Country Mike Blog

Country Revival

Mike Sudhalter  |  August 19, 2007

I was recently listening to an album by Australian country music legend Slim Dusty. He's best known for "A Pub With No Beer", but he had a song with some interesting commentary on country music called "Country Revival".

Think of its theme as an Australian version of "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool". He sings, "they say that country's having a revival, they say it's in decline. I say what are they talking about? Country music's been here all the time."

The song is interesting because the theme is universal. There are a lot of Johnny-come-latelys to country music, but like Slim Dusty sings, the genre has been here the whole time.

Other stuff

I'm usually not much for reality shows, but there's a new one on VH1, "The Pickup Artist" that I've been hooked on, despite the fact there's only been one episode. Eight contestants take the advice of dating expert Mystery, and they need to improve their social skills with regards to meeting women. Two country songs come to mind when thinking about this show. "Me Neither" by Brad Paisley and "What's A Guy Gotta Do" by Joe Nichols.

I'm so addicted to buying music online. When it's right there at your fingertips, it's difficult not to be tempted. But who would have thought this would have been possible just 10 years ago?

I got a tip from a reader in Illinois to check out Matt Poss and The Wild Bunch. The Illinois singer combines traditional country and rockin' sounds, which fits in well with a recent Nashville trend.

It seems like there's lots of new acts - Flynnville Train, Halfway to Hazard, Whiskey Falls, Lee Brice. That have a southern rock edge to their country. I think H2H will emerge as the best one. Tim McGraw co-produced their album, and the single, "Daisy", is probably the strongest track.

Leland Martin is an excellent traditional country artist from Missouri, and he especially excels on "If I Had Long Legs Like Alan Jackson". The tune is catchy and makes references to country artists' best qualities. The singer humorously wishes he had all of these qualities.