That Good Old Country Music

I don't mind telling ya, country music was once a great genre of music and I loved it but those who know me also know I favor bluegrass these days. The fall of 1967 was an exciting time for me. High school now behind me and with no money for college and higher learning, I did as many before me, I got myself a job in the cotton mill. Heck, I was lucky to even get that job because like most 18 year old boys who had 1A status according to the local draft board, I knew my number would soon be called by my rich Uncle and Southeast Asia a most likely journey for this hick from North Carolina.

My job in the cotton mill was on the 3rd shift and many that I worked with liked country music. The juke box at Freeman's Lunch our before work time hangout was full of the latest Merle Haggard, Conway Twitty songs and we fed our quarters faithfully and enjoyed a healthy dose of C&W before making our way to the mill for our 8 hour shifts.

In the late 1960's a radio station which I think is no longer would hold concerts in the huge coliseum in Greenville, SC. The station was 660 and seems I can still hear the DJ. "This is 660 in Dixie, the beacon high in Southern sky. Almost every quarter there would be a concert. In those days multiple artist came and the coliseum would be filled to capacity. Some of my co-workers invited me to go to one concert. The show that night featured,Conway Twitty, The Wilborn Brothers, Loretta Lynn (my favorite all time woman singer) and a then young Tammy Wynette.

We arrived a little early to find our seats and one of my friends told me we might be able to get back stage. The mobile unit owned by the radio station had been set up for a remote station and would be doing live interviews with the entertainers. He and I slipped back stage and to our surprise the DJ was interviewing Loretta Lynn. My heart skipped more than one beat. We hung around until she came out and we both got to talk briefly with Loretta. I told her she was my favorite singer and she gave me a little smooch on the cheek. I didn't wash my face for a week! For sure I had good dreams for a while even though on the way home driving alone on a back country road across the mountain, I did see a fox that almost jumped inside my old 56 Chevy Bel Air.

My how times have changed and rarely will you see multiple entertainers in C&W performing together on the same program. The music has also changed and high tech with videos and lighting seem to reach a broader base of fans. I will still listen to country western and watched some of the CMA awards this week. The entertainers seem younger and maybe the stories and lyrics of songs differ from the old c and w I enjoyed when a teenager. The music and fans are here to stay and that what's good about music.