The class of '89 is regarded as the one single year that changed country music forever. Many new artists debuted that year and took country music from the hills to the major cities. Alan Jackson, Clint Black, and a guy you might know, named Garth Brooks all had debut albums that year. Unfortunatley, the success of these guys caused a whole new breed of country acts who were in it for money rather than giving us good country music and soon pop country was born. What are your thoughts on the class of '89 and did I miss anybody else who debuted that year?

Originally posted by djdaffy1227
The class of '89 is regarded as the one single year that changed country music forever. Many new artists debuted that year and took country music from the hills to the major cities. Alan Jackson, Clint Black, and a guy you might know, named Garth Brooks all had debut albums that year. Unfortunatley, the success of these guys caused a whole new breed of country acts who were in it for money rather than giving us good country music and soon pop country was born. What are your thoughts on the class of '89 and did I miss anybody else who debuted that year?

Lorrie Morgan, Lionel Cartwright (not sure what ever happened to him, his last album was over 10 years ago :confused: ), and the Kentucky Headhunters.

This was hard, every time I came up with one, it was 90 or 91. :p

Well....I think some of them were great, and some I could live without. ;) I know Hank Williams, Jr. (who I happen to dislike) had a song out where he bashed Garth and a few others. "I Ain't Goin' Peacefully" was the song I think. I don't care how H.W.J. leaves, as long as he goes. :rolleyes:

You can't get more country-pop than Shania Twain. Faith Hill started out country, but I don't know what it is she sings now. She's good, but that isn't really country. Of course, most of what you hear nowadays isn't 'real' country, because they're targeting younger audiences. Plus, like anything else, country has to change with the times or die out...

I LOVE Bocephus (Thank you very much :lol: ). I really liked that one song Lionel Cartwright did. I think it was called "I watched it all on my radio".

The country western business is a strange one. It seems like about every ten years or so there is a big boom again. There was Urban Cowboy which was huge. That died out and then it was almost ten years before these guys brought it back. I do think these acts were good for country music. It really needed something fresh. I love Garth Brooks debut album. I don't like the turn it took later. Same with most of these artists. I have mixed feelings. Val is right. Country music must change with the times or die out. I am just not sure what change would be good. If I listen to country music I really want to listen to the good old stuff. I am not interested at all in the artists trying to cross over into rock. I just don't think there is enough audience to support the old country sound though. So, what are they suppose to do? I don't listen to country stations at all. When I'm in the mood I get out my George Strait collection. Now, this guy knows how to do it right. Why can't they all be like George?:cowboy:

Originally posted by ImSoooSure
Why can't they all be like George?:cowboy:

AMEN to that sister :)

I love the "old" country sound. My favorite show on the local country station is called "Retro country USA". I listen to it every weekend. I don't mind a crossover hit if it crosses over on it's own merit without making 50 remixes to fit every format.

Good point there DJ! I have heard different mixes of songs just to try to fit a format and it just ruins it.
I listen to a retro country show every now and then too. I totally enjoy it! We used to have a station devoted to that but eventually like all the other country stations they turned modern country. There was even a station at one point in the mid 90s that was country and hard rock. It didn't last long, no surprise there! It was an awful mix of music. They would play things like "Rodeo" from Garth and "You Shook Me" from ACDC back to back. It was just awful!