My cable company just added CMT (Country Music Television) and I am hooked. This ain't your typical twangy redneck stuff. I cannot believe how close a lot of these acts are to AOR (as many of them are obviously influenced by Journey and The Eagles). And considering Dann Huff practically produces every album coming out of Nashville these days... Anyways, I've recently began to really dig Lonestar, Ricochet, Keith Urban, Collin Raye, Little Texas, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill a lot... Anyone out there have any recommendations? http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6267#msg-6267Wed, 22 May 2013 06:25:24 +1000 Phorum 5.2.16 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6520#msg-6520 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6520#msg-6520
the dok

]]> John Dokken NoticeboardSat, 30 Sep 2000 19:57:41 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6402#msg-6402 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6402#msg-6402
Their sound is pure Journey meets The Eagles by way of Nashville and goes down smooth, like a hard cider on a hot summer day.]]> sfk kurt NoticeboardFri, 29 Sep 2000 00:27:38 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6382#msg-6382 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6382#msg-6382
If you haven't done so already, you've just gotta get a copy of either one of Blackhawk's first two albums. If you're open-minded enough to give country a try, these guys are da bomb!! As I posted before, their music totally revolves around their three voices blending in HUGE HARMONIES. One of these days I really must track down Van Stephenson's pre-Blackhawk AOR albums. They're supposed to be quite good too. Take care.
Don]]> Don NoticeboardThu, 28 Sep 2000 12:26:48 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6380#msg-6380 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6380#msg-6380 Okie NoticeboardThu, 28 Sep 2000 11:20:30 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6350#msg-6350 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6350#msg-6350]]> sfk kurt NoticeboardThu, 28 Sep 2000 00:30:24 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6349#msg-6349 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6349#msg-6349
If anyone has this CD please let me know what you think... I cannot stop playing it..

Kevin]]> Kevin NoticeboardThu, 28 Sep 2000 00:30:08 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6344#msg-6344 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6344#msg-6344
I'm going to go out tonight and buy some of these titles!!

Thanks for bringing the topic up SFK! - nice one!

Just a shame there are sooo many narrow minds!

Rammy.]]> Rammy NoticeboardWed, 27 Sep 2000 22:32:23 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6342#msg-6342 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6342#msg-6342
i was only joking around...lighten up....]]> shawn pelata NoticeboardWed, 27 Sep 2000 22:01:24 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6339#msg-6339 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6339#msg-6339
I did get Tim McGraw's latest (anyone who's married to Faith Hill has got to have something going on!) and I quite like it.

Keith Urban is next on my list...he's actually got a song on his album written by the Go Gos...yikes! And his ballad, I Wanna Be Your Everything, is the kind most AOR artists would shave their testicles for.

Collin Raye, Sons Of The Desert, Restless Heart too.

But to those who gave me suggestions, thanks...pretty much what I was looking for.]]> sfk kurt NoticeboardWed, 27 Sep 2000 21:38:27 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6328#msg-6328 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6328#msg-6328
Glad to hear that you are familiar with this band. IMO, their first two albums are essential for any AOR fan with an even remotely open mind. At this particular moment in time, I can't think of a single band that was formed in the '90s whose harmonies are as HUGE, slick, or flawless as Blackhawk's. Total ear candy! I own their first four albums, so I haven't bought their g/h compilation. I'll say this, though: if the g/h package is missing any/many of the following tracks, you're missing out and should consider picking up one (or both) of their first two albums.
from the s/t debut:
-Goodbye Says It All
-Down In Flames
-Every Once In A While
-I Sure Can Smell the Rain
-That's Just About Right
(ie., the first 5 tracks from the album!)

from the 2nd album, "Strong Enough":
-King of the World
-Almost a Memory Now
-Any Man With a Heartbeat
-I'm Not Strong Enough To Say No
-Big Guitar
-Like There Ain't No Yesterday
-A Kiss Is Worth a Thousand Words

Bottom line: I'm really not what I'd consider a big fan of country music at all, but based on their first two albums, Blackhawk is one of my favorite artists of the '90s.


If you haven't heard Restless Heart before, you owe it to yourself to try to do so. I remember back in the early '90s when I pretty much hated country music. I was visiting my in-laws one day and they were playing the country station on TV (like they did pretty much constantly). I tolerated it, but that's about all. Then, suddenly I heard this song come on. I simply could not believe my ears! It had the most beautiful melody line and the most gorgeous harmonies that it just knocked me on my @ss. The song? "Fast Movin' Train" from the album of the same title. Since then I've discovered many other gems by this band, including the lush, huge, intensely melodic, harmony-driven "The Bluest Eyes In Texas." Even my brother, who *HATES* country music (he won't even listen to Shania!) enjoys most of this band's music. Check 'em out.

If the idea of a southern/western flavoured, acoustic guitar-driven version of Bon Jovi interests you, you might also consider picking up one of Ray Lyell's first two albums. Ray has a gravelly voice not unlike, say, Steve Plunkett of Autograph. But his music is much more in line with Bon Jovi circa "Blaze of Glory." Cool stuff!
Hope this has helped.
Don]]> Don NoticeboardWed, 27 Sep 2000 14:46:21 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6318#msg-6318 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6318#msg-6318 Okie NoticeboardWed, 27 Sep 2000 12:09:05 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6314#msg-6314 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6314#msg-6314
Zacman]]> zacman NoticeboardWed, 27 Sep 2000 10:17:34 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6312#msg-6312 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6312#msg-6312 Big Dog NoticeboardWed, 27 Sep 2000 09:58:04 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6311#msg-6311 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6311#msg-6311
Have you heard 'Big Iron Horses' by Restless Heart, a superb blend of AOR & the Eagles, you'll love it.

Regards
Scott

]]> Scott NoticeboardWed, 27 Sep 2000 09:30:59 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6310#msg-6310 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6310#msg-6310 Kilzer NoticeboardWed, 27 Sep 2000 09:23:47 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6308#msg-6308 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6308#msg-6308
I tend to lean towards the female new country artists (now why could that be? Hmmmm), like Martina Mcbride, Faith Hill, Deana Carter but there are some other good bands out there. Generally though, If I see a cowboy hat I reach for the remote! That seems to be a pretty good rule of thumb.

One band you NEED to check out though is WHISKEYTOWN and their album 'Strangers Almanac'. They sound like NIRVANA playing country! Bizzare? Yes, but worth the time. I also reccommend pretty much anything by the JAYHAWKS but their latest album is chok full of brilliant songs with great harmonies. Buy or...don't!

Y'all come back now!]]> Surfpunk NoticeboardWed, 27 Sep 2000 08:46:30 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6304#msg-6304 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6304#msg-6304So I listen to CMT - mainly the Rock'n'Country section - many a Country & Western artist has been played on there - Bruce Springsteen, Tom Cochrane, The Blackhawks, John Cougar, etc etc...

My 2c
Richard

And one last thing - has anyone noticed lately that the difference between a modern Country & Western song, and a modern Rock song, is whether the slide/twangy guitar has been mixed in or out of the song? (or is it just me?)

Wow - a long post for me... I better stop...]]> Richard NoticeboardWed, 27 Sep 2000 07:47:04 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6301#msg-6301 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6301#msg-6301
I think there was plans to do the same with Faith Hill's latest as well.]]> sfk kurt NoticeboardWed, 27 Sep 2000 06:42:26 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6300#msg-6300 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6300#msg-6300 sfk kurt NoticeboardWed, 27 Sep 2000 06:40:30 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6299#msg-6299 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6299#msg-6299 sfk kurt NoticeboardWed, 27 Sep 2000 06:38:39 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6298#msg-6298 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6298#msg-6298It's more pop than ever!
I think the UK might have got this release also...

Regards,
Andrew.]]> Andrew NoticeboardWed, 27 Sep 2000 06:33:17 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6293#msg-6293 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6293#msg-6293
I like Collin Raye, Lonestar, Martina Mcbride, and one of my favorites is Andy Griggs. There are some twangy tunes on there but also some good songs. Also, check out the cd "Change" by Sons of the Desert. It's a good new country cd.

Tom]]> Tom Krupa NoticeboardWed, 27 Sep 2000 05:56:21 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6290#msg-6290 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6290#msg-6290
Anyway, sfk kurt, if you are looking for some rockin' country I would check out Travis Tritt, who has a southern rock style, Tim McGraw and Mark Wills have what I would call a bit of AOR-tinged country. Blackhawk is one of the better country bands out there, but Van Stephenson recently departed the group. Also, Lonestar, Montgomery Gentry, and Shane Minor all have roots in good old fashioned R-N-R.

So for all the nay-sayers out there, just remember that there is a bit of country in plenty of music that we listen to (i.e. Bon Jovi, Poison, Cinderella, Tesla, Bad Company, Mr. Big, Firehouse, Mitch Malloy, etc.). Even Sammy had country legend Roy Rogers playing slide guitar on Little White Lie.

A non-ignorant bastard,
Robert]]> Robert NoticeboardWed, 27 Sep 2000 05:34:24 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6288#msg-6288 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6288#msg-6288
who cares who writes/produces what?? i just don't like country music...i am an "ignorant bastard" for that?? i'm FROM the south, and currently live in north carolina...i don't like country OR southern rock (country with marshall's)...too twangy...why does that make me "ignorant"?

i don't care if steve perry, dann huff, doug pinnick and deen castronovo formed a country band, i still wouldn't like it...]]> shawn pelata NoticeboardWed, 27 Sep 2000 05:13:46 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6284#msg-6284 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6284#msg-6284 sfk kurt NoticeboardWed, 27 Sep 2000 04:59:11 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6282#msg-6282 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6282#msg-6282 sfk kurt NoticeboardWed, 27 Sep 2000 04:56:23 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6281#msg-6281 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6281#msg-6281
Are you familiar with them? They include AOR legend Van Stephenson and Henry Paul from The Outlaws. To me, they're as close to AOR as you get out of Nashville. They've done songs written with Desmond Child, Mutt Lange, and Jim Peterik. Hope this helps.

Lenman]]> Lenman NoticeboardWed, 27 Sep 2000 04:52:13 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6278#msg-6278 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6278#msg-6278


stay away, far far away, from country music...:)

What about Southern Rock? After all,,.38 special are heavily influenced by AOR.]]> Jason NoticeboardWed, 27 Sep 2000 03:21:34 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6276#msg-6276 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6276#msg-6276
SPORADIC OUTBREAKS OF LINEDANCING REPORTED DURING ROB HALFORD'S SET AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

THE BRIT METAL GOD DENIES ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND BLAMES IT ON MIDWEST INBREEDING]]> STICK RIGIDLY NoticeboardWed, 27 Sep 2000 02:44:40 +1100 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6275#msg-6275 http://www.melodicrock.com/phorum52/read.php?1,6267,6275#msg-6275 Mike NoticeboardWed, 27 Sep 2000 02:34:47 +1100