Comments on: The Word on the Street http://blog.purecountrymusic.com/artists/the-word-on-the-street/ Your #1 Source for Classic Country Music News and Information! Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:53:48 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Briguy http://blog.purecountrymusic.com/artists/the-word-on-the-street/comment-page-1/#comment-1366 Briguy Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:50:57 +0000 http://blog.purecountrymusic.com/2008/03/artists/the-word-on-the-street/#comment-1366 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. 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.

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