Thoughts on Texas Music VS Nashville
There seems to always be a bit of friction among some fans when a Texas Artist decides to take a shot at the national platform by way of Nashville. Here are some interesting thoughts for consideration........
Recently, When Granger Smith equated the Texas music scene to the minor leagues, a lot of folks jumped in with their own thoughts & comments.
You may remember that Wade Bowen offered a tongue-in-cheek rebuttal on Instagram, sharing Smith’s quote with the caption, “Love my life! Cheers to the minor leagues!!”
Then the war of words was on with numerous responses on both sides. Bowen said he and Smith eventually cleared the air over the phone. Cool!
Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel sent out a tweet: "We have much better songs, singers and musicians in "the minor leagues" than in the"majors"
Which has more merit: the Texas music scene or the Nashville scene? For many fans it’s an either/or argument. Being a die-hard fan of the Texas music scene to some, precludes you from also chasing your dreams by going through the Nashville machine.
If you stop and think about it...The Texas music scene and the Nashville machine are intertwined more deeply than perhaps any other genre in the music industry.
When it comes to country, names like Bob Wills, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings, & George Strait come to mind. These icons shaped country music back before anybody cared if it was “Nashville” or “Texas.”
Texans should be proud to know that some of the best-selling, most critically acclaimed Nashville acts are Texans with musical roots deep in the Lone Star State. Some of the biggest writers, producers and engineers behind the biggest hits are Texans.
The separation of the “Texas” scene from the rest of the country world really only came about in the past twenty years. At least in terms of a viable, structured market with its own touring, radio and press. It’s a viciously independent world, and Texas artists wear that independence like a badge of honor.
Many Texas artist still want a chance to take a shot at the national platform. Some of Texas’ most prominent artists made the leap, earning major label deals out of Nashville, to varying degrees of success: Pat Green, Jack Ingram, Randy Rogers Band, Eli Young Band, Wade Bowen, Josh Abbott Band, Granger Smith and others.
Maren Morris has some interesting comments for you to consider.
"Texas’ greatest artistic value, perhaps, lies in the wealth of creative artistry under the surface. Today, the biggest names in country music from Texas left Texas at one point or another to achieve that success. That culture should be embraced, not ignored."
Maren points out that "many of country’s top women built their careers with their start in Texas. Kacey Musgraves, Lee Ann Womack, Miranda Lambert and Maren Morris all spent years in the lone star state before taking their talents Northeast."
For Morris, even after having 3 number one Texas albums and singles success, she really wanted to concentrate on her songwriting, something Nashville, which is full of great Texas songwriters, could offer her.
Maren says..."She attributes a lot of what she has learned from studying the songwriting of Texas legends past and present including writers like Guy Clark and Radney Foster, along with modern masters of the pen like Shane McAnally and Liz Rose. When these artists and writers leave Texas, they’re not leaving the Texas music scene. They’re expanding it. Just look at how many of them constantly pay homage to their Lone Star heritage."
The Texas music scene inspires a fierce individuality. It always has, regardless of genre. From Buddy Holly, who changed rock n’ roll forever, to Beyonce Knowles, who continues to push the boundaries of pop music and culture, Texans can’t help but raise the bar.
Morris says "the quality of artistry, the uniqueness of voice, the audacity of individuality within the Texas scene are as major as it gets. It matters, and the mainstream country world is better for it."
Do you agree with the above thoughts? We would love to hear your comments!