I’m not exactly sure when it started, but my fondness for country music definitely began after I turned 30 years old. If you asked me anything about country western music in my younger years I probably would of barfed in response. I hated it. It was too simple, cheesy and full of silly songs that had nothing to do with my life.
But then something happened. A shift in my being began to enjoy the melodic and poppy tones of top 40 country music. I’m not talking about all the cool and classic strummers like Hank Williams Jr, Willie Nelson or Johnny Cash type of stuff. I’m referring to the tunes you hear on modern day country radio. Something about poppy country music puts my soul at ease. It raises the hair on my arms and allows me to connect to my heart in a very peaceful way.
It’s the greatest feeling ever. I’d say it’s almost like a free high but without the side effects of actually doing drugs. The roaming and floating feeling of the pedal steel guitar sound is what usually jolts my feelings and has me fighting back tears.
Yes, I said tears. Admittedly, I think I shed a tear every day that I listen to country music. Either I’ve gone insanely soft, or I’m accessing new feelings and portions of the heart that I’ve always neglected.
As a younger man I was really into progressive music. I liked things that were innovative, complex and hard to figure out. I enjoyed extreme talent and those that exhibited music on a virtuoso type level. Top 40 bubble gum music was the worst of the worst to me. That music was for simpletons for all I was concerned.
However, as I grew older I learned that not everything has to be so intricate and uniquely artistic that it omits 95% of audience who may otherwise enjoy the art. In fact, part of my RV travels to the south were to learn to enjoy the simple things in life. Instead of harboring the belief that the south was full of racist and simple minded folks (and yes I did believe this most of my life) it was my goal to just hang out and witness the things that I did like.
What ended up happening was that I learned there was immense beauty in simple things. While I may not have shared the same political or lifestyle beliefs as most of the people I encountered, I made a conscious effort to not judge anyone in a negative way even if I could find a roster of things I disliked. My trip was to find the things I did enjoy, and blind myself to the prejudices that I’d previously harbored most of my life.
That experience really helped me to have compassion and patience with others even when I may of wanted to shove a boot up their ass. Okay, I haven’t gone so country that I’m wearing boots yet. I’m still rocking the flip flops and skater shoes. Probably always will too unless I get the dopest spurs ever. Can you put spurs on skateboard shoes? I’d rock those!
Anyhow, trying to live each day with a empathetic heart and accepting others ideas and beliefs is something worth trying. I’m nowhere near perfect and still get a bit peeved by stupid people at times, but somehow country music helps me to negate those irate feelings.
Many people are seriously tripped out when they see me listening to country music. It just doesn’t match the California surfer image at all. Truthfully, it has nothing to do with a image or anything like that. It’s all about the emotions that the music and messages evoke.
Country music makes me smile, laugh and cry (in a great way). I guess, I’m a little bit country and a little bit rock n roll.
Lately I’ve been digging on Darius Rucker aka Hootie from Hootie and The Blowfish. He made the transition from being a rock n roll front man to become a country star. His music is pretty simple, yet very catchy. For instance, this song Alright below expresses his content with just having a roof over his head, and the woman he loves laying in his bed.
That’s sounds Alright by me. I can’t think of anything I’d desire more.
That’s exactly what happened to me! And the reaction to it in the UK is pretty much the same as amongst California Surfers (although, I have to laugh when groups like Lady Antebellum and Sugarland have hits here – as long as people can avoid using the word “country” and class it as pop or rock they don’t mind).
Thanks for sharing the Darius Rucker song. Was a fan of Hootie and the Blowfish before I ever started listening to country.
Lisa
Hey Lisa,
I know exactly what you mean. As long as they don’t know it’s country, it’s okay. Those Lady Antebellum jams are damn catchy. Hard to not dig some of those songs. They opened for Tim McGraw out here in San Diego the other night. I was going to go but wasn’t keen on driving all the way to inland Chula Vista.
Country has never been mainstream in the UK, well not if it was called “Country” anyway! In fact I think most Brits would equate the words “country music” with line dancing in old folk’s homes. I’d never even heard of Tim McGraw until a couple of months ago!
It’s strange because artists like Shania Twain, Keith Urban and Rascall Flatts have broken into the UK scene over the years without people realising they were country.
But what’s worth noting here is how the internet has changed how we listen to music. When I was a kid 30(ish)years ago most people’s musical tastes were fashioned, almost controlled even, by local media. Most of us had no idea about US music other than a handful of rock bands.
Now, especially with things like the “people who bought this also bought” system, most people’s musical tastes are much more of a personal journey than vendor driven.
And of course it’s much easier for a more “long tail” kind of artist to get their stuff out and find fans.
Great post.
I was born in California but moved back East when I was 15 – that was culture shock in itself. I went to high school and college on the East Coast but something changed for me that turned out to be awesome.
In 97 I moved to Texas. I felt the same about Country music (and the folks that listened to it), until I moved here. Then I met an awesome women that loved George Strait – so obviously I started listening.
We got married, had Kids, and I realized that it was hard to listen to Beastie Boys, Kid Rock, etc (still love that music too) while I had the kids with me in the car (Truck :-).)
Country is playing all the time. My oldest daughter, now 15, keeps me up to speed on the latest and greatest Country. And now most of my iTune downloads are Country
Funny how things change – Love the music, love my family and love TX!
Peace
Greg
No way in hell I’d want my kids listening to Kid Rock. I’m kind of shocked that other artists have even embraced that guy. He’s beyond classless. Just take a look at his old lyrics on any of his rap albums. The guy is pathetic in my mind.
I think he’s gotten a pass because people are just not aware of how vile and lame the guy truly is. His association with Sheryl Crow and other country stars was a brilliant move for his career but I’m still a bit baffled why any one of them would be willing to work with him after the atrocious things he writes about in his previous albums.
PS – I am going to Tim McGraw and Lady on Saturday!
Good Post! I had been thinking about the reasons I like country also lately. I grew up around horses & country music – got away from it in High school, then realized it was part of how I grew up & who I am.
It’s not the only music I listen too and I don’t like all the songs, but I agree many are catchy and tell a good story about God, the USA and family. And yes, you can listen to country with your family around.
Buffalo Springfield, Poco, Pure Prairie League, Firefall, etc. have held up as well or better than the great rock songs of the 60’s and 70’s. It is the reason I play lap steel now.
I was just in Venice last week and popped into a Murano glass store during a rainstorm and heard Lady Antebellum. A huge smile came across my face.
Jason,
I know you are having “issues” with the guitar, think about switching to lap steel, great with country and all forms of music. Check this out and you just may make the change:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYAqh-n6ZXo
Bert
Jason:
Just ran across(or into)you and your site while surfing some other IMers and I really like your style! Watched your presentation for Kern’s seminar and liked the way you injected some playfulness and charisma into your talk! I really enjoyed this post because I am as they say “southern by the grace of God”…LOL…and my dad was a country music writer, so I had the privilege to meet and hang out with a lot of stars growing up! Anyway I think you’re a cool cat and look forward to hearing more from you! Thanks again! LL
I love country music also. My favorite of all time is Cowboy Junkies The Trinity Session. Do you like that one also? I also like classic rock, DIDO, and funky old jazzy stuff like Peggy Lee Latin Ala Lee.
Thank you for what you do and share.
Your Bud,
Clay
PS: I am so glad you talked me into having courage last year. I am now forever in a video of Mass Control with you saying my name as I get on stage. How cool is that? I also learned from you how to remember peoples names. It’s a Lifetime achievement in success tip…
It’s cool to know I’m not the only one who is on the same road.
All through my childhood and during college I was deep into very technical music, mainly that progressive rock stuff you mentioned. I think I connected more with those artists because I was in a few bands and always wanted to play like that.
Ever since I met my girl about three years ago, I’ve been gradually mixing in some country tunes. For some reason I always tried to fight it thinking that it was corny and all the same sounding. But just like you said, it’s starting to touch my simple, more emotional side.
I guess there’s always a turning point somewhere in the road. The mix of my girl and realizing that I’ll make a better living in IM than being a rock star did it for me!
Hey Mofo,
I get what you’re saying big time. Nothing like a good ‘ole pedal steel to pull at your heart strings…
And to play country properly you need to be a serious musician! Guitarists like Brent Mason, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban and the likes rule…
I dig country and rock and roll and there ain’t nothing wrong with that.
Keep it country and rock it in Boston 🙂
Charl
Jason,
Fell in LOVE with country music (the new stuff) about 5 years ago. The group that did it for me was Sugarland and their song “Baby Girl”. The lead singer is Jennifer Nettles and as she puts it “she can rock you face off”. These new country shows remind me of rock back in the late 70’s and early 80’s. A few years ago I saw a show that had Kenny Chesney, Sugarland and Brooks and Dunn. WOW what a show. If you want to see a GREAT dvd find the CrossRoads DVD of Sugarland and Bon Jovi back in 2006.
Keep rockin (keep countrying just does not sound right)! You are the best on the net….
Len
Hootie is a great singer rock and/or country. When the blow fish went down for the count Darius Rucker moved and is still making the rock.