Dina wrote;
> Now I just want to be sure my understanding is correct.
>
> If you are a Hot New Country star and you cover a 70's pop or rock hit, you
> will probably be vilified for it.
In my book, not if it was a good song in the first place and you do a
solid job of it. If it ends up being like almost all of the versions on the
Rolling Stones or Eagles mainstream country tributes, then you'll be vilified
legitimately, IMHO.
> If you are an alt-country star and you cover a 70's pop or rock hit, you
> will probably be lauded for it. Not even mentioning the casual listeners
> who might be drawn into fandom for you because of it, even your most ardent
> fans will appreciate this cover even more than they do your own songs.
>
> Did I get it right?
I just don't think it's that easy, Dina, or complicated-if that makes any
sense. At least with me, if it was good song in the first place and the
alt.country act does a good job, then yeah, I think your fan base will be
happy it was done (e.g. "Bad Time" done by the Jayhawks or "Harper Valley PTA"
by Mike Ireland). I think Jake's piece on this was pretty insightful, but at
the same time I don't think most fans-alt.country or otherwise-engage in
"irony worship" (pre-emptively or not,) to the degree that they'll froth over
any cover from their childhood AM memories. I'm sure it happens, but....
dan bentele
