Tough Times For The New Traditionalists

You don't hear Country voices like Randy Travis on Country radio anymore. Hardcore traditional, it could only been successful in the 80's and 90's. But Country radio is more Pop/Country now and a 49 year old Old School guy like Travis has little chance of getting played unless he has a killer single. And even then the followups won't connect. Travis hasn't had a hit single since his last #1, "Three Wooden Crosses" in 2002. Part of it is Travis' fault, since he's made a bunch of Gospel records and hasn't courted Country radio in years. No other singer in the 80's took George Jones' vocal tics and ran with 'em like Travis did when he first appeared. Keith Whitley, the only other singer Travis' equal, was in the Haggard/Frizzell league. But Travis was all swoops and such when he sang.

On his first proper Country album in years, Around The Bend, Travis uses all his props to prop up an album full of average material. He's so good it almost works, even though the end result is a middling album in his catalog. Oddly the best song is a Bob Dylan cover. But without a clear cut classic this has little chance of getting played. Maybe "Dig Two Graves" can get on the air, and I hope I'm wrong about his radio blackout. Like another reviewer said, Travis just isn't getting pitched the songs that a George Strait is. Times are tough for the new traditionalists. They saved Country music in the 80's, but in the 00's the kids rule.