 If you spend any time at all online, you're aware of the proliferation of artificial intelligence-created content. Tools exist which have made AI now easily accessible, free or cheap to use. This powerful tool is in the hands of the general public with virtually no oversight in place, and as you might imagine, the content being produced by random internet users ranges from insipid to evil. It is already creating mass confusion among the public. Many people still have no idea that AI can now easily produce videos which are nearly indistinguishable from reality, and even tech-savvy people familiar with AI technology often struggle to determine what is authentic. (Below are a few examples. They link to videos on X. Be prepared to be creeped out if you are not familiar with this use of technology.) But AI can be used to do so much more. When realistic depictions of almost anything can be easily created, the authenticity of absolutely everything found in the digital world may be brought into question, including news and the arts. Some country music fans may be surprised to learn that a recent chart-topping song was generated completely by AI. The YouTube channel for the "Outlaw Country Soul Music," non-human "artist" Breaking Rust has over 66 thousand subscribers and reportedly has 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Not much is known about the human prompt-typer behind the channel. The popularity of the channel has raised questions about the ascendancy of AI-created music and about the future of the music industry. It's hard to imagine anything more dystopian and chilling than the concept of "soul music" generated by something without a soul. Then there is the distinct but equally disturbing reality of corporate-produced "country music," which is emblematic of the zombification of Southern culture, wherein our globalist overlords wear the trappings of our identity as a skin suit in order to promote things which are in direct opposition to what we cherish. Though the subversion of country music by the enemies of humanity has been slower and less obvious than in other genres, it is becoming increasingly clear that same the spirit is behind it that has corrupted other corporatized versions of music. Recently I was disappointed but not surprised to learn that the Zac Brown band, whose music I have enjoyed over the years, has been called out for using blatant satanic imagery during concert appearances. Music wouldn't be so targeted for attack if it wasn't so important. Creativity is a gift from God and the forms it takes conveys something about the spirit of the individual creator and the culture from which they hail. It is the soul - the authentic, divinely-breathed soul - that real music expresses. Nothing is more important than nurturing and promoting authentic art and music. That's why I'm delighted to bring your attention to the release of a new album by Brian Hendrix, "It Really Is Blue." The lyrics for the song "Bricks," which tells a story through the eyes of a anonymous Confederate soldier, were posted here recently. But as you might imagine, listening to it is much more enjoyable and impactful than just reading the lyrics. You can HEAR the song here. Another particularly poignant tune "Proud and Tall" is a call to preserve the beloved land of our ancestors and its connection to the generations of stories held within.
No AI-generated facsimile of music could so deeply resonate with the Southern soul. And no corporate music executive would approve its message. But this is music as it was meant to be: authentically and meaningfully human, beautiful and true. Other selections include the toe-tapping and whimsical "Dancin' with the Chickens" ("We're dancin' with the chickens, don't you step on an egg.") The rousing tribute to an outlaw horse "Marty," a story about lovers Under the Magnolia, and the tale of a fed-evading Moonshine Runner. If you take the time to check out Hendrix's album I'm sure you'll enjoy it. The prolific singer-songwriter also frequently shares new creations on his X feed, where his pinned tweet states "I might not get a #1 hit or go quintuple tinfoil, but my music is real music... It's just me, 100%. Writing and producing, and I like it." Sounds great to me.
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