Opinion: Modern country is the worst musical genre of all time

While the "Country" music you hear on radio and see on TV may be of questionable quality, there is a very healthy, active underground "alternative" Country music scene, often referred to as Americana, that is producing music as good as has ever been made.

@bdp24 Well said. In every genre there is music which is derivative, shallow, meant to make a buck. The issue is a basic one -- about authenticity and musical "heart," if you will.

I grew up despising country music until I lived in Austin, where friends introduced me to the good stuff. I had to repudiate a lot of prejudice I had against it, and agains southern culture more generally, but I was turned around and liberated from negativity and prejudice. I hope some who are taking this thread as a chance to bash rap music might reconsider that they have some potential for personal growth.

These genre opinion threads never go well.

Thankfully, my tastes go BACKWARDS, from the 80's-not to say I find "highlights" up thru the 90's.

ENDLESS discovery.

Being an LP disciple, it also helps by ensuring I'll likely find something undesirable, still plentiful and CHEAP!

Every genre goes through bad stages.  Rock and Roll has some crap I can't stand, but I'm not going to bash what other people like.

@bdp24 

"While the "Country" music you hear on radio and see on TV may be of questionable quality, there is a very healthy, active underground "alternative" Country music scene, often referred to as Americana, that is producing music as good as has ever been made. IMO, of course"

Keep on preaching that Americana gospel, brother!  

"Expecting to hear good Country music on commercial radio and television is as unrealistic as it was to expect to hear Jimi Hendrix or The Mothers Of Invention on AM radio in 1967"

Yes -- excellent point.  When I was in HS, ('70 - '74),  KMET out of LA was a lot better than the AM dreck we were forced to endure on the school bus but two friends with extensive record collections were responsible for turning me on to most of the good stuff. Likewise, when it came time for me to begin exploring Jazz, a hip manager at the restaurant where I worked in Santa Barbara lent me many records.

The belief that all that's out there is what's on commercial radio is one I've never related to. It's always been a mentorship thing for me. 

RE: Fabulous Superlatives, the first time I heard Kenny Vaughn was when I watched Lucinda William's 2nd ACL show. He stood out immediately-- so young and so good!

What contemporary C&W music lacks is cow bell.

DeKay