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That question from one of George Jones' biggest hits is now hitting us right between the eyes.
"You know this ol' world is full of singers, but just a few were chosen to tear your heart out when they sang."
At the time the song was released in 1985, most of the artists mentioned in the song were still living. Some still are, but they, along with other legends who weren't mentioned in the song, won't be around forever.
This past week, country legend Kenny Rogers announced his retirement. He's one of many who are turning in their bus keys. Ronnie Milsap is currently on his farewell tour, and The Eagles' most recent tour was rumored to be its last.
Can anybody really blame them for wanting to retire? They're getting older, they have families and they've earned the right to hang it up.
I think we, the fans, have a hard time letting go because we know these are the last artists in that league.
Think about it: How many artists have you heard that honestly have the same impact?
Some newer artists like Garth Brooks will certainly be remembered down the road. But will his music be remembered the same way Elvis and Johnny Cash are remembered?
The '90s are where we enter a problem area. There were several artists who made great music and were great entertainers, such as Brooks, Travis Tritt and Alan Jackson. The problem is the record companies were still in charge of everything.
YouTube and Myspace weren't around to help get artists noticed, so those artists were still subject to the decisions of the music industry, which weren't always the wisest.
More recent artists have been championed by music legends. Merle Haggard speaks highly of Sturgill Simpson, and John Prine speaks highly of Kasey Musgraves. But is two enough?
There are artists making music comparable to the most classic songs of all time, but you won't hear them on the radio, and you won't see them on MTV or CMT, although that's not necessarily such a bad thing.
Can someone reach legendary status without becoming popular in the mainstream? I don't think so, but stranger things have happened.
We've made it harder for artists to reach that point. We buy whatever the record companies tell us is cool. We listen to radio stations owned by record companies. We read magazines owned by record companies. We watch TV music stations owned by record companies. We go to music websites owned by record companies.
If those are your main avenues for finding music, is it any wonder why you're only getting the stale products of the industry?
It seems like there are legends either passing away or retiring every day.
So, who IS going to fill their shoes? As Vince Gill, one of the few who can, said, "It's my belief that they don't make those shoes anymore."


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Guided Trips
Monday, April 21, 2014
Fishing to Refocus???
I'll offer a different perspective. For many years, fishing has been my way to escape and relax. I usually return from fishing trips feeling refocused and energized. While the majority of the non-fishing populace doesn't understand this, mostly because they've never given fishing a fair shake, those of us who do fish totally get what Paul George is up to. In fact, I'll go out on a limb and predict a big game from him in Game 2.
Anyone else think he was just relaxing and collecting his thoughts so he could refocus or am I way off here?
14 comments:
Don't know how the guy thinks, but I do agree with your thinking. Fish to refocus. Good.ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks Mark!Delete
Couldn't agree with you more. Fishing... especially fly fishing, is the world's greatest (and least expensive) form of therapy.ReplyDeleteReplies
Jay, I agree with you except for the least expensive part. I could have done it cheap, but then I started tying flies...Delete
By "least expensive" I was referring to the cost of spending an hour on the water versus an hour in a therapist's office.Delete
The amount of money you could spend to gear yourself up for that hour on the water is virtually unlimited. I fly fish (and tie flies) on a budget. I've been very fortunate in being given a whole bunch of tying materials, but when I do need to actually buy something I always cry a little when I see how expensive things are and how little I can actually afford.
Ah, gotcha. Yeah I have to agree with you for sure. Some of my trips literally cost maybe $1 or $1.50 as I only drive a couple of miles to a nearby pond. Cheap therapy for sure!Delete
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Thanks Howard. Guess I'm not crazy after all...Delete
It is a fishing thing....if you don't do it you don't get it! Crazy people...we put so much into the persona of a person....a TEAM does not win and it is a PERSON responsible for it. Fish on!ReplyDeleteReplies
I can't imagine being a professional athlete or movie star, etc. You're right about that persona thing and it must be tough having every commentator questioning you. I'm glad he did what he knew he needed to do...Delete
I have come to the conclusion that if one hasn't been brought up around fishing, then most of time they will never fish or be interested in fishing. An example is my three brothers-in-laws none of which was introduced to fishing at an early age and therefore neither ever developed an interest. In fact most all my gym buddies don't fish, why because they never experienced fishing in years past. I am so thankful my Dad carried me and all my brothers fishing when we were growing up. For me, it is the greatest therapy in the world. Thanks for sharingReplies
Bill, that sounds just about right. I've had a lot of people suggest similar things to me over the years. I think it is important to get kids out in nature trying out things like fishing so they have something to enjoy the rest of their life!Delete
When I start to get irritable, cranky, impatient, and stressed, I know I'm losing myself. That is when I have to get back on the water to find my old friend, my happier self.ReplyDeleteReplies
That sounds about like me as well! Nothing like time on the water to ease the stress of life.Delete

subset: commoncrawl