Mass media and the dumbing down of our icons

It seems to me that our culture is obsessed with having an idol on which we can bestow our affection and adulation. A lot of this I think is due to media manipulation. Our entertainment industry is always looking for ways to expand its horizons and its bankroll by introducing new actors, musicians, performers, etc. As soon as a new show becomes a hit, the main actor in the show becomes an instant star and is then hyped by the mass media. The quality of the show may be terrible but if it is still better than other shows in its time slot, it gets better ratings and its actors receive star status.

Years ago there were no pop idols. Without a mass media to hype things up, any heros that we might have had would have been authentic ones. Soldiers returning from a war, a person who saved someone's life, or a local benefactor who helped build a church, etc. were flesh in the blood heros that everyone could relate to.

Now our heros or idols are born on television or on the movie screen while the whole nation is watching. However, because of the diverse makeup of our population, the media wants to present entertainers who will appeal to the broadest possible segment of our population. By doing this, a de-emphasis is placed on music or shows that appeal to a particular segment of our population. The result is watered-down music that doesn't offend anyone and shows that are dumb enough so that everyone can understand them. If you isolate a segment of the population, you sell less soap.

Many years ago I was traveling in Greece and happened to stop one night at a little Greek village. I was there on a Sunday night. After everyone in the village had gone to the Sunday evening service at the church they gathered around the village square to listen to Greek folk songs. It was the first time I had heard Greek music and I was blown away by its power to stir your emotions. Although I could not understand the lyrics of the songs, the emotion of the songs came through the same as if I were listening to Hank Williams because the undulations and intonation of the voice were similar to the moaning sound of Hank Williams.

I think that the folk songs of many cultures are similar because the rhythm and intonation of the music is not unlike a religious chant that arouses the spirit and moves the emotions. To me, that is what the old country music is like, especially bluegrass music. While sophisticates can make fun of the older country music stars like Kitty Wells, Webb Pierce, Lefty Frizzell, Bill Monroe and Hank Williams with their nasal twang and mournful sound, their music endeared them to their many fans.

Last week I noticed that there is a disk jockey who is trying to bring back the older type of country music. Eddie Stubbs has a program on the internet at http://www.bluegrasscountry.org and a radio program on WSM in Nashville at 650 on your AM dial from 8 until midnight every week night. I am able to pull in WSM after dark so those of you who remember the good old country music, these are a couple of outlets for you to listen to your old favorites. Also, there is an article about Eddie Stubbs in the Washington Post that discusses his crusade to bring back the old country music.

The need for the modern media to appeal to the masses has resulted in a lowering in the quality of our arts and our entertainment. Oprah Winfrey may be famous for being famous and rich. Hank Williams is famous for being a great musician. He is my definition of an icon.