First Time

It was a late August afternoon, I was stretched out on the couch wondering why the air conditioner never reached me whenever I sat in here. It's hot and muggy outside. I can barley lift my arm to sip my ice tea. My husband comes in from work, looking sun kissed and happy. "I have a confession to make." he said. I lift my eyebrows in a slightly concerned look. "I have been listening to country music." I'm lying their and staring. "I just can't listen to that garbage on the radio anymore. It's refreshing to hear uplifting music, and they actually have talent."

That's how it started, a journey into the excitement of music again, a trip to a Rascal Flatts Concert, because Blake Shelton was playing, converting my daughters to country music and a trip to Nashville!!!

After the day Eric disclosed his secret, I decided to give it a try. Of course I was not totally ignorant to the ways of Country Music, I new a few songs by Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton and Alabama. I watched CMT a lot after 9/11. I realized maybe the country music culture was more in tune to my sad thoughts and pain at that time. But that was pretty much it.

So I started to listen to country music radio. It was refreshing, uplifting and best of all fun. I couldn't get enough. I watched CMT all the time. And there were certain songs that resonated, it was like it reached into my soul and took hold.

One night I watched the Duets concert on CMT and it was then I really fell. Blake Shelton singing "Your the Reason God Made Oklahoma", with Miranda Lambert. It was so good!! ( maybe because it was foreshadowing B and L's future relationship.) I wanting to know more about Blake, who was he? Where did he come from? etc., etc. So I did what everyone does in the 21st century, I googled him.
Much to my surprise I was able to fine his web site and join his fan club. At first I was reluctant. I mean I never belonged to anything like that. Well maybe when I was a teeny bopper, but the culture of country music is different. It appeals to all ages. I found out that the musicians make time to meet the fans. This was perplexing to me. I had been to plenty of concerts, shows, and performances but never had I been able to meet a "STAR", and have my picture taking with them. It just was not done, I had no idea such a thing took place. So for that reason and maybe that reason alone I joined, Yes I met Blake, and yes I am still a proud card carrying BSer.

This really was the beginning for me, what started as a way to listen to the radio without getting frustrated to a road trip odyssey to Nashville.

Here is the sad part though. My peers actually make fun of me. The have disgusting looks on there faces when ever I choose to speak of my music fun. I know that there are plenty of people who listen to country music in my little part of the world and I have found them. But most don't get it. Oh well!!
Next time: How I talked my daughter Caroline into meeting Blake.
JH