Why isn’t country as ‘buddy-buddy’ as it used to be?

Question

I might be wrong but I think that once there was a time when country was less about hit singles and making money and more about just playing and kicking it with a bunch of buddies. It seemed that Willie and Waylon were always doing something together and Merle & George Jones were recording together and hanging out. There were ‘The Highway men’ with Kris K and Willie and Waylon and Cash. To me it just seems like the bonds were so much closer and everyone sorta just collaborated and music was better for it.

Now it seems that the closes we have come to any thing like that is “Hey, good lookin'” with Jimmy buffet, Alan Jackson, Clint Black, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith & George Strait… Which don’t get me wrong was awesome! The only problem is that it doesn’t happen enough. Jimmy & Alan have done some stuff and Alan and George have done some stuff. The three released ‘Live from Texas Stadium’ together but I still wonder why there aren’t more collaborations going on. Is it their contracts?

Is it their contracts or are they not as good of friends as the good ol’ boys were. What are your theories on why the big names aren’t doing more together (if you agree) or if you don’t agree show me some examples of closeness between artists? The only stipulation is that you don’t use the Music Mafia (because they are trite and I don’t like B&R)

Answer 1

FIRST OF ALL LET ME SAY THAT I LOVE YOUR QUESTION!!...
TODAY'S SO-CALLED COUNTRY MUSIC IS NOT "BUDDY-BUDDY", IT'S.."MONEY-MONEY" AND "STUPID-STUPID"! I ALSO THINK THAT A LOT OF THE NEWER BREED IS TOO ASHAMED TO SING "REAL COUNTRY MUSIC" WITH OUR LEGENDS OR ABOUT OUR LEGENDS..WHAT WILL THE YOUNGER FANS THINK?? WILL IT BE ACCEPTED BY THE WHITE COLLARS UP STAIRS???
IT SEEMS THAT EVERYBODY IS TRYING TO OUT DO ONE ANOTHER TO GET TO THE TOP, THE TOP OF WHAT??? I MISS THE "CLASSIC" SONGS THAT USED TO BE ABOUT LIFE, TRUE LOVE AND FAMILY..THIS CRAP TODAY IS "WHAT EVER IT TAKES MAN"!!!
AND IT'S A DOWN RIGHT SHAME THAT ICONS~LEGENDS LIKE MERLE HAGGARD~RAY PRICE~ WILLIE NELSON~GEORGE JONES~STONEWALL JACKSON~PORTER WAGONER~CHARLIE DANIELS ETC...HAVE TO GIVE UP THEIR GOLDEN YEARS AND STAY OUT ON THE ROAD TO BE SEEN AND HEARD ANYMORE..WHAT THE F~CK IS GOING ON HERE??? I DO REALIZE THAT HAGGARD~JONES AND EVEN WILLIE STILL LIKE THE "ROAD" CAUSE THAT'S ALL THEY'VE EVER KNOWN, BUT IT STILL SHOULD BE A CHOICE!! SHAME ON YOU BUFOON "BIG WIGS"WHO HAVE JUST RUINED THE DEFINITION OF "COUNTRY MUSIC"!!!

OH YEA YOU BRAIN DEAD HATERS..YOU KNOW WHERE YOU CAN PUT THAT THUMBS DOWN DON'T YOU??

Answer 2

I agree with country artist aren't willing to work together anymore, you might get hubby and wife duets but thats about it. I think it has alot to do with the bottom line and everyone wanting for them and not so much for the fans. Record labels don't get as much profit if their artist goes and sings with some on else form a different label. Don't get me wrong I still love country I just wish we would see some more team efforts. There are alot of good artist that would sound good together if the would forget about all the money and other BS that goes into the music business.

Answer 3

I miss Classic country music. Back before they started this new country. The people like family, like you could relate to them. It was about the music! Now it's more like who's the hottest looking, but in this day and age that's what sells, which is sad! What happened to good ole hometown values, where everybody knew their neighbors.

Answer 4

Because its just a bunch of kids produced from a manufactured town. Cookie cutter country singers! Its all about the almighty dollar these days. That's why the music is mainstream, vanilla flavored, homogenized, Corporate Country Music.

Answer 5

I think it's because of the record companies these days. I have read a lot about artists complaining that they CAN'T do more "buddy" work because of the record companies. I even heard that to be able to preform together on something like cross roads on CMT, there's a ton of red tape to cut through.