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Country music finally breaking through to the UK?


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Old 13-02-2009, 11:28
paul_hadley
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Is country music finally breaking through to the UK market? I hope so.

Taylor Swift's releasing her material here now and is playlisted on Capital FM.

Carrie Underwood's finally releasing her albums in the UK.
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Old 13-02-2009, 14:24
Dreamer27
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"Love Song" is doing well but that's probably as it is more pop - I don't see it as a very country track anyway. I can't see the UK ever be big fans of country, possibly Carrie has a chance of breaking in but with no interviews/coverage of her I don't reckon her chances.
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Old 13-02-2009, 14:28
mushymanrob
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country was quite popular in the mid 70's, but tbh tracks like 'coward of the county', and 'blanket on the ground' were pretty dire. the thing about country is its a music of context, its american, and would be generally almost as unacceptable here as adge cutler would be in the states! lol, unless its watered down into a more ballady type music like for eg 'wichita lineman' or 'honey'.
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Old 13-02-2009, 23:31
Kyle123
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Carrie released both of her albums officially last Summer, but they were really easy to get your hands on anyway - all the HMVs I knew had them, and I think anyone who wanted them already had them, so they didnt really sell.

I wish they would though, but I dont really think that country will break in any time soon, and bsides, Taylor has pop versions of most her songs that will probably drown out the country versions anyway.
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Old 13-02-2009, 23:33
Fashion
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Also Shania Twain, especially her album 'Come On Over' did very well here.
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Old 14-02-2009, 00:18
RansomTheBall
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country was quite popular in the mid 70's, but tbh tracks like 'coward of the county', and 'blanket on the ground' were pretty dire. the thing about country is its a music of context, its american, and would be generally almost as unacceptable here as adge cutler would be in the states! lol, unless its watered down into a more ballady type music like for eg 'wichita lineman' or 'honey'.
Not quite true, american country is the more well known style but Canada and particually Australia have their own country style. I am sure I read a few years ago that Country was the 2nd most popular style in Australia.

Though you are right about country not being really accepted here. I think it has to do with the lack of hot weather. Though one of my fave country groups comes from Sweden .. so I am not sure how that fits in. With this global warming I predict that country will be huge here in 50 years time.
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Old 14-02-2009, 00:28
C14E
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I think Carrie is brilliant, but I just couldn't see her getting mainstream radio airplay over here. I also think she might have to alter her style a bit for the UK (less American references and less religious references) and I don't know if that is something she would want to do on the off chance of getting some UK support when she is doing so well in the US.

When I suggested her best chance of breaking the UK would be if Simon Cowell invited her on X Factor (he loved her on AI4) then she might deliver a "breakthrough" performance (and her live performances recently have been great) someone suggested that she could have done "Just A Dream" to tie in with the whole "Help For Heroes" thing they did last year which I think would have been great. But right now, it appears that while Sony BMG might be releasing her albums on a limited scale over here, Ann Edelblute/Simon Fuller at 19 Management aren't looking to the UK at all.

Between Some Hearts and Carnival Ride, she could have a great album to release, IMO. And her American Idol status and Grammy success could be used to catch some attention over here.
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Old 14-02-2009, 01:04
amstereofan
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I have to say I'm a big fan of country music. I strongly suggest you listen to the excellent PLAY COUNTRY UK net only station or Cool Country 94.1 from Australia - Both have very HQ stereo streams

Anyone a fan of Alison Krauss ?
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Old 14-02-2009, 01:15
Rush
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Basically No.

''Love Story'' has had all the country instruments removed from the ''Radio Mix'' version; that is played on Radio & Tv.
So essentially, It's not really a country song anymore.
Taylor's song's have always had a more pop edge to them.

Carrie, has and never will have success over here, They left it too long.
Shame as ''Before He Cheats'' is a classic.

Real, Country music will never break though into UK Mainstream.
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Old 14-02-2009, 01:44
Singy Thingy
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AAArrrgh! Noooo! I grew up in America, and when I moved to the uk, I was thrilled to be living in a place where yeehaw music is rarely heard. I hope it stays that way.

I don't mind some crossover stuff like Carrie Underwood/Shania, but for the most part, pleeease, NO!
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Old 14-02-2009, 01:56
MariosimConvert
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Carrie underwood is very good. Pop country like her..yes
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Old 14-02-2009, 02:05
Carmen Queasy
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The odd few get through, but like people have said, it's too regionalised to America.

Incidentally, I accidentally found myself at a "Country and Western" night a few years ago and there was about 10 people in a place which could hold up to 2,000. Oops!
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Old 14-02-2009, 02:57
NoNoDrama
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Before He Cheats would cross over well, even the original country cut. But say All American Girl although great song I'm not sure the UK audience would relate to the patriotism.

I still wouldn't rule out Carrie coming over though, especially if Taylor's album goes down well.
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Old 14-02-2009, 18:46
Kyle123
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I think that they could make an album out of Carrie's current two that would do well over here - like, pick the least country songs basically. Before He Cheats for example would do well wherever you go. A lot of her first album isnt really that country.

The problem is, Carrie has stated all along she wants to be a country singer, not a pop singer. I doubt she would want to come over here if it means losing half her songs in the process, particularly the ones of the genre she sees herself in.
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Old 14-02-2009, 19:13
webbswoman
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I wish. But unfortunately I don't think so. All of the country artists that come over here feel that they have to class themselves as 'pop', which says just about everything. On Keith Urban's official website for the UK he was classed as pop-rock, which he isn't.
Also, Taylor Swift is being branded as 'pop' over here too. There seems to be a stigma attached to country music for most people in the UK, and because of that, 'real' country music will never manage to break through.
I went to see Dierks Bentley in Newcastle a few years ago, and the turn out there pretty much said it all.
Saying that, not many country artists bother to try to make it over here. And those that do (Sugarland) seem to think that London and Glasgow cover the whole of the UK.
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Old 14-02-2009, 19:28
Blah123
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When I suggested her best chance of breaking the UK would be if Simon Cowell invited her on X Factor (he loved her on AI4) then she might deliver a "breakthrough" performance (and her live performances recently have been great) someone suggested that she could have done "Just A Dream" to tie in with the whole "Help For Heroes" thing they did last year which I think would have been great.
.
Ah that was me! Still think that would have been a really good idea Perfect exposure for her over here - even if she didn't 'make' it, would be great to show the average household that a country singer can hold her own!
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Old 14-02-2009, 19:29
Blah123
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Thing is with Before He Cheats - it has too many references to American Culture i.e Louisville Slugger - for people over here to 'get it'.

The UK wouldn't embrace someone who sang 'Jesus take the wheel' - regardless of how good she was.
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Old 14-02-2009, 22:00
Kyle123
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Ah that was me! Still think that would have been a really good idea Perfect exposure for her over here - even if she didn't 'make' it, would be great to show the average household that a country singer can hold her own!
Actually, I do think that people generally know of Carrie Underwood, and that shes succesful in America. I dont think they are familiar with her music at all, but im sure shes known of. Then again, perhaps thats just me bigging her up to whoever I can
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Old 14-02-2009, 22:09
Kyle123
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Ah that was me! Still think that would have been a really good idea Perfect exposure for her over here - even if she didn't 'make' it, would be great to show the average household that a country singer can hold her own!
Actually, I do think that people generally know of Carrie Underwood, and that shes succesful in America. I dont think they are familiar with her music at all, but im sure shes known of. Then again, perhaps thats just me bigging her up to whoever I can
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Old 15-02-2009, 03:56
hardylane
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No. Because country music is as relevant to the UK as a kick in the balls.

It's pathetic, whiny, American crap of the lowest order, and only seems to appeal to low-rent council estate-dwelling Scots and Irish with absolutely no taste..

That answer your question?
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Old 15-02-2009, 10:52
webbswoman
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No. Because country music is as relevant to the UK as a kick in the balls.

It's pathetic, whiny, American crap of the lowest order, and only seems to appeal to low-rent council estate-dwelling Scots and Irish with absolutely no taste..

That answer your question?

It tells me that you're ignorant and seem to think that stereotypes are real. Have you ever actually listened to the country music thats popular nowadays, because artists like Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Dierks Bentley and Jeff Bates are NOT whiny, they can al hold tunes LIVE which is more than can be said for many UK bands and artists.
And, as a teenage from England who loves country music I can assure you that I know many fans in the UK who are not as you state 'low-rent council estate-dwelling.' Country music and its fans have values, and if you can't respect that people have different tastes of music then you must be very small minded.
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Old 15-02-2009, 11:19
Mrscee
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I lived through the 70s and in Scotland and country music was very big here..maybe it's making a comeback..like most trends
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Old 15-02-2009, 12:02
.Mimi.
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Also Shania Twain, especially her album 'Come On Over' did very well here.


my mum used to play this album ALL the time when i was little...So much so that i eventually enjoyed it haha. still remains one of her favourite albums. she thought it had gone missing recently because i lent it to one of my teachers because she wanted to use one of the tracks as her wedding song. we were round some friends' house on boxing day and they played the album...i'd forgotten how good it was haha
I'm gonna tell mum when she gets home that i've found it. she'll be over the moon.
I know what's going in the car next time we go out!
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Old 15-02-2009, 12:28
Kyle123
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No. Because country music is as relevant to the UK as a kick in the balls.

It's pathetic, whiny, American crap of the lowest order, and only seems to appeal to low-rent council estate-dwelling Scots and Irish with absolutely no taste..

That answer your question?


Ignore the T.R.O.L.L
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Old 15-02-2009, 12:49
InMyArms
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No!
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