Country
Western
One thing about country western music, the lines of attraction and
preference are clearly divided: people can tell you (and will tell you)
they either love it or hate it. Small word wars are waged
across the miles over country western music. Tears are shed
(for, against, and because of) country western music.
I have friends that accept me despite their disdain and in spite of my
love of country and western. I grew up on it. My
father, a very simple, very quiet man, would make few sounds when he
worked (as a supremely skilled carpenter and craftsperson).
But when he did speak, it was to sing old country songs, such as
“The Blackboard of My Heart,” “There
Stands the Glass,” or any selection from the Eddy Arnold or
Hank Williams (senior) repertoire.
When he and Mom had friends over, there was always a 33 (also known as
an LP, a vinyl disc we put on what was called a turn table, for you
ipod and DVD/CD babies) on, playing either Tammy Wynette’s
“Stand by Your Man,” Donna Fargo’s
“Funny Face,” another legendary star’s
work, or, as those of you who are country music fans from way back will
swoon, a number by Patsy Cline. Granted, Loretta Lynn, Dolly
Parton, and the many who have followed over the years—LeAnn
Rhymes with her pristine warble, The Judds, with their stunning
harmony—are to be reckoned with, but Patsy lives forever,
with “Crazy,” “Walkin After
Midnight,” and “I Fall to
Pieces….”
The country western music is of a decade or so ago is, too, moving,
engaging, and alluring. Randy Travis rules. Kenny,
Clint, Alabama, and Willie still reign over a huge plot of the country
landscape. The Rockabilly artists merged (or re-merged)
genres, so Chris Isaak (the king of contemporary country crooners)
speaks to huge numbers, while Johnny Cash has made a comeback
posthumously, recalling every word and intonation for those of us who
grew up watching the variety shows with “Ring of
Fire” and “I Walk the Line” resounding in
our heads as if we were ten again. And up-and-coming country
and western stars are giving the charts a shake, as well.
Billy Currington, Gretchen Wilson, Shania, Kenny C..
But Glen singing “I am a lineman for the
county…;” Ray lowing “Take the ribbon
from your hair…;” or Merle almost crying
“Tonight, the bottle let me down… will always go
straight from the head to the aching center of our souls.
Then there’s Elvis…. Don’t
let’s get started on that debate, though.
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