I will never fully understand how my beer-drinkin', horse-ridin', redneck daddy and my genteel Southern Baptist mom raised such a hippie. They didn't get it either, and our differences made for many a squabble over the radio dial. My rebellion against their music and beliefs included my brother's Led Zeppelin albums, then when I started buying my own records in elementary school, disco and Blondie. Once I hit the punk/new wave of the eighties, there was no turning back, and I was an avowed country music hater.
Now that I'm older, I've come to the realization that maybe I'm a little redneck too. I like beer, I like horses, and I hate pretentious people and places. And one day, after accidentally hitting scan on my radio, I came across Country Legends. And wouldn't you know, I actually started singing along! The music they play brings back a strong sense of nostalgia, plus, if you listen to the lyrics, you quickly realize that Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Dolly Parton are some of the most gifted songwriters that ever graced our planet. Patsy Cline's voice, in all of its beautiful sorrow could never be duplicated, and Loretta Lynn's simple wisdom is a gem. They even play Elvis (I'm from Memphis, it's mandatory that I'm an Elvis fan)! What's not to love here?
Today would've been Dad's 72nd birthday. I'm gonna have a Lone Star beer after work and listen to some Country Legends....and if you hear a loud rumbling from the earth, that's probably just my dad rolling over in his grave from happy disbelief! read more