Outlaws & Angels

Country Music in the 80s & beyond (part 1)

Pop Trends, Rogue Waves, & Traditionalists

• The Country & Western genre, by this point, had fractured (similar to the “rock” genre) into several competing idioms– Outlaw country: Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings,

Johnny Cash, Hank Jr., etc…outside of the established Nashville circle

– Country pop/Countrypolitan: conscious trend to crossover into pop/adult contemporary, John Denver, Marie Osmond

– Neocountry: Urban Cowboy country. – Neotraditionalists: a ‘return to our roots’ movement,

Ricky Skaggs, Patty Loveless, Travis Tritt

Crossover. Way Over

• While each sub-genre of country music was distinct, each had the same goal in mind: reaching a wider audience

• So, while the outlaws were appealing to a more rock/hippie crowd, the countrypolitans were attracting more straight-laced crowds.

• Likewise, the neotraditionalists were not only attracting folks who liked their “old-timey” sounds, but punk & roots rockers

Willie Nelson

On The Road AgainWillie Nelson

• Born Willie Hugh Nelson in Abbott, TX, in 1933• Began his career in the mid 1950s, writing songs for

others & performing on radio/television• Despite his many commercial hits, by the mid/late 70s,

Nelson was considered an “outsider” in the homogenized Nashville music scene

• His collaboration with Waylon Jennings on 1976’s Wanted: The Outlaws garnered country music’s 1st platinum record

• Nelson went on to collaborate with many artists from many different genres

On The Road Againcontinued

• Released 1980 on Columbia Records – Honeysuckle Rose (soundtrack)

• Written & produced by Nelson• Nelson also starred in the movie Honeysuckle

Rose (his 1st starring role)• In the coming years, Nelson would face IRS

troubles (they seized most of his assets in 1990• Video (featuring the Highwaymen)

Kenny Rogers

Love Will Turn You AroundKenny Rogers

• Born Kenneth Ray Rogers in Houston, TX, 1938• Rogers’ career has taken him through multiple genres

(rockabilly, jazz, country, etc)• In the 70s, Rogers penned The Gambler, which was later

made into a made-for-TV mini-series • In 1982, Rogers starred in Six Pack, which established him as

an actor• In 1991, Rogers established Kenny Rogers Roasters, a chicken

& rib restaurant• Rogers had a number of hits singing duets• He also sung on Michael Jackson’s We Are the World

Love Will Turn You Aroundcontinued

• Released 1982 on Liberty Records – Love Will Turn You Around (album)

• This was the theme song for Rogers’ movie Six Pack

• There is a clear influence of acoustic rock acts like Simon & Garfunkel and the Everly Bros. as heard in the instrumental accompaniment (especially the high-strung guitar)

• Video

Dolly Parton

9 to 5Dolly Parton

• Born Dolly Rebecca Parton in Sevierville, TN, in 1946

• Began her career in the mid 50s singing on TV & radio in Tennessee

• From the mid 70s into the 80s, Parton had an impressive run of #1 hits on the country charts

• She hosted a variety show, Dolly!, in 76-77• She began an acting career around this time, as

well

9 to 5continued

• Released 1980 on RCA Records – 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs (album)

• This was the theme to the 1980 film 9 to 5, which also starred Parton

• This time period saw a concentrated push to have Parton (& other country acts) crossover into the mainstream

• Video

Charlie Daniels Band

The Devil Went Down to GeorgiaCharlie Daniels Band

• Born Charles Edward Daniels in Leland, NC, 1936• Began his career in the 50s, singer, songwriter (Elvis

recorded one of his tunes), guitarist, and fiddler• Found success after playing on other country artists’

albums• Originally categorized as a “Southern Rock” act,

after the movie Urban Cowboy (1980) was released, Daniels’ brand of commercial country became increasingly famous

The Devil Went Down to Georgiacontinued

• Released 1979 on Epic Records – Million Mile Reflections (album)

• Featured prominently in the 1980 movie Urban Cowboy

• The song outlines a classic “deal with the devil” scenario that features ensemble “solos” by the band

• This has been covered numerous times since 1979• Live (kinda)

The Judds

Mama He’s CrazyThe Judds

• A duet between mom (Naomi) & daughter (Wynonna) formed in 1983

• One of the most successful country acts of all time• Numerous Grammy nominations/awards, among others• Disbanded in 1991, but occasionally reunite for

concerts/events• A third Judd, Ashley, has a successful career as an actress• They recently began starring in the reality program The

Judds on OWN (Oprah’s network)

Mama He’s Crazycontinued

• Released 1984 on RCA/Curb Records – Wynonna & Naomi (album)

• This was off of their debut album• This was the 1st of 14(!!!) number one hits the

group would eventually garner• The ballad features piano & lap steel guitar

prominently (similar to older styles of C&W)• Video

Reba McEntire

The Night The Lights Went Out in GeorgiaReba McEntire

• Born Reba Neil McEntire in Kiowa, OK, 1955• One of the best-selling artists of all time• Reba began acting in 1990’s Tremors• Since then she has starred in successful plays &

TV shows• In 1991, 8 members of Reba’s road band, plus

the pilot & co-pilot, were killed when their aircraft crashed after take off

• Her 16th album is dedicated to them

The Night The Lights Went Out in Georgiacontinued

• Released 1991 on MCA Records – For My Broken Heart (album)

• Originally performed by Vicki Lawrence• Reba covered the song on her 16th album• The song details the murder of 2 cheating

individuals and the legal corruption that allowed in to happen

• Video

Hank Williams, Jr.

Family TraditionHank Williams, Jr

• Born Randall hank Williams, in Shreveport, LA, 1949• Son of acclaimed country star, Hank Williams, Sr. &

father to country/punk singer Hank Williams III• Hank Jr. is a multi-instrumentalist & outspoken

political (republican) supporter• In 1975, Hank Jr. fell 500 ft in a mountain climbing

accident that left him with severe facial scars – his hat, glasses, & beard are there to hid those scars & have become his signature look

Family Traditioncontinued

• Released 1979 on Elektra/Curb Records – Family Tradition (album)

• Hank Jr. helped establish the “outlaw” country genre • Charlie Daniels played fiddle on this song• This song expresses Jr.’s desire to be differentiated

from his father, despite his pride in being part of that legacy

• The McCain/Palin 2008 Presidential ticket used a modified version of this song for their rallies

• Video (don’t forget to sing along!)

Patty Loveless

A Little Bit In LovePatty Loveless

• Born Patty Lee Ramey in Pikeville, Kentucky, 1957

• Loveless has charted over 40 songs on the Billboard Country Charts

• Her style, which combines rock, rockabilly, and the vocal styling made popular by Patsy Cline, helped define the neotraditionalist country genre

A Little Bit In Lovecontinued

• Released 1988 on MCA Nashville Records – If My Heart Had Windows (album)

• Written by Steve Earle• Loveless became a member of the Grand Ole

Opry this same year• Loveless is related to country artists

Loretta Lynn & Crystal Gale• Video

George Strait

I Cross My HeartGeorge Strait

• Born George Harvey Strait in Poteet, TX, 1952• Singer, guitarist, producer, & actor• Often called the “King of Country”• Another neotraditionalist country star• 7 number 1 albums in the 80s alone• He starred in the 1992 movie Pure Country,

about a country singer wanting to break away from the overly-manufactured Nashville scene & return to his “pure country” roots.

I Cross My Heartcontinued

• Released 1992 on MCA Nashville Records, Pure Country (album/soundtrack)

• While the movie bombed, the soundtrack & single were massive hits

• Strait’s best selling album to date• There was a sequel, but you really

don’t want to see it…• Video

Dwight Yoakam

Guitars, CadillacsDwight Yoakam

• Born Dwight David Yoakam in Pikeville, Kentucky, 1956

• Singer, songwriter, guitarist, actor, and director• The most frequent musical guest on

The Tonight Show• Dwight’s brand of honky-tonk appealed to a

wide audience, & he often played in front of punk/roots audiences in his early days

Guitars, Cadillacscontinued

• Released 1986 on Reprise Records – Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc. (album)

• Yoakam relocated to California in order to avoid the Nashville music scene

• His sound is heavily influenced by the Bakersfield Sound, especially Buck Owens

• This song cracked the Billboard Top 200 (#61)• Video