While pop-country crossover seems to dominate all of American music these days, it is hard to imagine what real country singers from the past would think. In his autobiography, Cash, Johnny Cash famously denounced Garth Brooks and Brooks and Dunn, citing that he believed they never actually worked on a farm to sing about rough, blue-collar American life and living. Yet, this argument could be the same for many genres of music including hip-hop and punk, in 2009 the argument was made into a film, Crazy Heart.
The story of a washed up country star Bad Blake, and how he finds redemption in the career of someone who is a big fan of his work and is one of country's most popular stars. While the film centers around Blake, it is the music and traditional folk, Americana and country that aided in audiences embracing the genres past. The soundtrack, featuring songs from Townes Van Zandt, Ryan Bingham, Waylon Jennings, Buck Owens, it also features a number of original work by legendary producer, T. Bone Burnett. Even the films stars, Jeff Bridges, Colin Farrell, and Robert Duvall lend their vocal talents to Burnett's songs. However, it is the song, "The Weary Kind," by Burnett and Bingham that really stole everyone's attention and even earning the two an Oscar for "Best Original Song" at the 2010 Academy Awards. So, while America still seems to embrace the bullshit country of today, here is one to make you remember what the genre is supposed to sound like.
