Country Ain't For Y'All...least not Jessica Simpson

No doubt you have all seen reports of Jessica Simpson's ill-advised attempts to make it in country music. When I first saw her photographed with Carrie Underwood at a country music event earlier this year (Carrie Underwood: Carnival Ride - Best Country Album of the Year) I knew what was coming - a desperate attempt of Ms. Simpson and Daddy Jo to cash in on the supposed 'new found commercialism' of country music. Their cynical determination to make as much money as possible revealed itself this summer with Jessica Simpson starting to make 'country' appearances (she thinks cowboy boots and jean shorts are all it takes) and promote her new 'country' single (named after the Shania Twain album which hardly classifies as country either). So it calms me somewhat to see the country music folks defying the Simpson money making machine.

Country Mike made an excellent point in his June blog cunningly titled 'Simpson, go home' (yeehwaw!) when he stated:

"Former pop artists like Jewel, Darius Rucker and Michelle Branch of The Wreckers, have contributed positively to country music, and they can all be taken seriously as artists. Simpson, not so much."

You see, it's not just me that recognizes how incredible Jewel and Michelle B are! But anyway, it's hotting up again this week as Simpson was booed at her supposed 'first live country appearance'. She seemed to think justifying her right to be acknowledged in the genre would actually win the crowd over - but her reasoning that she was from Texas was hardly well considered. But we all remember that this girl doesn't know the difference between chicken, tuna and buffalo (she actually thought the latter have wings). So, whilst this might appear to be a bit of a bitch-fest, it's actually a stalwart defence of the country music genre that to some people, was and is a reason to exist. Country comes from your gut; it's not something you can pick up on Rodeo Drive with Daddy's credit card.

To reiterate Country Mike, Simpson GO HOME!

(Read a full review from Kenosha News Online here)