Trout's Country Music Awards rocked, but the elephant in the room was the Bakersfield Sound generation gap
I thought maybe some of the last bands and artists to have recorded
at the old Buck Owens Studios (aka Fat Tracks/Pig Studios) would have
showed up to honor the living legends that have contributed, in
collosal ways, to the Bakersfield Sound.
They were conspicuously absent. I'm sure they were all very busy. I've been busy myself, and haven't always attended functions that have honored the pioneers, the past they represent, and rich heritage. they have brought, and continue to bring, to this community.
I was about the youngest one there, with, perhaps one or two exceptions. That's pretty sad. The elephant in the room was the phenomenon I call the Bakersfield Sound generation gap. At least 2 generations were missing in inaction at the 2nd Annual Bakersfield Country Music Awards.
The 50 to 100-year-olds put my generation, and younger, to shame, with their heart-felt appreciation for the givers that keep giving, whose legacies are forever etched in stone in the very heart of Bakersfield.
I guess old guys do rule (and old gals too). They certainly know how to honor their own. My generation (with notable exceptions) has cut itself off from its roots, and we wonder why a musical identity crisis has ensued.
This trend appears even more pronounced in the very town that gave birth to the likes of Homer Joy, Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Billy Mize, Sonny Langley, Red Simpson, and the many other Bakersfield Sound pioneers, many of who were the honorees of the evening.
I'll get off my soapbox now. After all, I live in a glass house (well, at least the windows are glass), and I certainly don't want to come home to find them shattered.
50 Cent, you've got nothing on Terry Keplinger (pictured here), and
the Fifty Buck Band. They brought the rafters down at my favorite
honky tonk, Trout's on North Chester Avenue, in Bakersfield California
as they introduced the 2nd Annual Country Music Awards.
bakersfield californian story by Joe Boesen
Rockwell was a terrific, affable host, and MC, once again. But the show was all about the honorees, and their legacies, both individually, and collectively, and, in that respect, these kings of Kern County country really shined.
As for the food, well, it wasn't anything too fancy, but, if you're a mid-western, meat and potatoes guy, and you were sick of beef, this ham dish was just the ticket. It could have used one more item on the plate and a desert, but that would have caused me to be even more of a pig than I already am.
I met Monty Byrom for the first time. The Bakersfield Life took our picture together, and he said, "I've only known this guy for about 5 minutes." I told Monty that "the value of my CD's just doubled." I met Sonny, and we talked about what seem to be good prospects for a forthcoming interview. I had a brief, but rewarding talk with Red Simpson, and was inspired to write anew tribute to him called Turning Red.
It was a great time had by all. It was a great opportunity for the new generation to follow the example of the drummer from Sum 41 (I believe his name is Steve Jocz, who jumped at the opportunity to play on a tribute to Buck Owens performed at the 2006 Country Music Awards.
Unfortunately, for the youth missing in inaction, it was a missed
opportunity. Some of these cats won't be around too much longer. I'd
like to assure you that there will be plenty of opportunitiees to mingle
with the Kern County country kings again in the future, but that's a
promise I can't make.
Hi Bruce! I couldn't agree more. The strange thing is, is that for most central valley Gen-Xers and Gen-Yers, we grew up listening to the radio hits of the very same people honored at this celebration. I, for one, find those memories and songs endearing. I'm all for moving forward with new and exciting music, but we need not ever forget where we come from!
On a side note, had I had more than just a few moments break for a restroom or drink, I would have introduced myself to you. However, Terry Keplinger & The Fifty Buck Band kept me very busy on the drums that night, for which I am honored to have been given the chance to perform and pay homage to some of my heroes.
Thank you for well-written article on a topic that hits all too close to home for me!
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I greatly appreciate your comments, Landon. Your sentiments were very well stated, and echo those of my own.
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History has been passed down from generation to generation not only through story telling, but through song. Bakersfield Sound is a great example of this history. It is important for us to bridge generation gaps in order to preserve the integrity of monumental pieces of history; such as breakthrough music. Without understanding, and appreciating our history we narrow our views on the present and future. I can relate to this article through my own history. My family is Scottish and we have been raised to be very proud of this. As a child my grandparents loved to tell our family tree history. Being Scot's you can't avoid bagpipes! When I got married this past October as a tribute to my own heritage I had my family's tartan colors wrapped around my flowers and a Bagpiper led me down the aisle. I will do as my grandparents did and continue to preserve our history with my own children. I hope that Bakersfield Sound Underground succeeds in bridging the gap between the past and the present. The only outcome there can be, is some amazing music.
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I think that there are a few reasons why younger generations do not always take the opportunity to meet and learn about those of older generations that may have paved the way for them, (whether it is in the career they have chosen or withing their own family history). I think in many cases younger people may not have a real knowledge of those that paved the way for them. If they do not know the history then they may not have a vested interest in learning even more. Also, I think many younger people don't have a real appreciation for the fact that these pioneers are not going to be around forever. When you are young you may not have lost an older loved one and you don't necessarily have a great understanding that some people may not be around a few years (or even a few months) from now. I know I have tried to instill in my kids the concept of appreciating their grandparents and other family members and enjoying the time they get to spend with them because these people are not always going to be around. I think they get the message because they do take advantage of the opportunities they are given. The truly sad part is when a person puts off spending time with an older person and then the older person passes away before they get to connect. I think the best thing we can do is to continue to make available the opportunity for younger generations to get to know the older generations and hope that some will go for the chance.
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Great responses. Very insightful and highly thoughtful. Keep 'em coming. Isn't it cool to be a part of something underground?
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The layering of music,(or culture for that matter) one generation on top of the other, seems to me to be an inherent part of the flow that is life. Within that flow it would be nice if we honored what came before us, gave credit where credit is due, but it seems that our eyes are more on the future than the past.
And yet, I think that indirectly the honor is still being paid to those who came before us. In fact it seems to me that we're living in an age of remakes. Old movies and old songs are filling the theaters and our i pods.
I'm not so sure that Gen-Xers and Gen-Yers are 'cutting themselves off from their roots.' They may not be showing up at the tributes, but it seems that they're showing up in the studios and offering their own personal tribute to the generations that went before them.
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You make a very important point. I think there is a nature longing to turn to our past, and to our past influences, but sometimes, while borrowing generously from the past, we forget to honor those who paved the way for the very road upon which we travel.
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Identity formation starts in childhood and it goes into adulthood. Identity forms when someone is a teenager. They experience growth and sexual maturation and career choices. They have to take their past experiences and characteristics and turn them into a stable identity. Sometimes people go through identity crisis. They are confused about their identity. They don’t know who they are. I am a strong person. I have determination. I enjoy my life now and live every day to the fullest. I had a lot of health problems when I was little and it shape my identity. I know who I am as a person because of my past experience. It’s sad that the younger generation didn’t come out to the awards show. The older generation knows who they are and what music they like. They came out to have fun. The younger generations probably don’t know their musical identity. I think that the younger generation should come out and enjoy the music. We should experience different music because music is a part of our lives.
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