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The country music phenomena has become popular throughout the years and has changed in many ways. Today's view of country music is very different from when it originated as well as the view of artists in the business. Since country music itself is a large business, we can look at it as another pop culture item which draws us in and keeps our attention based on how the business has changed throughout the years. Country Music Television has been a country based channel which shows music videos, interviews with artists as well as footage from various tours. I believe that CMT has also changed throughout the years as to how they view the country music genre. [|CMT.]
 * History of country music and artists involved in it.[|Pop Culture Country Music]

Country music, like rock music before it via MTV, uses music video to establish artists' images and sell their music. New country artists can "go cut an album,produce a couple of videos . . . and they've got national exposure" ( Pinkston,1997, p. 2E). Country music videos are found primarily on two networks: Country Music Television (CMT), an all-video format that is seen in 38 million TV homes nationwide and reaches into 56% of all cable TV households, and The Nashville Network (TNN), which plays about 2 hours of videos each day and reaches 68 million U.S. households ( "When the Dust Settles", 1997). CMT remains one of the few all-music, all-the-time channels on the cable roster, with industry stalwarts such as MTV and VH-1 opting for a mix of video and original programming. Nielsen figures indicate that CMT viewers spend more time watching than viewers of either of the other two channels. The average CMT viewer watches 2 hours and 25 minutes during an average week, thus beating out VH-1 by 77 minutes and MTV by 13 minutes ( CMA Marketing, 1998). The average CMT viewer is a married,White, female homemaker between the ages o f 35 and 45, with some college education ( //Country Music Television//, 1997). = = = = = =

**Response 10: What would Gaunt say about Country music**?
5-2-10 //Gaunt// can relate the culture and “games black girls play” to how country music is organized today. Just as black girls “generate and pass on a unique repertoire of chants and embodied rhythms in their play that both reflects and inspires the principles of black popular music-making”, so do white country music artists (1). The country music industry is primarily white and Caucasian dominated. The only African American artists in country music are Darius Rucker and Cowboy Troy. Cowboy Troy sings his lyrics in more of a rap manner whereas Darius Rucker sings in a usual slower rhythmic tone. The hip-hop and R&B music industry is also primarily black. //Gaunt// would also notice that there are also very few white rappers. //Gaunt// could see just as “black musical style and behavior are learned through oral-kinetic practices that not only teach an embodied discourse of black musical expression, but also inherently teach discourse about appropriate and transgressive gender and racial roles”, country music artists also learn from past artists and those who were the first to perform country music (3). Country music artists also are very expressive by the rhythm, lyrics and instruments used to perform their songs. Many up-beat country and even blue grass songs have a rhythm which can be compared to the rhythm of the music-making games that black girls play.

//Gaunt// could also notice that as “the games black girls play as lessons in black musical style, where performances function as musical scripts for behavior” can also relate to how a new artist may look at one who has been performing for quite some time. The new artist may look at the artists that are more rebellious such as Justin Moore, Eric Church and Montgomery Gentry and understand that it is alright to sing about what is really on your mind and show your true attitude about certain things. The new artist may also look at the traditional singers such as George Strait, Josh Turner and Conway Twitty, and see that they should show a softer side of them to try to win over audiences and appeal in a neutral manner. “The expressive realm of “kinetic orality” of relatedness to one another; performances of race, ethnicity, and gender are embodied through song, chant, and percussive movement”, is also relatable to country music. Each country music artist has their own story but yet can relate to another singer or audience member based on their lyrics or life experiences (3). However, //Gaunt// would notice that race or ethnicity isn’t often touched upon when country music artists sing and perform. The major point which is emphasized would be gender. Many artists may sing about a girl, a best friend or a family member which touched their lives. Many artists may be looked at as story tellers and that they are the grandfather or male figure in the business or family of country music. As “African American girls embody the ideals of black music-making in the games they play: syncopation and rhythmic complexity spark handclapping and foot-stomping”, similarly it can be related to the older country tunes of Hank Williams III or even Little Big Town that have many upbeat tones and rhythms which include handclapping and a foot-stomping beats (2). Some country music artists who perform more A cappella, such as Little Big Town, Dixie Chicks, and Gloriana, can relate to the “linguistic and musical interactions between their voices and bodies in group play” (2).

Works Cited Gaunt. //Introduction//. The Games Black Girls Play. Print

"She is dressed in leather and wields a spear that she holds in front of her, daring anyone to approach" (75). The previous statement is empowering as "she represents a change that has occurred in the word of action figures" (75). Similar to the action figure industry, //Inness// could see how the idea of strong women has become a theme in the country music industry as well. For example Miranda Lambert sings about gun power and lead and how she wants to get back at a man who was violent towards her. If Miranda Lambert were to have a action figure, I think she would be based off of the Bratz doll. .media type="youtube" key="0XYh_NhQAkQ" height="257" width="428"
 * Response 9: What would Inness say about Country Music?

//Inness// has seen that "action girls, [who] more [resemble] G.I. Joe than Barbie-have the licensing power today" (76). Although Miranda does have blond hair, wears make up and is pretty, she doesn't fit the Barbie persona that she is innocent and fragile. Miranda has an attitude which many girls would want and that to be an individual and even though you are a girl, to be who you want to be. //Inness// would also see how Gretchen Wilson does look closer to the G.I. Joe action figure than the Barbie doll. Gretchen also sings about how men shouldn't be glad we aren't all California girls and that there are girls who aren't a size zero and haven't had plastic surgery but yet know how to rock a guys world. Gretchen does have the visual appeal and looks to draw audience in, which I think make them think about her lyrics more because she just isn't sitting around looking pretty. Her music style isn't a pretty music melody, its more of a country rock, women kick ass kind of feel. The make up and bikini look does go with how women are seen as objects of beauty and sexual objects. However, Gretchen wrote this song with a purpose. Gretchen has said, "**I think that's why I write songs like "California Girls" and "Redneck Woman" because I get so irritated with people trying to measure up to what other people or society thinks they should be. And I'm not just talking about women, thinking that we should all be 6-feet tall and blonde and size zero. That's not what I'm talking about. A lot of men, too, grow up thinking they need to be a certain thing or fit a certain mold. I think if you're happy with yourself when you wake up every morning, then what else do you need to do?" She too has seen a pattern in society of how women and men are and is trying to go out of the mold and live her life and spread awareness of how to be your own person.


 * media type="youtube" key="Z6nygPJMNBU" height="303" width="383"

//Inness// could also see how each figure, either Barbie or Bratz, can "create new images for women of what it means to be powerful' (76). Barbies of country music can include, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Pickler, and Faith Hill. The Barbies can stand for power through beauty and looks. Whereas the Bratz figures can relate to Miranda Lambert, Gretchen Wilson and Ashton Shepherd who all are the rougher side of country and show a sassy, rebellious and powerful side of them along with femininity. The country music Barbies would have accessories such as makeup and hair accessories that go with evening gowns and high heals. The Bratz figure of country music would relate more to the G.I. Joe figure and may include a horse, guitar, gun, and possible ATV to accent a baseball cap or cowboy hat along with jean, jean shorts. The Bratz doll of country music would also have optional makeup and hair accessories. The male country action figure would also have special accessories such as camouflage, a gun, hunting equipment, a possible horse or dog, a truck and most important, a guitar. //Inness// makes a good point that "Barbie, G.I. Joe, and other dolls and action figures create a gender-divided universe in which boys and girls learn about their differences, not their similarities" (79). However, //Inness// may see that in country music, the tougher women may be more comparable to men because they go out of gender norms. The tough country women do sing about violence just as frequent as the male country singer does. The violence a male artist sings about isn't always violence directed towards a woman in general.

Works Cited

Inness, Sherrie A. It's a Girl Thing: Tough Female Action Figures in the Toy Store. Chapter 3. Print.

Response 8: What would Inness say about Country Music?** As //Inness// has seen the “anti-Barbie” through the American Doll collection, //Inness// could also see how Country music relates to as well as contradicts the “anti-Barbie” look as well. As Inness has said, “the consumer can choose from a wide variety of skin, hair, and eye color combinations, thus personalizing the doll and presumably making her look as much like the owner as possible”(165). Each country music consumer can also idolize a singer and find one which can relate to the consumer the most. However, there aren’t African American nor Asian country singers. The only Native American singer may be thought as Neal McCoy, however he is half Philippine. There also aren't any Latin or Hispanic country music singers. So girls with this racial background must pick a Caucasian singer. Country music singers may not market “high-quality toys and accessories for young girls that really delivers on the promise to entertain and educate” (166). Many artists such as Miranda Lambert, Gretchen Wilson, and Jo Dee Messina “promote empowering images of girls”. They are educated females that show it is okay to strong woman who is independent. Although Gretchen Wilson dropped out of school at an early age, she has chosen to get her G.E.D. as a good role model to her daughter. She wanted to further her current educational level so she can help her daughter with her school work in the future and didn't want to look ignorant in her daughters eyes. County music also has important messages that convey “socialization of girls today” (167). Some girls may socialize with their best friend, a group of friends or just have guy friends. Country music also portrays the idea that girls are not always best friends and to look out for the other female who will compete with you for a man. As Carrie Underwood sings about a girl who gets revenge on her boyfriend who cheated on her with another girl, this other girl is also portrayed as a weak woman who does anything to get attention from a guy at the bar. Country music artists do have more of a fashion sense these days that makes a statement. Just like The American Girls Collection, “there are also lovable dolls that have beautiful clothes and lots of wonderful accessories” (168). Female country artists are just like us and like makeup and shoes as well as many guitars to accessorize with. //Inness// would notice that there is a country music Barbie doll. Instead this Barbie doll is called Country Rock Barbie Doll. So the idea of being a country star is also related to the rock star look and lifestyle. Country Rock Barbie, sadly, only comes with a microphone and mirror. She also wears white ankle high boots, with jean capri's and a plaid patterned halter top. She is also a blond and sports a belt and guitar necklace. Where's the guitar? The fact that there is no instrument what so ever, makes it look like a less talented Barbie to me and just a singer. Most country music stars at least know how to play the guitar and piano and also learn how to play the fiddle, mandolin and banjo. This Country Rock Barbie doll makes it look like a girl only needs to look pretty with long hair, makeup and a good outfit to be considered a singer or even make it in the industry. The talent or means if getting your name out there in the business when starting out isn't even considered with this Barbie. Country Rock Barbie also doesn't come with a manager, tour bus, groupies or even sound and stage equipment.

//Inness// would find this interesting that this Barbie is blond and many country artists aren’t always blond. For example Gretchen Wilson, Reba McEntire, and Karen Fairchild are either brunet or redheaded. Many don’t play guitar as well. The older Barbie figure in country music may be seen as Dolly Parton. Dolly has blond hair, big boobs, short stature, wears make up, sings and is very pleasant. Dolly Parton does sing a song called backwoods Barbie. The lyrics are below.

just a backwoods Barbie.
//Inness// would see how Dolly says it all and that even though the females may be all glamored up with make up and false eye lashes, they still want to prove that they are a true person with feelings and that the image needs to be taken away to prove that they are just like an ordinary girl. Just like The American Girls Collection, Country music "despite its positive qualities, still suggests numerous traditional ideas about how girls and women should act, behave and look" (170). Country music does show that girls should wear makeup and look somewhat appealing, but another side of country music is girls being independent from a man and living their dream of having a singing career. Artists may also want to go against traditional values and show that women can make their lives to be what they want and not follow society.

Works Cited Inness, Sherrie A. Anti-Barbies. //The American Girls Collection and Political Ideologies.// Print.

Response 7: What would Heilman and Donaldson say about Country Music?
4/3/10 //Heilman// and //Donaldson// could also see how sexism exists in country music as well and that "the meaning of gender can be dynamic and multiple" (140). Also that"part of the pleasure comes from the comfort of the stereotypes and the recognizable character types and situations" (140). As it is a stereotype that a rock star would be male, the vision of a country music artist can also be a male figure. Supporting a popular male artist may make a fan, male or female, feel more of a connection to the country music genre more than a female artist could. The female may have an attraction to the male artist, whereas the male may enjoy the music based on the feeling and envy he may have from an artist.Male artists may sing about the women who have come into their lives and women may want to be like that and be idolized or even thought of in a special way in which they don't in their current relationship.

//Heilman and Donaldson// may also see how artists can be sexist but also how some give off a feminine vibe. Many male artists sing about the woman in their lives whether it is their mother or their lover and how they are the best, and make them want to be a man because everything about them is perfect and how lucky they are to have this woman in their lives. //Heilman and Donaldson// can see that fans may look and see this as a feminist point that these women have control over a man and make him think, talk or act a certain way. It can also be looked at as a situation where the male wouldn't be anything without the female in their lives, literally or for a self value.

However //Heilman and Donaldson// would also see how men sing about or portray women in their music videos as sexist points or objects. The women are often dressed in minimal clothing, wearing makeup or acting innocent and unintelligent like. It is rare to have a male artist make an album and not mention a female figure or have a song about a woman. Many music videos in country music show how hard work is done and that it is done by the men and that the women do the rewarding and do not get rewarded after a hard day of work. These may also be scenes just like in //Harry Potter// which “excludes women from situations that require leadership” (154). Females can be the overall bread winner in a relationship and it is rare for a male country music artist to be caught singing about how he is dependent upon his woman with a better job who supports him. Country music videos also portray the male artist as being handsome, muscular with a Casanova like impression who can take over a female.

Works Cited Heilman, Elizabeth E. and Donaldson, Trevor. //From Sexist to (sort-of) Feminist Representations of Gender in the Harry Potter Series//. Chapter Eight. Print.

Response 6:What would Zipes say about Country Music?
4/3/10

//Zipes// could see how country music can affect “standards and taste that adults create for youth culture in the West” (1). Country music artists are changing what teenagers as well as what adults listen to. The redneck era has come back in full swing and has gotten fans excited to be a part of a culture that doesn’t care what other people think of them along with living a life with real worries and life problems. After carefully looking at the country music industry, //Zipes// could see that it also can be classified as “ordinary and yet” has “become extraordinary” (3). The way country music has changed from its original look and name, could be looked as an ordinary music genre but yet an extraordinary business it has become over time. The transition from ordinary to extraordinary does make us also “admire, worship and idolize” it(2). Many artists just like the author, //J.K. Rowling//, have rags-to- riches stories and have shown an unexpected transformation by overcoming hardships to turn their lives into the extraordinary. Country music also challenges the conventional idea and also supports it at the same time. //Zipes// could see that new artists such as //Josh Turner, Gloriana, Laura Bell Bundy and Justin Moore//, may be seen as conventional artists because they sound like a similar seasoned country artist, they focus on looks and try to appeal to certain audiences or because they label themselves as a country artist so they are a part of this great phenomena. All in all, they may try to be phenomenal because they are conforming to the tastes of country music fans.

//Zipes// would also say that some country music artists go against the conventional ideals as they are original and have individuality in the business. Non-conventional artists may be known as //Sugarland//, //Reba McEntire, Waylon Jennings, and Gretchen Wilson.// These artists did have to make their own name and start their career out by themselves and may have been discovered by other big name artists. The fact that women are making their own name in country music goes against patriarchal values in a way because they are the ones making the money and gaining power over men. //Zipes// could see that the typical rock star would be a male figure, but yet has changed as females are changing the music business. J ust as //Rowling// portrayed //Harry Potter// as vulnerable and powerless, //Zipes// can connect how //Harry Potter// relates to children his age and how //Taylor Swift and Gloriana// also relate to teenagers their age and draw them in through their music and lyrics. Just as //Harry// deals with “issues of abandonment, loneliness, and alienation”, so have teenagers and other adult fans who can relate to the stories that artist share through their songs(8).

Works Cited

Zipes, Jack. //Sticks and Stones//. 2001. Print.

**Response 5:What would Schrum say about country music?**
3/14/10 After reading //Schrum’s// article entitled, __Teena Means Business__, I can see different connections as to what she would have to say about country music. As //Schrum// has seen //Seventeen// magazine develop teenage girls as consumers of the magazine and the products advertized within its covers, teenage girls are also consumers of country music. Not only do country music artists market their music, but also their style and looks. Various country music artists are also paid to market clothing lines as well as cosmetics. For example the country music group Rascal Flatts, has signed a contract with the American Living clothing line by JC Pennys to market their brand name throughout their Unstoppable tour.[|Rascal Flatts and JC Penny] By visiting the website, you have a chance to win tickets as well as sweepstakes prizes. The 2010 Rascal Flatts tour will focus on the retailer’s affordable all-American lifestyle brand developed exclusively for its customers by Polo Ralph Lauren’s Global Brand Concepts. Many of these ads are in various magazines marketed to teens since it is a more affordable line. Their album cover may also be shown as an incentive to go out and purchase the recent record. Teenage girls are consumers of virtually anything out there today from billboards ads, magazine ads, and even ads in bathroom stalls.

Just as //Seventeen// magazine tries to reach out to teenage girls to suit their needs, in a way, musical artists do the same. //Schrum// could see that many artists aim to reach out to their young audience members and relate to them in a certain way based on their lyrics. For example, Taylor Swift is one country music artist that may relate to teenagers the most since she is a teen and trying to live a normal life outside of her music career. Taylor Swift just happened to be on the cover of //Seventeen// magazine June of 2008. Her article within the magazine included an exclusive interview where Taylor dishes on the boys behind her songs, feeling like an outsider at school, and why music is so important to her. On //Seventeen//’s website, the Taylor Swift online issue allows a sneak peak to a video of Taylor as she tells you how to get her signature curls in this exclusive behind-the-scenes video at her cover shoot. Taylor also shares how she one day didn't like her curly hair and wanted straight hair like everyone else, yet she says even though you don't have what everyone else has, its isn't always bad and that you just need to work with it. You can also rate her dresses she has warm to various award shows, download her favorite playlists, and also get a special chance to get to know the girl behind the music. media type="youtube" key="p4R-IaxyVnQ" height="385" width="480"

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Taylor also goes on in the video above, how she just signed a contract to promote L.e.i. jeans and what her favorite cut of jean is. //Schrum// could clearly see how this is another marketing tool aimed towards teenage consumers. By using a product marketed by a celebrity, does one necessarily become more fond of the certain celebrity, //Schrum// would think so. If a teenage girl is pulled into Taylor Swifts personal style, she would then pay more attention to Taylor Swift as an artist as well since she has been affected by specific marketing techniques.

Even today, //Seventeen// is still trying to be “the voice of the aggregate population of teenage girls” and has “declared itself the cultural mediator between the American teenage girl and advertisers, manufacturers, and mass media” (139). //Seventeen// has said to be a magazine about making its readers “better teenagers rather than instant adults” by interviewing various aspiring actors and singers who are teenagers(139). However, this isn’t reality and I don’t believe that there is anything mentioned about going to school one day, getting a good job or having a serious occupation. It seems to be the latest and greatest gossip and tips from a popular figure in the eyes of a teenager. //Schrum// could also see themes including sexuality, fashion, cosmetics as well as how to pick the right boy coming from a teenage country music star such as Taylor Swift who can relate to this generation and therefore market products effectively. Works Cited Schrum, Kelly. //__Teena Means Business__//. Print

=Response 4:What would Hager say about country music?= 3/7/10 As //Hager// has studied the cartoon Powerpuff Girls and their whole contribution to challenging stereotypical notions of gender, she may also see that their ideals of feminine strength, sexuality and agency are also shown in female country music stars. Female country music stars can be great role models to younger females and seen as superheroes as they can show that they have a place in the country music business as well as power. Even the young country music stars such as Taylor Swift and Gloriana, show sexuality in a way that is appealing to consumers. Female country singers can also identify with different personality styles just like the Powerpuff Girls. Each personality style still represents a different type of power within the business as well as showing strength and sexuality. For example if you can relate to a more tough-fighter, redneck-party-girl. who doesn’t care what anyone else thinks, you can relate to Gretchen Wilson. Gretchen Wilson can relate to Buttercup as she is law-breaking and likes to get dirty like the boys. If you relate to Miranda Lambert, you are most likely sweet on the outside but a strong fire and ice personality on the inside. The sweeter and good hearted Bubbles can relate to Taylor Swift who can be known for her young appeal and innocent looks. Faith Hill can be related to the character Blossom as both are the stereotypical bossy and goody-goody type. Even though these women show different personalities, their power in the business is reflected upon based on their music, performing and song writing capabilities. They can keep up with the boys and still show individual styles and looks.

// Hager// may agree that all female country artists aren’t “perfect little girls” (66). Female country artists can both appeal to females and males. The females may enjoy the power and confidence portrayed by the artists and males may be attracted to the sexuality that is given off by looks of the artists. This relates to Buttercup’s counter narrative to this acceptance of “feminine sexuality as the girls’ greatest weapon against their male counterparts”(73). Although male country artists do have different looks and personalities which attract fans in a different way, sexuality is a special power which female artists have over the males. In general, country music fans may find lyrics of a song and the stories behind them appealing and can be related to their own lives. Females can relate to how a singer/song-writer was introduced into the business, their life stories and how and where they grew up in our country. //Hager// could see how female country music stars do have to “negotiate between their opposing identities as little girls and superheroes” and grow up no matter how young or old they are to balance their lives in the spotlight aside from being a mother, wife, high school student, or thriving adult in society. Female artists have to struggle more to balance life away from home and family because they have the stereotype of being the homemaker, cook, cleaner, and to raise and take care of the children. Female artists have to fight this stereotype as well as making her own name in the country music business and thrive off of it. They constantly have to believe that what they are doing is right as it may be more acceptable for a male to leave his family and go on tour than a female.

Works Cited Hager, Lisa. //Saving the World Before Bedtime: The Powerpuff Girls, Citizenship, and the Little Girl Superhero.// __Project Musse__. Children's Literature Association. 2008

= = =Response 3:What would Parsons say about country music?= 2/21/10 As //Parsons// has made a point that fairy tales market the idea of women being dependent upon the prince or male figure, //Parsons// point would both agree with and contradict points about the fairy tale life described within country music. As //Parsons// has said, fairy tales are sites for construction of appropriate gendered behavior and perpetuate cultural norms (135). //Parsons// also says that a primary goal of gender construction in patriarchal culture is to prepare young girls for romantic love and heterosexual practices. When looking at country music, //Parsons// can see that various female artists such as Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood have written songs about finding or waiting for the perfect prince in life for them. However, //Parsons// could see that Taylor Swift writes about how life isn't a fairy tale and that shes not going to wait for her prince anymore because he let her down.[|Taylor Swift] Taylor has gone against the gender appropriated behavior by realizing that life isn't a fairy tale and that shes not going to suffer to wait for a man who won't treat her well. //Parsons// would see how Taylor isn't waiting to be chosen by a prince and shes taking matters into her own hands, leaving on her own as its too late for him and his white horse to come get her. media type="youtube" key="D1Xr-JFLxik" height="295" width="480"

//Parsons// could also see how Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood go against the "script" that fairy tales constitute. As they are a kind of "script" for acceptable forms of feminine and masculine behavior and they facilitate the production of such behavior by "creating positions to occupy"(136), Miranda and Carrie have written songs that go against an appropriate feminine behavior and are saying how men are liars and cheaters and what they would do to them in such situations. Artists such as Carrie and Miranda can show other females that it's okay to stand up for yourself to get the right treatment from a man. They also have written how their men don't know what women are capable of when they find out that their man has been cheating on them. They aren't being portrayed as the poor victim, they are taking matters into their own hands and seeking revenge. //Parsons// could see that even though they are being seen as powerful, a powerful female is most often ugly if not evil (138). But in this case, these women aren't ugly.

Although these female artists are young beautiful women, they go against patriarchal values as fairy tales in the patriarchal tradition portray women as weak, submissive, dependent, and self-sacrificing, while men are powerful, active and dominant (137). Artists such as Gretchen Wilson as well as Miranda Lambert portray a look as tough women who are in control and are trying to be more powerful and dominant than men. //Parsons// could see a pattern happening how the female artist in country music has been writing lyrics about men and how to avoid them and be aware of them as to what they are capable of doing in a negative sense. As in Carrie Underwood's Cowboy Casanova song, she is saying how you can be addicted to a mans love even though he may be a Casanova or a player as described in today's society. [|Cowboy Casanova] //Parsons// can see Carrie also saying that even though you see a man that is appealing as a prince type, to be cautious and in a way mistrustful of them even though fairy tales put trust into males princes. As Taylor Swift has written about how life isn't a fairy tale, she just recently wrote another song about today being a fairy tale. So //Parsons// may not be able to understand her and where she is coming from if her happiness is just situational just like in fairy tale events. [|Today was a fairy tale] In this new song of Taylor's, //Parsons// could see how Taylor is describing a man who is fulfilling her happiness and makes her feel a certain way when he kisses her and how she found love when he came around. This may be saying as though her life wasn't as clear or meaningful with out a man in her life. //Parsons// can maybe see how Taylor is sounding like just another fairy tale girl who believes that everything his says and does its right and that he made her have a clearer vision as though she wasn't smart enough before meeting him.

Works Cited Parsons, Linda T. //Ella Evolving: Cinderella Stories and the Construction of Gender-Appropriated Behavior//. __Children's__ __Literature in Education__.Vol 35. Human Sciences Press, Inc., 2004. =Response 2:What would Mary Celeste Kearney say about country music?= 2/2/10 In relation to country music, //Kearney// would have a lot to say concerning the idea of “the emergence of girls as cultural producers" (285). The idea that female artists are providing young adult females with a vision of how they should be is also important and relates to “producing girls”. As //Kearney// states that she would “first analyze the contemporary depiction of girls in mass-produced teen magazines, as those representations provide one way of understanding the construction of contemporary modes of female adolescence and girls’ culture”. Female country music artists have been featured on the cover of teen magazines and have had large articles written about them. Many of the newer artists, such as Taylor Swift, are a large part of pop culture and do relate to the production of pop culture as well as the consumption. From records, clothing, fashion, and other memorabilia, fans can obtain any look which they favor, support and live their life by. How female teenagers view country music artists does tell us what this generation’s needs are and what they are getting from this music genre. Although Taylor swift or Carrie Underwood happen to be females who are a part of today's pop culture scene, they are more than icons to look up to and have interest in, they are showing that they are contributing to the business and production of country music in a positive way by drawing in a new generation that may have never been introduced to the country music genre before. These women are being creative artists and appealing to a female generation that may get more meaningful material from this genre than from any other such as rap, hip-hop, pop or rock.

From //McRobbie and Garber//’s study, they focused “specifically on girls’ teenybopper culture, they demonstrated that female youth culture, unlike its male counterpart, is connected more to family, domesticity, and romance and, therefore, offers girls different possibilities for resisting social expectations” (288). Many female country artists have written and perform songs about the average teenager who isn’t perfect and how life actually is in an imperfect world. //Kearney// would say that many girls are attracted to these artists as they can relate directly to the lyrics and emotions being portrayed in the song. An idea of how life, love and the future will be is appealing to those who don't know life experiences yet and can relate to the singer/songwriter and other fans. The idea of femininity is also portrayed as well as independence among women. //Kearney// would have to disagree with scholars who produce the idea “understanding that adults are the only producers of culture and girls are capable only of consumption” (289). Girls can produce a cultural phenomenon that adults don’t even realize or know about. As //Kearney//’s //“//point is not to privilege girls’ productive activities as a somehow inherently more progressive, revolutionary, or unalienated practice than their practices of consumption” (289). The idea of consumption and production are interdependent.

The way girls consume country music is a culture in itself and relates more directly to each individual and not just the cohort of female teenagers. The trends that teenagers start can relate to either what they see an artist wearing or doing. What they consume also tells us what they are looking for and some artists may want to relate directly to an age range to seek fans and acceptance.

Works Cited Kearney, Mary Celeste. //Producing Girls//. Print

=Response 1:What would Allan Johnson say about country music?= 1/28/10 As the idea of patriarchy is being a male based society, //Johnson// could also see throughout time that country music itself was based on the male artist and singer and founded from the male perspective. Many of the popular male artists include Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton, Brooks & Dunn as well as others. They not only have an influence on the business itself but on other artists they perform with. Some may discover a new artist just because they were a band opening up for a popular country star. Also since it is a business, the male figure is seen as being authority in the business world. Slowly throughout time female singers have associated themselves with country music and have gained popularity in the country music realm. However, much of the industry is male based and can contribute to the male domination value of patriarchy. //Johnson//'s view of "gender inequality" is also major point that goes with the idea of "male domination" in society. //Johnson// does make a good point when he states that when a women is put into a male based position, we will "wonder how she'll measure up against a man in the same position"(5). Although there are female artists thriving in the industry today who have changed the views of country music, the industry does lean towards male domination as many managers and owners of record companies are men. Country music is a wide range of artists and music styles that has been around for quite some time. If //Johnson// would think of country music and an artist identified as belonging to this genre, he may most likely think of a male such as Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty or even Hank Williams. A female artist in the country music industry may be thought as a crossover between pop or even rock, based on what traditional country was founded on. Artists or groups such as Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Gloriana and Taylor Swift all show how females can strive in the industry and make an impact on it even if they are in a mixed group.
 * || I have chosen to study the pop culture artifact of country music as I am a fan of country music and find it an interesting genre to study. We are able to connect the idea of patriarchy in society to pop culture artifacts. //Allan Johnson// believed that we live in a patriarchy based society and that society is male based. Focusing on country music, I can see a relation to what Johnson would have to say about patriarchy in the country music business and how the four core values of patriarchy relate to it.
 * || I have chosen to study the pop culture artifact of country music as I am a fan of country music and find it an interesting genre to study. We are able to connect the idea of patriarchy in society to pop culture artifacts. //Allan Johnson// believed that we live in a patriarchy based society and that society is male based. Focusing on country music, I can see a relation to what Johnson would have to say about patriarchy in the country music business and how the four core values of patriarchy relate to it.

One good question to ask is when it comes to the male centered value of patriarchy are most of the artist’s today male or most of the award winners male as well? If the award is given to a female artist, then how many executives behind her label and contract are male? Does the amount of male figures associated with a female artist predict her success? Does the media focus on more male country stars because of their success and more female stars because of their beauty or even failure in the business? The core value of an obsession with control can also relate to the country music artifact. //Johnson// would say that artists can be focused on being in control and spending more money to tour to get more fans and others are just sitting back and letting popularity come by itself. //Johnson// may say that the female country singer may be viewed in a sexual way only and less likely to be viewed as business professional since women don’t fulfill these typical roles. Country music does have a new image to live up to in order to still be appealing to society. Male artists may want more control over other artists of the same sex and even female artists and will change their image and how they look so they gain more attention and have control in the business. Female artists may want to look sexier and have a sense of power over other female artists in order to compete with others. Patriarchy doesn’t just cover the male aspect of country music but also the female relation. Females have also shown how they want to be in power and be center of attention in country. For example, Faith Hill showed disappointment and anger in her facial expression when she didn’t win an award over another female at a country music awards ceremony. //Johnson// can look at patriarchy throughout country music and can also break it down into male patriarchy and female patriarchy.

 Works Cited Johnson, Allan. //The Gender Knot Unraveling Our Patriarchal Legacy//. 2005. Print.

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