Cher and Country: It’s Only Natural

Well…bombastic Bon Jovi rock is not exactly in. So this kind of made sense to me when I heard it. Cher and country: not exactly oil and water.

The rumor was out last week that Cher's new album would be country. This article below also chronicles in excruciating detail Cher’s appearances at Country events and venues over the last few years: http://tasteofcountry.com/cher-country-album/

…as if to say "it's okay…Cher has country cred."

Gregg Allman is contemplating a country album and Gwyneth Paltrow signed a recent deal to make a pop-country record, but here are four words country music never thought it would hear: Cher is going country!

The diva herself has hired Carrie Underwood and Lee Ann Womack‘s producer, Mark Bright, according to Digital Spy, and he is confirming that Cher is indeed recording a country album. Bright says, “Cher knows that her listeners also listen to country music, so she felt it was a natural thing to develop a country music relationship.”

Cher, of course, is not a total stranger to country. She was a presenter at the 2010 CMA Awards, getting a standing ovation by the likes of Tim McGraw, Keith Urban and Ronnie Dunn when she walked onstage. Taylor Swift was even seen throwing her arms enthusiastically into the air as Cher sauntered up to the mic.

The ‘I’ve Got You Babe’ singer reminded the audience that country runs deep in her family. When her mom was young, she sang with Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. On the show, Cher said, “When I was about five, I thought there was only two kinds of music: the songs that were in ‘Dumbo’ and ‘Cinderella’ and country.” She added, “The first song my mom ever taught me was ‘Hey Good Lookin,” and my dear friend Merle Haggard and I’ve been talking about doing a duet forever, but I really have a hard time wrapping my head around ‘Haggard and Cher.’”

The last publicly reported time Cher was in Nashville was 2008, when she booked a private jet and came to Twang Town to see her good friend Haggard in concert at the Ryman. Later that night, a man was charged with disorderly conduct and public intoxication after he repeatedly harassed her at the legendary club Tootsies Orchid Lounge.

In 2009, Cher and her boyfriend were seen at a Haggard show in California. Her most recent brush with country music was to star in the movie ‘Burlesque’ alongside Julianne Hough earlier this year.

But we can’t ignore one of Cher’s earlier run-ins with a country great: In the video [check the site to view the video], Cher joins the legendary Dolly Parton onstage for a ‘Spiritual Medley,’ dated from a 1978 television special.

More of the same from The Boot: http://www.theboot.com/2011/03/18/cher-country-album/

Cher is going country, according to famed Nashville producer Mark Bright. The studio veteran has added the pop culture icon to his impressive production resume, which includes albums by Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire and Sara Evans, just to name a few.

Mark met Cher through a mutual friend, Songwriters Hall of Fame member Desmond Child. "Because we know each other," Mark says, "when she came to Nashville she thought of me."

Although Cher has been tight-lipped about her foray into country music, Mark's confirmation offers hope to rabid fans who crave new music from the living legend. The new album would mark her first studio album since the release of 'Living Proof' in 2001.

I was actually kind of getting excited about a Cher country album; but then reports came out that this was all rumor (per usual).

http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/the-beat-goes-on/posts/exclusive-hold-on-to-your-horses-cher-is-not-making-a-country-album

Hold your horses — Cher is not making a country album (Melinda Newman)

You know that story about Cher recording a country album that’s making the rounds today? It was true, but is no longer the case.

As often happens once artists get into the studio, the direction shifts. Cher is now making a full-on dance record, according to her representative.

We contacted Cher’s spokeswoman today to see if there were more details about Cher’s country album with Nashville producer Mark Bright. Bright told the website Silk And Denim that he and Cher met each other through songwriter Desmond Child, who has written songs for Cher and who now spends much of his time in Nashville.

That interview ran in January, but for some reason, all the major websites picked up on it today.  News that Cher was looking for country songs first surfaced last November.

We’re waiting for more details about the new set and will add more when we get them, but Cher’s rep tells us that although the country album was in the works, it "no longer is. It will be a dance-oriented album.”

This all gives me a headache. I was actually psyched about some kind of musical departure. Another dance album isn’t going to turn the rock and roll world around. Don’t get me wrong: I love Cher’s dance records. This isn’t about dance. It’s about country. Cher’s voice is very soulful and soul and country are kissing cousins. Cher has never fully developed this natural inclination of her voice (think Elvis and country). It's so neo-hip, too. Just the thing I would love (like so many other thwarted Cher desires: a tourch ballad show, a full-fledged movie musical staring Cher).

I’m feeling a spoiled child tantrum coming on. I'm channeling Napoleon Dynamite.

Gah!

This story got Cher fans to listing out her country oeuvre:

Doug wrote: Cher already has a few country songs under her belt:  "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind" from the I Paralyze album [1982], "You're Just What I've Been Looking For" from the Dark Lady album [1974], and "It's Too Late to Love Me Now" and "My Song" from the Take Me Home album [1979].

Ibekeen wrote: Don't forget "She Thinks I Still Care" the George Jones standard from her first album [1965] and "Crying Time" the Buck Owens/Ray Charles classic from the second S&C album as a bonus track [1966], and "Spring" from I'd Rather Believe in You [1976] could be considered country too.

Marcus wrote: And possibly, "Dixie" from Cherished [1977].

I feel a mix tape coming on.