What do Alice Cooper, Marilyn Manson and, say, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean and Justin Moore all have in common?
Well, not much.
But a little something.
They are all performers. As in offering their skills and/or talents to an audience that has paid hard earned money and gathered in some venue to witness and, hopefully, enjoy the offering of said skills and/or talents.
And while, if you’re a country fan, Alice and Marilyn might not be your cup of Mountain D or, if, of course, you’re not partial to the sounds of the country, Luke, Jason, Justin and their homies might leave you cold, I could confidently stand in front of any judge and jury in the world and make the convincing case that the only real difference between the two groups is their particular style of presenting the aforementioned skills and/or talents.
People who love Brussels Sprouts might hate okra.
And vicy versy.
But they’re both undeniably vegetables.
I only mention it because this past week or so, I’ve noticed as I do my shows (show biz glamour aside, it’s part of my job to pay attention to these kinds of things…) that the current top twenty country chart is well represented by songs, give or take a hook, similar in theme.
The joys, virtues and desirability of living the “country” life.
“Small Town USA”.
“My Big Green Tractor”.
“Bonfire”.
“Looks Like Life To Me”.
And in past, but fairly recent, weeks…
“Small Town Southern Man”
“She’s Country”
“Ladies Love Country Boys”.
Etc, etc…
Now, there’s nothing new goin’ on here.
Country music has, since its inception, been about livin’, lovin’, cryin’ and dyin’ in, well…the country.
And the more things change…
But, here’s a thing…
Times, and tastes, have changed. Country music, in the traditional definition, has evolved from a grass roots based, down home expression of that way of life played and sung for a specific segment of society that lived or live that way of life into a multi billion dollar category of show business on a par with any other category of popular music.
And I say, yee and haw.
Cause, after all, isn’t that kind of acceptance, not to mention success, part of the American dream?
Damn skippy.
Here’s where it gets a little interesting.
I’ve seen and/or read through the years interviews with both Alice Cooper and Marilyn Manson in which they both, in their own ways, make no bones about the fact that what they do with their music and presentation, love em or hate em, is nothing more or less than show biz.
An act.
A persona.
An alter ego.
Alice, for example, is, in real life, Vince Furnier, a very polite, warm and engaging guy who likes to play golf.
Marilyn is a 40 year old fellow named Brian Warner who, while certainly unique, would probably be somebody you wouldn’t have a problem with if you needed a babysitter one Friday go to the movies night.
What about Luke, Justin, Jason, et al?
I haven’t had the pleasure, but I have every reason to believe that they are good and kind gentlemen who I would appreciate knowing and whose friendship I would enjoy.
Fan of irony that I am, though, I get a kick out of hearing words and music about the down home life coming from down home guys and gals who, I feel pretty sure, aren’t planning on spending the millions they hope to make with their success on a new plow for the back forty.
Name any country star who has “hit it big” in the last, say ten to twenty years, and I’m willing to bet you my Faith Hill autographed CD that not a one of them live “the simple life.”
And again, I say, more power, diesel or otherwise, to em’.
The bottom line here is, to put it country, simple.
If your kids enjoy their Nine Inch Nails along with their Keith Urban or have equal amounts of Coldplay mixed in with their Carrie Underwood on the Ipod, not to worry.
All of the aforementioned, be they from Memphis or Manhattan, are performers.
Putting on a show.
Nothing more, nothing less.
Do the rockers take it over the top sometimes?
Sure.
A little bit.
But, like Alan says…
It’s alright to be little bitty.
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