Chesney takes bigger risks than Buffett???

[cowboyjunkie]

This will probably stir the pot again... and I'm really not that anti-Chesney (I watched and enjoyed the "Be as You Are special" on CMT the other night), but this type of article (from CNN) truly annoys me. Chesney is seen as a great risk-taker in that he does something different when he's at the top of the country music world, whereas Buffett, who, as an unknown created his own genre (the wave Kenny is now riding) is seen as less of a risk taker. Get real!!!

"Jimmy Buffett has covered this ground before, but Chesney's attempt is more risky."

http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Music/0 ... index.html

If there was any chance that it would flop, the label would not release it. Major labels don't take risks. Having worked closely with an artist on Reprise Records and then Warner Brothers, I can speak with some first hand experience. The publicity machine is in full gear with CMT specials, etc. This is all very calculated and a reflection of the industry. Very few country artists act independent of their labels; unlike rock and roll where being an indie band can still lead to success (The Killers and Elefant being two recent examples). Chesney's success does not hinge on Buffett fans liking his music but on country music fans. There are enough country music fans to push Chesney's cd platinum and there was very little risk in releasing it.

[Ilph]

This will probably stir the pot again... and I'm really not that anti-Chesney (I watched and enjoyed the "Be as You Are special" on CMT the other night), but this type of article (from CNN) truly annoys me. Chesney is seen as a great risk-taker in that he does something different when he's at the top of the country music world, whereas Buffett, who, as an unknown created his own genre (the wave Kenny is now riding) is seen as less of a risk taker. Get real!!!

"Jimmy Buffett has covered this ground before, but Chesney's attempt is more risky."

http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Music/0 ... index.html

If there was any chance that it would flop, the label would not release it. Major labels don't take risks. Having worked closely with an artist on Reprise Records and then Warner Brothers, I can speak with some first hand experience. The publicity machine is in full gear with CMT specials, etc. This is all very calculated and a reflection of the industry. Very few country artists act independent of their labels; unlike rock and roll where being an indie band can still lead to success (The Killers and Elefant being two recent examples). Chesney's success does not hinge on Buffett fans liking his music but on country music fans. There are enough country music fans to push Chesney's cd platinum and there was very little risk in releasing it.

I don't think anyone could have said it better. The brass at RCA are marketing this as a "risky" album. It's pretty contradictory of the whole process.

[don juan]

Shut the f*** up!!! you make no sense at all!!!

Just read what the cmt boards have to say about Kenny, they are already turning their backs on him after he made a record that he wrote and it came from his heart and not the nashville machine, just because some ***** writer thinks Kenny took a bigger chance than Jimmy doesnt mean its true!!!!! JImmy and Kenny are my heros, long live the Island boys, and f*** everyone else and their stupid ingnorant opinions.

[/quote]

You mispelled ignorant

[buffettita]

I believe what he meant is that Kenny is taking a different musical turn that some of his fans may not get/like.

Again, why does it always have to be a competition?

I agree. To me, it is completely obvious that there is a greater risk to Kenny's departure from country than Jimmy's departure from...what?
I don't think anyone here can argue Kenny's success in the country music arena (It doesn't matter if you don't think it is REAL country). You don't win Grammy's, CMA's and ACM's without a rather large fan base. It is my opinion that Kenny has definitely taken a risk of alienating at least part of his target audience...but methinks that the ones buying his albums are as devoted to and would buy whatever Kenny put's out. Sounds familiar, doesn't it.

The Country Music community is quick to turn their back on one of their own if they think they are venturing into other genres and used country as a way to get in...That is where I see Kennys BIG Risk.

I don't even think there is a comparison to Jimmy...it's a whole other story.

[don juan]

"...... any chance that it would flop, the label would not release it. Major labels don't take risks. Having worked closely with an artist on Reprise Records and then Warner Brothers, I can speak with some first hand experience. The publicity machine is in full gear with CMT specials, etc. This is all very calculated and a reflection of the industry. Very few country artists act independent of their labels; unlike rock and roll where being an indie band can still lead to success (The Killers and Elefant being two recent examples). Chesney's success does not hinge on Buffett fans liking his music but on country music fans. There are enough country music fans to push Chesney's cd platinum and there was very little risk in releasing it.

I agree 100%. Waylon said it years ago "Country Music is big bussiness now"

[livesbythesea]

The Country Music community is quick to turn their back on one of their own if they think they are venturing into other genres and used country as a way to get in...That is where I see Kennys BIG Risk.

True. Country music powers that be are always looking for the next Garth or Shania, but going the crossover route can backfire. Country music fans totally dissed Faith Hill, for example, for "Cry".

I think Kenny was pretty safe, though, in the long run, because he's been pushing the island theme for some time. And, unlike the hip-hop industry, country music is still live performance driven - if Chesney continues to put on a high energy show, his fans will allow for an atypical album.

[Bocanut]

Buffett hasn't taken a risk since the 70s. He plays the same GD songs over and over in concert. KC may be trying to be like JB but the songwriting on KC's album surpasses any of the crap JB has put out in 25 years.

[Bocanut]

Quiet and Shy
I agree with you mostly. It's just I can't make myself like Kenny
Chessny doing "Jimmyesce music. There is a guy from Key West that is
a joke he knows hes a joke and he does a song "Im living the life Jimmy
Buffet wrote about" tounge and cheek kind of goofy stuff but its a joke.

Kenny wants us to take him serious he is looking to his future after Jimmy isn't touring I think. He is talanted and all but I just can not get what I get from Buffett or Alan Jackson or even George Straight.

To me and,I am sure he is a cool guy personally, when I see Mcgraw and Chesney Montgomrey Gentry Big& Rich ect.....
I see the same out of touch demographic driven nashville music machine that ran Jimmy out to Key West and Johnny Cash to Rick Rubin and American records

The single thing though is standard musical practice
"release the single kill the album" They are trying to push album sales as a whole they have done a great job creating BUZZ about the new
"ISLAND RECORD" now if you want the song you buy the album.

Alanis Morsitte did it with "Jagged Little Pill"

Shut the f*** up!!! you make no sense at all!!!

Just read what the cmt boards have to say about Kenny, they are already turning their backs on him after he made a record that he wrote and it came from his heart and not the nashville machine, just because some ***** writer thinks Kenny took a bigger chance than Jimmy doesnt mean its true!!!!! JImmy and Kenny are my heros, long live the Island boys, and f*** everyone else and their stupid ingnorant opinions.

Are you constipated today?

[Mr Play]

Are you constipated today?

He's full of s*** alright.

[a1aara]

Buffett hasn't taken a risk since the 70s. He plays the same GD songs over and over in concert. KC may be trying to be like JB but the songwriting on KC's album surpasses any of the crap JB has put out in 25 years.

Reaally??????????????

[Bocanut]

Really! Jimmy was a great songwriter in the 70s but no one can seriously believe he's the songwriter he once was.

[a1aara]

Really! Jimmy was a great songwriter in the 70s but no one can seriously believe he's the songwriter he once was.

So you're saying that Kenny Chesney is the better songwriter?

[IsleReef]

When Kenny crashes a seaplane and knows how to swim away thanks to Navy training, then we can talk...................

[ragtopW]

"...... any chance that it would flop, the label would not release it. Major labels don't take risks. Having worked closely with an artist on Reprise Records and then Warner Brothers, I can speak with some first hand experience. The publicity machine is in full gear with CMT specials, etc. This is all very calculated and a reflection of the industry. Very few country artists act independent of their labels; unlike rock and roll where being an indie band can still lead to success (The Killers and Elefant being two recent examples). Chesney's success does not hinge on Buffett fans liking his music but on country music fans. There are enough country music fans to push Chesney's cd platinum and there was very little risk in releasing it.

I agree 100%. Waylon said it years ago "Country Music is big bussiness now"

didn't Nashville which IS country music turn its back on Jimmy
years and years ago??

[don juan]

Buffett hasn't taken a risk since the 70s. He plays the same GD songs over and over in concert. KC may be trying to be like JB but the songwriting on KC's album surpasses any of the crap JB has put out in 25 years.

There is truth in what you are saying but I can not agree. Buffett has done some great material.
Granted most of the songs I really like are written by other people now.

[tryin' to reason]

Quiet and Shy
I agree with you mostly. It's just I can't make myself like Kenny
Chessny doing "Jimmyesce music. There is a guy from Key West that is
a joke he knows hes a joke and he does a song "Im living the life Jimmy
Buffet wrote about" tounge and cheek kind of goofy stuff but its a joke.

Kenny wants us to take him serious he is looking to his future after Jimmy isn't touring I think. He is talanted and all but I just can not get what I get from Buffett or Alan Jackson or even George Straight.

To me and,I am sure he is a cool guy personally, when I see Mcgraw and Chesney Montgomrey Gentry Big& Rich ect.....
I see the same out of touch demographic driven nashville music machine that ran Jimmy out to Key West and Johnny Cash to Rick Rubin and American records

The single thing though is standard musical practice
"release the single kill the album" They are trying to push album sales as a whole they have done a great job creating BUZZ about the new
"ISLAND RECORD" now if you want the song you buy the album.

Alanis Morsitte did it with "Jagged Little Pill"

Shut the f*** up!!! you make no sense at all!!!

Just read what the cmt boards have to say about Kenny, they are already turning their backs on him after he made a record that he wrote and it came from his heart and not the nashville machine, just because some ***** writer thinks Kenny took a bigger chance than Jimmy doesnt mean its true!!!!! JImmy and Kenny are my heros, long live the Island boys, and f*** everyone else and their stupid ingnorant opinions.

So, why do these boards have moderators????????

Doesn't STFU at least warrant a 48 hour "time out" so this person can adjust their medication??

I don't think anyone here actually enjoys/condones/learns anything from that sort of tirade. If it's accepted as "free speech", then the whole board becomes the rantings and ravings of "ingnorant" posters who never learned to play well with others.

IMHO.

[PA PAR8 HED]

WOW!

While Buffett was mentioned in the article, I don't see the comparison. I agree that Bruce's Nebraska was a departure and somewhat of a risk, that is the better comparison.

Now I am no country music insider, not really that much of a country music fan - nor am I a devoted KC follower. As I listen to this CD, it sounds like KC to me, it even sounds "country" to me. There have been enough steel drums and tropical themes in country songs lately (from Two Pina Coladas years ago to Some Beach today) to make this not stand out.

I think they cover their bases by calling it a "departure" and a "risk" from a marketing perspective. If it doesn't sell as well as previous releases, there's your excuse. By not releasing a single, again, no chance for a single to fail.

Ultimately, I give credit to any artist who feels free to express their creativity and explore new channels, regardless of how it may be viewed and reviewd externally. Bruce broke up the E Street Band (and got them back together), Prince changed his name (did he change it back?), Billy Joel went classical, Pete Townshend wrote a rock opera, Brian Wilson wrote Pet Sounds! Some worked, some didn't.

[Jahfin]

I think it's already been said but Chesney is at a stage in his career where he can afford to take such a risk as releasing an album without singles but even that appears to be more of a marketing strategy than an actual "risk". I think the biggest risk Buffett could take at this point would be to cut an album totally devoid of island themes and instrumentation that could possibly alienate him from his core audience.

As for his songwriting, I have to agree somewhat with that but on the upside, he's shown he can also be a great interpreter of other people's material but he's always seemed to have a knack for that.

[apla51]

More and more, country, rock, island, music is blending, some say it's bad, but try to enjoy the quality and diversity this variety has created, Listen to what you enjoy but most important, Enjoy what your listening to! And for the younger one's out there, think about what you'll be listening to 30 years from now. I enjoy a variety of new stuff, but will you still listen and enjoy it as much as I enjoy Buffett and a lot of 60's and 70's stuff today tells the true mark of an artist.

[Tiki Bar]

I guess I don't see this CD as that big a risk for Kenny. If he'd released this CD two or three years ago, yes, the risk would have been huge. But Kenny has enough star power today that he can afford to take a risk and release something a little different.

Especially since he's already tested the water on his last 2-3 albums, and the whole country industry is currently vacationing at the beach. If he does have fans that don't want to go there with him, it seems to me parrotheads will pick up that slack.

Plus on the heels of Entertainer of the Year and other contributing factors to his momentum, I don't see any risk at all on Kenny's part. Risk would be a complete 180 and releasing an all metal album.