Laura asks Courtney:
When did you start getting into country music? What was the first country song to blow your mind?
About a year-and-a-half ago. I became friends with a band called The Merri Creek Pickers, and they introduced me to some of the best music ever made. At the time they were all obsessed with New Riders Of The Purple Sage and they did a mad cover of Somebody Robbed The Glendale Train.
If you were stuck on an island with a country artist who you had to reproduce with for the good of all mankind, who would you like that artist to be and why?
George Jones. But only if Tammy Wynette was there as well.
What song are you most looking forward to singing at the show?
A Girl Named Sue. It’s pretty much a rap song.
Johnny Cash has a box-set called Love God Murder. Which is your favourite subject of these three, when it comes to country songs?
Murder for sure. Every time.
If Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn were both hanging over a cliff and you had to let go of one to save the other, who would you save and why?
Well, I knew Dolly first and I’ve seen her live. I only discovered Loretta last year, but maybe her songs are a little better. Loretta has lived longer, but her first guitar was also a Harmony, like my guitar. I enjoy Dolly’s words-of-wisdom twitter posts, but Dolly had that awful early 80s period of country-pop disco music. Maybe I’d drop Dolly. I feel like there’s a lot more I need to get to know about Loretta. Oh the shame.
Let’s play an imaginary country song title game. Fill in the blanks.
I’m Sorry I ____ The _______ (But Let’s _____ The ______ ______ ______)
Nobody Touched My ____ Til I ____ On The ____
I’m Sorry I KISSED The MAYOR (But Let’s RAID The CITY HALL TONIGHT)
Nobody Touched My HEART Til I CRIED On The TRAIN.
Courtney asks Laura:
What happened to country music? (know what I’m sayin’?)
I assume you mean how come it’s all auto-tuned and gross these days, right? I have pondered this a little bit and never come to a resolution. I guess the bigger question is what happened to popular music in general? It’s predominantly auto-tuned and gross. Blame technology and bad taste. I try not to get too sad about it, ‘cos there is a wealth of great old country music out there just waiting to be listened to, unmuddied by computers set on fixing all imperfections.
What are your all-time top five country songs about booze?
There Stands The Glass, Webb Pierce
The Bottle Let Me Down, Merle Haggard
Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind), Loretta Lynn
You’re Still On My Mind, The Byrds
He Turned The Water Into Wine, Johnny Cash. (It’s about booze, right!?)
Would you rather: Slim Dusty singing Dusty Springfield, or Arthur Conan Hartnell acting out Doc Watson songs?
Who’s Arthur Conan Hartnell? I’m gonna go for Dusty on Dusty! I reckon that’d be weird and awesome.
What film is this from: “But I have to say my all–time favourite book is Johnny Cash’s autobiography, Cash by Johnny Cash“?
Why, that’s a Rob Gordon quote from High Fidelity, of course! The movie that made me want to immediately work in a record store and purchase Dylan’s Blonde On Blonde! (Two goals I totally achieved).
Why is country music called country music?
I guess because it came from the country? It’s not really a metropolitan kind of genre. I guess that’s what makes our show so exciting! Live country music with all the benefits of inner-city life just a stone’s throw away (trams, soy milk, late-night kebabs etc).
What are your all-time top five country songs about lyin’ and a-cheatin’?
You’ve Just Stepped In (From Stepping Out On Me), Loretta Lynn
While You’re Cheatin’ On Me, The Louvin Brothers
Cold, Cold Hands, Lawton Williams
Make Believe, Kitty Wells & Red Foley
Your Cheatin’ Heart, Hank Williams.
