There are but a handful of artists who have
managed to sustain the ups and down of the country music industry
over the past several years, among them Garth Brooks. The
superstar has enjoyed a thriving career of 10 years and counting,
which is partly due, according to Brooks, to the commitment
record labels used to have to developing new artists. Brooks
fears that today's fans will be raised on a series of "one-hit
wonders," a far different mentality from when the singer
got his start in 1989 alongside the likes of Clint Black,
Vince Gill, and Travis Tritt.
Brooks tells LAUNCH about one contemporary
act, however, that has caught his attention with all the ingredients
for long-term success. "The most recent ones that we
all should be very, very thankful that we have are the Dixie
Chicks. They have kept it country. They have kept it traditional
and they have done it their way, but in some way, they're
very cool, so the kids love them, and the older people love
them as well, like me. It's nice to hear that sound on the
radio."
With the help of the Dixie Chicks, Brooks
says that country music in general is experiencing a new resurgence
with the return to more roots-oriented music, he explains.
"It sure seems to me like something is happening with
country music where it's actually swinging back now. I'm starting
to hear a lot more acoustic in it. I don't know if it's O
Brother that did it or what, but I'm starting to hear a lot
more of the country sound, where these old worn-out real slick
ballads aren't gonna float anymore. I'll be real interested
to see what's gonna happen in the next year about the artist
and the same song being played on another format. I just think
it's going to switch back to where if it's country, it's played
on country stations, and if it's played on some other station,
there's a good chance that it's not country."
Brooks will appear at the upcoming American
Music Awards, where he will receive the award of merit. The
American Music Awards will air on January 9 on ABC. |
