Rock Band Gone Country?
By JP • Sep 18th, 2008 • Category: News
Thanks to the eagle eye of Sayburr at the official Rock Band forums, it appears that Rock Band may be going country in the near future. Posted on the Rock Band website events section is a tour listing for country music artists Brooks & Dunn, it would seem as if some country DLC or expansion discs may be in Rock Bands future.
I may not be the biggest country music fan, but I’m all about divisification and I’m sure that there are a lot of Rock Band fans and future Rock Band players that would be very excited to see the inclusion of some country music in the game.
What do you think? Should Harmonix include country songs in Rock Band?
JP is hopelessly addicted to rocking out!
Email this author | All posts by JP
Cool! i know my wife & quite a few of her friends will be happy! I really think that they should come out with a new game for it tho! i think country band or summin like that would be cool! I dunno tho?! Rock seems to be more about the guitars n such & country seems to be more about the vocals. that just my opinion! & political views have nothing to do about that statement! i listen to both Rock & country! I will be set for life once RUSH comes out this up coming week! so everyone should be just as happy i think!
I’ve seen several websites confirming (or denying) the addition of Country Music as a possible format for downloads into Rock Band 2. Frankly, with the exception of ripxrush above, I have been appalled at the answers so far. First off, let me just say that I am a born and raised Texan with a deep rooted appreciation for Country Music. I have been employed at a local (Dallas) Country format radio station as well as a mobile DJ for the past 23 years.
Having said all that, I am a TRUE MUSIC lover, with a wide listening range that covers all genres. When I hear people say things like “cuntry sux”, or “I like all music but country”, not only does it expose them for their immaturity, but their lack of open-mindedness as well. Not all Country can be stuffed into the neat little Nashville/CMT package that most people deem it to be. Yes there are some pre-packaged, prefab acts that Music City shoves down our collective throats. But the same can be said for all kinds of music.
Just a scattershoot of artists that come to mind (both National and regional) that Harmonix could do a lot worse by not adding:
Brooks and Dunn - Sugarland - George Strait - Pat Green - Gary Allan - Montgomery Gentry - Keith Urban (hell of a guitar player) - Johnny Cash - Big & Rich - Cross Canadian Ragweed - Stoney LaRue - Randy Rogers Band - Jack Ingram - Dwight Yoakham - Kenny Chesney - Alan Jackson
Could there be others, definitely yes, but this would be a good starting point. As for the people that “hate Country”, I suggest you take another listen. The Country Music scene has changed vastly since the “Achy Breaky Garth Brooks Line Dance” days of the early 90’s.
Keep in mind that other genres, be they Country, R&B, Rap, etc, would be DOWNLOADS or possibly Jam Pack additional purchases. Not only would this be a economic boon for Harmonix to grab a new customer base, it would be a way for existing Rock Banders to avoid having to play “Learn to Fly” or “Maps” for the 3,000th time in a row.
Open your mind once in a while. You might be surprised what you’ll find out there.
boogiedj
Dallas/Ft Worth, TX
boogiedj: I couldn’t have said it any better.
Well said boogiedj. Country has made huge changes so much that some songs don’t even stick to the country radio stations. I for one would love to have Big and Rich Ballad of a Cowboy in rock band that would be sweet
That is fantastic as long as they make it for the PS2 also. I think it will be a great hit. They need to get a move on it!!!!
I was wondering if they are going to make a rock band that is nothing but country music though?
Yes they should definitely offer Rock Band in different genres. Country could add other instruments, perhaps violin to try to keep up with the Devil went down to Georgia, rap could add a turntable for example, Jazz with a Saxophone. I am sure they will think of something to make it different and apply to all genres. That would be really cool! They could really spread out and reach tons of new gamers! Too bad we can’t get credit for these ideas! Rock Band developers if you are reading this, get going, it would be a definite hit! I don’t like video games, but after trying Rock Band I can’t stop playing the game! Keep the track packs coming as we are still at PS2!
defenaly because alot of people listen to country music and i am a total freak about rockband but if there is going to be a rock band gone counrty wouldnt it be called counrty band???
I would LOVe to add Country to RB2! I would kill to be able to sing some Hank Williams classics (both Jr. and Sr.). Could you imagine singing Im so lonesome I could cry, I saw the light or even Kaw-Liga…
Not to mention some of the more famous Cash tunes. They could have tons of great music from all decades on there, much further backdated than rock updated to todays sound.
BTW, I also listen to everything from rap to R&B to heavy metal, so I’m not some biased yokel trying to impose my musical will on others, just looking for some variety…