Hi everybody,

This is our first country music BLOG.

As a longtime country DJ, I obviously have some opinions on the evolution of country music to today’s onslaught of non-country songs that have invaded the Top 50 listings.

It amazes me that the wining sounds that gained popularity among teens in so-called rock or pop music have found their way into country. Specifically, the rather nauseous sounds of Rascal Flatts and, to some extent Lonestar and Keith Urban. Nasality has long been part of the country sound, but wining? Give me a break!

The other sound that has crept into country is the piano style popularized by Bruce Hornsby and the Range. It has infected country music. Honky tonk piano always has been acceptable, but the Hornsby piano is again a pop music sound foreign to country music. It does not belong in country.

We have too many country artists who have been prostituted by their record labels or ego. They tease country fans with a country sound in their first or second single and then abandon country in favor of what may be a more commercial sound with a slight country treatment.

I believe the lead singer of Rascal Flatts has been quoted as saying country music is whatever he says it is. Yeah sure!

Take the Billboard or R & R country chart of today. Look at the artists or songs and tell me how many are really country. The answer is about 50 percent.

Know who’s to blame?

The audience. We just sit back and accept whatever country labels, artists, radio or TV dish out.

It’s a shame.