Welcome to Another Saturday Night of music, memories, and conversations.
Country music really isn’t my thing, but the controversy over that Sundown Town song calls for a response. There are plenty of liberals in country music, I’ll start with the queen, Dolly Parton. She has always been welcoming and inclusive, doesn’t suffer fools — though she would drown them in honey rather than say something mean. She started a book giveaway in her home state that is now worldwide, and you know reading broadens minds. As far as I know, she hasn’t said anything about the current kerfluffle, but I know she doesn’t approve of that sundown town mentality.
And I’m from Austin, so for me the king is Willie Nelson. Here’s a recording someone did of him teasing Mr. Aldean:
I’ve seen several critiques of Aldean’s song that aside from the racism and bigotry, it’s bad country music. These people have all said that country music is all about storytelling, and that song doesn’t have one, at all. I found this song because of my friend Susan, and…..wow that’s a story, be sure you have tissues:
She also said: “Be sure to check out Long Violent History. It's another of his songs that is a gut punch. So good.” I don’t know that I’ve recovered enough for another gut punch, but here it is:
And of course, the Chicks. From early on, they were up front with their feminism. Goodbye Earl, one of their early hits, was a revenge fantasy about killing off a man who beat his wife. And of course, there’s the famous “we’re ashamed of George Bush” incident. I wonder how many people who are upset at Aldean’s treatment joined in the trashing they received.
I don’t know that he’s “real” country, but Steve Earle’s name came up in a lot of my searches, and he has a song that has given this political girl goosebumps every time I’ve heard it, for years and years. It definitely tells a story, paints a picture of a beautiful world, here’s Steve Earle: The Revolution Starts Now:
People I didn’t have time to write about: Kacey Musgraves, Garth Brooks, Chely Wright, Brandy Clark, LeeAnn Rimes, Tim McGraw, Brandi Carlisle, Reba McIntire, Jerry Jeff Walker, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, Jason Isbell, Guy Clark. Townes Van Zandt. Emmylou Harris. Billy Joe Shaver
Stuff I read for research:
20 Liberal Country Singers
Don’t think liberal country singers exist? Here’s a list of 14 singers that’ll have you seeing blue!
11 Musicians Who Prove Country Music Is for Liberals Too
Five Country Artists That Liberals Would Actually Like
And 2 country musicians singing with or about Sinead O’Connor:
Gentle reminder: Please continue to put the name of your selection in your comment along with your song. Those of us on our phones, we really appreciate it.
ASN is a volunteer effort and our schedule does have upcoming Sept. spots.
Aug 12: Al Dorado
Aug 19: Al Dorado
Aug 26: Janesaunt
Sep 2: …You?
So, put your quarter in the slot and your song in the comments.
You know how this works — This is your Saturday night jukebox and the party starts... NOW~!