Country California

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This is the style and level of songwriting that I’ve always wanted. I’m coming home. ●
- – Josh Kelley on ‘going’ country, except not, because his heart has actually been here all along. He just didn’t mention it until now. Remember, everyone in music is secretly a country singer.

But at Friday night’s (Nov. 13) Keith Anderson and David Nail concert in Chicago, Vince Vaughn was there for the music. He was there with his mother and his fiancé Kyla Weber. [...] I’m not suggesting Vaughn is a hardcore country music fan. But I do love seeing everyone — movie stars and common folk — pay attention when the country comes on. ●
- – Actually, I’m fairly certain Vaughn knows more about country music than certain CMT bloggers do.

In my career, it happened quite frequently that someone would make a comment in a very negative way and a critical way of my being too [interested in] production, and Las Vegas-y and too much show biz. But that’s my passion. We make our recordings for people to enjoy on the radio, or listen to at home or wherever, but that’s recorded. When you go to see a show, it’s a show. Show ‘em something. ●
- – Barbara Mandrell defends concert theatrics.

what’s up with all the “smoke and mirrors”…whatever happened to just singing a song and selling it with the power of the lyrics?? ●
- – Don’t get to say this very often, but I’m with Kellie Pickler.

It’s pretty risky. We didn’t do it to push anybody back; this is a story song, this is country music. If you look back at the Waylon Jennings songs, Johnny Cash, they weren’t afraid to say things. I think definitely country music got a little scared to say these kinds of things. ●
- – Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley (brother of Josh, natch) on including the line “I’m a little drunk and I need you now” in the group’s latest hit. Yep, just like Waylon and Johnny.

Dan asked McGraw what he listens to [in] his truck. McGraw said he’s a big 1970s rock fan. He said he likes to play the Eagles, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and Led Zeppelin. But McGraw wouldn’t do a cover of a pop song. “I couldn’t go pop with an ass full of firecrackers,” McGraw said. ●
- – You know, it made a little more sense coming from Waylon…

He’s so spiritual. ●
- – Inexplicable fan testimonial in a McGraw concert review. I could see if he devoted a portion of the show to old-time gospel numbers or something, but otherwise, where’s ’spiritual’ coming from?

Both country and hip-hop music are about ‘telling the story’ and ‘painting a picture’—that’s why we do what we do.
- – Colt Ford on writing “Ride On… Ride Out” with Darryl “D.M.C.” McDaniels of Run-DMC. The email press release describes it as “a redneck hip-hop tune about riding in trucks, motorcycles and souped-up cars.” Swell.

I still like it that she freaks out, but pretty soon she’s gonna have to stop because it’s sort of like, ‘You’re that good. You’re that good. You might have to go to therapy and have someone else tell you you’re that good.’” ●
- – John Mayer on Taylor Swift’s stunned awards show acceptance speeches.

Asked why it is that her songs are considered country music, she said: “I think that what categorizes country music, to me, in my head. I think a country song is when you are singing about being proud of your life.
“I sing about love and boys and that’s my life. So that’s what fascinates me, feelings, and so I think if you are singing and writing songs about the way that you live your life, that’s a country song.” ●
- – In summary, Taylor Swift has almost no idea why it is that her songs are considered country. But kudos to the interviewer for daring to ask the obvious question.

If her singing is occasionally off-key, that’s what makes her genuine and is what she brings to the music arena, her managers say.
“(Taylor) tries to hold herself to a better standard but perfection is not one of them. At 19-years-old, I don’t know how she deals with the nerves (of singing live). And sound issues are not always in our control,” Robert Allen, one of Swift’s managers, told Reuters. ●
- – Oh, right. Nerves and sound issues, and remember that she’s only 19 (as if anyone could forget). What she brings to the music arena is singing off key? Sorry, Billy Joe Shaver has been doing that for years. And he’s cool enough to not even bother with the excuses.

Somebody was telling me when my record came out that they were mad because I didn’t come up with these ground breaking songs. I didn’t know I was supposed to change country music. I’m just trying to get it played on the radio like everybody else. ●
- – Darius Rucker on his modest mission.

the most capitalistic bunch of sold-out whatevers ●
- – Robert Earl Keen on the Eagles and their exorbitant ticket prices.

Question: What appeals to you most about motorcycles?
Answer: It’s about as close as you can get to being on a horse and taking yourself back in time and getting away from the city, decompressing a little bit. ●
- – Actually, the closest you can get to being on a horse is… riding a horse. I think Dierks may have horses confused with dinosaurs. Horses still exist.

My songwriting used to suck. ●
- – True enough, Tim McGraw.

I actually got a little heat from some folks who said I probably should never sing it again, but I just kept believing it was the song I was supposed to sing. It’s been my sword and shield for my entire career I’ve had this song — it’s been the song for me. ●
- – Jimmy Wayne on “Sara Smile,” that unequivocal country smash.

Fastidiously styled, with its overhanging forward-swerving eaves and impeccable scimitar sideburns, it is never tousled, always in place, like a sculpted pinnacle of incongruous permanence atop a distinctly mortal shell.
- – Nick Tosches on George Jones’ hair, in an essay titled “George Jones: The Grand Tour” from the early-mid ’90s. (Unsolicited book recommendation: The Country Reader: 25 Years of the Journal of Country Music.)

That Miley Cyrus song is in my head and I can’t get it out! ●
- – Like Randy Rogers before him, Kristian Bush has fallen prey to Miley’s “Party in the USA.”

Sure, why can’t they get married? They should suffer like the rest of us do. ●
- – Dolly Parton on gay marriage.