God doesn't need to know what time it is.

@desktopguy 

"1 - Eric Clapton is a great blues guitarist. He was on top a very long time for good reason

2 - Eric Clapton is also aging gracelessly and saying dumbass stuff about vaccines in particular. If you go back and look for it, he always said dumbass stuff, including racist and anti-Semitic stuff. Not entirely unprecedented for a mid-to-lower class Brit of his vintage, but still"

All true. Each listener must make up their own mind regarding how to regard these contradictions. Just because someone can wield a brush, pen, marble chisel or guitar pick doesn't mean they are also of the highest moral caliber. And let's recognize that as fans, we are complicit in placing our favorite artists on pedestals, whether or not they belong there. (Same applies to sports).

Perhaps one useful perspective is one expressed by Dylan, N. Young and Keith Richard-- that the artist is not so much a creator as a conduit. 

@tylermunns 

G. Campbell, Jerry Reed, Roy Clark, B. Paisley are indeed all fine pickers.

The ones actually doing the playing on "New Country" records are of course session greats like Brent Mason-- not the so-called artists. 

@stuartk Indeed, which is why I said, “the average session player on these tracks could play circles around just about anybody,” and then qualified Brad Paisley as a “recording artist,” as he is as good as the session players.

Trying to explain watches to the non-enthusiast is similar to trying to explain high end audio to the non-enthusiasts. Thanks for the thead as I haven't put on a watch in a while. Knew which one to choose... the Seadweller put a smile on face, very satisfying. 

@tylermunns 

Yes-- B. Paisley is an exception to many on the New Country scene. 

I favor older stuff, myself-- Jerry Jeff, EmmyLou, Rodney Crowell, Willie, etc.