Both kinds Country AND Western

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Monday Sep 13, 2004

Just curious. I haven't seen a country band or venue advertised around here in ages. Years ago, the country scene nearly rivalled that of rock. You would think that with all the "new" country stars like Clint Black, Travis Tritt, Bonnie Raitt, etc., that it would be alive and well.

Is there still a "country music scene" in PA?

I haven't seen a country act since stopping by the Grand Ole Opry for Alan Jackson in 1991. Interestingly, that show ended up as a "turning point" on Jackson's biography on the BiographyChannel.

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Monday Sep 13, 2004

I was fortunate to play in a line-dance geared country band when that stuff was peaking in the mid-90's, and yeah, it was pretty lucrative... we made more $$ than any rock band I ever played in, played 4-5 nights a week, and only a small PA was necessary, instead of paying for a truckload of production. We played rock clubs, rodeo's, Hersheypark Amphitheater, lots of cool places. As time went on, and line-dancing went from college kids to old folks, the country scene faded... it will likely always be there, but now it's in mostly rural beer halls, American Legions, VFW's and the like. There aren't near as many bands either.
Actually line-dancing drove the country club scene, then became it's downfall. Line-dancers don't drink much... it's hard enough to remember that crap when you're sober... if you stagger, Bubba will mow your ass down. They used to drink free water or cheap soda, and the club would lose big money, so the clubs stopped having it. I understand line-dancing is still popular in rest homes.

------>JMS

byndrsn · Post by **byndrsn** » Monday Sep 13, 2004

A little over a year ago I started listening to Country on a regular basis (I always hated it before). And, I realized that I really liked the lyrics and the music (at least the music for most of the up-beat songs).

I was very surprised by it all. I really like the songs that tell a story. I also found that (with the exception of the Dixie clits) most country singers are very patriotic and believe in a lot of the same values that I believe in. And, the songs are not so "angry" as a lot of the newer rock songs. Hell, some of them are down-right funny.

I would like to go hear a few good country bands!! I think that would be very enjoyable!!

Matt_22 · Post by **Matt_22** » Monday Sep 13, 2004

I know there is a country band out of latrobe that plays often. Actually, I knew the guitar player, he resides in derry, and he could really rip. I know that his band plays at the Rowdy Buck Roadhouse near seven springs on rt. 31. Thats all I am aware of for the local country scene.

April · Post by **April** » Monday Sep 13, 2004

I just saw a country band at the Cancer Sux benefit that we played at this past weekend. They were called Amber Alexis. Two female front chicks who also played guitar along with a full band. They had some nice harmonies going on.

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Monday Sep 13, 2004

It's kind of funny - I always end up talking to one Country band everytime I put out a "Bassist Available" ad. The strange thing is that I never make it to the audition stage; something always seems to happen. I've always wanted to be in a kick-ass Country band, but fate has always prevented me from being in one. *LOL*

There is a Country scene, but as John pointed out, it's mostly regulated to the VFW/Moose/Legion circuit. It's not uncommon to catch a good Country act at an outdoor show up here in the magical land of Clearfield County; I just saw an awesome group at Curwensville's summer carnival. I'm sure that the Moore Brothers (and the many Moore Brother offshoot bands) are still at it.

tonefight · Post by **tonefight** » Monday Sep 13, 2004

Go to a karaoke night and you'll here all the country you want, at least up this way they do alot of country and there are actually a few people that don't suck to bad.
As far as Country bands there is Split Image from the Johnstwon area, they are country based but do the southern rock and a little classic rock also.
I'm guessing the band that was brought up from latrobe area is George Lucas ( I think it just goes by his name ) Never heard him/ them though. I did hear that its a group of talented players but the singer makes sure the focus is on him ( Just hear say )

rickw · Post by **rickw** » Monday Sep 13, 2004

I too played in a short lived country band called Diamonds and Denim, and John you nailed it! Country folk just didn't give the bar owners income. But now, I'm playing with Ricky Lee and somehow he managed to bring about two thousand enthusiastic souls into the Jaffa Mosque last April! So, I think there might be an underground country scene here somewhere! And, to top it off, most of our material are songs written by Ricky, so the folks are into originals too, imagine that!

the herald · Post by **the herald** » Tuesday Sep 14, 2004

surfbull glider!!!!!

str8h8 · Post by **str8h8** » Tuesday Sep 14, 2004

My favorite local country band is Midnight Rodeo. They are based out of the Bedford County area and actually play at that Granatelli's place that was in the Everett Grimm show thread. I actually got the opportunity to sit in with them for a gig while their drummer was on vacation. I played in a country band called White Horse back in the mid 90's and it was fun and a good payday. I would absolutely love to play country now. Anyone around Cresson/Loretto area who want to kick out some country jams, hit me up.

MOONDOGGY · Post by **MOONDOGGY** » Tuesday Sep 14, 2004

As hard as it is to believe, my bro and I were SUPPOSED to play for Ricky Lee (Dare I say that name) because the other guys in the band had other commitments like their other bands and their Jobs and such. Ricky then found out that he could be opening for Trace Atkins at the Jaffa and decided that my bro and I weren't his bag. Soooo...long story short, I spent my summer 04 up in the garage spending countless hours learning country bass lines all for nothing- not a dime earned and nothing lost, except my dignity. Oh...I did learn how to read Nashville tabs...God forsaken Nashvilee tabs

homerski · Post by **homerski** » Wednesday Sep 15, 2004

Homer's Army is by no means a "Country" band, but we have started to add some rockish modern country tunes by Tim McGraw and Toby Keith into our repertoire, and our audiences really eat it up.

John Homerski Jr.

DMFJ03 · Post by **DMFJ03** » Wednesday Sep 15, 2004

Anyone who knows me well knows that I have a very, very, ....very very very low tolerence for country music. I don't know why, it just doesn't do anything for me. I can respect what they do, but it just isn't my mug of beer. However, (as it stands right now) one of my favorite songs to play with Beyond Reason is "What Was I Thinking" by Dirks Bently. That song is just down right fun to play and is one of the few that I can really get my swerve to on while being on stage.

songsmith · Post by **songsmith** » Wednesday Sep 15, 2004

Yeah, I found that country was much more musically challenging than I thought it would be. Sure, there's a lot of 3-chord stuff, but pop arrangements have been the norm for the last 30 years or so, and all while maintaining good vocal harmonies, which are essential to the sound. I've always felt that in the metal band, i was an entertainer, but in the country band, I really came into my own as a musician. I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to not only listen to different genres, but play them as well... it's very satisfying artistically.----->JMS

the herald · Post by **the herald** » Wednesday Sep 15, 2004

another thing about country is most songs seems to use a capo and its hard to figure out where to put the damn thing thank god for internet guitar tabs!!!!! keet keet flaaaasssshhhh! rosco peeeeee coltrain!!!!

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Wednesday Sep 15, 2004

songsmith wrote:Yeah, I found that country was much more musically challenging than I thought it would be. Sure, there's a lot of 3-chord stuff, but pop arrangements have been the norm for the last 30 years or so, and all while maintaining good vocal harmonies, which are essential to the sound. I've always felt that in the metal band, i was an entertainer, but in the country band, I really came into my own as a musician. I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to not only listen to different genres, but play them as well... it's very satisfying artistically.----->JMS

I here that. If a young bassist were to approach me and ask me what style of band should be their first, I'll always tell them to join a Country band. Why? Because it will get their chops in order. There's so many styles in Country: your standard two-beat stuff, shuffles, waltzs, walking lines, swings, polkas, jitterburgs, ballad stuff in 6/8, ect.

The newer Country is even more challenging. Some of those Nashville session cats CAN PLAY!!! I wouldn't be surprised to find out that many of them have graduate degrees in music.

red · Post by **red** » Tuesday Sep 21, 2004

Howdy!! Some people are calling my duo "country". In reality we play a lot of different stuff. Roots and Americana is what we like to call it. Check us out........... Blind Jonny Death