Before I go any further, please remember... it is my gratitude post. If you don't like country music, I can fully appreciate we all have unique music tastes. Mine is quite eclectic.
I grew up in the country and the radio on the bus was determined by the bus driver. WLS had pop music and "Animal Stories" with Larry Lujack and Little Snot-nosed Tommy. We felt famous when "The Kankakee Cow Killers" made "Animal Stories" with a little incident down by the courthouse in Kankakee. WMAQ was our country music station. Both stations were out of Chicago, so we had high quality radio and heard the latest and greatest hits.
There were always crossover hits that we all enjoyed such as: "The Devil Went Down To Georgia", "Take Me Home Country Roads," "Kiss An Angel Good Morning," "I Will Always Love You"(Dolly Parton's Version), "Delta Dawn,", and "Here You Come Again" are just a few. Throw in a little Ray Stevens with "The Streak" for humor and music created the backdrop of our school day memories.
We were a little bit country and a little bit rock-n-roll before Donny and Marie made it cool. Country music has always told stories. Ballads are my favorites in any genre, but country shines in that category. From "Convoy" and "Phantom 309" to Tim McGraw's "Don't Take the Girl," the stories make us smile, laugh, and cry. Carrie Underwood does a great job of telling a story, too. When Vince Gill sings, "When My Amy Prays," my heart melts.
Last weekend was "Tailgate N Tallboys 2023" in Bloomington/Normal. We have never attended but know many who have. I love when live country music comes to local venues. It was well attended again this year from all reports. The love of country music continues to grow and spread to the next generations coming up.
Music is a gift from God. David was a shepherd, a warrior, a king, and a musician. It was his music that soothed King Saul's soul and gained him favor with the king.
When David was king, music was a priority:
"David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their fellow Levites as musicians to make a joyful sound with musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals." - 1 Chronicles 15:16
They didn't have the country music we are familiar with today, but I am sure some of their songs included stanzas related to caring for the animals and the land.
Today, I am grateful for country music.
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