Classic Country Fans..WHAT'S YOUR TAKE-OPINION ON THIS?

Question

I'm leaving tonight for West Virginia to see MERLE HAGGARD, RAY PRICE AND WILLIE NELSON and every time i've gone to see MERLE, i've noticed a MUCH YOUNGER CROWD MORE AND MORE! sometimes i help to sell the t-shirts and merchandise when it's a big busy show like this one coming up and i see a massive crowd of 20 to 35 YEAR OLDS??? what gives man...this makes me sooo happy! NOT THAT THE YOUNGER CROWD DON'T GO TO SEE RAY OR WILLIE, i'm sure they do, i just get to see it first hand at MERLE'S shows...DO YOU THINK THERE IS A CHANCE FOR "REAL COUNTRY MUSIC" TO BE PASSED ON AND ON AND MAYBE MAKE A COME BACK???

OH WOW, I LOVE THESE ANSWERS AND I'M PRINTING THIS AND TAKING IT WITH ME!..THANKS EVERYBODY!

Answer 1

You know, I've really noticed alot of the same thing, and it might have something to do with the new "trend" of "vintage tees" out there, I've seen Merle t-shirts at Wal-Mart! I'm sure people pick them up because they think they're cool, and then they actually listen to classic country and realize it IS really cool. I think all the references that current singers make to the legends really help as well. I've been getting worried listening to the radio lately that everything is getting a little too "poppy" but to see the increase in interest on these tours is great. They were just st the casino near my house a few months ago. We listen to our local radio's "Country Gold" on sunday night and we love it. My husband is 33, and I'm only 24, but it's so romantic. We live in "the country way" we'll definately pass it on to our kids! I love to go camping and sit around singing Pasty and Loretta. Thanks for your question. :)

Answer 2

I'm 32, and love classic country. A lot of my friends it seems, have also become classic country fans in recent years. A lot of us went through many stages of what we liked musically. I personally got into classic county by listening to The Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan. They made me want to dig back and see where their roots were. I've seen Merle and Willie several times in the last few yrs. and they both are great performers. I have to say Willie plays a longer set than Merle...

Anyway to answer your question- I don't know if "classic" county will make a "comeback" as I guess I feel it's always with us, you just have to have enough sense to listen. Most teenagers are busy listening to a variety of music- one of those types will inevitabaly give them the - where did this stuff come from, or "oh, this is an old country cover- wonder what the original sounded like?".

When my daughter and I toured the Ryman (her dragging her heels a bit, but she will appreciate it later and also has a wealth of music knowledge, rock and classic country)- there was a woman there that said we looked awful young to like country music. ??? We had a hard time figuring that out.

Answer 3

I have two theories. The first I hope is the real reason. As time goes on country fans learn who the "fore- fathers" of country music are, and they do not want to miss a chance to see them before they leave us. Hopefully the younger generation will see why some traditionalists such as George Strait, Randy Travis, Alan Jackson, Patty Loveless, Brad Paisley, and Josh Turner were influenced by the guys above. I don't know if classic country will ever make a total comeback. Has any music from any time (jazz,R&B,classical,big band, blues,rockabilly,classic country, country, Rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Punk, Alternative Rock, Rap, Hip Hop) ever made a total comeback. No,but influences and styles can be heard across music lines.

I also believe that some of these people see the events as the place to be. This is nostalgic, and it would be so cool to be seen with Willie smoking a joint. (That kinda would be cool). I think its a combination and hopefully they will appreciate some of the best music in the world today.

Have a great time!!! Drive safe the W.VA Mts can be tough.

Answer 4

A lot of the kids who listen to country music know it because their parents listen to it, and Merle, Ray and Willie are still in their parents' mix. These kids know Merle, Ray and Willie aren't going to be around forever, so they want to spend the second half of their adulthood being able to say they saw these guys live on the same stage.

I was in Vegas one time when I was 20, and I had the chance to see Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Liza Minelli and Dean Martin all together in one show. Did I go? Naw. Do I regret it now? Yaw. Yaw, yaw, in a big way.

I think this might be going through some of the younger crowd's heads. (Not to mention the fact that when I was younger, in the '80s, I already knew I was a classic country fan given the crap they were putting out in country music by then.)

Answer 5

I sure hope so, I was raised on classics, I'm 30 now, in the last 7 years or so the music just has not been the same, with the exception of a few of course.There is just not the same level of story telling and emotion coming out of artists these days. The guys from the early 90s who were keeping it country are rarely heard anymore.Radio rarely ever plays classic Merle and George or Waylon.My mom used to play Conway and Loretta all the time, aw the good stuff!

Answer 6

How lucky can some people get? It would be fantastic to hear that happen again.
My bro. whos not around any longer would not listen to anyone but Merle. He tried to go see Merle when he was out of action for a while I know he wrote to him. We really liked I'm always on a moutain when I fall, I couldn't get enough of Fiddle Breakdown, Buds favorite was I Think I'll Just Stay Here And Drink, MaMa I've Got To Go To Me Memphis, that man sang some thing for EVERYONE. I don't believe he will ever be topped.

Answer 7

There will never be another Merle. All the way from "Sing me Back Home" to "Motorcycle Cowboy", he's the best. And Willie, he is another one of those greats. These newer singers just don't have it. I can't stand ol'whiny Tim McGraw and his wife Faith. That last song they came out with together was no more than a bunch of yelling! Nothing can compare to the good ol' days with George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Patsy, Tammy, Johnny Cash, and on and on.

Have a good time, wish I was there too!

Answer 8

I think this is great news and I am so excited that you get to see it first hand. I think throughout the years classic country has withstood and I think it will continue to do so. A couple of examples that come to mind are my own family.
My niece who is 17 when she is around her mom she will tell her mom I like your musice R&B but I love Classic country .
My boys who are 4 and 8 know who Conway Twitty ,George Jones , Merle , Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette are. Usually by the 4 or 5th opening notes they can tell you the name of the songs. My husband who listens to rock more than any other music does not get it. I just tell him you know Classic Country is a heartfelt experience. You have to relate to it.The other day I got home from work he was playing Conways Siver Edition CD he tells me Conway saved my a** a number of times over the years we have been together. What a statement. Long Live Classic Country

Answer 9

I sure hope so, It would be ashamed to see good 'ol country music die. I think these younger kid's can learn to appreciate what country music is, But it also takes a die hard country fan to learn to appreciate where country music came from. I personally think true country will be around forever as long as their are people like you and me to play it,talk about it, and pass it on to the younger generation. Keep up the good work. And have fun at Merle's show.

Answer 10

Honey, I love Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. I'm 24. A lot of us younger kids are discovering music our parents listened too, as will a bunch of our kids. Music is timeless and universal.