The Finale May 30, 2008

Well, well, well its about that time of the semester, everything is being summed up ready for completion. I’d firstly just like to congradualte everyone for putting in a big effort for our blog, its been quite fascinating reading everyones post and responses.

This Blog for me, like many of us is the first I have ever participated in; I have learned a great deal form this blogging activity, I never understood why people would even want to blog, now I do; it can be quiet satisfying, especially when you know your reaching the outside world. We have had some high profile comments outside our blog group, which I am still finding difficult to comprehend, I think that at the very least this indicates our blog has been a success; for example one of my blog post on the Kernaghans was commented on by Steve JW Roberts who is Lee Kernaghans Personal Assistant.

It amazes me how easily our blog reaches out to the world, the internet truly is a wonderful medium; while I have learned a great deal about country music, I have also learned some new internet presentation skills such as adding pictures and videos to posts, which I think adds an attraction factor to blog posts. This project is by far the most satisfying assignment I have ever been apart of! I has changed my perception on the Country Music Industry, and I hope what we have done will help to alter other peoples perception as well.

My Perception of Country Music Has Changed!

Previously I have been rather critical of the country genre, in one of my previous blogs ‘A different way to think about country’ I suggested that “I don’t really enjoy the sound; in fact, I would pass up listening to country music for most other forms of music”, this blog has helped to expose me to the country music scene, I have found that now I don’t mind country music so much, I am not going to run out and buy a Cd or anything, but I am far less likely to change the radio station or put in a Cd when a country music song comes on. With continued exposure to the country music genre, who knows I might even become a country music lover, but at this point I’m content that I have come to find I really quite enjoy folk country styles of music (Lisa Mitchell Inspired), I may even add some to my collection.

This blog has facilitated much learning capacity for the country music beginner,  we have brought to light so many different country related topics. My knowledge of the country industry is now much greater than the Australian country music awards and the Tamworth music festival, both which previously I avoided watching or reading about. I have even began to notice the country songs in my favourite genre, bands like Yellowcard and Panic at the Disco, have country sounding tracks incorporated on some of their albums and these to the dismay of most people that ride in my car are now some of my favourite songs.

The posts I have most enjoyed doing were the ones based on feminism in country music, music reviews and the modern cultural constructions of country music. I have been able to take a lot of information away from this blog, although our posts were not always academic, just the analysis of country music from sources such as myspace, youtube, news articles and websites has helped shape my perception of the country music genre. The combination of sources has allowed for wider audience participation, this construction of our blog has therefore supported the Country Music Industry in a postive way. I hope that now everyone has developed a far more authentic view of country music; I know that I have been able to develop many new ideas of what country should be, such as a form of expression, comedic and serious incorporated with life’s various issues, family, love, political, feminist etc… There is one thing I know for sure I’d rather be a Hillbilly or bluegrass country lover than a Lapdancer! How about you?

The great thing about this activity has been the fact that the blog will continually be exposed to the outside world but….

Just Like the final song an artist plays at a gig the blog is coming to a close… will there be an encore, only time will tell…

So for now I bid you all a fond farwell…

“Goodbye Y’all”

I sure have enjoyed being apart of this blog!

Post by: Ryan Witt

Lisa Mitchell; A Folk Girl with a Dash of Country May 26, 2008

Country music has evolved over time from folk music a genre that stretches back hundreds and hundreds of years, from countries all over the world, some typical examples include Irish and Scottish traditional folk music. In light of this evolution I recalled an up and coming Australian artists that is a little bit country with a whole lot of folk!

You may remember Lisa Mitchell from one of the many reality television programs sweeping our networks. Lisa was a contestant in Australian Idol in the year 2006. Lisa was different from most contestants for a number of reasons; firstly she was the youngest contestant at only sixteen years of age, she could write and play her own music and showed that she can perform exceptionally well in her preferred genres of folk and country music.

 Play the video below to watch her on Ausrtalian Idol 2006

Lisa is now seventeen years old and resides in her hometown Albury; she is most certainly one of the up and comers to lookout for. On May 21 Lisa launched her new EP called ‘Welcome to the Afternoon’, since Australian Idol she has moved more into the folk genre than the country genre, but she is an exceptional Australian artist that should be exposed to the Country music and mainstream charts.

In my opinion Lisa possess a country type voice and comprises lyrics and music typical of the country and folk genres. Lisa Mitchell maybe the answer country/folk music has been waiting for, she’s young she’s talented, the youths of Australia will relate to her, it is possible that someone of her character could open up the flood gates and push country/folk music into the mainstream. Lisa’s best asset is her unique sound, which is emphasised through her subtlety nasal vocals. I think it is her subtle combination of country/folk and pop that will see her break into the mainstream, whether this will help other country and folk artists; time will tell. Lisa Mitchell is definitely someone to get behind and lookout for in the future.

Play the video below to see her song ‘Incomplete Lulluby’

Post by: Ryan Witt

A.B.B.A. May 25, 2008

The Australian Bush Balladeers Association was created in 2000 by Bluey Francis who was a bush balladeer from White Cliffs NSW. This associated was created in order to promote this style of music to Australia and the world. Every year they have an annual “Balladeers” compilation CD that is distributed to country music radio stations and also for sale for fans. As well, a 30 page quarterly magazine called “balladeers bulletin” is made for the members of A.B.B.A. This magazine features artists, tours, news updates, and other general information. Furthermore, there is an annual bush balladeer star quest which was started in 2001 and an annual Tamworth Balladeer member showcase which features A.B.B.A. members.

Here is a song by Jeff Gibson who was the 2005 winner of the annual bush balladeer star quest – psycho case

-Natalie Boyce

Asylum Street Spankers – Hick Hop! May 25, 2008

After reading the Blog post entitled Hick Hop posted by Rachelle, I was interesting in finding out exactly how Hick Hop might be performed, so I had a look on youtube and the Asylum Street Spankers performed a Hick Hop Song in Seattle thats worth a look, I found it was very unusual, highly original and strangely kept my attention probably because it does sound quite odd.

Check it out!

Post by: Ryan Witt