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(P. 2 Continued) JO: There's a long-standing tradition in country music of artists who rebel against the conservative status quo–people like Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Steve Earle. Do you consider yourself part of that tradition? SL: I would have to because there were times in Nashville when I tried to be in the in-crowd, and it didn’t work. I made a lot of records I can't even listen to. I didn't have anyone saying, "Yeah, that doesn't sound good. Don't do it." I went to Nashville in 1988, and they had already stopped playing George Jones and Willie Nelson years before that. I was told, "Oh, we cut hit songs here." I said, "You don't cut good songs. You cut hit songs. I see." JO: Did you ever feel like your gender made your Nashville years rougher than they might have been otherwise? SL: Nope. Never once. Though you don't work with women in Nashville. There aren't any. Unless you're a singer, or a publicist maybe. There aren’t any girl producers or managers, not even a lot of label chicks. It’s a man's world. Changin' a little bit because they can't help it, but I never had a problem working with any man. I haven't worked with a lot of women, but I can't see it being a hell of a lot different. JO: All right. I'm just going to ask you one more question about Nashville: If you could wave a magic wand and change that town in any way that you saw fit, how would you do it? SL: Well, I'd let Willie Nelson run a label. And get rid of all the meaningless schlock. And start over. I'd completely wipe it off the face of the Earth and start over again. JO: What parts of the country tradition do you think are worth saving? SL: Hank Williams. Owen Bradley. Billy Sherrill used to make all the good records, you know, and he used to run a label. I have a sister [Alison Moorer] that makes records in Nashville. And she makes good records. Writes her songs, plays her guitar, and sings great. And I talked to her yesterday, and she goes, "You know, I don't want to do this anymore. I don't know what else I want to do. But I can't do this anymore." She’s just frustrated with writing ten great songs in Nashville, and not even being given the time of day. I mean they play the same ten acts, over and over, and you have to wonder, God, what am I doing? Why am I doing it? JO: I'd like to ask you a little bit about your sister. I've got her record, actually, the one you recommended to me. It's a beautiful record. SL: Thank you. JO: She does have a great voice. Beautiful songs. SL: Thank you.
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