nubbin,

Everyone is entitled to an opinion. But opinions are just that...opinions. If any music is written and performed in a trraditional mode, it isn't contemporary. Music in all genres is always going to evolve and the new style resulting from that evolution is what is contemporary at the time. Keep in mind that what we call Traditional Country Music today was contemporary in the 60s and 70s and a few years before. At that time, Jimmy Rodgers, the Carter Family asnd such were the Traditional Country Music.

My father said that Ernest Tubb ruined Country msuic when he added drums to his band. However, these days, we refer to Ernest Tubb as one of the great icons of Traditional Country Music.

Whether or not a performer is "snot-nosed", arrogant, "has no regards to the pioneers", or whether or not they have "paid their dues" has nothing to do with their musical ability. That is their personality...not their performance abilities. If we used personality, attitude respect for the industry/peers/pioneers, and the like, as a measure of talent, there would be a lot of the traditional icons of Country Music who would never have had a chance. "Talent" is a measure of one's ability to perform and deliver the product...not their attitudes or path to success.

I have met and performed with quite a few of them over the years and more than a small handfull were arrogant, dispresctful and couldn't have cared less about the history or the future of Country Music as long as they got the biggest paycheck possible at the time.

I would never try to suggest you are not entitled to your opinions and perceptions. Although I may disagree with them, that does not deny you the privelege of having them.

The problem I have with a large number of folks who have strong opinions about something is they want to construe those opinions as fact and feel that anyone who disagrees is wrong. I say they simply have a different taste than I do. And that's great. I would not want to dictate to others what they should or should not enjoy any more than I would want those same folks dictating what I should or should not enjoy.

I enjoy most genres of music. There are one or two I do not. But, I simply avoid it and don't try to ruin the enjoyment for those who do like that music. When someone tells me what I like to listen to is rubbish, I take it personally. When they say they disagree and prefer something else, I think that is great. To call someone else's likes and dislikes rubbish, or any similar ascription, is disrespectful to that person/group of people.

I am glad you enjoy listening to, performing (if you do perform) and writing Traditional Country Music. I hope it continues to bring you enjoyment for years to come. In the mean tinme, I'll continue to enjoy both the Traditional Country Music as well as the Contemporary offerings.

Alan