Why I Listen To Country Music
Music For The Heart
In the last few years I have started to listen to more country music. I never wanted to admit I ever listened to Country music. Some of my family members would have strong opinions about what Country Music lacks in style or talent. I am finding that I want music to soothe me, to keep me calm, and I found that this genre of music does just that. I no longer feel inhibited in listening. I no longer feel I have to listen to this style music in private. Becoming familiar with who is singing on my familiar radio station is what I need to do. Even now the cable and digital television has music stations for country music which caters to my new educational field. I have become truly pleased with what I have heard.
The names of country music are only a few in my likings so far. Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Faith Hill, Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Lady Antebellum, and Darius Rucker are some of the names of artists that I have enjoyed. Their delivery of songs provide music for the heart. They are true to life stories to music. They paint descriptive pictures for the listener. Sometimes they sing about everyday life, ups and downs of life, and most likely the melody will have you either crying into your beverage or tapping your foot to the rhythm. This kind of music is an excellent choice to play for the occasion of reuniting with loved ones, or to soothe a lonely soul. It is always possible to find God in music, especially in the heart of the country song writer. Passion and emotion is often found in the theme of its lyrics.
I have been singing and playing guitar since age eleven. As soon as I could strum a series of chords together, I have been writing lyrics to my original tunes. Genre? Back in 1971, that word did not exist, at least in my life. I never even knew what style of music I was playing, until recently. I was singing for a gathering at a friend's party. The people I sang for are more familiar with Gospel and R&B. Then, one of the listeners said, " Keep playing that country and western style; I like it." At that point, the genre of music I was avoiding to listen to (because of a negative attitude of a family member) has ended up being the very kind of music that I have been playing all my life.
WHAT DO THEY SING ABOUT
What is important to the country lyricist is getting the story told. Country lyrics tell a story. With the music video industry, some of the imagination of the mind is squelched; that is why the country music stations should be supported. This kind of music can get the job done if played in the background at the workplace. It can also break the ice if played during a social occasion. When the ode of someone's life is sung about, just like reading a book, one can learn a lot about another, and there is always a moral or conclusion in each song. Love songs are by the double dozen on the programming of any country music station. Occasionally, there will be a cross over to rock or rap, but it always returns to the original mode of heart felt theme.
OLD FAVORITES
Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn come to mind as memorable Country music artists in the earlier part of my life. Those names are always going to be etched in gold, and so the Hall Of Fame will keep their legacies alive. The musical artists of today in the country genre have influence by these big talents. Their music will be in the hearts of many listeners forever. Even though I am not quite familiar with the Grand Ole Opry, I know that its contribution to the American Music Industry is great.
COUNTRY 101
If I would be asked to play any trivia game about country music and its artists, I would not do well. But I have a desire to have soothing music in my life, and to make my day go pleasant. There is a time for Rock-n-roll, there is a time for Jazz, and there is a time for Dance or HipHop, but Country Music can be played at any time forever! I can always find something to like when I listen. How about you?
