However, it is precisely because of this general negligence of traditional country music within the music industry today, that I find this Grammy win for Hank a big deal.
If you strip away the politics and the money involved, what the Grammy win achieves is exposure of traditional country music to the general population, which otherwise would live in total ignorance of the existence of this type of music. This award might at least make the young folks question, "Who was this Hank Williams?" And that question might hopefully lead to further exploration of Hank and, by extension, the genre, as well as other artists who contributed to it.
This situation would be akin to the attention that Robert Johnson received as a result of Eric Clapton releasing an album of Robert Johnson's songs. The album was called "Me and Mr. Johnson." I remember reading in many forums how people were having conversations about Robert Johnson and many of them only heard of RJ because of EC's album. After listening to this album, they wanted the original as well and many folks went on to buy the original RJ CDs.
If Hank's Grammy win garners similar attention towards traditional country music in general, then, despite my grievances about Jim being neglected, I'd consider the event a triumph. And, who knows, this attention might just bring young explorers of the genre face to face with Jim Reeves.
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