted for McCain on Election Day back in November, but with that being said today is a "day for change!" Since my classes are canceled today (for snow), in a sense it gives me the chance to watch Obama's inauguration. Although I'm sure Thursdays classes will be a "cram session" of stuff missed from this supposed "snow day," It's nice to be able to watch history being made on our nations capital.

In relation to country music, yesterday Faith Hill along with other notable artist, perfromed a song titled "America's Song," read more

Country for Kids 2009

Hey everyone,

Rodney Atkins along with the Lost Trailers will be performing at the Little Creek Amphibious Base Navy Theatre on February 21st. All the proceeds for this concert go to the Center for Child and Family Services located in Hampton, VA. This is great music for a great cause! More details.

So the Eagle winter blast is coming to town soon!!! I am so excited! Besides the Kenny Chesney tour in the summer, this is one of the only big tours that people annualy look forward to and I love that it comes in the off season so we dont have to wait all year long. Also I am from portsmouth so there are not that many people who listen to country around here its so nice to be around more than a handful of people who enjoy it as much as me.

Eagle Winterblast '09 This coming Saturday in Hampton, VA

Ealge 97.3's Winterblast is next Saturday! Artist such as fellow blogger Kevin Mac along with Darryl Worley, Whitney Duncan, Keith Anderson, and others will be performing live at the Hampton Coliseum! This is something I've been waiting for since the the 1st day of the new year! It will be my first of many to come, concerts for the 2009 season! I can't quite think of any better way as a country music fan to start the concert season with a performing lineup like this one. The show is panning out to be a great one! Tickets start at $15, and go to about $25. For any country music fan, this is a great way to kick off the New Year!

Taylor Swift Tops Charts ....Again!

Taylor Swift's latest album "Fearless" tops the all-genre Charts on the Billboard 200 again for the sixth non-consecutive week! Read the Billboard article for more details!

Kenny Chesney Tour Dates 2009

Kenny Chesney's Sun City Carnival Tour Dates!
Tour Dates (Click Here)

Welcome!

Welcome to the Country Music Today Blog!
Here you will find up to date information about the L I V E: Country Music Scene.

To get things started heres a Song that has become quite a hit for the Zac Brown Band:

*All Credits to the Zac Brown Band and Atlantic Records*