The time worn maxim, “All hat and no cattle,” translates to “all talk and no action.” In life there are those, who like the mythological Sirens captivate our attention and lure us into believing they are more than they appear to be. What appears to be enthralling at first can prove to be shallow. Sadly, my latest feedback regarding the music industry reverberates this sentiment to a degree.
While there are new artists streaming music every week, the product is, often, saturated with huge production, and the new music seems to depend on big production for its legitimacy. It makes no difference whether it’s the #1 pop song or the #1 country song. In today’s recordings it’s all about production. Trust me, when country songs use drum machines, you know you have entered the Twilight Zone. I can hear Willy freaking out as I type, (and he’s in Texas.) Perhaps that is what Bob Seger meant when he sang, “Just take those old records off the shelf, I’ll sit and listen to ‘em by myself…”
In today’s current pop world, we are becoming gadget gobblers. We have begun to replace the value we once placed on composition and artistry on gadgetry and big production– make that “huge production.” It is not just the music industry that is suffering gadgetry overkill though. It is everywhere. Take for example the auto industry. Last week I took my car in for its scheduled service, and for this service, I had to leave my car overnight, so the dealer gave me a “new model” loaner. I noticed immediately that the manufacturer has completely redesigned the car, and now the car has gadgetry galore. The new model has become a sluggish, “over designed” product that automakers market to have the very latest in technological advancement. The sales pitch is, “The car drives itself.” And sadly, the entire driving experience has been swapped out for bells and whistles, and I don’t want a car that makes my decisions for me, any more than I want to listen to click tracts on a country tune. No doubt, Willie would agree with me on that.
The point is, we have slightly wandered off the reservation, and the music industry has suffered some of the current tech-intoxication. I am not, by any means, inferring that all technology advancements are bad. But imagination is what is special. It is imagination that leads us to develop new products, and to try innovative approaches. I am still one who believes experimentation guides us to invention. If we take a walk down Chet Atkins Lane, it will help us remember what “feel” is all about, and “feel “paired with imagination allows the music to become special. You can’t download imagination, but you can be influenced and inspired by it.
If any music store rockers want to see how to sustain a lifetime career in music, take a few minutes and browse Dan Huff on Wikipedia, or better yet take a stroll and find him on You Tube. On his Home Schoolin’ channel Tom Bukovac has posted a great You Tube session where he interviews Dan Huff. It is a casual conversation between two legendary guitarists who also happen to be friends. They are also two of the top-hired guitarists in Nashville and deservedly so.
Most guitar players today have serious technique, but there is a difference between a typical chopster and legends like Dan Huff, or talented players like guitarist and producer Robben Ford. They have the magic ingredients of feel, tone, creativity and patience, and a healthy respect for the songs they are performing. Thus, they have very successful careers which is the ultimate goal for a working musician. They also respect and appreciate technology, but they put the music first. Like the car that should be designed around driving first, with bells and whistles second, they are musicians first. What else did Seger tell us? Oh, yeah, I almost forgot, “Today’s music ain’t got the same soul… I like that old time rock ‘n’ roll.
