Don't know if you've had to check it out yet, but we have this fancy-schmancy Grammy page up here.

You can listen to all of the songs that have nominated for Grammys, plus vote for who you think will win in each category.

Like I said, fancy-schmancy.

Personally, I'm not a big awards show guy.  I like what I like and watching my favorite artist win or not win a trophy isn't going affect my world one way or another.  Plus, there's 1989.

In 1989, I was quite the metal head.  Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, Megadeth, I was all about that (and admittedly, still enjoy some of those tune when I'm in a particularly foul mood).

In '89, metal was starting to gain more mainstream traction, as evidenced by the fact that Metallica was up for a Grammy award.  Their album at the time, "...And Justice for All" was a masterwork in the genre.  Their single "One" from the very same album received tons of airplay.  There was no way they wouldn't win, right?  Right?

Wrong.

So who did win?  Jethro Tull, that's who.

Not this guy's band:

Totally metal.  Look at that thing he's doing with his hand.

This guy's band:

Totally not metal.  Come on dude, woodwinds?

Look, I like Jethro Tull's music, but calling it metal is an unbelieveable stretch of the term in my book.

Seriously.  Listen to this:

Then this:

You tell me.  Which one sounds like a closer representation of metal to you?

"Terry, I am so not interested in reliving your Grammy outrage from 1989.  What the heck does this have to do with Country music?"

Good question.  I'm glad I asked it for you.

You see, just like metal, the definition for "country" is pretty loose and open to interpretation.  It could be that we're approaching a point where the labels are going to be rendered non-existant.

Bon Jovi put out a country tune or two.  Taylor Swift straddles the same line that Shania Twain did a few years ago.  If David Allan Coe and member of the now defunct heavy metal band Pantera put out an album, would it be country or metal?  [CAREFUL LISTENING TO THIS AT WORK OR AROUND YOUNG EARS!]

Well, whatever country is these days, we'll keep playing it for you in all its different styles and flavors.  The world's too big for narrow definitions.

Your Blog Keyword is "WDEZ15country".  It's good for 250 WDEZ Club Points until 1700 on 01/26/10.

Your TTPK Hint from Friday is "Wall Street".

Be Cool,

TS