With several award shows centered around country music and celebrating those artists who made an impact, countless songwriters never see the spotlight. For many fans, they have no idea that behind some of their favorite country songs is a team of writers who spend hours, days, weeks, and even months trying to find the perfect words. And when never giving up, those words eventually turn into the next classic country song. But according to singer Brett Sheroky, some of the greatest songs in country music never even make it to the airwaves due to the politics of the music industry.
Videos by American Songwriter
Stepping on stage at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, Sheroky wanted to entertain the crowd of fans that formed. And while performing a few songs, the singer paused his show to address what it was like to have a career in country music. Wanting to show fans how the industry really worked, he declared, “I’m just gonna start saying the quiet parts out loud. The best songwriters in the world are here in Nashville, writing songs every day. I know a lot of these writers, and I hear a lot of their songs. Some of those songs are jaw dropping incredible. But those songs hardly ever get recorded by major artists, and almost never make it to radio.”
[RELATED: Brett Sheroky on Pursuing Music Industry Dreams with ‘The C.L.I.M.B.’]
Brett Sheroky Explains How Singers Want “Girl, Beer, Truck”
Wanting country music to expand, Sheroky noted how country music fans are robbed of some of the greatest songs ever written. “You as country music fans don’t get the best that this town has to offer. The best songs don’t win like you are led to believe. It’s a damn shame, but it’s the truth. Anyone that tells you differently is naive or just lying to you.”
With fans agreeing with Sheroky and cheering him on, the singer didn’t stop there. Not putting all the blame on music executives and producers, he also pointed to the singers themselves. “I promise you this. I’d say the best 100 songs in Nashville you’re never going to hear. The publishers pass them around, the labels, the management, they’re like, ‘This is incredible.’ And then the artists won’t put them out because they’re too edgy or too not ‘girl beer truck.’”
Knowing that the industry could change given the chance, Sheroky hoped that one day, the fans would get the opportunity to hear true country music.
(Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.