I Love Country Music, And I’m Not Ashamed

Earlier I wrote about baseball and the 2010 Toronto Blue Jays. And I had a lot of fun writing the piece. So I figured that I’d keep writing about things that I love. So here’s my next entry to the blogosphere, I Love County Music, And I’m Not Ashamed.

The title really says it all. I love me some country music. There was a time when I didn’t embrace it. I didn’t brag about my Billy Ray Cyrus tapes and my Garth Brooks CDs and I tried to find pop stations on my clock radio so that I could stay in the loop with everyone at school. But as I grew older the lyrics and stories in country music made more of an impact and impression on me. Country music is story telling music. It makes me laugh and smile and think and cry and sing along. In my opinion, there isn’t another mainstream genre of music that does the same. Country also remains much more pure in vocal performances. Auto Tune is not a main fixture in Nashville. And the harmonies are amazing.

Remember this too, country music isn’t the stereotype that it used to be. The songs aren’t all about pick-up trucks, dogs and losing your woman. You’re going to hear songs about parties, sex, love, revenge, God, family and fun. Country is cool again.

After saying that, because I am a proud country music fan, I want to add that I dug country before Shania, Faith and Tim took over. Give me Randy Travis or The Judds or Alabama and I’ll still be singing along.

I also think it’s safe to say that country music is in good hands moving forward. Brooks and Dunn may be retiring and George Strait and Reba may not be pumping out the hits as often as they used to, but that’s okay. The don’t need to. There’s a new generation here. Names like Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Josh Turner and Dierks Bentley are killing it in the top young female and male vocalist categories. While acts like Sugarland, Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum and the Zac Brown Band are taking over the airwaves with their songs in the duo and group categories.
If any of those names are unfamiliar to you I suggest that you hit Youtube or iTunes or something and check it out. Actually, let me build you a super easy playlist, ready?

Carrie Underwood – Jesus Take The Wheel, Cowboy Casanova

Miranda Lambert – Famous In A Small Town, House That Built Me

Taylor Swift – Tim McGraw, Our Song

Jason Aldean – Johnny Cash, Why

Josh Turner – Why Don’t We Just Dance, Your Man

Dierks Bentley – What Was I Thinkin’, Settle For A Slowdown

Sugarland – Want To, Stay

Little Big Town – Little White Church, Bring It On Home

Lady Antebellum – Need You Now, I Run To You

Zac Brown Band – Highway 20 Ride, Chicken Fried

Bonus: Sugarland w/ Little Big Town and Jake Owen – Life In A Northern Town

There, if you don’t like anything that you heard on that list I will write you a personal letter of apology. That’s how confident I am. This isn’t pop and it isn’t your grandpa’s country. It’s the new breed. It’s selling, it’s successful and it’s because it’s good.

That’s it my friends. I can’t convince you anymore than that. I’m watching videos on CMT right now and eagerly waiting to find out which of the 23 songs on that playlist is your favourite. And if you already love country and I missed a reason why or your favourite song, add it below so the sceptics can add it to the list.

p.s. Thank God I’m a country boy!

Author profile

Joshua Murray

creator of content, daddy blogger, writer, coffee drinker, fan of the Batman. proud mo bro. prouder dad.