Nashville Scene

Country Controversial: Country music, loosely defined, encompasses numerous styles—among them traditional, pop, Western swing, Americana, and bluegrass. As all-encompassing as the format's boundaries are, so too are this year's Grammy nominations in the country categories, which reflect almost the full range of styles offered by the format.

Each year, the eclectic nature of the Grammys' country nominations serves as a source of contention among programmers at U.S. country radio stations. That has never been more true than this year, when half the nominees in the six major country categories are artists, songs, or albums that, for one reason or another, the majority of mainstream country radio programmers felt were not appropriate for their stations.

While such mainstream acts as Tim McGraw, Jamie O'Neal, Jo Dee Messina, Trisha Yearwood, and Diamond Rio have been recognized for their work this year, it is alongside artists with few—if any—country format credentials, most notably Sheryl Crow and Ryan Adams. These mainstream acts were also recognized alongside some country artists who haven't enjoyed the format's support—or its airplay—in years, including Dolly Parton, Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Emmylou Harris.

Naturally, a lack of airplay doesn't make these artists any less worthy of nominations. In fact, many would argue that they are more worthy of the honor of Grammy recognition and the exposure it offers because they have been ignored by radio. Music directors of some country stations, though, tend to see it another way.

Smokey Rivers, assistant PD/ music director at KPLX (the Wolf) Dallas, says, "With country music being so broad in appeal, it's not surprising to see names that are on the edge of the format. But Ryan Adams? Shouldn't an artist first attain some measurable amount of success in a particular genre of music before being nominated in its category? These left-field nominations once again show a lack of respect for those who have been successful, even in a small way, in bringing listeners and CD buyers to our format this past year."

John Trapane, assistant PD/music director at KIKK/KILT Houston, says, "I think 80% of the Grammy voting body don't have a clue about 'popular' country music, and that's fine with me. I don't have a clue who India.Arie is or why she has that dot between her name with no 'com' afterward."

Linda O'Brian, assistant PD/music director at KSCS Dallas, says, "I'm not sure who the Grammy voters are, but they certainly are wishful thinkers. Some of the choices are delightful and deserving, and some are completely out of left field. Still, I was happy to see Lost Highway Records get recognized for coming up with compelling product time after time." (Many of the nominations went to two Lost Highway projects, Hank Williams: Timeless and the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack.)

For the future, O'Brian suggests, "Maybe we have to think about Americana/alt-country really becoming a [category] of its own."

George Wolf, assistant PD/music director at WHOK Columbus, Ohio, says, "By now, I don't think 'eclectic' nominations are a surprise come Grammy time." He points out that this doesn't only apply to the country categories. But he has a positive take on the nominations.

"It's nice to see some variation from the Country Music Assn./Academy of Country Music nominations," Wolf says. "In any award show, there will always be deserving artists who are shut out, both in and out of the mainstream. Left-of-center nominations at least give some possibly unfamiliar artists a chance to be recognized and discovered by a whole new audience.

"The nominations will never appease everyone," he adds, "and perhaps that's the fun of it."

In next week's column, look for an interview with Grammy nominee Randy Travis.



SIGNINGS: Nashville indie label Sunbird Records has signed Earl Thomas Conley and Johnny Rodriguez to its artist roster. Conley has had 18 No. 1 singles in his career, including "Fire & Smoke," which hit the top of the Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart when he was signed to the original Sunbird Records in 1981. He has recorded for RCA for most of his career. Rodriguez, who has recorded for Mercury, Epic, and Capitol, has had six No. 1 hits.