[3] It gained fame soon after that when it was recorded as a duet between American country music artists George Strait and Alan Jackson.
The lyrics metaphorically compare the pop trend to "an awful murder down on Music Row", and lament that "The steel guitar no longer cries and fiddles barely play / But drums and rock and roll guitars are mixed up in your face.
"[5] In addition, the song also states that older traditional country artists "wouldn't stand a chance on today's radio," citing by nickname Hank Williams ("Old Hank"), Merle Haggard ("The Hag"), and George Jones ("The Possum").
The two singers originally performed the song together at the 1999 Country Music Association Awards show.
[3][9] Alan Jackson and George Strait again paired up to perform the song on June 7, 2014, during his final concert for "The Cowboy Rides Away Tour" at AT&T Stadium.