Today this country girl is celebrating Country Music. Wikipedia notes that country music is "a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States" with "roots in traditional folk music, Celtic music, blues, gospel music, hokum, and old-time music." It notes that country music has produced two of the top selling solo artists of all time, Elvis Presley and Garth Brooks. Country music has evolved over the years and country rock and country pop are growing in popularity. Wikipedia also reports that as of 2007, country is the most popular radio format in America, reaching 77.3 million adults--almost 40 percent of the adult population--every week!
The Country Music Association annually recognizes country music artists and gives awards in the following twelve categories: Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Female Vocalist, Horizon Award (similar to the "rookie of the year" award in sports), Vocal Group, Vocal Duo, Single, Album, Song, Music Event, Music Video, and Musician. Tonight the CMA awards will be broadcast. On my blog, a playlist of many of the artists nominated is available for your listening pleasure. My favorite picks are shown below using a cool widget from the CMA Awards site:
MySpace users get your own picks and widget here
© 2007 Country Music Association, Inc.
Some might say, what could there be to celebrate about country music? It seems so depressing. Country music is indeed often about how somebody done somebody wrong, who's cheating who, and other generally sad topics. It's often about outlaws and pesky in-laws. Country songs are often about fighting and drinking in honky-tonks. About heartaches and loves lost. However, country music captures the emotions and hearts of many people through music, both the good times and the bad. Looking down the Billboard chart today, you'd be advised:
DON'T BLINK as you travel FREE AND EASY DOWN THE ROAD and don't miss the things in life that are SO SMALL so that love will be MORE THAN A MEMORY. And, IF YOU'RE READING THIS, you might say "HOW 'BOUT THEM COWGIRLS in Texas who write blogs about celebrating life. I might just FALL over such a little FIRECRACKER and we'll be LIVIN' OUR LOVE SONG while her blog is playing OUR SONG." Insert laughter here.
2 comments:
I used to not like country music until I started working at Saltgrass Steakhouse, where I was forced to listen. I now really like it, and have gotten into some especially older music from "Asleep at the Wheel" albums. I happen to like Brooks and Dunn as my all time favorite country band. Alabama is also a favorite as well.
Also, interesting all the different influences that combined to make country music. Texas had alot of German and Celtic settlers. I wonder if this is why its so popular here.
Post a Comment