Ronnie Dunn is still making great country music.
There seems to be a lot of talk about the current state of country music and the apparent departure from “traditional/hardcore” sounds. Most all music genres evolve over time and country music is no different. However, more recently there has been more deviation of the standard country chord selection and progression than I can recall. In this article, I provide my thoughts on this subject and discuss how one country music superstar is trying to counteract this trend.
History has shown country music recording artists often struggle to get a record deal often mortgaging everything. This puts them in a compromising position from the very beginning essentially requiring them to follow record label executive and “mainstream” country music’s direction in order to succeed. When a new sound creates a few radio hits, most all executives to try copy and release this sound for radio play. This is the reason there are several songs with similar sounds on the radio at any given time. While I realize the business aspect of this, it is not being true to the genre. While it may lead to short term financial gains, the long term effect will lead to a loss of fans.
If an artist is lucky enough to sell over thirty million albums and have thirty number one songs to his credit (such as Ronnie Dunn), he may rightfully feel he knows the correct formula for commercial success. However, commercial success is directly correlated to album sales and radio play. This requires a team effort including label executives, producers, public relation specialists, artist management and the artist and songwriter. The old saying “it all starts with a song” is absolutely true. However, it seems commercial success is more about the politics involved. I recently read a discussion from a former Nashville record label executive who likened getting radio play to political lobbying. He noted it is often who you know and what influence you have rather than the actual song itself. This is such a shame. Anytime a song takes a backseat to business, there is the chance of mediocrity.
Perhaps if there were more fan choice and/or survey influenced programs helping develop radio playlists, the lobbying part would play less of a role.
There has been a recent trend of successful country artists forming their own record labels and taking more control over their product (Ronnie Dunn, Toby Keith, Garth Brooks, etc). This should resonate loudly with fans and music executives alike. Clearly several artists are unhappy with the current situation in Nashville. I feel it is important for artists to have creative control to help prevent discontent and possibly prolong their carreer. The unfortunate part is it seems to take significant commercial success and personal wealth for this to become a reality. I am hopful an expansion of artist-led record labels will expand this control.
Ronnie Dunn is clearly a country music superstar and a great example of the previous discussion. In 2010, he left Brooks and Dunn and revived his solo carreer. This was after twenty years of being the anchor of the most prolific duo in country music history. His influence is undeniable. In 2011, he released his eponymous album which fulfilled his obligation with Arista Nashville. While he has stated he had more creative control over this album than Brooks and Dunn albums, there were still significant limitations.
Thankfully Mr. Dunn did not ride off into the Santa Fe sunset (as his “COWBOY” tattoo on his arm might indicate). He will turn 61 on June 1 and his songwriting and singing are as good as ever. The lack of his continued influence would leave a huge hole in country music for many of us.
His solution for more control? Form Little Will-E Records at his own expense. His first release under his own label was “Peace, Love and Country Music”. This was released in April 2014 to critical acclaim. The album includes a great mix of pure country (listen to “They Still Play Country Music in Texas”; “Grown Damn Man”) as well as southern rock influenced riffs which stir emotion. In fact, each song is delivered with conviction and feeling making this album a masterpiece. I have read others say Mr. Dunn talks about only singing true, hard-core, traditional country music and his addition of southern rock influenced sounds do not comply. I think they have misunderstood his point. I interpret his comments to refer to individual artists being allowed to make music that mean something to them and in their own way. Starting with basic country music chord progression and song structure and allowing each artist to expand and alter as he feels is to me, hard-core, traditional country music. Simply recording a song for commercial success without feeling is not consistent with this definition.
I think a song deserves considerstion for radio play based on the song itself and not political lobbying or simply because it sounds like a previous hit. Unless we as fans can come together and push for this, I feel the state of country music is questionable at best.
God bless true artists like Ronnie Dunn.
While I appreciate all genres of music, I also appreciate change and respecting the dreams of those who share their musical gift with fans. Country music has always evolved, always.
Back when I first really started listening to country music & radio, people were in an uproar over the direction the genre had taken, those in question, or rather in the line of fire, were some of my favorites, Reba, Brooks and Dunn, and .. the list goes on.
Recently, when Ronnie released his new music, I was shocked that only a few fellow country artists took to social media and showed their support of his new music. Joe Bonsall, with 17.6K followers on twitter who is a 40 year member of the Oak Ridge Boys, his tweet got 21 RTs and 36 Favorites. Ronnie’s fans flocked to social media to thank Joe for his support! Next was Florida Georgia Line , who tweeted a picture of a song they downloaded (Cowgirls, rock and roll) with this tweet “Can’t turn this up loud enough @RonnieDunn #sosick #letsdoasongtogether” I was thrilled to see them support RD., they have 1.04 Million followers, it got 116 RTs and 505 Favorites from their fans who no doubt, might have been so inclined to check out that song, and BUY it.
Ronnie updated his Facebook page with something like .. “I just saw this” I could NOT believe the hate I read regarding these young men, who from what I have seen, have been nothing but respectful to not only their fans, as well as other artists, but also very spiritual guys, who are humble and respectful. That hate spewed over onto twitter after RD answered their tweet.
Honestly, I was shocked and embarrassed by it all. It’s no secret how, and who, chooses the songs that can and will get airtime on country radio.
So instead of bashing these new artists with such hate, and no respect, why not take a minute and think, think, that they too, are just following a dream, they too are told exactly what will be played on country radio and what won’t, respect, it sure goes a long way. Some people on social media have none at all for anyone.
I have no real problem with the direction the genre has gone, what I do have a problem with is, that only a very select few get chosen to be heard, that too, is nothing new, its been happening forever, and maybe I never thought too much about it, cause back when the only way to hear new music was on country radio, they were playing my favorites.
Watching the Billboard Music Awards last night, which I loved. I noticed almost every new country hit had radio mentioned in it :)) Recently Collin Raye wrote a great article in this regard. He didn’t bash the artists he took aim at but rather the gatekeepers. Boy, do I respect honest people like himself and Ronnie Dunn.
Great Read & True…The Freedom To Record Your Individuality & Not What Radio Defines “Music “.Carry On Ronnie Dunn & Other “Rebel” Artist Like You….Cheers & Godbless !
Radio is a business run by suits. Music is art created by artists. Support your favorite artists by purchasing their music whether they are on or off the radio. Maybe someday soon radio will understand we love the variety of our country artists, current and past. We love variety in our country music. Apparently radio doesn’t make enough profit from variety programming. I for one am tired of them pushing the same few artists. Meanwhile, I’ll keep buying what my favorite artists are putting out. Keep the music coming, Ronnie Dunn! #PeaceLoveAndCountryMusic
Thank you,Gregory, for your astute and well written article regarding the state of country music. You nailed it and I could not agree with you more! Colin Raye, a country music artist, also shares the same opinion.His article was very insightful and well written as well. Yup, it all starts with a song as you so aptly stated! Like you, I thank God that Ronnie Dunn did not hang up his guitar when B&D ended their careers as the best duo in country music history. Just think of all the amazing music we would be missing. And,if anyone can change the course of where country music is headed, it’s Ronnie Dunn. People know him, not only as an amazing Artist but also someone who not only talks the talk but walks the walk. I like the way you laid it all out there and the way you say it! That’s truth talkin’! Thank you again, Gregory, for sharing this article. I enjoyed reading it..at least twice:) God Bless Ronnie Dunn and God Bless you! I wish more people would speak out like you did,then maybe someday Nashville will pay attention and let the artists be who they truly are and not candy coated pieces of music that the powers to be think we should be listening to.Then, maybe someday, I will turn my radio on again. PEACELOVE&COUNTRYMUSIC.
There is a lot of truth in Gregory’s article. The trouble is that even established names like Ronnie Dunn are fighting a huge music business machine where there are millions of dollars to be made. I assume Ronnie Dunn is financially in a position to record and release music that will not sell in the kind of quantities in which Brooks and Dunn’s music sold. He doesn’t need to worry about establishing or maintaining a career.
Clearly the radio and music suits have things sown up – changing what they offer to make sure it appeals to the lowest common denominator who will be gullible enough to go with the trends – not with the quality of the music. I suppose you could say that the business people get there money and the fans get what they deserve!
There is still some fine country music being made but just don’t expect it to be found in the music charts or most of the commercial radio stations, although a bit of searching will produce some interesting stations playing a variety of music that is well worth a listen. The other option is to play your own music – look out some of the great classics and artists who have a bit of uniqueness and character about them. This was before you had to be told how to present yourself and your music to your audience to avoid offending a potential listener. I can’t imagine Waylon, Willie and Johnny letting someone tell them how to act and what kind of music to sing!