Country Music

Not everyone that loves Country music is Southern. And not all Southerners love Country music. This may take you Yankees by surprise, but I have dear Southern friends who can trace their roots back to the War of Northern Aggression and they hate (with a passion) Country music. Southerners are nothing if not eclectic in their musical tastes. You will find any and all kinds of music on a Southerner's IPod and/or CD player from Eminem to Loretta Lynn. In my young and foolish days, I told myself (and others) that I hated Country music. And yet, I owned Barbara Mandrell records. I used to turn my nose up at Blue Grass. Then found that I admired Ricky Skaggs. I told myself that Alabama wasn't really Country, they were more Southern than Country.

In the 1980's I woke up and realized that I was lying to myself. I'm not a purest as my aunts are. They haven't like the direction Country music has taken since Loretta Lynn stopped wearing that long, lacy dress. And while I do miss some of the artists of the 80's & 90's, I still enjoy the artists who stay true to that acoustic sound.

What do I love about this music? I love the way it reminds me of where and what I come from. Like kudzu. I love the way each song is a story. I'm a story-teller, you see. I love the way most of the singers' Southern accents shine through. I love the way the instruments are used and highlighted in the songs. I love the way that most of the artists are passionate about this country and our military men and women! Country music is a way of keeping in touch with our roots. Country music fans know and are willing to share their beliefs. And, again, it's all about the story.

My suggestion to you, wherever you may be? Find that Country music station on your radio. Turn it up and give it a few days. While you might hear some songs that you don't like, I believe that you'll find more that you can love. Listen to the lyrics before you criticize that steel guitar. Bet you will find something you like!

Only Southerners

Southern people are some of the most gracious and hospitable people you will ever meet. We have our faults, but you will probably want a Southerner by your side when you are faced with the tragedies life can bring. I just wanted to make these facts available to you before I regale you with some of the 'charming' idiosyncrasies of we Southerners.

Ony in the South will you see such tributes to the great people of sports. Enjoy!

Only in the South will you see such displays of class (?) Don't put us down for these displays. You know (those of you who aren't Southern) that you would do these thinks if you thought you could get away with it!

Southern Life...

Here in the South, there are quite a few constants. SEC fans bleed the colors of their teams. My blood is Maroon and White, if you must know. Food is best when all the fat, calories and starches are included. Football, high school, college and pro, trumps all. 'Bubba' is the name of at least fifty percent of men. Trailer parks are magnets for tornadoes. Red dirt stains everything it touches. Magnolia trees and blossoms grow best in high temperatures and humidity. And kudzu is just waiting for us to stop fighting it.

When I was in first grade, my mother told me that the field of kudzu next door was 'where the snakes lived'. She thought that would keep me out of it. As I am still here that means that it worked. I'm still not sure if that is true, but I'm not willing to take the chance. Driving home this evening I thought it would be a 'hoot' (a favorite phrase of my favorite NC mountain girl) if I started a blog on kudzu and the peculiarities and delights of Southern life. Is this an original idea? I'm not sure, but I thought I'd take the chance.

Hope you enjoy. If you do, please comment. If you don't, please don't comment. If you have ideas for posts, write them in the comments.