THE ROLLING STONES & CARRIE UNDERWOOD

Carrie Underwood

Speaking of the Stones, did you see where Carrie Underwood came out to sing on “It’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll (But I Like It)” during their show in Toronto?

Reminds me of the first time I saw the Stones, 1975 tour, County Stadium, Milwaukee. The Eagles and Rufus opened. I’m with Lebowski on The Eagles, and could just as easily have seen the Stones without Rufus. I don’t remember who opened for them any of the many other times I saw them since.

My point being, I don’t want to see Carrie Underwood sing with the Stones. I don’t care what a huge star she is. She’s not worthy.

And I don’t like what I read into it, either. The Stones trying to reach out to the, what, second, third, fourth or fifth generation of fans? To appeal to kids young enough to be their grandchildren? Great-grandchildren?

Or appeal to a country audience—with a non-country song? Then again, Underwood joined Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Dave Grohl among the youngsters who sat in with the Stones during the tour, so genre has nothing to do with it.

But let’s say they did want a country artist. Can you imagine the hysteria if Willie came out to duet with Mick, maybe the only superstar Willie hasn’t sung with? Or maybe a female artist who also emerged in the Stones Age, like Loretta Lynn? Too bad Skeeter Davis is gone, because she actually toured with the Stones in 1965.

Of course, the Stones have a number of country songs in their catalog they could choose from, including Hank Snow’s “I’m Moving On,” which appeared on their 1965 album December’s Children (and Everybody’s); “Far Away Eyes” (1978’s Some Girls, with Ron Wood on pedal steel) and “Dear Doctor,” from 1968’s Beggar’s Banquet. “Honky Tonk Women,” a Stones concert staple since topping the singles charts in 1969, is the obvious choice, as they recorded a country version, “Country Honk,” for that year’s Let It Bleed album.

Jim Bessman