Iconic Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider never holds back his opinion, and recently he took aim at Beyoncé for her new country song. Following the release of her tracks Texas Hold ‘Em and 16 Carriages, Schneider couldn’t help but express his thoughts on the matter.
“The lefties in the entertainment industry just won’t leave any area alone, right?” he questioned. “They just have to seize control over every aspect, don’t they?”
Schneider then used a colorful analogy to describe Beyoncé’s entry into country music. “They’ve got to make their mark, just like a dog in a dog walk park,” he explained. “You know, every dog has to mark every tree, right? So that’s what’s going on here.”
Having been involved in the music genre for over four decades, Schneider claimed to have some authority on the subject. In fact, he kickstarted his country music career by performing a cover of Elvis Presley’s hit song It’s Now or Never in 1981. The rendition climbed to No. 4 on the music charts, kickstarting his successful journey in the industry. Between 1981 and 1987, Schneider released around 17 songs on the Country Songs chart, including four No. 1 hits.
Backlash and Accusations of Racism
In the wake of Schneider’s analogy, he faced swift backlash from some individuals who accused him of racism towards Beyoncé. One user even likened it to a “freakin’ foghorn” rather than a subtle dog whistle. Another commenter asserted that conservative music, which Schneider apparently cherishes, was originally created by black artists. They claimed that conservatives had adopted and claimed it as their own after black artists moved on to newer genres.
However, some users came to Schneider’s defense, pointing out that criticizing a musician’s attempt to enter another genre isn’t appropriate. “You can’t gatekeep genres, especially ones you didn’t even create,” noted one critic. Others mentioned that crossovers between genres are not uncommon, citing examples like Paul McCartney’s country songs released 50 years ago and the Rolling Stones’ country-influenced tracks.
Ultimately, Beyoncé’s venture into the country genre is a testament to her artistic versatility. As music continues to evolve and intertwine, it’s up to each artist to explore their creative boundaries, regardless of the opinions of others.
