Stealing our Format

Every few years, not unlike any format, country music goes through this cycle of cookie cutter-ness in order to survive. It went through it in the mid 90's when even Garth Brooks was struggling to put out a good product that radio and fans were receptive to.Sadly our format is, in my opinion, back in that boat.


Every time it happens, someone comes along and saves our dying format. Say what you will about Shania, but she was very instrumental during that dry spell in making our format sell-able again, even though it was a mediocre product. The world suddenly took notice and the format had a breath of well needed fresh air blown into its weak lungs. Shortly after, the Dixie Chicks came along and took it to whole new heights, only they actually kept the element of "country" in it.

The major difference nowadays, is that the artists coming along are "Shanias". Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum and so forth. By Shanias, I mean they're artists who sell records like hot cakes, but they're also artists who other formats are raping us of. The other day a friend told me she was listening to a Hot AC station in our market that played Sugarland, Keith Urban and Johnny Reid back to back! Can you believe that?? AC stations are doing the same.

So as a country format, what are we doing about it to make our product retain our listeners? What can you do really? You can' t tell the other stations to stop or you'll spank them. You can't tell Keith Urban to make his music sound more country.

Here's what we should be doing. We should be reaping the benefits of the strength that country "gold" music offers us. Those other stations aren't going to suddenly start playing Mark Chesnutt, or Clay Walker, or Clint Black, or Lorrie Morgan, or Pam Tillis or the older George Strait stuff. So why not play it!? It's like an oil well in your back yard that you're not doing a damn thing about. You and I grew up listening to that stuff. It's a part of our being and it sounds damn good on the radio. 

Am I wrong?

Tia