Dj Steckelberg

I hate country music. I mean really hate it. If it were my neighbor I would never talk to it. I mean, if they talked to me, well, then sure, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to say hi or anything. That’s how much I hate it.

Well, Willie Nelson is cool, but that’s it. Oh, I forgot, I’ve listened to Johnny Cash my entire life. And his last album amazes the mind and touches the heart in incredible ways. I like anything thing Kris Kristophersen writes. When Willie Nelson performs Kris’s “Pilgrim,” I want to cry.

Other than those guys though, Country blows. Except for Dwight Yokum. He’s as cool as a late ’70s L.A. punk band. Oh, man! I can’t believe I forgot Garth. I must admit that I used to listen to a lot of Garth Brooks. Not so much Chris Gaines. For some reason I never got into that dude, but Garth, yeah man.

Waylon Jennings wrote the theme to The Dukes Of Hazard. George Straight has one of the best voices in popular music today. Come to think of it …

You know? I was wrong. I guess I don’t hate country music all that much. Omigosh. I think I like it. I do…oh wow…what a break through. I feel so much better. Like a weight has been lifted. Phew! I came out! I can’t believe it. I feel so liberated! So right! SO ME!! I like country music and I don’t care who hears it! YOU HEAR ME WORLD? I LIKE COUNTRY MUSIC!!! SOME OF IT AT LEAST! IT’S PRETTY GOOD AND THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT!!

I guess there is no taking it back now, huh? Well good, I’m glad I said it. After all, country music came directly from the same source as Rock ‘N’ Roll: the Blues. In fact Muddy Waters sang a song called: Country and the Blues had a baby and they called it Rock ‘N’ Roll. Or something like that I think.

In fact, if I hear one more person say they hate country. I am going to say: “Oh, yeah? Well what’s wrong with it? … HUH?”

And they are going to say: “SHUT UP.” Which just goes to prove my point: I hang around with jerks.

But really, what is wrong with Country? Sure sometimes the lyrics are so pandering and cheesy. But so are RNR’s. Have you ever really listened to lyrics? I don’t mean sing along with, I mean say them, read your favorite song like a poem. Now, sing your favorite poem … I think you see what I mean.

Country songs are also usually short which is nice, with the short attention span we have because of all the TV we watch.

I sorta kinda think that Country music can sometimes be pretty cool, a lot, or whatever.

Write to DJ Steckelberg at [email protected].