From Billboard:
Bon Jovi Scores First No. 1 Album Since 1988
Bon Jovi

For the first time since 1988, Bon Jovi tops The Billboard 200. "Lost Highway" sold 292,000 in United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan, the rock troupe's biggest one-week sum since Nielsen began tracking sales data in 1991. The Island/Mercury Nashville set is Bon Jovi's third No. 1 album, joining 1988's "New Jersey" and 1987's "Slippery When Wet." Sales were fueled in part by the group's new country fanbase, wrangled in with the 2006 No. 1 Hot Country Songs hit "Who Says You Can't Go Home" featuring Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles.
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I won't express how I feel about this other than to say - this is today's country huh?

I must be getting old.

Charlie

You and me both Charlie ! I listened to the countdown when Vince co hosted, not the last time he did it, but the time before, and some of the songs I wouldn't have defined as being country, but more rock, or even heavy metal.

I agree Charlie!!

Add my name to the old list

It doesn't seem fair , I can't get them to even play Vince.

Add my name to the list, too! When they were picking our highschool Class Song, they chose a Bon Jovi song, and the Principal didn't like the choice because of some of the lyrics in the song...there was such a controversy over it that it even got written up in the Miami Herald! The Principal let us use it, as long as it wasn't played at Graduation. Strange how Bon Jovi can go from controversial rocker to a country singer...

When Bon Jovi went on the Today Show last week he said that the new CD would have a Nashville Feel to it. I think he enjoyed recording with Jennifer Nettles on his last CD, and is just doing what other artist do they want to try something different. Remember Vince sang alot of different music on "These Days" and I enjoyed hearing it! So Why can't Bon Jovi???gillgirl IN PA.

I wouldn't say that he shouldn't, but when they are playing his music on country radio . It just doesn't seem right. We even have Jimmy Buffet on my radio. And I don't mean the song he sing's with Alan.

I have nothing against Bon Jovi doing it (nothing wrong with musical diversity) - the music sounds about the same as he's ever done to me. It's just interesting all these "rockers" are getting country radio air time....Melloncamp, Bon Jovi, Buffet etc...
And show's you how things have changed.

I don't really listen to country radio anymore - I want to hear Vince - so what's the point of tuning into my local country station? They won't play him. Well once in a blue moon you hear an older song circa 1996.

I guess they play Bon Jovi because that's what the youger hipper than me generation wants to hear (based on their media research stuff) on their country dial. That's ok - I have my Vince Cd's and IPOD to play my playlists!

Take care all.
Charlie

I saw an article a few weeks ago that might explain it a little. It seems like the DJs and PDs at alot of country stations didn't grow up with country music, they were listening to rock so they have no problem with playing older rock stars today. They don't have the loyalty to traditional country music like the DJs did in the past.

Nothing wrong with leaning their CDs toward the country music listeners, but when country radio stations play them and then ignore the real country music performers that's not really fair. Yes, Vince has done non country music today and in the past but how much of that ever got played on non country music stations? I'll say it again, I hate how commercial radio is now, I got disgusted with 4 years ago. I just listen to satellite radio and my CDs.

Joan

When we left Miami, the radio station there was playing the likes of Melloncamp, Buffett, etc. I didn't really mind Buffett, but don't like Melloncamp. It seemed like when Bob McKay (the PD) left to go to their sister station in Philly (thanks for 'stealing' my favorite PD, Trish! ) things started to go downhill in the variety of music they played and especially the amount of Vince that they played. When Bob McKay was there and Vince released "The Key" they actually played some of the songs from that album (not very often, but you did and *could* hear the songs!)

The station here in TX plays about the best variety of country music that I've heard anywhere (except for WSM). They play older artists, current artists, older songs, newer songs, and one of my favorite shows (when I actually get to listen to the radio) is Lunchtime Classics. They play the classics from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. 1990s isn't considered 'classic country' to them, like it is to the Miami station and other stations around the country. Then on Saturday nights they have what's called "Texas Saturday Night" where they play all Texas artists. You'll hear any and every country artist who's from Texas...major artists, indy artists, Texas based artists...even people you've never heard of because they don't record for a Nashville label. The station is Waco 100 and they do broadcast online in case anyone is interested in taking a listen. When we came home from the ER today (my grandmother tripped and fell at the new house) the station was playing Clay Walker's "Chain of Love." I haven't heard that one in ages and it's one of my favorites of his.