http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.67336&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rssIf you compared the Monkees to the Byrds (the bands have been pitted against each other ever since the Byrds penned "So You Want To Be A Rock & Roll Star" in response to the overnight success of the Monkees), you would also have to compare the Monkees' Michael Nesmith to the Byrds' Chris Hillman. Like Hillman, Nesmith first hit pay dirt in a band that was immediately pigeonholed by the music media as "America's answer to the Beatles." Both men were the multi-instrumentalists and consummate professionals of their respective groups, and their musical bases were deeply rooted in the fertile soils of folk and country music. And like Hillman, Nesmith dabbled in psychedelic country rock before embarking upon a solo career that continues to thrive to this day. Comparisons with Hillman aside, Nesmith followed the rhythm of a different drum. He wrote hit singles for Linda Ronstadt, Olivia Newton-John, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and his own country rock outfit, the First National Band, among others. But there is much debate over just who was the first to invent the country rock sound, of which Nesmith is most certainly a pioneer. Nesmith wrote and produced "Papa Genes Blues" and "Sweet Young Thing" on the first Monkees album -- songs that may very well be the first country rock songs ever recorded -- and he recorded the experimentally twangy <I>Wichita Train Whistle Sings</I> in November 1967 as well as the defining country rock album <i>Magnetic South</i> in 1970. However, it has also been documented that Gram Parsons' International Submarine Band was playing and recording electric country music as early as 1966, while the Byrds injected a Beatles-esque backbeat to the old country standard "Oh! Susannah" in 1965. Still, others contend that it was the Everly Brothers who fused twang with rock long before anyone else. In any case, Nesmith forged ahead, assembling a new group, the Second National Band (which included pedal steel guru Red Rhodes), before venturing off to pursue various solo projects. In addition to playing an important role in the history of country rock, Nesmith also made music television history. Not many people know that he essentially invented MTV. He put together a half-hour show named <I>Popclips</I>, which consisted of Top 40 music videos, and eventually sold the concept (as well as the show itself) to Warner Amex, who turned it into MTV: Music Television. Today, Nesmith continues to make music. Some categorize his balance of rootsy songwriting and innovative sensibilities as adult alternative, but listen closely to his latter-day work, and you'll notice a seasoned singer-songwriter sensibility akin to David Gates' or Jackson Browne's, coupled with a bit of the grit found in Nesmith's tone-heavy twang of yesteryear. - Eric SheaAdult Alternativeen720Sun, 29 Nov 2009 12:53:32 -0800 http://static.realone.com/rotw/images/logo_rhapsody_113x22.gif http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.67336&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss If you compared the Monkees to the Byrds (the bands have been pitted against each other ever since the Byrds penned "So You Want To Be A Rock & Roll Star" in response to the overnight success of the Monkees), you would also have to compare the Monkees' Michael Nesmith to the Byrds' Chris Hillman. Like Hillman, Nesmith first hit pay dirt in a band that was immediately pigeonholed by the music media as "America's answer to the Beatles." Both men were the multi-instrumentalists and consummate professionals of their respective groups, and their musical bases were deeply rooted in the fertile soils of folk and country music. And like Hillman, Nesmith dabbled in psychedelic country rock before embarking upon a solo career that continues to thrive to this day. Comparisons with Hillman aside, Nesmith followed the rhythm of a different drum. He wrote hit singles for Linda Ronstadt, Olivia Newton-John, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and his own country rock outfit, the First National Band, among others. But there is much debate over just who was the first to invent the country rock sound, of which Nesmith is most certainly a pioneer. Nesmith wrote and produced "Papa Genes Blues" and "Sweet Young Thing" on the first Monkees album -- songs that may very well be the first country rock songs ever recorded -- and he recorded the experimentally twangy <I>Wichita Train Whistle Sings</I> in November 1967 as well as the defining country rock album <i>Magnetic South</i> in 1970. However, it has also been documented that Gram Parsons' International Submarine Band was playing and recording electric country music as early as 1966, while the Byrds injected a Beatles-esque backbeat to the old country standard "Oh! Susannah" in 1965. Still, others contend that it was the Everly Brothers who fused twang with rock long before anyone else. In any case, Nesmith forged ahead, assembling a new group, the Second National Band (which included pedal steel guru Red Rhodes), before venturing off to pursue various solo projects. In addition to playing an important role in the history of country rock, Nesmith also made music television history. Not many people know that he essentially invented MTV. He put together a half-hour show named <I>Popclips</I>, which consisted of Top 40 music videos, and eventually sold the concept (as well as the show itself) to Warner Amex, who turned it into MTV: Music Television. Today, Nesmith continues to make music. Some categorize his balance of rootsy songwriting and innovative sensibilities as adult alternative, but listen closely to his latter-day work, and you'll notice a seasoned singer-songwriter sensibility akin to David Gates' or Jackson Browne's, coupled with a bit of the grit found in Nesmith's tone-heavy twang of yesteryear. - Eric Shea http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.9309510&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss Adult Alternative Tue, 10 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800 Michael Nesmith Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.9309510 alb.9309510 Michael Nesmith art.67336 7.99 Rays alb.9309510 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/3/7/9/779737_170x170.jpg 2006-01-10 00:00:00.0 2005-01-01 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.9309510&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.9309510&variant=data&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.321028&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss Adult Alternative Thu, 14 Sep 2000 00:00:00 -0700 Michael Nesmith Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.321028 alb.321028 Michael Nesmith art.67336 7.99 Timerider alb.321028 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/2/4/8/0/560842_170x170.jpg 2000-09-14 00:00:00.0 2000-10-01 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.321028&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.321028&variant=data&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.297322&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss Adult Alternative Wed, 3 Sep 2003 00:00:00 -0700 Michael Nesmith Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.297322 alb.297322 Michael Nesmith art.67336 14.99 Live At The Britt Festival alb.297322 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/8/9/3/563987_170x170.jpg 2003-09-03 00:00:00.0 1999-01-01 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.297322&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.297322&variant=data&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.298699&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss Adult Alternative Wed, 14 Sep 1994 00:00:00 -0700 Michael Nesmith Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.298699 alb.298699 Michael Nesmith art.67336 10.99 The Garden / The Prison alb.298699 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/2/6/8/5/565862_170x170.jpg 1994-09-14 00:00:00.0 1994-09-14 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.298699&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.298699&variant=data&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.296889&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss Adult Alternative Mon, 14 Sep 1992 00:00:00 -0700 Michael Nesmith Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.296889 alb.296889 Michael Nesmith art.67336 7.99 Tropical Campfires alb.296889 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/3/6/8/5/565863_170x170.jpg 1992-09-14 00:00:00.0 1992-10-01 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.296889&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.296889&variant=data&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.196862&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss Adult Alternative Tue, 28 Mar 1989 00:00:00 -0800 Michael Nesmith Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.196862 alb.196862 Michael Nesmith art.67336 7.99 The Newer Stuff alb.196862 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/3/7/8/0/560873_170x170.jpg 1989-03-28 00:00:00.0 1989-01-01 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.196862&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.196862&variant=data&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.321027&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss Adult Alternative Wed, 14 Sep 1994 00:00:00 -0700 Michael Nesmith Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.321027 alb.321027 Michael Nesmith art.67336 7.99 Infinite Rider on the Big Dogma alb.321027 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/1/4/8/0/560841_170x170.jpg 1994-09-14 00:00:00.0 1979-10-01 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.321027&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.321027&variant=data&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.320946&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss Adult Alternative Wed, 14 Sep 1994 00:00:00 -0700 Michael Nesmith Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.320946 alb.320946 Michael Nesmith art.67336 7.99 From a Radio Engine to The Photon Wing alb.320946 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/1/6/8/5/565861_170x170.jpg 1994-09-14 00:00:00.0 1977-10-01 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.320946&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.320946&variant=data&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.202924&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss Adult Alternative Tue, 1 Jan 1991 00:00:00 -0800 Michael Nesmith Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.202924 alb.202924 Michael Nesmith art.67336 5.99 Pretty Much Your Standard Ranch Stash alb.202924 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/4/2/8/4/564824_170x170.jpg 1991-01-01 00:00:00.0 1973-01-01 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.202924&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.202924&variant=data&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.202926&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss Adult Alternative Sun, 1 Jan 1995 00:00:00 -0800 Michael Nesmith Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.202926 alb.202926 Michael Nesmith art.67336 7.99 And The Hits Just Keep On Comin' alb.202926 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/2/3/8/4/564832_170x170.jpg 1995-01-01 00:00:00.0 1972-11-01 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.202926&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.202926&variant=data&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.292055&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss Adult Alternative Tue, 8 Oct 1991 00:00:00 -0700 Michael Nesmith Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.292055 alb.292055 Michael Nesmith art.67336 6.99 Tantamount To Treason alb.292055 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/5/5/0/5/565055_170x170.jpg 1991-10-08 00:00:00.0 1972-10-08 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.292055&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.292055&variant=data&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.292056&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss Adult Alternative Tue, 8 Oct 1991 00:00:00 -0700 Michael Nesmith Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.292056 alb.292056 Michael Nesmith art.67336 7.99 Nevada Fighter alb.292056 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/2/2/8/4/564822_170x170.jpg 1991-10-08 00:00:00.0 1971-10-08 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.292056&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.292056&variant=data&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.196869&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss Adult Alternative Tue, 1 Jan 1991 00:00:00 -0800 Michael Nesmith Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.196869 alb.196869 Michael Nesmith art.67336 7.99 Loose Salute alb.196869 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/7/4/0/5/565047_170x170.jpg 1991-01-01 00:00:00.0 1970-11-01 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.196869&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.196869&variant=data&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.292057&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss Adult Alternative Tue, 8 Oct 1991 00:00:00 -0700 Michael Nesmith Discography on Rhapsody Online alb.292057 alb.292057 Michael Nesmith art.67336 7.99 Magnetic South alb.292057 http://image.listen.com/img/170x170/3/2/8/4/564823_170x170.jpg 1991-10-08 00:00:00.0 1970-10-08 00:00:00.0 true false main-release http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.292057&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss http://mp3.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=alb.292057&variant=data&rws=%2Fmichael-nesmith%2Fdiscography.rss