01/28/2024
Sitting here with a bunch of folks, and the topic of country music came up. (Keep in mind, as usual, I’m the standout in the room - multiracial, educated, yankee trucker, sitting in a local cowboy bar in Texas). When they asked me how long I’ve been listening to country music, I had take a few back, far beyond the day they born - I used to listen to country music on a mono-speaker AM radio, as my father drove his Monte Carlo, way back in 1976. (Yeah, son. I’m a little older than I look. But DAMN, I look good, right? 😆).
But I explained to them that the reason why I like all genres of music, (but especially country music),is because of the meaning behind the lyrics. So, everyone started naming their favorites. (Of course, every classic country song known to man was mentioned. And likewise, every 21st century country artist was slammed, with the typical, “These kids don’t know what country music is”. I walked over and put THIS song on. When it started playing, (even though it’s a little older now), I explained to them that this song might possibly be some of the best and most quintessential country music lyrics that I’ve ever heard. Not a “my ol’ lady left me, my dog died, & my truck won’t start” stuff. But a song about simple people who appreciate a simple life, in a county that they love. As I told them, it’s what I promote. Simple traditional living, hard work, and basic principles.
One of the ol’ timers said, as the song was ending, “That’s the problem with this country now - People forgot all of this stuff”. Well, Texas - Welcome Jacksonville, Alabama’s own, Riley Green, (and some pretty damn good lyrics).
“Easy is at the end of a long day.
Free’s how you feel, NOT what you pay.
Simple’s how we live.
Thanks is what we give.
Roots in the ground is why we stay.
Brave is 18, wearing Army green.
Truth is in the words in RED we read.
Proud is what you say about where you’re from.
Heroes are Daddys and Mommas are loved.
Right is right, and wrong is wrong.
Yeah, we’re doing things a little different ‘round here.”
Music video by Riley Green performing Different ‘Round Here. © 2023 Big Machine Label Group, LLChttp://vevo.ly/im6McD