Why is all Country music about the south? (sang, better, hear)

[swmr1ml]

Because most of the country is in the south

[blueskies49]

[quote/]Originally Posted by ColdCanadian
What surprises mem more is there are quite a few country singers from southern states that sound quite-to-very northern, like Phil Vasser, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Pat Green.

Coincidentally, many of singers from outside the south, even some from Canada, sound at least a little southern when they sing.
Diamond Rio from Ohio yet very southern-sounding, Jo De Messina from MA, Sara Evans KS?, Martina McBride KS etc.
Even Brad Paisley and Gretchen Wilson (redneck woman) sing "southern" but speak northern in interviews. [/quote]

ColdCanadian, sometimes the Southerners lose their accent or downplay it. But now, Pat Green, have you ever heard him talk? I don't mean in an interview on TV. He talks to some of the country stations in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. His regular speaking voice is pretty Texan/Southern. The others might be, too, away from the cameras. Also, yes, alot of non-Southern singers sing in an accent to make it sound authentic.

Originally Posted by Kangaroofarmer

That song was originally an Australian song, Written by Geoff Mack (in 1959 ), Made popular by lucky Starr (In 1962) And later Hank Snow, Who Adapted the lyrics for the American market.

Interesting! I didn't know it was originally Australian. Did you know that there is a Texas version, too?

I've Been Everywhere (In Texas) as recorded by Brian Burns

I was toting my pack along a dusty Amarillo road
when along came a semi with a high canvas-covered load
He said if you're going to Amarillo I'll give you a ride.
So I climbed up into the cab and I settled down inside.
He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand
and I said "listen Bud, I've traveled every road in this here land"

I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
I've crossed the deserts bare, man, breathed the mountain air, man
Travel I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere

I've been to:
Waco, Hico, Hondo, Navasota, Winnsboro, Jacksboro, Hillsboro, Santa Rosa,
Austin, Houston, Galveston, Texarkana, Frisco, Buffalo, Conroe, Corsicana,
Goliad, Groesbeck, Glen Rose, Red Oak, Post Oak, Live Oak, Lone Oak, no joke

I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
I've crossed the deserts bare, man, breathed the mountain air, man
Wind blowing in my hair, man
I've been everywhere

I've been to:
Kruegerville, Pflugerville, Van Horn, Val Verde, Bracketville, Bartleville,
Beeville, Bulverde, Bear Creek, Cedar Creek, Mill Creek, Mineola, Maypearl,
Monahans, Telephone, Tuscola, Red Water, Round Rock, Round Top, Round Lake,
Sour Lake, Southlake, Spring Lake, for pete's sake

I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
I've crossed the deserts bare, man, breathed the mountain air, man
Drove my tires bare, man
I've been everywhere

I've been to:
Greenville, Gatesville, Gainesville, Alameda, Kerrville, Kelleyville,
Bastrop, and I've been to Somerville, Smithfield, Stephenville, Prairie View,
Lukenback, Longview, Plainview, Idalou, Justin, Joshua, Panorama, Pasadena,
Angelina, Anareina, see what I mean now

I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
I've crossed the deserts bare, man, breathed the mountain air, man
Lots of wear and tear, man
I've been everywhere

Now let me see I've been to:
Valley Mills, Pine Mills, Dime Box, Duncanville, New Home, New Hope, New Deal,
Liberty Hill, Rockport, Rock Creek, Bridgeport, Brownwood, Cleburne, Comanche,
Cut-N-Shoot, Cottonwood, Bayview, Bayside, Baytown, Bay City, Falls City,
Center City, Bridge City, what a pity

I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
I've crossed the deserts bare, man, breathed the mountain air, man
Travel I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere

Yeah when it comes to Texas, friends
I've been everywhere

Originally Posted by TKramar

Buck Owens...

"how many of you who sit and judge me ever walked the streets of Bakersfield"

Yes, Bakersfield was a big influence in country music. Buck Owens was from Texas. Alot of Okies, Arkies and Texans migrated to Bakersfield during the Depression and the Dust Bowl. The "Bakersfield Sound" owes its influence to these groups.

[Capt. Dan]

Originally Posted by ColdCanadian

I've noticed this in the South on my many vacations, and I've also met a lot of people from Newfoundland (strong Irish-influenced, East Coast Canadian province); a lot of people from there are excellent story tellers.

This talent comes from clans entertaining themselves with stories before the days of radio. Living in isolated hollers in Appalachia they had to amuse themselves. This storytelling talent came over with our ancestors from the glens, heaths and moors of Ireland and Scotland.

[blakeb99]

Originally Posted by zz4guy

I was listening to "Small town Southern Man" today and thought hey, what about all the "Small town Northern Men"? LOL Then there's the song that names off all of the southern states... Carolina, and in Georgia, smell that sweet Magnolia... carry on carry on.... I forget how it goes. But I can't think of a song about the northern states or even the plane states or the midwest.

I think it's weird that 95% of the country music is about the south. Why is that? Isn't anybody gonna sing about Iowa someday?

I think it's cause country music originated in Dixie. I am from the south and so I never thought much about it. But, when living conditions got too bad down there...if you catch my drift, I had to move it up north. And, now I can really feel how everyone else in the north feels. I mean there are a lot of country fans everywhere, and like you mentioned especially in the small towns. It would be nice for singers to be more broad. They sure would gain a lot more fans as well. Plus, man some of the places in the north and west are just beautiful. I noticed you are from Iowa. Man, i never would have dreamed Iowa was such a beautiful state. It is truly one of the last best states left in this country. I pass through it every time I drive back home and man I just love it. The good times are really over just like Merle Haggard said.

[Kangaroofarmer]

Originally Posted by blueskies49

Interesting! I didn't know it was originally Australian. Did you know that there is a Texas version, too?

No, I wasn't aware of a Texan version, I only know of the Australia, United States and New Zealand versions.

[TKramar]

"To a boy from Indiana, fresh off of the farm..."

Crash Course in the Blues, Steve Wariner. No mention of the South at all.

[LINCOLNSHIRE]

"That song was originally an Australian song, Written by Geoff Mack (in 1959 ), Made popular by lucky Starr (In 1962) And later Hank Snow, Who Adapted the lyrics for the American market."

Ahhh that all ties in now...I remember ROLF "can you guess what it is yet?" HARRIS doing a version in the 60/70s ?? and using Brit place names for the market here...

[DOUBLE H]

You got me stumped on that one Linc! I like Harris, though; a lot of history behind him on his TV career, and has written a few books as well.

[DOUBLE H]

Found it Linc! Moree, Tarvee, Toowomba, Gunnnedua, etc,etc, COOL!!!

[LINCOLNSHIRE]

Ruddy Hell H.H. !!! Cop this !!!

The Rolf Harris Jukebox

I`ve been everywhere is on it !!![Brit version]