Monday, July 30, 2007

Country is definitely for the country folk

So I was driving along in Wisconsin (long story), flipping through radio stations, and I came across something interesting.

I should first say that in CT there is exactly 1 country radio station. Those that listen are often transplants from another state, in CT because of work, school or whatever. Country is not mainstream. My friends and I used to have a saying... "There is country, and there is music. And never the twain shall meet."

I have moderated my stance on country music since meeting my wife, who is a native to Minnesota. I can stand some, but the twangy, down home, I'm a truck driver/farmer/"She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy"/coal miner stuff is not my cup of tea (refer to the above saying). Some songs, like "Life is a Highway" by Rascal Flatts are fun and catchy, and more pop with a country flavor than country.

So, while driving with my wife, the lovely and gracious Nora, I was flipping through stations, and came across a country station. And a song started. It is the latest and greatest in the country world. Yes, it is entitled "Inernational Harvester" and is sung by Craig Morgan.

The song is HYSTERICAL... it's is a story/gripe song about how he is the son of a farmer and drives a harvesting combine and how mad he is at people who drive behind him honking because he is so slow.

Now, I understand that driving a combine is a worthy profession. But a song about it? And is is a relatively big hit apparently (we heard it again later on another station). Talk about a country song... wow. I have NO idea how to relate to it. Driving a lawn tractor is about as close as I have gotten.

I couldn't listen to the whole thing, but you can hear a sample HERE.

As I said, there is country and there is music. And, with a few slight qualifications... never the twain shall meet. At least as far as I am concerned!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just to clarify this for you:

There is Nashville country, and then there is Texas country (aka Alternative Country). The latter is really quite good and I have managed to convert some of you yamn dankees to what real music is all about. Nashville puts out songs like International Harvester, She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy, and songs that are pop music warmed over, such as Shania Twain and Lone Star emmissions. But when you want something GOOD to listen to, you might just need a good ol' helpin' of Django Walker, Pat Green, Robert Earl Keen Jr., Great Divide, Max Stalling, or Cross Canadian Ragweed.
*I would just like to say that Lone Star is one of my least favorite bands out there, and it saddens me that they named themselves after the great State of Texas.

"Nick" said...

Um... I think I just said I liked the music that was more pop like (i.e. Lonestar) more than the other. And names like "Cross Canadian Ragweed" isn't going to help...:D

Anyway, I am more of a jazz, rock, pop type. I love Ella Fitzgerald, Frank (who needs no last name), The Beatles and U2. Pretty much all forms of country are not for me.

Anonymous said...

The Ella, The Beatles, and U2 are also at the top of my list, but I guess I just have "broader" taste. :)

CRCHAIR said...

I pretty much only like Country that is Pop music. It doesn't hurt if it is accompanied by a pretty face either ;)

Anonymous said...

Of course, I am from NJ/CT, but I don't like country music, either. I can take about one song a day, but that's my limit.