Why I Love Country Music & Gulf Coast Jam
“You’re not supposed to say
The word cancer in a song
And tellin’ folks Jesus is the answer
Can rub ’em wrong
It ain’t hip to sing about tractors, trucks
Little towns and mama
Yeah, that might be true
But this is country music and we do”
-Brad Paisley
With Gulf Coast Jam happening this weekend, it is making me take a minute to think about why I LOVE country music. I get annoyed when people say that country music is only about dirt roads, drinking beer, and heartbreaks. Sure, there are plenty of songs like these, but there is so much more to country music.
Trace Adkins sings it best,
“It’s songs about me
And who I am
Songs about loving and living
And good-hearted women and family and God”
I love country music because country artists have a way of capturing my deepest thoughts and feelings then putting them into lyrics with music for the whole world to hear. How many times have we wanted to express ourselves, but we can’t put into words what we’re feeling. Then the perfect song comes along that makes you feel like someone has been reading your diary, but it gives you this feeling of “I am not alone in this.” Country music brings people together. Some of the artists I mention will be singing at Gulf Coast Jam this weekend!
The Deep Stuff
I’ve heard plenty of people say that country music is surface-level and is not as deep as other genres. While that may be true for some songs, I don’t think it’s true for all of country music. If you listen, really listen to songs like George Strait’s “Letters from Home,” or Vince Gills, “When I Call Your Name,” or Cole Swindoll’s “You Should Be Here” without tearing up a little, you probably need to go ask the wizard for a heart. Speaking of that, if you have ever been through a bad breakup, you probably identified with Kenny Chesney’s song “The Tin Man.” P.S. Miranda Lambert’s song isn’t that bad, but Kenny sings it better in my opinion. If you really want a good cry, watch the video of Alan Jackson singing “He Stopped Loving Her Today” at George Jones’s funeral. Grab the tissues. You will need them.
The Hard Stuff
Country music songs also cover difficult topics like child abuse in “Concrete Angel” by Martina McBride and “Alyssa Lies” by Jason Michael Carol as well as alcoholism in “That’s Why I’m Here” by Kenny Chesney and “Whiskey Lullaby” by Brad Paisley. Songs about the devastating effects of cancer like “Skin” by Rascal Flats, “Tough” by Craig Morgan, and “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” by Martina McBride. There are songs about making the most of the life that you’ve been given (“Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim McGraw, “My List” by Toby Keith, “Don’t Blink” by Kenny Chesney, and “Life’s a Dance” by John Michael Montgomery). Garth Brooks sings of being grateful for “Unanswered Prayers” and the lessons of pain in “The Dance.” There is also no shortage of songs about loving our country and those who fight for it like “American Soldier” by Toby Keith, “If You’re Reading This” by Tim McGraw, “Have You Forgotten” by Daryl Worley, and “Arlington” by Trace Adkins.
The Feel Good Stuff
Now that we’ve gone through the sad stuff, let’s talk about the happier songs. Country singers can sing about more than their dog dying and their woman leaving. Some of the greatest love songs are country songs:
- “I Cross My Heart” by George Strait
- “Today” by Brad Paisley
- “Forever and Ever, Amen” by Randy Travis
- “When I Said I Do” by Clint Black
- “Me and You” by Kenny Chesney
The Good Stuff
I’m going to make a list, and I want you to tell me if there is a single song on this list that you don’t sing along with when you hear it. These are songs most everyone knows, and it makes almost everyone happy to hear them.
- Sweet Home Alabama – Lynard Skynard
- Friends in Low Places – Garth Brooks
- Redneck Woman – Gretchen Wilson
- I Feel Like a Woman – Shania Twain
- I Like It, I Love It – Tim McGraw
- Achy Breaky Heart – Billy Ray Cyrus
- Fishin in the Dark – Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
- Country Girl – Luke Bryan
- Jolene – Dolly Parton
- Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys – Waylon Jennings
- Free Bird – Lynard Skynard
- Fancy – Reba McEntire
I could go on, but I think you get my point. There is more to country music than what you might think. Music brings people together in a magical, unexplainable way, and I think country music does a beautiful job of connecting people. And this is why I love Country Music.
We hope you enjoy your weekend at Gulf Coast Jam!! Let us know who your favorite country music artists are!
PS While you are here for Gulf Coast Jam, buy the beach house! Here are the properties available: gotbeach.com
For more information on Gulf Coast Jam, go to their website: gulfcoastjam.com
