The Music that is now The Nashville Sound is a bit removed from country music. I doubt that Kenny Rogers ever was a true part of country music. In fact in an interview that I heard of him on NPR's Fresh Air he said he was cruising along in a nice little carreer. Playing supper clubs and singing pop standards. Stardust, Begin the Beguine, et al. Something he excells at by the way. He did Lucille as an experiment to see if liked the style and it took off. He said he be a fool not to ride that horse as far as it goes.

AS far as Garth and Kenny and Lyle and company. Watch CMTV for awhile, these guys couldn't get a start right now no matter how good they may be. They are either too chubby, too old, too goofy looking. There are thousands of great singers and pickers loose in the world but there are few who are as pretty as Shania and The Dixie Chicks or as Gosh all goodlookin' as Alan Jackson or Vince Gill.

Lastly, I feel the same way as Alex. I admire anyone who is working in the biz today and meeting the demands of a fan base. The Country Music Machine does this one thing right. Fan Fares where performers talk to and thank personally the people who buy them there tour busses and estates in Branson. A thank you from and a free photo is more than likely gonna make me listen to Clint Black again than a "Fuck you and beat it" will make me return to Stone Temple Pilots .

Don