Rock Whiplash – Rock Goes Country
Kid Rock and Hank Williams, Jr. Bon Jovi and Sugarland. And now Sebastian Bach and Big and Rich. Rock’s going country, folks. Get ready for it.
Kid Rock and Hank I get. He’s always had a bit of a outlaw country, red neck attitude about him. Bon Jovi and Sugarland I didn’t really get, and I’m not sure many people did. Yes, they had a catchy, hit tune but here is my issue with it: Sugarland wasn’t featured in the version that was played on pop/rock stations, but they were featured on the version that was played on the country stations. What the hell is that all about?
After winning CMT’s Gone Country, Sebastian Bach is now setting his sights on taking over Music City like he did with Detroit Rock City. With his winnings from Gone Country, Bach made a video for his song Battle With the Bottle. Yes, it’s been out for a while, but I was reintroduced to it after reading Bach’s latest interview on Noisecreep. In all honesty…the song’s pretty good. I’m not a fan of all this new country bullshit; however, I am a fan of old school, outlaw country. According to the Noisecreep interview, Bach is a fan of the same kind of country I am, and I believe that’s what lead him to writing a pretty decent country song. It still has an air of modern day country to it, but I think that’s hard to avoid with his stellar and legendary voice.
My only gripe about Bach’s venture into country music (aside from the cowboy hat he wears in the video…really? You couldn’t find a better cowboy hat?), is his partnership with John Rich. It was only natural for him to work with Rich since he was the judge on Gone Country, but for me, Big and Rich and Cowboy Troy are part of what’s wrong with country music today; they make pop country, not real country. Save A Horse Ride A Cowboy is crap.
However, I will give John Rich credit for seeing the talent in Bach and taking him under his wing and helping him develop it. Without that help, I don’t think Bach would be able to navigate his way through the country roads as successfully. I’m not saying that Bach will be the next biggest country star, but he certainly has the potential to do very well. He’s made guest appearances at a couple of Big and Rich shows and may end up going full time on their Canadian tour starting in January.
How do you feel about rock stars making the cross over to country? Love it? Hate it? And do you think country stars could make the cross over to rock? I believe Garth Brooks tried with his alter ego, Chris Gaines, and that went terribly wrong.
For a song that is NOT terribly wrong, check out my blog for a FREE download from the band, Strung Out!
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Hard Rock Hideout 
I hate modern “country” music, but traditional and outlaw country I love. There are few current artists that can pull off the outlaw sound in a popular fashion, but that’s what I prefer. Dale Watson is a great singer, but doesn’t get any respect at all among “country” fans.
As for Bach, I have hopes for his country album. I loved the songs he did on the show, but I am afraid he will be tainted by Rich.
To me, B&R are the only things right in country music. I tend to not like country but I love those guys. Listen to them play Rollin’ live and tell me that song is crap. It actually is a pretty good rock song.