Is Miranda Lambert the Country Artist GOAT?

[boyyourself]

Once at Belly Up Solana Beach in some other lifetime Cooley had just finished up Love Like This and promptly exclaimed that “Toby Keith can still kiss my ass”. Then later of course Cooley wrote Imagine complete with Poor Huddled Masses. The more Cooley cracks on that guy the happpier I am. And DBT is the best country band of all time.

[whatwouldcooleydo?]

Hey Miranda, hold my George Dickel

[Smitty]

Hey Miranda, hold my George Dickel

Hey Merle, hold my Nisentil

[whatwouldcooleydo?]

Hey Miranda, hold my George Dickel

Hey Merle, hold my Nisentil

Hey Hank, hold my "whatever nasty ass snake oil they gave to people fightin' the consumption"

[Smitty]

Hey Jimmie, that shit don't work!



C&W goat:
Hank
Merle
Possum
Cash
Willie
Loretta
Waylon
Tammy
Kris

INPO:

Roger Miller
Patsy Cline
Dolly Parton
Buck Owens
Ernest Tubb
George Strait
Keith Whitley
Bocephus
Lefty Frizzell
Marty Robbins
Roy Acuff
Don Williams
Ray Price
Emmylou
Webb Pierce
Hank Snow
Roseanne Cash
Kitty Wells
Carter Family
Gary Stewart
Alan Jackson
Statler Brothers
Louvin Brothers
Dwight Yoakam
George Strait
Randy Travis
John Anderson
Eddy Arnold
Lynn Anderson
Merle Travis
Steve Earle
Alison Krauss
Tom T. Hall
Marty Stuart
Johnny Paycheck
DAC
Johnny Horton
Rodney Crowell
Patty Loveless
Jerry Lee Lewis
Charlie Rich
Ricky Skaggs
Jim Reeves
Garth
Charley Pride
Jimmie Rodgers
Ralph Stanley
Bill Monroe
Vern Gosdin
Kathy Mattea


That's just off the top of my head, but I don't think anyone that's not on that list would have any serious argument to make the goat list.

[Iowan]

That's a good list. I'd maybe swap Tammy and Kris for Dolly and Buck, but that's picking nits.

[whatwouldcooleydo?]

Hey Jimmie, that shit don't work!



C&W goat:
Hank
Merle
Possum
Cash
Willie
Loretta
Waylon
Tammy
Kris

INPO:

Roger Miller
Patsy Cline
Dolly Parton
Buck Owens
Ernest Tubb
George Strait
Keith Whitley
Bocephus
Lefty Frizzell
Marty Robbins
Roy Acuff
Don Williams
Ray Price
Emmylou
Webb Pierce
Hank Snow
Roseanne Cash
Kitty Wells
Carter Family
Gary Stewart
Alan Jackson
Statler Brothers
Louvin Brothers
Dwight Yoakam
George Strait
Randy Travis
John Anderson
Eddy Arnold
Lynn Anderson
Merle Travis
Steve Earle
Alison Krauss
Tom T. Hall
Marty Stuart
Johnny Paycheck
DAC
Johnny Horton
Garth

That's just off the top of my head, but I don't think anyone that's not on that list would have any serious argument to make the goat list.

no love for Gene Watson or Eddie Rabbitt?

That's cold

All joking aside, there's a lot of folks on that second list that don't trump Jim Reeves, whether one likes him or not.



Who's gonna give their heart & soul to get to me and you?

[Smitty]

Ouch, Reeves was an oversight. Gene Watson, John Conlee, the Judd's, Connie Smith, Oak Ridge Boys, Alabama and Earl Thomas Conley crossed my mind but ultimately were nahs (although Alabama & ORB probably deserve it for the sheer number of hits). Looking over it again I should probably add Rodney Crowell, Patty Loveless and Ricky Skaggs.

Edit: also added Jerry Lee and Charlie Rich. You could also make an argument for Every Bros, Roy and Elvisbut I think they're more firmly in the rock camp.

[whatwouldcooleydo?]

Ouch, Reeves was an oversight. Gene Watson, John Conlee, the Judd's, Connie Smith, Oak Ridge Boys, Alabama and Earl Thomas Conley crossed my mind but ultimately were nahs (although Alabama probably deserve it for the sheer number of hits). Looking over it again I should probably add Rodney Crowell, Patty Loveless and Ricky Skaggs.

I was definitely making fun of Gene Watson! Never cared for him. As a youngun stuff from him like Love in a Hot Afternoon creeped me out. Same with Conway's I'd Love to Lay You Down

You've got so many people listed now that, to me, it's hard to ignore Bill Monroe. Sure, he's bluegrass, but he 's also infinitely more country (and infinitely more significant) than many on your INPO section

[Smitty]

Ah, also conflicted regarding Freddy Fender, Johnny Rodriguez, Tompall Glaser and Jessi Colter.

I love "Love in the Hot Afternoon" and "Farewell Party". I have a strong dislike (and share your vibe of creepiness)of Conway, so he stays out, in spite of him being everyone's grandma's favorite singer.

[Smitty]

Bluegrass =/= country music, but yes Bill & Ralph Stanley no doubt more umm primitive?rural? than some of the more urban-cowboyish picks on my list, but I think as far as country as a genre goes, the glossier ones deserve a spot.
Edit: but fuck, there's Ricky Skaggs and Alison Krauss on there, so idk wtf I'm doing. Note no Barbara Mandrell or Crystal Gayle, but I just couldn't do it. No John "Sunshine on my goddamn shoulders" Denver either (who I do like, but I agree with Charlie, country he ain't)

I love Mary Chapin Carpenter and Lucinda Williams more than 99% of the bottom list, but I don't know how they fit either.

[whatwouldcooleydo?]

Ah, also conflicted regarding Freddy Fender, Johnny Rodriguez, Tompall Glaser and Jessi Colter.

I love "Love in the Hot Afternoon" and "Farewell Party". I have a strong dislike (and share your vibe of creepiness)of Conway, so he stays out, in spite of him being everyone's grandma's favorite singer.

I do love Hello Darling, it's a classic for a reason

Was gonna mention Fender, Rodriguez, and also Charley Pride

[Smitty]

Ah, also conflicted regarding Freddy Fender, Johnny Rodriguez, Tompall Glaser and Jessi Colter.

I love "Love in the Hot Afternoon" and "Farewell Party". I have a strong dislike (and share your vibe of creepiness)of Conway, so he stays out, in spite of him being everyone's grandma's favorite singer.

I do love Hello Darling, it's a classic for a reason

Was gonna mention Fender, Rodriguez, and also Charley Pride

Charley Pride added **blushes** Still torn on folks like JJW, Guy, Townes, Mickey Newbury, Ray Wylie, etc

[whatwouldcooleydo?]

Bluegrass =/= country music, but yes Bill & Ralph Stanley no doubt more umm primitive?rural? than some of the more urban-cowboyish picks on my list, but I think as far as country as a genre goes, the glossier ones deserve a spot. Note no Barbara Mandrell or Crystal Gayle, but I just couldn't do it. No goddamn John Denver either (who I do like, but I agree with Charlie, country he ain't)

I worked in the industry from 87-96 and met hundreds of famous/infamous musicians from so many genres, and hands down the surliest, nastiest of the bunch was John Denver (and Nanci Griffith is tied with him for the dishonor- don't let her "act" fool you, she was a real nasty piece of work every time I or anyone I worked with encountered her. She had a real knack for treating anyone who wasn't bigger than her as "the help")

[whatwouldcooleydo?]

Mel Tillis? Vern Gosdin?

We keep adding to the list like we are, before you knowing we’ll be debating Billy “Crash” Craddock and Mel Street

[Smitty]

I've heard that before about Nanci Griffith, although she's wrote some great songs: "Gulf Coast Highway", "Love at the Five & Dime" although I prefer Kathy Mattea's version. Kathy Mattea is underrated as shit and always covered great writers: Nanci, Suzanna Clark (Come from the heart), Gillian Welch (455 Rocket) and whoever wrote 18 Wheels and a dozen roses and Where've You Been (sappy yeah but igaf, surprised to see it on the soundtrack to Ken Burns' new country music documentary)

[Smitty]

Mel Tillis? Vern Gosdin?

We keep adding to the list like we are, before you knowing we’ll be debating Billy “Crash” Craddock and Mel Street

How could I forget the Voice?!? He's from my neck of the woods, too.
The Gosdins have a place in the country rock HOF as well.
Just don't make me defend Mac Davis

[whatwouldcooleydo?]

Mel Tillis? Vern Gosdin?

We keep adding to the list like we are, before you knowing we’ll be debating Billy “Crash” Craddock and Mel Street

How could I forget the Voice?!? He's from my neck of the woods, too.
The Gosdins have a place in the country rock HOF as well.
Just don't make me defend Mac Davis

Huge fan of that Gene Clark/Gosdin Brothers album

I’m showing my age here, but I vividly recall Mac Davis’ TV show, especially the segment where audience members gave him
a few subjects, Mad Lib style, and he’d make up a song on the spot. If I could do that I would have a hard time being humble myself

[Smitty]

Oh man, I guess this thread took place during your hiatus, wwcd
http://threedimesdown.com/forum/viewtop ... vis#p53007

Also not sure I feel quite the same way 9 years later

[whatwouldcooleydo?]

Oh man, I guess this thread took place during your hiatus, wwcd
http://threedimesdown.com/forum/viewtop ... vis#p53007

Also not sure I feel quite the same way 9 years later

I'll unironically defend In the Ghetto from here to eternity.

Anyone who doubts me sucks cock by choice

Massive lack of American Trilogy stands out like a sore thumb in that thread

I saw Elvis in 1975 at the Asheville Civic Center. This famous photo was taken that night

[John A Arkansawyer]

That's just off the top of my head, but I don't think anyone that's not on that list would have any serious argument to make the goat list.

London Calling!

[Smitty]

Not to relive old glories, but I think I came out on top of that one.
In the ghetto ftw!

I also was the only one with American Trilogy in my list, so yeah.


If we're counting Western swing, then Asleep at the Wheel, Spade Cooley and Milton Brown have to be added too. Sorry Mick & Waylon, but no.

[whatwouldcooleydo?]

Not to relive old glories, but I think I came out on top of that one.
In the ghetto ftw!

I also was the only one with American Trilogy in my list, so yeah.


If we're counting Western swing, then Asleep at the Wheel, Spade Cooley and Milton Brown have to be added too. Sorry Mick & Waylon, but no.

But when you cross that ol’ Red River, hoss.....

[Smitty]

The only way it could be better is if it were done western-swing style...

This was on the follow-up to the album containing "I'm a White Boy". Wtf was up with that?

[whatwouldcooleydo?]

The only way it could be better is if it were done western-swing style...

This was on the follow-up to the album containing "I'm a White Boy". Wtf was up with that?

At least it wasn’t Thank God I’m a White Boy

[Rocky]

I worked in the industry from 87-96 and met hundreds of famous/infamous musicians from so many genres, and hands down the surliest, nastiest of the bunch was John Denver (and Nanci Griffith is tied with him for the dishonor- don't let her "act" fool you, she was a real nasty piece of work every time I or anyone I worked with encountered her. She had a real knack for treating anyone who wasn't bigger than her as "the help")

I'm not sure exactly why I'm so glad to hear that John Denver is a complete asshole! (But I am)

[bovine knievel]

No mention of Joe Ely? Not that he's the GOAT but he's definitely worthy of the list, based on the names being thrown around.

[Smitty]

No mention of Joe Ely? Not that he's the GOAT but he's definitely worthy of the list, based on the names being thrown around.

I put him in the category with Guy, TVZ, etc and tried to focus on the mainstream C&W industry. I'm not sure where those guys fit.

[whatwouldcooleydo?]

No mention of Joe Ely? Not that he's the GOAT but he's definitely worthy of the list, based on the names being thrown around.

I put him in the category with Guy, TVZ, etc and tried to focus on the mainstream C&W industry. I'm not sure where those guys fit.

You beat me to it. I have basically the same take- I was taking the conversation we were having to be about "Nashville" country. I don't think of any of those Texas guys (Ely, Clark, TVZ, Gilmore, REK, Sahm, et al) as being that kind of music, so I didn't mention them. I recognize that those artists were filed under "country" back when record stores existed, but that's about as far as them being country goes in my book. Waylon and Willie each had more ties to Nashville, at least in the beginning, than these guys ever did, so that sets them apart from this bunch with respect to the discussion. And as always, take my advice, don't listen to me

I fuckin' love Joe Ely, he's one of my favorite artists, period. He and Doug Sahm are my favorite Texas songwriters/performers

[pearlbeer]

Ah, also conflicted regarding Freddy Fender, Johnny Rodriguez, Tompall Glaser and Jessi Colter.

I love "Love in the Hot Afternoon" and "Farewell Party". I have a strong dislike (and share your vibe of creepiness)of Conway, so he stays out, in spite of him being everyone's grandma's favorite singer.

I do love Hello Darling, it's a classic for a reason

Was gonna mention Fender, Rodriguez, and also Charley Pride

Meeting Charley Pride is my favorite celebrity story.