Country music is something that I have drifted towards and away from over the years. When I was in high school it was one of the golden ages of country. Garth Brooks, George Strait, Martina McBride, there was a lot of awesome stuff going on at the time.
Then in the early 2000's I kind gravitated away from it for some reason. Not because I didn't like it, I just had other stuff that I was listening to on a more consistent basis. Who can really guess about the whims of our musical dalliances'.
More recently, country music has become a virtual staple in my weekly listening regimen.
So, if you hate country music, you might want to stop reading right now. Just make sure you still upvote me :)
If you love it or you are on the fence, check out some of this really great stuff.
Country music is songs about life. Whether you think so or not. Sure, not everyone has been divorced and lost their dog or driven around in a pickup truck, but I bet everyone has suffered heartbreak, heartache, love, or that perfect summer day.
Larry Fleet is a pretty new comer to the scene. It is possible he has been around for a while, but this is his first big hit that is getting played on the radio, so that is why I call him a newcomer.
I've went to church all my life, and some of my best mentors in the church have impressed upon me the idea that being a Christian is more about having a person relationship with God versus practicing a religion.
The lyrics in this song really speak to that and because of that they speak to me. I love nature, and sometimes I can feel closer to God sitting on a boat in the middle of the lake fishing than I do on Sunday in a building.
Okay, enough philosophical stuff. Give him a listen, he has a great sound!
Ah, The Chicks (formerly The Dixie Chicks), where do I even begin with this trio. They definitely have a long and storied history in country music.
I'd say they have staying power, but the fact is they went away for quite some time after the whole backlash for speaking out against president Bush. How much things have changed these days. I guess that is part of what happens when you criticize a president who actually acts "presidential".
So, instead of calling it staying power, let's call it a comeback. Their new album Gaslighter has some really great stuff on it. I have always been a fan of Natalie Maines. She has that rasp and kind of childlike quality to her voice that is really cool. It is also very powerful and kind of heart wrenching when it has to be all at the same time.
Anyway, check them out and see what you think. If you liked their old stuff, I think you will enjoy their new stuff too.
Luke Combs is pretty awesome. I got to see him in concert a year or two ago with my wife and it was a fantastic show. Part of what I like about him is he doesn't fit the mold of the typical country singer these days. With "pretty boy" artists like Sam Hunt and the like dominating the airwaves, it is refreshing to see an artist like Luke.
You can tell he writes a lot of his own stuff because they are songs about life, love, and the everyday stuff that happens to all of us.
I think this is one of the best songs about the pandemic that is out there currently. It is honest, without being hokey or too in your face. It is real thoughts that a lot of us are having. There is a reason that Luke has been dominating the country charts lately. I think people can relate to him and that is really important.
He has a new album out and if you like this song you definitely need to listen to the whole thing. Drinking songs, love songs, it has it all!
There you go, that is what I have been listening to this week. Let me know what you have been spinning in the comments. Better yet, write your own post and use the #whoareyoulisteningto tag.
