APR. 6, 2006

Traditional country or "new country" -- do successful country artists need to embrace one or both?

We are losing our legends. I really miss Johnny and June, and Tammy Wynette -- she was my all-time favorite. To me, those guys were as traditional country as there ever was.

They were new at one point or rebel renegades or crossover … but they were always classic and always real. They didn't sell out to trends or fads. That made them great! Same with Dolly and Loretta and George and Merle.

I have had the benefit of being considered traditional with The Judds and contemporary with the Wynonna-alona material. I needed both to be the authentic artist I am today.

There is no right or wrong answer here. Successful artists are the ones who make music that resonates from their souls. You can't force it, it has to speak to you so that you can speak to others!
-- Wy

I think there is a place for both traditional and "new" country. If you think about it, traditional country was brand new at one time.
-- Troy