As a rule, I never write articles in a 'sexist man' category, particularly where country music is concerned. I frown upon them as cheapening the music; bringing down the genre; and basically turning the whole writing process into crass, tabloid-style journalism. However, just this once, I'm going to let my guard down since the title of 'the sexist man in country music' made me change my mind. There is just something about a man in a pair of cowboy boots, playing a six-string and singing about pick-up trucks that makes me extremely weak in the knees. So, with all my previous convictions aside, here goes...
I've had my fair share of cowboy crushes over the years. When I was at school and all my classmates were swooning over Boyzone, Westlife and The Backstreet Boys I was listening to and dreaming of Bryan White, James Bonamy and Paul Brandt. I have to tell you that in 90s Scotland it was a unique thing to even have heard of these artists, much less know their favourite colour and the lyrics to all their songs.
Bryan White (whose favourite colour I seem to recall was hunter green) was my first 'real' crush and by the age of 14 I was in love with country music thanks to him. My all-time favourite song to this day is Someone Else's Star, co-written by my favourite songwriter, Skip Ewing. Of course White went on to marry daytime soap actress Erika Paige and have two sons and I was stuck in Scotland to finish my education so that one didn't pan out quite liked I'd hoped.
James Bonamy had a very short career, but produced two impressive albums during this time, not to mention the wonderful video for 'Naked to the Pain' in which I vaguely remember he gets soaked to the point of being able to see through his white shirt during an indoors rainstorm, before Britain pulled the plug on CMT. However, he was married with a child at the start of his career, so I didn't have a chance there either.
Then there was Canadian Paul Brandt. I could never make up my mind whether I fancied him or not, but there is no denying that his songs are from the heart and his voice is fantastic, so I think it was more about the music with him but he seems like such a genuine and warm person that that in itself is endearing, plus he could get to those extremely low notes which was hot in itself. I went to a Billy Ray Cyrus country at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall one evening after school in 1998 because Paul was opening for him, and I wasn't disappointed. The man is a credit to country music, and alongside the likes of Shania Twain and Terri Clark, a credit to Canadian country music. Over 10 years later he still hasn't been back in the UK which is a great shame but he is still releasing great music, his most recent album Risk is solid proof of that.
There were others whose voices had more of an impact on me than their looks, for example Mark Wills, Rhett Akins, Clay Walker, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw and George Strait (who was extremely hot for an older gentleman but bordering on 'dad' territory). Wills' songs He's a Cowboy, Almost Doesn't Count, Time Machine and What Hurts the Most (before it was massacred into a dance track by Cascada) almost make you fall in love but, almost doesn't count.
Most recently there has been a conflict in my affections thanks to Chuck Wicks: a new breed of the wholesome All-American male with a shy, funny, and sensitive sides. He looks great in a suit or in jeans and a t-shirt and has a 100-watt smile. He had a killer first single, 'Stealing Cinderella' but, after a stint on Dancing with the Stars (when he is arguably not a 'star' in the traditional sense of the word), he may just enter the mainstream media and go all 'poppy' on us; time will tell what the industry has in store for this artist, as it is early days yet. He is, however, extremely easy on the eye...the video for his debut single proves that.
Which brings me to the purpose of this article: Who is the sexist man in country music and why? I don't have to give this answer any thought at all. I know exactly who it is and why. Some people can be sexy with a slight break in their voice, a lop-sided grin, the wholesome All-American 'aww shucks mam' act, their interpretation of a sad song or the way they play a guitar. Brad Paisley does all this and more...
I first heard Paisley on country radio with a track from his debut album Who Needs Pictures. I can't exactly recall whether it was the title track or another song from the record (it was possibly He Didn't Have to Be) but I do remember the way his voice touched me and made me very interested to hear more from this newcomer. When I found out he also wrote a lot of his lyrics I was ever more impressed, but once I heard the way he could handle a guitar I was absolutely blown away and hooked on his music. The addition of an instrumental such as The Nervous Breakdown, The Time Warp and (my personal favourite) The Munster Rag, on all his CDs and the complete contrast of big ballads including Whiskey Lullaby and When I Get Where I'm Going with the tongue-in-cheek tracks Celebrity, Online and Ticks make this artist the total package musically. Add this to the fact that he seems such a down to earth and humble guy who doesn't take himself (or the rest of the world) too seriously, as is evident from his music videos for Celebrity and Alcohol. Once I googled his name to put a face to the voice on the radio, let's just say I was very impressed. He has great dress sense, mixing traditional country attire of stetson and cowboy boots with rock tees and dogtags, he has piercing brown eyes and a great smile. Oh and one last very important detail I almost forgot to mention...he wears his jeans extremely well. Point made.