Songs That Make A Difference!

What’s the purpose of singing a song you ask? Quite simply…to tell a story. All of you know, there are tons of lyrics out there with little substance to them. My pet peeve is a song that repeats one set of lyrics…over and over. It’s almost as if the songwriter didn’t think his audience was capable of thinking very deeply. Or, the songwriter just had great connections in the industry to record such inane lyrics. (flickr.com) Nashville’s Muzik Mafia Founders Big Kenny, Kenny Alphin and John Rich (former lead singer for Lonestar) of Big and Rich; John Nicholson and Cory Gierman began their journey as the Muzik Mafia in October 2001 in Nashville, Tennessee. The group is made of singers, songwriters and musicians as well as a painter. Their purpose in forming this group was, as John Rich put it: "We wanted to do it on the worst night of the week in the weirdest place in town, so that if anybody showed up, they'd be there because they wanted to hear music, not because they wanted to schmooze." (About.com, 2012) (myspace.com) Some of the Muzik Mafia’s songs tend to shock the sensibilities, but if you listen closely, you hear the simple joy of making music. Others, are honest, tear-jerker ballads about real life. Founders Big and Rich recorded two of the most moving songs: “Holy Water” and “8th of November”. Both address social issues of rape and recovery and a poignant story about a particular Vietnam conflict. "> (YouTube.com) (YouTube.com) These songs are not the only ones with relevant stories to tell…there have been hundreds over the years since the first pressing. As far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t matter the story if it’s told honestly and with conviction. Something else that impresses me is the mantra of the Muzik Mafia – “music without prejudice”, - which means anything goes, fiddles and conga drums, steel guitars and saxophones. It also says much for them that the entire group believed in writing and performing music for the sake of music, not for the sake of the industry standards (CMT.com, 2004). References: Big & Rich - 8th Of November (Video) - YouTube . (n.d.). YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. . Retrieved June 10, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozpdBvB0hek Billboard. (n.d.). Big & Rich Music News & Info|Billboard.com. Music News, Reviews, Articles, Information, News Online & Free Music|Billboard.com. Retrieved June 10, 2012, from http://www.billboard.com/artist/big-rich/592506#/artist/big-rich/592506 Fabian, S. (n.d.). Big & Rich - Biography of Country Music Duo Big & Rich. Country Music. Retrieved June 10, 2012, from http://countrymusic.about.com/od/bigrich/p/BigandRich_pr.htm Gilbert, C. (2004, May 27). CMT : News : Muzik Mafia Make Vegas an Offer It Couldn't Refuse. Country Music Television - News, Videos, Artists : Online Radio, Song Lyrics, TV Shows and More. Retrieved June 10, 2012, from http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1487969/muzik-mafia-make-vegas-an-offer-it-couldnt-refuse.jhtml Home. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved June 10, 2012, from http://www.lonestarnow.com/ Music Group. (n.d.). Big & Rich - Holy Water (Video) - YouTube. YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Retrieved June 10, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dXLC1butGc Music Nashville. (n.d.). Big and Rich. Big and Rich. Retrieved June 10, 2012, from http://www.bigandrich.com/