The Word on the Street
On 03-19-2008
at 6:06 pm
The buzz here in Music City, is they are desperate for more duos. And why not? Artist such as, Brooks and Dunn, Montgomery Gentry, and Sugarland have earned their weight in gold. Two of my good friends are actually in the process of producing a demo together. It is no wonder why CMT is debuting a show called Can You Duet?. It begins airing on April 4th, and is produced by the creators of American Idol. One of my roommates actually made it through several rounds before being sent home. My question is, why search for a duo when duets are what people really crave. Everybody loves the song “Murder on Music Row,” but what if you could get an entire album with George Strait and Alan Jackson. Or bring in the two reigning female vocalists Martina Mcbride and Carrie Underwood to record an album. Music City is kind of divisive right now. I think it would bring the artists closer together. What would be your dream duet album?
If Nashville wants to create “dream” superstar duets, fine. It’s part of the long tradition in country music, what with:
* Regular duet partners such as Margaret Whiting-Jimmy Wakely, George Jones-Melba Montgomery (and later, Tammy Wynette), Conway Twitty-Loretta Lynn (the best, IMO; George and Tammy are close), and Waylon and Willie, among many others.
* Guest duets, one- or few-time pairings, ranging from acts like Brad Paisley-Allison Kraus, Kenny Rogers-Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire-Kelly Clarkson and many others.
* Established duos (as opposed to regular “duet” partners), from the early days (e.g., the Sheltons and Delmores), to later acts like the Louvins, Bellamys, the Judds, Brooks & Dunn, Montgomery Gentry, Big & Rich and Sugarland.
As for a TV show to “create” a new duo, and showing a panel of self-professed experts giving opinions on the prospective acts … I’m not really a fan of these talent shows. I think the criticism, be it deliberately biting or constructive, is best left behind closed doors. I’m sure it is much softer than what they do on “American Idol” or (to use an example from another type of “search” show) “The Apprentice.” I’ll probably pass on “Can You Duet,” just because I think there are better things to do with my time and the fact I’d rather see good-to-honest videos on CMT … or at least “Dukes of Hazzard” reruns.