You Could Live Without the First Two Bottle Rockets Albums, but Why Would You Want To?

So-called "alt country" seem poised to conquer the mainstream in the 1990's, buoyed by Uncle Tupelo, Whiskeytown, The Old 97's, and scores of others as the decade progressed. Despite being adorned with critical praise and earning hipster loyalty, there was never the commercial watershed so many anticipated. Soon, either as a result of creative growth or the unwillingness to go back to their day jobs, most of the integral artists changed their sound--some even forsaking their country roots altogether. 

Out of all the bands who set the stage, The Bottle Rockets were the best and most believable. They were a little too smart to be just good ol' boys but not smug enough to revel in irony for its own sake. Combining raw Southern rock, classic honky tonk and providing it with punk ethos, The Bottle Rockets could have been--and should have been--the guiding light for roots music going forward. Instead, a series of label gaffs and a shift in the record-buying public towards watered-down Americana prevented them from making a serious dent on the charts. Somehow, though, the band never seemed to miss a step, and kept cranking on all cylinders...until breaking up unceremoniously this week. 

To be truly objective about The Bottle Rockets is to admit that their early work is still their best. The Brooklyn Side, their second album and major label debut, is an undisputed alt country classic. It paints a picture of rural and working class life that's anything but glamorous, populated with single mothers, shady cops, armchair sports enthusiasts and folks just trying to make it paycheck to paycheck without crumbling under the weight of economic disparity. But the only times when the songs stand in judgement is when taste-making (or trend-following) hipsters, opportunistic conservatives or someone trying to duck out on their responsibilities gets involved. The message of The Brooklyn Side is pretty clear: don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong if you don't want it to get flattened.  

The Brooklyn Side is certainly deserving of its classic status but their first, self-titled, album shouldn't be overlooked. More rock and more country than its predecessor, it's chock-full of songs that should be in the alt country lexicon including "Kerosene," "Wave That Flag," and the rip-and-tear "Manhattan Countryside". Stacked next to The Brooklyn Side on Bloodshot records' 2013 compendium, it makes it hard to decide on a favorite. If you already own these two albums, there's another album's worth of bonus tracks--including early versions of "Indianapolis" and "Smokin' 100's Alone" and a cover of Neil Young's "Farmer John" that make this too good to pass up. You could live without it, but why would you want to?

Three Chords & the Truth: Country Music's Greatest Songwriters #1 Merle Haggard

Widely referred to as "The Poet of the Common Man," Merle Haggard often wrote about working people with a simple poetry, supplying pride for those who too often go unnoticed (and whom this country could not survive without). His patriotic odes "Okie From Muskogee" and "The Fightin' Side of Me" were not intended as a reflection of his personal views, as much as his desire to give a voice to the Silent Majority during the Vietnam War. 

Conservatives immediately embraced Haggard for his pro-establishment efforts, but they also had to accept songs such as "Mama Tried" and "Branded Man" that referenced prisoners and struck a chord with outsiders. And Haggard's compositions didn't stay within the confines of what's considered Country music either, referencing  Blues, Folk, and Jazz. 

His first career was as a petty thief, but after a stint in San Quentin he refocused his energies on music. As one of the pioneers of the Bakersfield Sound, Haggard had his earliest success with honky tonk standards "Swingin' Doors" and "The Bottle Let Me Down". After becoming a cultural lightning rod with "Okie," Haggard's songs became increasingly introspective and autobiographical, supplying him with even bigger and more frequent hits such as "Hungry Eyes," "Grandma Harp," and "The Roots Of My Raising". 

The Reagan era found Haggard speaking out socially again with songs such as "Are The Good Times Really Over," and "Big City," establishing him as a working class hero. Sadly, with Nashville's change toward the trite in the early 90's, Haggard finally found his three decade reign as a chart success coming to an end. He responded by sequestering himself on Shasta Lake in California (about as far from the music business as one can get) and recording for independent labels. His disdain for Nashville was even evident at his Hall of Fame induction when he humorously thanked his plumber rather than indulging the obligatory list of industry execs. 

Though the commercial success of his more modern releases was lackluster, creatively he remained as strong as ever. When historians objectively evaluate country music's greatest artists, Merle Haggard should be at top the list.  As a songwriter steeped in tradition but unwilling to be barricaded behind boundaries, he's already there--not merely as a great country music songwriter, but country music's greatest.

Three Chords & the Truth: Country Music's Greatest Songwriters #2 Hank Williams

Despite only living 29 years, Hank Williams survives as the most important country music singer of all time. No other artist has approached rivaling his legend, or has left behind a body of work as popular or influential. 
His voice wasn't pretty, his appearance was often emaciated, and his personal life was a disaster, but audiences empathized with him instead of judging, and Nashville couldn't ignore his songs or his charisma (even when they wished they could ignore his behavior). 

All accounts cite Hank as having a dual nature--one that fluctuated between flights of inspiration and fits of rage and self-destruction. His songs were a mirror to his troubled soul; often lovelorn, sometimes rowdy, and occasionally spiritually reflective. No other country singer has as many songs that are sung in honky tonks on Saturday nights and churches on Sunday mornings. 

His voice--rough-edged as it was--was capable of being cantankerous, cooing, defiant, or moaning, depending on the song. As many times as his songs have been recorded, and by as many artists, none has ever equaled Hank's performances. His list of compositions is even more staggering--especially considering his brief life: "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," "Cold Cold Heart," "I Saw The Light," "Your Cheatin' Heart," and "I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You)" alone would place any artist on this list, but only scratch the surface of the classic songs Hank penned.  

The name Hank Williams will forever be synonymous with country music, regardless of Nashville's continued efforts to distance itself from its roots. But Hank doesn't just represent a genre or an era in music, he embodies the human experience as few artists of any medium have.

Three Chords & the Truth: Country Music's Greatest Songwriters #3 Harlan Howard

One of the most popular and prolific songwriters country music has ever known, Harlan Howard amassed a catalog containing over 4,000 songs in his lifetime. His career began in Bakersfield, California where he contributed songs to Wynn Stewart, Buck Owens, and Charlie Walker. His first major breakthrough, however, came when Ray Price recorded his "Heartaches By The Numbers," prompting him to move to Nashville.

 "I Fall To Pieces," co-written with Hank Cochran, became an immense hit for Patsy Cline, and "Busted," "The Chokin' Kind" and "I Won't Forget You" each sold over a million copies--making Howard the most in-demand songwriter in country. By the time Howard got around to releasing his own album in 1965, more than 400 of his songs had been recorded by other artists.  In 1967 Waylon Jennings recorded an entire album comprised of Howard's songs, "Waylon Sings Ol' Harlan," rounding up the few strays of his repertoire that hadn't become hits along with a selection of his classics.

 The 1970's were a less-momentous time for Howard, as he suffered from a severe case of writer's block. He focused instead on his publishing company, Tree publishing, grooming up-and-coming songwriters. Still his songs remained in circulation, revised by John Conlee, Reba McEntire and Dwight Yoakam, and he managed a few more hits courtesy of Charlie Rich, Conway Twitty and The Judds. 

He was finally inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1997, shortly before his death in 2002. As one of the most prodigious talents of not only his era, but all eras, Howard remains the gold standard for country music songwriters.

Three Chords & the Truth: Country Music's Greatest Songwriters #4 Dolly Parton

Few performers in Country music can match the success and longevity that Dolly Parton has had. Almost no one has been as prolific as a songwriter. Her theme park, movie roles, and record sales often overshadow the fact that she has composed over 3,000 songs--including classics such as "Jolene," "I Will Always Love You," "Coat Of Many Colors," and "In The Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad)". 

It wasn't a rocket ride to stardom for Dolly, however, despite her distinctive soprano and Barbie doll image. For several years she performed with Porter Wagoner on his television show and as a recording partner, but a substantial solo hit eluded her. Finally she had an unexpected success with her version of Jimmie Rodgers' "Mule Skinner Blues," followed by her first number one single, "Joshua". From that point on the hits rarely ceased. 

"Jolene" was another massive hit for Dolly, and even crossed over onto the pop charts (a place she would revisit throughout her career). She composed "I Will Always Love You" for Porter Wagoner after dissolving their duo, which went to number one on the country charts and later became one of the biggest-selling singles ever when Whitney Houston recorded it. With the dawn of the 80's Dolly was starring in movies and recording increasingly Pop-oriented material, expanding her success exponentially. 

Her chart presence became more erratic during the late 80's and 90's, but she continued to release stellar work hearkening back to her country roots. Dolly has served as one of country music's greatest ambassadors, honoring its traditions while making it contemporary and attracting new audiences. Behind the image, the business savvy, and the celebrity is an artist who represents the best country music has had to offer in its storied history; one of the few true living legends.

Three Chords & the Truth: Country Music's Greatest Songwriters #5 Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe Shaver's songs may not have enjoyed as much commercial success as the other songwriters on this list, being a bit too rough around the edges for mainstream consumption,but when it comes to natural as dust songs and bullet-proof bravado, none can compare to Billy Joe. 

He was literally raised in Texas honky tonks (where his mother worked) but tried his hand at picking cotton, being a rodeo cowboy and working in a sawmill (where an accident caused the loss of two of his fingers) before ever picking up a guitar. Eventually making his way to Nashville (out of financial necessity rather than the pursuit of stardom), he landed a job as a songwriter. 

His first taste of success came courtesy of Waylon Jennings, who recorded an album's worth of his songs for Honky Tonk Heroes, which effectively started the Outlaw movement in country music during the 1970's. Soon other artists, including Bobby Bare, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley recorded Billy Joe's songs, leading to his own recording contract. His records failed to sell, however, due as much to bad record companies as his rough and ready vocal delivery and proclivity for hell raising.

He finally received his due as a songwriter in 1981 when John Anderson's version of "I'm Just An Old Chunk Of Coal" received CMA's Song of the Year. A series of personal setbacks--including the death of his son and band mate, Eddy, and the shooting of a man outside a bar (for which he was acquitted) did nothing to slow Shaver's output, which continued to earn him artistic and critical success, despite not making much of a dent on the charts. 

There are songwriters who have a bigger body of songs, but very few who maintained such a consistent standard of excellence. Whether it's been honky tonk or gospel, Billy Joe Shaver's songs have been both timely and enduring and always filled with world-weary poetry.

Three Chords & the Truth: Country Music's Greatest Songwriters #6 Kris Kristofferson

Kris Kristofferson's songs brought country music forward culturally and artistically in the 1970's, supplying it with literary credibility and rock 'r' roll swagger--and attracting a new audience in the process. He understood literary device--having obtained a Master's degree in Literature from Oxford--and he understood the common man--serving stints in the Army and as a janitor. He used a poetic approach, but relied on everyday imagery in his songs--effectively merging country with the counter culture (at a time when the two camps were idealistically, and sometimes violently, opposed).

 His first big break was when Roger Miller recorded three of his songs--including "Me And Bobby McGee"--in 1969. By 1970 he had a recording contract, and released his first album, comprised of his own versions of his songs. It was immediately evident that his voice was too rugged for the radio, and album sales were unremarkable. Still his songs continued to be hits for other artists, including Ray Price's rendition of "For The Good Times," the posthumous release of Janis Joplin's recording of "Me And Bobby McGee," and Johnny Cash's reading of "Sunday Morning Coming Down" (which caused some controversy because it featured the word "stoned," which Cash refused to edit).

His songwriting reputation finally paid off with his next release, The Silver Tongued Devil And I, which became a Top 10 hit. A romantic and creative partnership with Rita Coolidge finally established Kristofferson as a star, with the duo winning a Grammy. By this time both pop and country audiences were turned on to Kristofferson so he made the next logical leap--movies, co-starring with Hollywood notables such as Burt Reynolds and Barbara Streisand and working with legendary directors Sam Peckinpah and Martin Scorsese. 

Though his cinematic and musical success as a performer has been erratic since the 80's, Kristofferson has remained a constant presence in both mediums. His last commercial breakthrough came courtesy of his membership in The Highwaymen (alongside Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings), as his solo work has become increasingly personal and political. Over 450 artists have recorded his songs, making him one of the most popular songwriters in the 20th Century. Given the depth and quality of his compositions, it's likely Kristofferson's legacy should extend throughout the 21st Century as well.

Three Chords & the Truth: Country Music's Greatest Songwriters #7 Cindy Walker

Cindy Walker's songs, such as "Bubbles In My Beer," "Warm Red Wine" and "I Don't Care"  dominated honky tonks and barroom jukeboxes in the 1940's and 50's. But unlike many of the writers on this list, Walker didn't write from personal experience. Unlike what the lyrics of her song might suggest, Walker wasn't known to frequent bars--or even indulge in romantic entanglements--but she was known well (at least in musical circles) for her talent. 

Her songwriting career got off to an unlikely start. While visiting Los Angeles with her parents, they passed Bing Crosby's office. Cindy demanded that the family stop, and pitched as song she had written, "Lone Star Trail," to Bing's brother. The next day she was singing it in front of the crooner himself on a movie set, and he decided to record it. From there her songs made their way to stars such as Gene Autry, Eddy Arnold, Webb Pierce, and Bob Wills--who recorded several of her compositions. 

Walker herself had no desire for the limelight, and focused solely on her songwriting, contributing hits to Ray Charles, Dean Martin, Roy Orbison, Merle Haggard, and Willie Nelson (who recorded an entire album's worth of her songs in 2006. It's estimated that over 500 Cindy Walker songs have been recorded--and 400 of them were hits. Throughout her life and success she remained as unpretentious as her songs (which are a testament to "three chords and the truth").

Three Chords & the Truth: Country Music's Greatest Songwriters #8 Willie Nelson

If Willie Nelson had never left Nashville in the early 70's there's a chance he'd be one of the more obscure names on this list, rather than one of the most recognizable. Willie's songs were some of the most popular of the 50's and 60's, including such signature hits as "Crazy," "Hello Walls," "Funny How Time Slips Away," and "Family Bible"--each of which is a country classic. But though Willie wrote them, he didn't make them famous--and other artists success with them didn't succeed in making him a household name.

 Finally, frustrated that his own recordings were going practically unnoticed, Willie retired and moved back to Texas to try his hand at pig farming. In an unforeseen turn of events (some might call serendipity), Willie found himself at the center of a vibrant musical culture in Austin, which became the focal point of the Outlaw movement that would dominate country music for much of the 70's. 

Emancipated from the shackles of Nashville's creative and cultural conservatism, Willie made some of the most exciting music of any genre, revolutionizing country music in the process. Albums like Shotgun Willie and Phases And Stages provided him with artistic credibility, but the unlikely success of Red Headed Stranger catapulted him to star status. Suddenly Willie was in the position of drawing from other writers for hits, which he did to great effect on Stardust, a collection of jazz standards, which was another huge critical and commercial success for him.

 Willie became a less-prolific writer from the 80's on but maintained a rigorous touring and recording schedule. He is a country music legend and an American icon, with a list of career accomplishments that stretch almost as far as the miles he's traveled. And his songs, such as "Good Hearted Woman," "On The Road Again," and "Night Life"--in addition to the aforementioned classics--certify him as one of Country's all-time great songwriters.

Three Chords & the Truth: Country Music's Greatest Songwriters #9 Jimmie Rodgers

Acknowledged as "the father of country music," Jimmie Rodgers' songs  (composed over only a six- year span) provided the template for future greats such as Hank Williams, Lefty Frizzell, and Merle Haggard. Along with The Carter Family and Woody Guthrie, Rodgers sang about common people in a simple and profound way, never omitting the troublesome woes of poverty, injustice and vice. He was one of country music's first stars, and perhaps its very first folk hero.  

With the onset of the Great Depression--and the worsening condition of his tuberculosis--Rodgers never slowed his pace, still touring across the country and recording (even performing at fundraisers for the Red Cross to aid families afflicted by the Depression). Several of his best songs were written by Rogers himself, including "T For Texas," "Waiting For A Train," and "Muleskinner Blues". Had he lived past the age of 35 it's likely that he would have composed several more classics. As it stands, his compositions are among the most widely recorded and revered in the American songbook.