THanks for the explanation Mike. About half of what I find on the Internet is like walking into an ongoing conversation and having no idea what it is really about. I try to read these forums and contribute as I can, but a lot of times I am doing multiple things. So I sort of miss parts of the conversation or I might misread it. For instance, I have re-read them all a few times and don't get the comments about "hating." Can't even see where that is involved in this conversation.

I understand your observations and know people who agree with you. I see it from a little bit of a different side. I grew up playing music in the 70's. Kiss, Aerosmith, Styx, Foghat, Thin Lizzy, Vocal stuff like Poco and The Eagles, Southern Rock, 38 Special, Skynyrd, Allmans, etc. then in the 80's.Loverboy, Journey, Boston, all those power pop rock bands of that era. Full Marshall Stacks, drums, keyboards, lights and sound, far too heavy equipment, all that stuff. Rock was my thing.

Then, I heard a group called EXILE and saw country in a different light. They had been a killer rock band but when I saw them, they had transitioned to country. I started playing more and more on acoustic and never looked back. When I moved to Nashville in 88', and since, you started seeing a lot of former rockers transitioning over to more acoustic playing. Peter Frampton, Robert Plant, Brett Michaels, The Eagles, John Cougar, Hall and Oates, Steven Tyler, and many of those other groups started recording while not exactly COUNTRY stuff, more pared down acoustic stuff. When the Eagles made their return in 1994, they did Hotel California heavily acoustic. Was the same stuff, just a litle different spin on it.
Being older myself (was 28 when I moved to Nashville) it just was a lot easier to deal with physically (hearing wise) and a little more interesting to play, write and be a part of.

So hearing things like Clapton when he did his "UNPLUGGED" phase, and all those MTV, VH1 stars, all made a lot of sense to me. It actually exposed new generations to that music. The acoustic Layla, brought millions into Clapton's fan base that were too young or not born during his heyday. And along the way I wrote with a few of those guys. George McCorkle, from The Marshall Tucker Band, John Ford Coley, from England Dan and John Ford Coley, later Jim Peterick of 38 Special and Survivor, and played with a lot more, Gunner and Mathew Nelson, Members of Poison, and other heavy metal bands, and countless other former rockers who had transitioned over. Most had the same take on it, as you aged, and your crowds age, the more a pared down acoustic approach made more sense.

I did the same with my own music. While I've always brought a style and raw energy to it, I went to a more pared down acoustic approach instead of more production, bigger bands, etc. It was easier on my own ears (Still have a little hearing loss from a Robin Trower show in 77'. Important safety tip! Never lean against a stage 20 feet away from three full stack Marshalls.) so it just made more sense stylistically and health wise.

So I get your comments on preferring the earlier versions of these people. I look at it more of expanding their own artistry and reach fan wise. Both have validity. At least you have the records of both versions if you want.

Thanks for explaining. Always interesting conversations going on.
MAB