[koshernostra]

I have loved it for decades and have seen some of the best over the years (in America) but disappointed it has never taken off in the UK.

[Domestiques]

It only disappoints me in that I dont get to see the acts I want to see because they dont tour here that often. Thats all, its other people loss for me.

[grps3]

our ears get polluted with way too much pop

pop seems to be only genre mainstream radio caters for
and sometimes all that dance music

its a shame as most people miss out on a lot of great music with our obsession of the top 40

[walterwhite]

Originally Posted by koshernostra

I have loved it for decades and have seen some of the best over the years (in America) but disappointed it has never taken off in the UK.

Genuine question, is country music popular anywhere other than the U.S.?

[gold2040]

Originally Posted by walterwhite

Genuine question, is country music popular anywhere other than the U.S.?

Seems Canada is second to America as per fan/artist base

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Country...#International

[shelleyj89]

I wouldn't say it's unpopular, we just don't have charts and awards show etc dedicated just to country music. It's big enough for there to be a two-day festival at the 02 next month, which seems to be nearly sold out. My parents saw Brad Paisley at the 02 once and it was sold out. I saw Carrie Underwood at the Royal Albert Hall last year, and it was packed.

[Leightonisme]

Because it's horrible?

[gold2040]

Originally Posted by Leightonisme

Because it's horrible?

wow..

[Jack.Dawson.]

Because to many it all sounds the same. Not just the songs but the singers themselves.

[Microkorg]

Cos 90% of it is crap

[SweetHeartHolly]

Originally Posted by Jack.Dawson.

Because to many it all sounds the same. Not just the songs but the singers themselves.

I agree but to a certain extent. To me the new kid named Hunter Hayes sounds like the lead of Rascal Flatts.

God bless you and Hunter and the Flatts always!!!

Holly

[Finny Skeleta]

Originally Posted by Microkorg

Cos 90% of it is crap

I'd say more like 95% of it is crap; just like every other genre of music.

There is some brilliant stuff in that other 5% though; just like every other genre of music.

[Finny Skeleta]

Also, I'd say that country is one of those 'pariah' genres along with jazz, heavy metal and, to some extent, hip-hop that many people will instantly dismiss off-hand based on nothing more than a few lazy stereotypes.

I wouldn't say I'm an aficionado by any means but the small handful of country albums in my collection provide the occasional pleasant diversion.

[Smitharz]

Originally Posted by walterwhite

Genuine question, is country music popular anywhere other than the U.S.?

Yes, it's very popular in Ireland, North and South.
The reason being the strong links between Irish traditional music and the origin of Country and Western in the southern states of the US.

My dad has always wondered why the music isn't called Country and Southern as it is really the music of the South not the West?

[vauxhall1964]

Because a music genre where all the male singers wear cowboy hats is seen as silly .... quite rightly too.

More seriously the people it's linked to - white working class Americans in the unfashionable parts of that country - aren't going to give the music any street cred or trendiness. It's seen - rightly or wrongly - as the music of rednecks and 'white trash'...

[Smitharz]

Originally Posted by vauxhall1964

Because a music genre where all the male singers wear cowboy hats is seen as silly .... quite rightly too.

More seriously the people it's linked to - white working class Americans in the unfashionable parts of that country - aren't going to give the music any street cred or trendiness. It's seen - rightly or wrongly - as the music of rednecks and 'white trash'...

On the red dirt roads of Tennessee, Texas and Kentucky C/W has a lot of 'street cred'. Ever listened to Steve Earle, Townes Van Zandt or Mary Chapin Carpenter?

[Black Velvet]

Originally Posted by koshernostra

I have loved it for decades and have seen some of the best over the years (in America) but disappointed it has never taken off in the UK.

This new song by Gabrielle Aplin has a right country sound about it and you can make out every word she is singing. Lyrics that actually tell a story something sadly lacking in today's current music.
I first heard this singer with her version of the Frankie goes to hollywood The Power of Love and I fell i love with her voice. She is only 20yrs old and english.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxNYvk_0Onw

[odie8391]

It's probably because the likes of America and Canada have what I would describe as "country places" (i.e. ranches with vast open fields and cowboys with stetsons riding horses using lassos to herd the buffalo, something we don't have.)

The music reflects this.

[Makson]

Leann Rimes is still very popular in the uk. She even had a number one single back in 2000.

[SweetHeartHolly]

^^^ Her new album will be available on April 9th.

God bless you and her always!!!

Holly (a day one fan of her)

P.S. That is the release date for us in the states.

[Toy_Hero]

I do think some country stars could really cross over well into the UK. As mentioned above, Carrie Underwood is fantastic and I really hope the UK take to her. As well mentioned above, I think Hunter Hayes would do well over here. I also quite like Little Big Town. They have a song called Tornado that I really like at the moment

[gpk]

Originally Posted by Makson

Leann Rimes is still very popular in the uk. She even had a number one single back in 2000.

that was her last big hit here as a solo artist though, 13 years ago. i really don't think she is still popular in the uk at all.

[spaceygal]

I love Martina McBride and Keith Urban is pretty good too. Faith Hill, Alan Jackson and Shania Twain, all good stuff!

[mushymanrob]

is british folk music popular in america?.... i dont think so.

c&w though is pretty naff, and it doesnt connect with most people outside america.

[Zone_Out]

Originally Posted by Makson

Leann Rimes is still very popular in the uk. She even had a number one single back in 2000.

that made me laugh