This song was written by Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time. It's the title track from the 2000 release. http://www.lonesomestandardtime.com/
This is an amazing piece of work. Larry is a local legend in Nashville who has written songs for a ton of the mainstream 'country' music performers. I personally have met Larry and have seen him perform at the 'Station Inn' in Nashville , Tennessee. He really opened my eyes to what is real and what is important in the music industry.
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Last Rebel Wrote;
I am a country music fan, and as such I'll admit that it aint quite what it used to be. George Strait and Alan Jackson wrote a song about how they'd took out the steel guitars and fiddles, and 'tore the heart and soul' out of the music.... most of what they said i could agree with untill they came to the part about how electric guitars were ruining country music.
This ticks me off, because, well its just a really stupid statement when you look at the music and see all the different styles that are incorporated into it. So here is Last Rebel's response to the song,
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I think you're missing the meaning of this song as well as the proper creator of this song. It(Murder on Music Row) was written due to an unwanted invasion of 'boy bands' during the awards ceremonies at the C.M.A.'s. George Jones actually walked off stage in disgust over the whole situation. Back to the lyrics; here's the chorus in it entirety;
"For the steel guitar no longer cries and fiddles barely play
But drums and rock and roll guitars are mixed up in your face
Old Hank wouldn't have a chance on today's radio
Since they've committed murder, down on music row."
The song is a plea to future generations of 'country' music performers(some, not all) to keep with the traditional sounds of music from the past and not to stray too far away from the 'roots'. Contemporary country has it's place but so does tradition.
Peace and Guitars,
SouthPaw41L
Give everything but up.