Country music was one of the first genres of commercial music that interested me, way back in Grade 4 when I was 9 years old (Before country, I think my repertoire consisted of the Muppets Christmas album, Kids Songs 2, and Dance Mix 92). I remember driving along Brown's Hill Road in my dad's Datsun Pickup truck on the way home from the Ayer's Cliff Country Fairgrounds with my dad and Sirena (my best friend since forever), when Shania Twain - Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under started playing on 1490 AM. My dad and Sirena had both heard this song before, since they both liked watching the new channel that we got on cable, NCN (New Country Network, before it became CMT). I really liked the song, so I started watching more NCN. The next time my family took a trip into Zellers in Magog, I bought Shania Twain's CD (The Woman In Me) with money that I saved up from my paper route.
I can still remember most of the songs that interested me back then! Many of them are still in regular rotations on my playlists. Songs like Kathy Mattea - 455 Rocket, Bryan White - Someone Else's Star, George Strait - Check Yes Or No, Alan Jackson - Chattahoochee, John Michael Montgomery - I Swear, Tim McGraw - I Like It, I Love It...and sooo many others.
My interest in country music faded when someone got me Dance Mix 95 for Christmas, but resurfaced when I joined Columbia House :) I think I joined a few times, and scored over 40 free CDs. I managed to accumulate over a hundred CDs (about half of which are country). Columbia House took me to collections when I was 14 years old because I forgot to finish my contract with them :) Was the collections woman ever surprised when she got me on the phone! But I digress. My point is that I went through a lot of hassle to collect those CDs, but I'm extremely glad that I did, even though they'll probably collect dust for a very long time (enter mp3).
I'm forgetting one little piece of history that got me interested in country music. For a good chunk of my elementary school years, Ms. Belknap used to babysit my brother and I after school. We'd walk home from school, share a powerhug or two, pour a pot of tea, and throw on John Denver's Greatest Hits :) I still know all the words to Grandma's Feather Bed. Also, my dad used to play it on the guitar for my brother and I when we were young. I was clearly introduced to the genre at a very early age.
Country music is a very interesting genre. Millions of North Americans love it. If you're one of those "Ewwww, country" people, I implore you to open your mind (and your ears) a little, and try to understand why so many people appreciate this genre of music. Start with today's songs of the day:
A brand new country ballad:
Something a little more upbeat:
5 comments:
You were lucky to have those powerhugs and tea and chat sessions after school in your elementary years. Perhaps you were even more lucky to have a babysitter so tolerant she willingly listened to John Denver with you until those songs were engraved in her memory forever. Never forget the babysitter who was much more than a babysitter - one who still cares about everything that happens to you. We all appreciate her for the big heart she has.
As much as I want to be one of those people who hates country, I listened to it up until grade six and last month I made myself 2 mixed country cds. You can never escape...
-Ayron
Country music is all about the stories...no matter what mood I'm in. I can find a country song that can capture that feeling... I can feel joy or cry big tears....it is all about the words.
As a singer it is also great music to sing....the great ballads by lonestar, diamond rio and Collin Raye are my favorites..
In the immortal words of a recent country song. I'm not as good as I once was. but I'm as good once as I ever was....
Good day...
Andrew
I think country music is the continuation of good old rock and rol...dressed up in tassled jackets, chaps and spurs. (No not S&M!!!)
Listen to Alan Jackson or Little Texas etc. then an old Buddy Holly song and see if the riffs are not similar. I like Southern Country Rock ala Alabama, Pure Prairie League and Lynyrd Skynyrd I am dating myself here!
N
Hahah Robbie... I love it. I have gone back to my roots (the Tommy Hunter Show anyone?) and started listening to country again. Neon moon anyone?
-Peace
Post a Comment