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George Strait tops R.E.M. on the charts
Strait and R.E.M. both started their careers around the same time. R.E.M. hasn't reached No. 2 since 1996, while this is Strait's third time at the top spot since '97 (don't even ask how many times he's topped the country charts). What happened? Might have something to do with the differences between the rock and country markets.
The notions of freshness and youth are less of an issue to country fans (sure, the country charts are littered with youngsters, and Mick Jagger still owns the planet, but there are deeper principles at work). By its nature, country is a genre that honors age and stick-to-it-iveness, and in the rock world it's always been more of an adapt-or-die deal. Being a middle-aged rocker is bad enough, but if you don't move with the times they run you over.
Not that anybody's running over R.E.M., but hell if the fiftysomething Strait isn't laughing louder and longer this week on the limo ride to his local Wachovia.
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Country fans are pretty loyal it seems. The last REM album I purchased was 'Monster.'
george strait is the man! cut the "oldest New Traditionalist" bullcrap. strait sings country like it is.
that's exactly what New Traditionalist means...
okeefenokee
no one who listens to country calls it new traditionalist. i'd probably get my ass beat if i said that at a strait concert.