I usually make an effort to not come off as an asshole (and really I'm not) when talking about music, but I will always make an exception when it comes to country. I have an almost moral opposition to most modern country music. It stems from the fact that I really really love real, pre-Urban Cowboy and pre-Garth Brooks (although I won’t pretend I don’t have a soft spot for The Thunder Rolls) country music. It’s probably my favorite genre. Lost Highway puts me in a trance, I think Johnny Cash was the ultimate swagger master, Patsy Cline was and is a goddess and Roy Acuff gave us some of the most beautiful music in history.
During a car trip with my sister and her beau, or my not quite a brother in law, I was subjected to hours of modern country music. I had my ipod, but I felt like it would be rude to just plug out through the entire trip. And they were obviously enjoying it, so I didn't want to beg for a change of music. So this car ride, filled with Brad Paisley and Trace Adkins and the like was a problem for me.
How did we get here? How did we go from this to this, this and this? One of my biggest pet peeves is when people assume that those who were raised in the country or on a farm or in a tiny town are stupid or inferior. But I can't say I blame them. What else are you going to think when you're pummeled with the dumbest lyrics, most forgettable melodies and videos of Toby Keith in a trucker hat that says 'Nachos'?
It's hilarious to me that this is considered alternative country music while Kenny Chesney is on top of the country charts. When did we fail so hard?
But just as I was reverting to my ipod, when I thought all hope was lost, Seminole Wind came on the radio.
Now that.. I could appreciate. I don’t even care. This is a great song. And I don’t think I ever really appreciated it until it blessed a radio that had so recently played tunes such as Honky Tonk Badonkadonk and I Love This Bar.
God bless you John Anderson. My hero.
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